Bath gardening with mini worm farms installed

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bath gardening, nature, organic, recycle, worm farm

3 baths, one plastic and the other 2 cast iron were relocated from the old garden. We have decided to grow vegetables in them, as a preventative measure against the porcupines devouring all the vegetables. Here we have Happy installing a mini worm farm.

Holes were punched out the bottom of the bucket as well as the lid

Installation complete, ready for planting.

RELATED ARTICLES : A new twist to a keyhole/ circle garden

Plants on steroids?

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animals, compost, coriander, earthworms, food, garden, green tips, herbs, Home and Garden, home grown, key hole, organic, Vermicompost, winter savory, worm, worm castings, worm farm, worm garden

The lush Coriander in the container with a Mini worm farm installation.

The  mint after being fed with worm castings

The Winter Savory fed with worm castings.

 

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Coriander Key hole worm garden

Keyhole Gardens

A new twist to a key hole/circle garden – mini worm farm

Winter Savory- the forgotten Herb

 

The August workshop – Three gardens in one

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coke bottles, egg shells, food, garden, gardening, herbal plants, Home and Garden, home grown, organic, plant, planting seeds, useful plants, worm farm

The course participants introducing them selves to each other. Here we have Colin, Carlene, Enid, Felicity, Penny-Jane, Erica, Linda and Marina.

The weather was perfect for gardening. The group divided themselves into 3 groups and each group created a different garden.

 

Compost, gardening tools, plants , old coke bottles and wood were all gathered up with which everyone used to create their gardens.

Everyone frantically busy creating their gardens.

Enid planting seeds. Enid looks after orphans in Kayalitsha and is starting to grow food to feed them.

Deep in design thought and discussion.

Linda sprinkling the crushed egg shells to deter the snails.

Even our resident  Cape Angulate Tortoise came along to see what all the activity was all about.

Erica, Justin and Enid created “The Sweet Garden” due to the fact that a worm farm was incorporated, the vegetables planted are sweet and Lavender which will attract the bees.

Carlene and Felicity (Linda had to leave early) show us their “Pizza Garden” Fabulous to go outside and pick fresh produce for your Pizza!

Colin, Marina and Penny-Jane created a useful plants garden, consisting of herbal plants.

A wonderful fun workshop was had by all. After the last 2 days rain the plants will be growing actively in no time at all.

 

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Coriander – Key hole worm garden

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allergy, chinese parsley, cilantro, coriander, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, Folk medicine, food, garden, gardening, green tips, health, herbs, home grown, key hole garden, micro-greens, organic, plants, traditional indian medicine, vegetarian, worm farm

This Coriander was planted a few weeks after the worm farm was installed. (under the pot). The growth is lush and healthy. The coriander was massed planted to that I would have a pot of micro-greens to harvest when required.

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum), also known as cilantro, Chinese parsley or dhania, is an annual herb in the family Apiaceae. Coriander is native to regions spanning from southern Europe and North Africa to southwestern Asia. It is a soft, hairless plant growing to 50 cm (20 in) tall. The leaves are variable in shape, broadly lobed at the base of the plant, and slender and feathery higher on the flowering stems. The flowers are borne in small umbels, white or very pale pink, asymmetrical, with the petals pointing away from the centre of the umbel longer (5–6 mm) than those pointing towards it (only 1–3 mm long). The fruit is a globular, dry schizocarp 3–5 mm (0.12–0.20 in) in diameter.

Coriander, like many spices, contains antioxidants, which can delay or prevent the spoilage of food seasoned with this spice. A study found both the leaves and seed to contain antioxidants, but the leaves were found to have a stronger effect.

Coriander has been used as a folk medicine for the relief of anxiety and insomnia in Iran. Coriander seeds are used in traditional Indian medicine as a diuretic by boiling equal amounts of coriander seeds and cumin seeds, then cooling and consuming the resulting liquid. In holistic and traditional medicine, it is used as a calming and as a digestive aid.

Warning : Coriander allergy

Eating a dish containing Coriander can trigger an immune reaction soon after eating it.

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A new twist to a key hole/circle garden – mini worm farm

Walkabout in Ariston

Surprises

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allotment gardens, broad beans, carob, compost heap, food, garden, gardening, green peppers, home grown, organic, worm farm, worms

Wow Bonnie’s allotment has grown is leaps and bounds. Green Peppers, Chilli’s, tomatoes are all ripe for the picking.

Craig’s garden has Mustard which has escaped growing lushly. The Comfrey is threatening to take over the compost heap.

The Lavender is waiting to be harvested. The last harvest before Winter sets in.

Wild medicinal weeds are plentiful. Plantago

So many flowers to harvest off the Lavender to distill into Hydro lat  and drying for Pot Pouris

Carobs are growing to a mighty height and in full flowers. I cannot wait for the seeds pods.

Another view of Bonnie’s garden. The broad beans are full of flowers, and the tomatoes are ripe for the picking.

A gift from Nature …Now this is a surprise. This Butternut sprung up in the March “J” workshop garden. It must be courtesy of the Worm farm’s compost.

A new twist to a key hole/circle garden – mini worm farm

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circle garden, compost pile, garden, green tips, key hole garden, mini worm farm, organic, recycle, reuse, small scale farming, worm castings, worm farm, worms

Using an empty 2 Lt bottle, cut off the bottom. Fill with worm castings and worms leaving space for some raw organic vegetable waste.

Plant the bottle in the middle of a large container, leaving a small amount exposed at the top.

Cover with a pot.

Plant your desired vegetables in the container. Keep on topping up the mini worm farm with raw kitchen waste.

The mini worm farm will feed your plants right down to the root level. The result happy, healthy and well fed vegetables.

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This is what is commonly referred to as a keyhole garden, an old world small-scale farming system invented in Africa. Build a circular structure to support the garden and bring it up to waist height to keep yourself comfortable and create easy accessibility. Place a reasonably wide wire tube for compost and a semi sealed “keyhole” entry to allow you to slide in for tending. The compost pile is where you concentrate the watering, which helps break down the organic goodies and disperse them throughout the garden for the plants. Fill in the bottom with wood and other materials at the bottom, pile on some nice soil on top and you’re all set to go!

This post was shared on Wildcrafting Wednesday

Wow – what a novel idea

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brilliant idea, composting, food, gardening, green tips, home grown, nature, organic, plants, recycle, recycling, reuse, vegetable garden, worm farm, wormfarms, worms

 

I came across this yesterday, and I think it is a brilliant idea to incorporate a worm farm into your vegetable garden. I can going to try this as soon as possible.

 

One could also set one up in a far corner of your garden for your pet feces.