Alan's Garden Blog

I finally got round to fixing my compost bins. I use my own compost in my garden plus all the local installations I do. Two 30 litre bags per large bed. It is 'cold' compost meaning it contains worms and plenty of micro-organisms.  Don't get hung up with the complexity of composting, provided you have a good mix around the correct ratio it will work fine. Being out there with a thermometer in the middle of the night only means your compost will mature quicker. I use a couple of manures, green lawn clippings from a mower man, newspaper torn...

Not sure if it's a conspiracy, but I have never seen a gardening show demonstrating wicking beds that would not lead to disaster if the instructions were followed. In the latest Costa on Gardening Australia put in about 70mm of scoria and filled the rest with soil. About 100mm of this would stay under water and go sour unless the keeper of the gardens regularly drained them which would be a real drag. He also said soil depth should be 350 to 500mm which is incorrect. The wicking process would not work at that depth. I enjoy all the gardening...

I am very happy with the results of my new Grid Planter. Rather than planting in rows I use the grid to plant veggies. Depending on the plant you choose the colour coded holes that apply.  It makes planting seeds a lot easier because after you have made the hole to the correct depth with the calibrated rod you simply drop the seeds through the hole in the grid planter. When plating seedlings the rod is pushed through the holes that apply, the grid removed and the holes are in the soil to guide you. The Grid Planter comes with...

Hi Alan Please see attached a couple of photos of the vegi beds we purchased from you a couple of weeks ago. Construction was a breeze with handy tips in the instructions. We used the boards to form level platforms to place the beds on. Saved a heap of digging. The cylinders are home made in garden compost tubes. We looked at the commercial variety at you know where however, they are far too large, so we made our own.ThanksCarl 

I only go to the best shows so you will have a great experience at any one of the following. Toowoomba Farmers Market: every second Saturday beside Cobb & Co Toowoomba. Well worth a visit, fantastic range of organic produce and planet friendly products-a quality market. (http://toowoombafarmersmarket.com.au) Logan Eco Action Festival (LEAF): Griffith University, Logan Campus, Sunday 5 June, 10am - 3pm. An array of eco businesses, live music, demonstrations, workshops and children’s activities. (http://www.logan.qld.gov.au/environment-water-and-waste/environmental-programs/logan-eco-action-festival-leaf ) Queensland Garden Expo: Nambour, Friday 8th to Sunday 10th July. The best garden expo in Brisbane. Have a couple of days at the coast and pay me...