January Planting

 This month I have planted from seed beetroot, rocket, tomato, mint, zucchini and silver beet. As you can see from the below photos, the rocket and zucchini have already started to shoot up. I am hoping that by April I can begin to harvest.

Rocket 

Zucchini 

The Sweet Persimmon Tree (non-astringent)

Michael and I planted a dwarf persimmon tree (also known as Fuyu Fruit) in July 2013. Michael named the plant Albert. 

Persimmons are a good source of vitamin C, are high in fibre and are fat free. Roughly a month ago our persimmon tree was attacked by mealybugs.

 Mealybugs excrete honeydew (sweet, sticky liquid), which fosters black sooty mould and attracts ants. The sooty mould caused the leaves of the plant to fall off.

We have been trying to treat the tree by scrubbing the mealybugs off with a toothbrush and soapy water. We have also been putting ant baits down to get ride of the ants. To treat the sooty mould we have used a natural a horticultural oil (neem oil). It is too early for us to know if our tree will survive but we hoping that it will.

After I realised that Albert was sick I searched the rest of the balcony garden and found that the mealy bugs has also attacked the Kale, egg plant and tomatoes.  

Benefits of growing your own food

Chives

Rosemary

There are many benefits of growing your own food such as:

1. Saves money

Growing your own food can help cut the cost of the grocery bill. For example a fresh punnet of herbs will cost you roughly $2.40 at the grocery store and packet of 100 seeds cost $1.50 (http://www.theseedcollection.com.au/epages/shop.sf/en_AU/?ObjectPath=/Shops/TheSeedCollection/Categories/herb)


2.Get the nutrition you need and enjoy tastier food

Many studies show that organic food has more minerals and nutrients than food grown with synthetic pesticides. Being able to go outside and pick your own food and eat it straight away also means that your food is going to be fresher and tastier. Most fruit and vegetables lose nutritional value when they are stored for lengthy periods, or when they are being transported from interstate or overseas.

3. Brings your family together

Planting, harvesting and caring for a garden is a great way to bring your family together. A garden provides an excellent opportunity to teach children about nature and growing cycles as well as nutrition.

4.Exercise

Gardening is a gentle, relaxing and stress-lowering form of exercise. Garden tasks, like hoeing, digging, harvesting, carrying pots and dirt can provide you with as much exercise as a workout at the gym.

Capsicum

Zucchini

Tommy toe tomatoes