tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8284944855633609232.post6258389355197760780..comments2024-02-10T18:50:01.193+10:00Comments on Gully Grove: Planning aheadChris http://www.blogger.com/profile/13715819899708384147noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8284944855633609232.post-81751203815157170662016-06-05T08:50:47.482+10:002016-06-05T08:50:47.482+10:00We got some rain recently, Mr Home Maker, so hope ...We got some rain recently, Mr Home Maker, so hope returns. :) It's great when it comes back after a long hiatus.<br /><br />I like the reusing of your spent potting mix idea. In future, I was planning to put it back into our compost pile, to let the worms hydrate it again. I've tried reusing potting mix, by giving it some extra compost, but I've found it becomes hydrophobic quicker. Must be our hight temps in summer that does it.Chris https://www.blogger.com/profile/13715819899708384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8284944855633609232.post-11975796495564704382016-06-05T08:46:13.325+10:002016-06-05T08:46:13.325+10:00Sorry for the late reply, I've been getting ov...Sorry for the late reply, I've been getting over a cold with the rest of the household. At least it was at the beginning of winter, instead of the middle. ;)<br /><br />I'm happy to report the wooly scarf (compost pile) has endured the curious scratching of no less than 3 brush turkey's, our large chicken, plus a bantam pekin we've adopted from the neighbours (once again). Apparently it was being picked on in its coop too. When it got out, it decided to move over here. Its so cute. We can't get near it, but it does let us within view, without running away any more.<br /><br />So yay, its working! I was going to suggest something prickly as ground cover for the fruit trees at your place, but then it makes it harder for you to access them too. Have you tried a circle of society garlic around the drip line of the trees, then a strong scented mint inside the circle? They may have a nibble here and there, but wouldn't be able to stomach a lot of the strongly scented herbs. Just depends on how many rabbits you have to contend with.<br /><br />I haven't tried growing Valencias here, but I'm not as big a fan of them, as I am the Navels. Love the Navels! Which is why I probably won't grow the Valencias. Chris https://www.blogger.com/profile/13715819899708384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8284944855633609232.post-44974666723904227242016-06-04T15:08:33.291+10:002016-06-04T15:08:33.291+10:00Well the rains are 'ere Marj - 2 days of prett...Well the rains are 'ere Marj - 2 days of pretty much solid rain now. Hope it comes your way soon Chris. Fascinated by all your mulching etc. With my spent potting mix I add (per wheel barrow load) two shovels full of chicken manure and two shovel full of rotten compost and just reuse it (but not for the same type of crop)Phil Poggeauxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10528068263542083696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8284944855633609232.post-50079604664096159902016-06-02T10:29:01.379+10:002016-06-02T10:29:01.379+10:00I loved the photo of the chicken working out the s...I loved the photo of the chicken working out the solution to her next problem, too!<br /><br />The orange tree looks like it's wearing a woolly scarf round its neck! I'm gradually building stuff up around my fruit tree trunks too. I'd like to have an edible ground cover or low shrub there eventually but it takes a lot of experimenting to find what the rabbits won't eat.<br /><br />Strangely, my Lane's Late Navel died and my Washington Navel is going like the clappers. Can you grow Valencias up there? I love them for juicing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8284944855633609232.post-13473769953646074272016-06-01T09:34:11.319+10:002016-06-01T09:34:11.319+10:00Very, very mischievous, lol. But I think they'...Very, very mischievous, lol. But I think they're awesome at being fowl. I sometimes hate what they do to my efforts, but then I have to respect their dedication and persistence too. Because it reminds me of myself. ;)<br /><br />As my husband likes to say: the unstopped force meets the immoveable object. :) Chris https://www.blogger.com/profile/13715819899708384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8284944855633609232.post-54022905117076325392016-05-31T22:22:38.214+10:002016-05-31T22:22:38.214+10:00Chris,our Sally the chook is also free ranging dur...Chris,our Sally the chook is also free ranging during the day as she was being pecked by the other chooks and isn't it amazing the mischief they can get up to! I love navel oranges but ours aren't navels unfortunately. They get no TLC from us either. :-)Nanna Chelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07500527266771727074noreply@blogger.com