{"id":49,"date":"2009-09-05T00:57:21","date_gmt":"2009-09-04T14:27:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/theshoppe.com.au\/wp\/?page_id=49"},"modified":"2013-02-27T17:16:40","modified_gmt":"2013-02-27T06:46:40","slug":"green-fingers","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/theshoppe.com.au\/?page_id=49","title":{"rendered":"Backyard Self-Sufficiency"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"10.Green<\/a><\/p>\n

Our planet is a most beautiful place<\/span>.<\/h3>\n

Gardens, the countryside, parks – with plants, flowers, trees, birds, insects and animals connect us with that beauty\u00a0and all-important source of life.\u00a0As a culture we have disconnected from our core – the planet.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

We\u2019ve forgotten how to enjoy the pleasures of Mother Earth – to grow fruit, vegetables, flowers, herbs, trees and shrubs for aromatic, aesthetic, healing, flowers, beauty, relaxation and productivity (growing our own).<\/p>\n

It\u2019s an amazing process \u2013 a miracle \u2013 for which we should\u00a0be thankful every day.\u00a0Our very own piece of earth \u2013 whether it be a large acreage of farm land or outback station, a country retreat, a suburban backyard or a few plant pots on the balcony – is a precious gift of the Earth \u2013 it is, therefore, our responsibility to treat it with the respect it deserves and\u00a0utilise its virtues to the fullest.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/h2>\n

10 Tips for Getting Started<\/h2>\n

Start the process by just doing a few simple things that help you and your garden reconnect with Mother Nature:<\/p>\n

1.<\/strong> Plant lots of easy-to-grow plants<\/strong>, trees and shrubs (preferably native)
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

2<\/strong>.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Set up a vegetable and herb growing area<\/strong><\/p>\n

3.<\/strong> Aim to maintain: Nothing in \u2013 Nothing out<\/strong>.\u00a0 Everything from the garden is recycled back into the garden.<\/p>\n

4.<\/strong> Set up a compost pile<\/strong> (homemade natural fertiliser)\"hen\"<\/a><\/p>\n

5.<\/strong> No Chemicals<\/strong> \u2013 chemicals upset the natural balance in the garden. Use natural sprays and fertilisers.<\/p>\n

6<\/strong>.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Use recycled materials<\/strong> in the garden whenever possible<\/p>\n

7.<\/strong> Manage your water supply<\/strong><\/p>\n

8.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 No burning<\/strong> \u2013 it adds to air pollution.<\/p>\n

9<\/strong>.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Keep hens or\u00a0ducks<\/strong><\/p>\n

10<\/strong>.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Hang a bird feeder from a tree and install a bird bath<\/strong> and watch the birds feed and play.\u00a0 Fill the feeder on a daily basis at about the same time \u2013 so that the birds become familiar with the routine. Sit and watch while enjoying a tea or coffee \u2013 you\u2019ll be amazed at the pleasure and fulfilment it brings you.<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Growing Vegetables<\/h3>\n

Nothing beats the sheer pleasure of using what has been grown straight from the garden into the kitchen!\u00a0\"10.Green However \u2013 enjoying vegetable gardening depends on successful vegetable growing. Just one failure is sufficient to discourage most people. Make sure your first \u2018crop\u2019 is a good one.\u00a0 Before venturing into the garden to plant start by growing successful produce in a \u2018controlled\u2019 environment. Then \u2018branch out\u2019 into the garden.\u00a0 For a \u2018never fail\u2019 method for growing vegetables cheaply in recycled containers see e-Booklet No.\u00a076 – Growing Vegetables in Containers<\/strong> – Price $8.00 \u00a0 (Available for instant download)\u00a0 Click here<\/strong><\/em><\/a> to order. <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Composting\u00a0 (Homemade Fertilizer)<\/h3>\n

The key to successful vegetable gardening is composting.\u00a0 e-Booklet No. 19 –\u00a0Composting for Beginners<\/strong> contains all you need to know about successful composting.\u00a0<\/a> Click here<\/strong><\/em><\/a> to order<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Homemade Natural Sprays<\/h3>\n

Homemade sprays\u00a0can be\u00a0chemical free, cheap to make and very environmentally responsible. There is an array of common household ingredients that can be used to make garden sprays. Here’s a recipe to help get started:<\/p>\n

Recipe<\/span>: Soap-based Repellent Spray<\/strong>:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mix two tablespoons of grated pure soap (from a cake of soap \u2013 do not use detergent)\"10.Green<\/a> with 2 cups boiling water. Stir to completely dissolve the soap.\u00a0 Add 1 teaspoon hot chilli powder, 3 garlic cloves (cut in half) and 8 drops eucalyptus oil.\u00a0 Pour into a large jar or bottle. Seal and leave for 7 days. Strain to remove garlic and any remaining grated soap.\u00a0 To use: Dilute one part with 4 parts water. Pour into spray bottle. Spray liberally onto plants for deterring small sucking insects such as aphids, white-fly \u2013 it will also deter ants and caterpillars (with regular application).\u00a0 Repeat as necessary.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 More recipes in e-Booklet<\/strong> No. 21 – Safe & Organic Sprays.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Click here<\/strong><\/em><\/a> to order booklets for download\u00a0or for\u00a0more information about\u00a0\u2019The Shoppe\u2019 publications<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

______________________________________<\/p>\n

Publications:<\/h3>\n

<\/a> Backyard Self-Sufficiency e-Booklet Set<\/h2>\n

Resourceful an\"\"d environmentally responsible ways in the garden – recycling, composting, natural sprays & companion planting, successful vegetable growing in containers.<\/strong><\/p>\n

6\u00a0booklets<\/strong>: No. 36 Recycling & Improvising in the Garden, No. 19 Composting for the Beginner, No. 21 Safe & Organic Sprays, No. 41 Keeping Hens, No. 67 Growing Vegetables in Containers,\u00a0 No. 78 Companion Planting Guide.\u00a0\u00a0 Price: $42.00\u00a0 (Available for instant download)\u00a0 ADD TO CART<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

_________________________________________________<\/p>\n

Living in Harmony with the Planet Workshops<\/h2>\n

\"3.<\/p>\n

Backyard Self-Sufficiency\u00a0Workshop<\/span><\/h2>\n

Format: <\/strong>Simple backyard or container vegetable growing; <\/span>Recycling in the garden; <\/span>Making fullest use of what\u2019s in your garden \u2013 i.e. herbs, eucalyptus, etc, for cooking, cleaning, herbal products, deodorising, healing, insect repellents; <\/span>Composting for the beginner; <\/span>Creating an environmentally aware garden. <\/span>Take Home Samples<\/strong>: Soap-based Garden Spray, Selection of self-propagating plants in recycled pots, Herbal Deodoriser Spray<\/span><\/p>\n

Available soon as a Workshop@Home – <\/span>Click here<\/span><\/a> for information<\/p>\n

____________________________________________<\/p>\n

Pam’s Post
\n<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"10.Green<\/a> My garden is an extremely important stabilizing factor in my life. In it I find quietness, peace and safety. I consider it my own personal piece of earth \u2013 it\u2019s not perfect \u2013 it\u2019s in the middle of suburbia, worse still on the boundary of an industrial area of Adelaide, it\u2019s overgrown in parts, it has (some) weeds (and lots of kikuyu!), it has some \u2018junk\u2019 yet to be sorted – but it\u2019s mine – my very own \u2018creation\u2019.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"10.Green<\/em><\/p>\n

I do my best to keep it chemical free and utilize everything that I grow to the fullest \u2013 without wastage. I grow vegetables \u2013 my favourite past time \u2013 I have an array of specially selected herbs and scented plants that I have planted over the years and I just love sitting right in the middle of the garden to watch and listen to the little things in Nature \u2013 birds, moths, butterflies, ants, bugs, cats, possums \u2013 etc.\u00a0 I just couldn\u2019t live without this connection to Earth.\u00a0 Gardens do not have to be perfect specimens of manicured art. It\u2019s not necessary to spend copious amounts of\u00a0money to find the perfect garden \u2013 creating a garden with recycled plants and materials is good for the Earth and it\u2019s Nature\u2019s way.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"10.Green<\/em><\/p>\n

The best time of the year is just after rain has fallen in early winter \u2013 the earth is renewed and the scattered seeds from summer and autumn begin to germinate ready for a new season.\u00a0 I enjoy\u00a0transplanting or potting\u00a0the new plants –\u00a0 it\u2019s like Christmas in the middle of the year. The next best time is spring when it’s the\u00a0time to plant summer bearing vegetables: tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, capsicum, beans, cucumber and the like.<\/em><\/p>\n

Then every morning my \u2018ritual\u2019 is to sit outside with my coffee and toast (even if it\u2019s for 5 minutes) to watch the young birds feed on fresh seed and assess the progress of my vegetables.\u00a0 It gives me a great boost to start of the day.<\/em><\/p>\n

Producing your very\u00a0own crop of home grown vegetables is such a rewarding experience.\u00a0\u00a0 If you do not have the advantage of a back-yard plot (or larger) then a tub or two of newly planted spring seedlings will do wonders for your sense of \u2018earth\u2019.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"10.Green<\/em><\/a>I am quite pleased with my recycling achievements too \u2013 I\u2019ve done things like fill a rusty old wheel-barrow with soil and plant sweet peas for a wonderful display or used white polystyrene tubs as flower pots for a front display and\u00a0growing tomatoes. I\u2019ve painted old car tyres to use as flower \u2018pots\u2019 plus turned the cover of a children\u2019s swimming\u00a0 pool into a \u2018green-house\u2019 using old wooden curtain rods as the legs!\u00a0 I\u2019ve even re-used cat litter to create foot-paths! Plastic drink bottle sections are so very useful as seedling protectors \u2013 they deter creepy crawlies, cats and protects young seedlings from the cold early-spring wind!<\/em><\/p>\n

– Pam Marshall<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Our planet is a most beautiful place. Gardens, the countryside, parks – with plants, flowers, trees, birds, insects and animals connect us with that beauty\u00a0and all-important source of life.\u00a0As a culture we have disconnected from our core – the planet. We\u2019ve forgotten how to enjoy the pleasures of Mother Earth – to grow fruit, vegetables, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":26,"menu_order":8,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-49","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/theshoppe.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/49","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/theshoppe.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/theshoppe.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theshoppe.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theshoppe.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=49"}],"version-history":[{"count":70,"href":"https:\/\/theshoppe.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/49\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2675,"href":"https:\/\/theshoppe.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/49\/revisions\/2675"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theshoppe.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/26"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/theshoppe.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=49"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}