Feedback Frenzy

Stay on the designated walkway

 

As I've been mulling over what to share about the garden, on Friday night, we received a downpour. Perhaps the biggest rainfall we've seen since January 2011, when the infamous Queensland floods destroyed the Lockyer Valley. That's nine years of increasingly, smaller amounts of rainfall, and my garden had to cope all that time. Much to my surprise, there are successes when plants survive. However, the soil takes a beating when fast water is on the move again. Especially after drought conditions. This latest event has revealed problems I still need to address. 

Ambiguity is the hardest word

The garden, today
 

Hello blogging friends! I thought I would return to this space much sooner than now, but the last six months have seen some exceptional times. Not just because of the various shutdowns, as the world decides how to deal with a pandemic, - but other things have emerged in our lives, which required some decision making of our own. I'm still in the throws of that process, but will do my best to explain.

The potter planner

Making words with lego

Hello again, friends. Where have I been for the past two months? Like most parents during lock-down, our kids started learning from home with study packs. Getting creative with lego and playdough, made it a little more interesting - but all things come to an end. They returned to school, a few weeks ago. I'd like to say, that's when I caught-up with my property projects. They've been heckling from the sidelines, to come finish them. But I needed some unstructured time to myself, first.

Sweden's controversial COVID-19 approach

Someone is finally saying, what I have been thinking all along. Trust Sweden to make rational decisions. Not the political hot-potato, countries try to juggle, so no-one gets burned. We have to face the reality that deaths WILL come of this pandemic, but what is the long-term cost of trying to hold off facing the toll? Dr Bjorn Lomborg, Danish Political Scientist, is starting the discussion, no-one wants to hear - but inevitably, society will have to face. 

Patterns in nature

Aloe vera, currently in flower

While contemplating my recent series on developing healthy immunity, the pandemic was not far from my mind. Just as I had to learn what diabetes was, and why it effected me, I would cast the same discernment over the current strain of coronavirus. It's the only way to understand what exactly, we're dealing with. What I have learned, isn't really discussed in the mainstream.

'Miracle' tree

Just above net, when first planted

Happy Easter! And what an apt time to write about the Miracle tree. Or Moringa oleifera. I've been on the hunt for this tree, for a while. As I'd often heard it referred to, as the "Miracle" tree. Why would it be called that? Well, first I had to track one down! It proved to be difficult to find in my area, although many backyard nurseries were selling it on the Sunshine Coast. I eventually found a seed supplier, and was excited when several of them germinated. Unfortunately the two-year drought hit, and all died in my shade-house, except one! The tree you see above.

Rest & reset

Feet up in the lounge room

I've come to the final piece of the puzzle, to amend a compromised immune system. I've discussed food, mood and movement already. It all connects to the gut microbiota, to the brain and finally to the immune system response. It's a very basic overview. The ecosystem of our body, has a lot more layers of complexity. Yet it's enough to grasp the interaction, required for the most efficient biological systems. And how we can play our part developing them. Now all there is left to address, is rest.

Moving your moods

"Thinker" on the mantel

Thanks to those who shared their experiences, in the comments section of my post about probiotic foods, and strategies for building healthy immunity. I especially liked the sound of Meg's, pro/prebiotic potato salad, because it contains apple-cider vinegar. I forgot to mention, apple-cider vinegar is another great, and easily accessible fermented food. It's something I've made in the past, and should do more of.

Learning & laughter

Approx 25 minutes

While writing posts on improving immunity, I wanted to share some valuable advice from other trusted sources. There's an interview with Sally Fallon, who works closely with the Western A Price Foundation. She speaks about the coronavirus and how we can deal with it, through food. It was refreshing to see some common sense used, instead of confusion around the coronavirus. There are some lessons to take from past pandemics.

Second Ferment Kombucha

Fermented tea

In yesterday's post about the benefits of ferments in your diet, a question from MargaretP, asked how I got so many bubbles in my kombucha. It hasn't always been the case. When I first started making kombucha tea, I also experienced the disappointment of waiting for the second ferment, only to have LESS bubbles, than the first time it fermented in my jar.

Eat what now?

Joey says: "Australia, eat your greens!"

Thanks to those who engaged the comments, of my last post. It's incredibly valuable to read how others translate their situations, during this unprecedented time. I was going to discuss why the Medical industry, has a hard time providing answers (beyond, a cure). But was heartened to see some further advice being dispensed recently.

Lessons from disease

Constructive mess

I've been on hiatus with some construction projects. They always seem to take longer than I imagine. I haven't been oblivious to what's happening in the world right now though. Because it's impacted us in some significant ways. The kids are now at home, for the foreseeable future. Not because I believe in the social distancing strategy - I'll share my thoughts about why, soon. Rather, it conserves our resources to use this opportunity to keep them home. Serving the same goal I guess.

Making nests

Pest duty

This little wren was cleaning up my Kitchen Garden, back when I had the netting on. Many small birds pass through, for a curious inspection. Pity they don't eat grasshoppers! I don't get any caterpillars though. These little guys clean them up, before they get big and fat. They can feed their babies from my Kitchen garden, any time. But this post really isn't about my property. It's about a different venture.

How-to Hugelkultur

The subtropical jungle, returns

Perhaps I should say, how NOT to Hugelkulture instead? As these are the lessons I've learned about Hugelkulture in arid climates. Right now, it doesn't seem very arid, since the two-year drought has finally broken. Receiving another 17 mm yesterday. This is wonderful news of course, as it's allowed me to return to planting fruit trees again. But in so doing, I reassessed some areas I used Hugelkultur in. The past two years of drought, taught me a lot about their application.

Kitchen garden expands

Late summer, 2020

Happy to report, another 23 mm came through the rainwater gauge, in the past 24 hours. Great news for food production. But my journey in this department, has taken a few twists and turns. Like starting my Kitchen Garden in the middle of 2018. It enabled food production in containers, by economising water. With the added advantage of being close to the kitchen. Almost 2 years later, I'm totally in love with this area. So always looking for ways to expand it, and make more resilient!

Back in the swing

Yucca, in flower

In the past three days, we've received 36 mm of rain. Which is the most we've experienced on consecutive days, in around two years. Not counting the rain we received late 2019 and early 2020. Which can only mean one thing. Phenomenal growth in the garden! As my husband wrangles equipment to tackle the lawn, I'm suddenly faced with my old routine with pruning shears. Ready to chop and drop all that material, I've literally been waiting years to grow.

Catching up

Stella's frangipani (a departed friend, whose cutting we cherish)

Hello new year! 2020. I didn't mean to be away this long, but life kind of happened. Like recovering from Christmas, then a stomach bug which took me and our youngest out, for a bit. In early January I pulled my trapezius muscle, from my neck all the way down to my shoulder blade. Typing was not an option. I'm much better now though, and both kids are at school for another year. So like our pink frangipani, life is just blooming along.