Hi from Australia

[nick]

Hi to all.
I have two children under 5 so that keeps me pretty busy. I enjoy gardening - mainly vegetables - have a couple of roses but they don't seem to get much attention.
I have been visiting the site for a couple of months and have found a lot of helpful information. Currently being tested is Nev's seed raising mix and capillary action trays going. Have worked well with about six punnets of beetroot nearly ready to plant out. pretty good considering they have been in full sun and had four days over 40 deg cel.
I enjoy preserving and have just started putting together a collection of Fowler's jars - just need to learn how to use it.
looking forward to hearing from everyone.

[Millymollymandy]

Hi Nick and welcome to the site. Glad you are enjoying it. I think Nev is away for Xmas at the mo. Whereabouts in NSW are you?

[sparticuss]

Get out of it nick
If ya can't neglect roses and still have then thrive then ya should'nt be gardeings.

What are these capiliary action seed raisng trays that you are on about.? I grow most of my own vegies and seedlings cost nearly as much as supermarket vegs.

So I could use a hand with growing my own seedlings, paticularly under glass in the winter.

ie Is an old window fram just laid on the garded bed sufficent os is a heated greenhous essential ????????????????

[nick]

I live in the Newcastle area (up the coast a couple of hours from Sydney)

Sparticuss, the capillary action is started when the punnets are placed in a container on top of a layer of sand and water filled so that it is just starting to show through. more at the bottom of selfsufficientish.com/seeds.htm

I reuse punnets that have been washed with disinfectant. Was starting to find the store bought seedlings pretty expensive myself hence the search for a better option.

A glass frame would be good. I use a some clear plastic over top of the seedlings with some air space (if it is hot make sure there is enough air flow) the best way I've found is to try and get the variety that best suits the time of year and your location.

[Andy Hamilton]

Hi there Nick and welcome to the site.

Let us know how you get on with Nevs mix mate. I must say with the weather like it is here in the uk I am a bit envious of you lot from down under.

Andy

[nick]

Results from the seed raising mix - pretty close to 100% germination - didn't count the seeds when putting them in - just needed to get it done before it was too dark and couldn't see anything. I changed the 'recipe' a little. I used the same proportions as Nev but used casting from the worms instead of compost and didn't use any perlite (keep forgetting to look for some when shopping) beats paying for the mix any day. cost for the coir was $2.50, the sand was at home as were the castings - so for five punnets (that were recycled for the deep dark shed) about 20cents and a bit of time and seeds (bought in bulk)

[Shirley]

Sounds like a great success to me -

Hi from the cold north east of scotland.

Shirlz x

[Andy Hamilton]

Glad to hear that the advice we give out actually works, will let nev know.

I know what I will be growing my seedlings in next year.

[Wombat]

G'Day Nick,

Thanks for the info, Andy did tell me about your success when I met him in London.

I think it is important to experiment with what you have rather then slavishly following someone elses recommendations - also it adds to our knowledge a bit too!

Punnets of veggies are dear so I think it is good to do it yourself if you can!

Nev

[Shelle]

Hiya Nick

I am a bit behind the 8 ball ... had a bit of trouble getting bk on the site .. but all good now and making up for lost time

Seems we dont live that far apart ... hopefully i will be able to pick your brain a great deal ... going into my second planting season so still very green!

[nick]

Hi Shelle, originally from around Taree and have a brother at port - the real self sufficient type ie living it up next to the beach flatting with mates and the most regular fruit and veg comes from the cafe. appreciates any home grown stuff as 'it tastes better'. catch you later

[woolcraft]

Hi Nick,

Welcome, I look forward to reading your posts from down under.

Sue