Distraction

I've been letting the undergrowth grow out a bit, one reason to see if insects will be drawn to something else other than the edible stuff we want. This distraction seems to be working. A thorny plant popped up that is growing really fast and the bugs seem to love its leaves more than the surrounding veggies.

Bee home

I've been trying to attract bigger insect predators that hopefully will feed on the smaller bugs and larvae that have been feasting on our veggies. Started by placing some flowering plants between the veggies.

That yellow flow plant seems to grow quite easily and lots have sprouted in random places too.

Now I am looking for any kind of small cylinders to attract the bigger insects to make it their home. We got lots of bamboo around which will hopefully do the job. I have also been keeping my eyes open for cylinder type waste that will hold the bamboo together. 

Cut each bamboo at its own sections and inserted into a toilet roll as the holder...

I will try placing it in different spots in the garden. I'm sure the insects will have a preference as to how much sun and shade they want. This fence has a good dose of morning sun and is not shaded at all. 

Hmmm...the rain is going to get to the toilet roll very fast. Nevermind, this is experimental, just like the entire garden. 

Also trying bamboo directly to this smaller fence.

 

Fallen chilis

Normally I find maybe one or 2 chilis on the ground at the most. Today lots fell off the plant, no idea why. 

All still useable coz it must have happened overnight. If I miss any and they are on the ground for more than a day, there will be damage.

extra mileage on shop-bought spring onions

 Anything bought that still has roots, I just plant them in the the garden and see if we can a little more from them. These spring onions' roots look quite old but there is a little life still in them. 

Kept them in some pond water...

The next day you can see the plant is still alive with some growth...

Stuck them in the ground...

We wont get much from them, but its just fun to see how much growth there will be before they die out.

harvesting banana #5

 Some creature was getting to the fruit at night,

so before losing the lot, we had to harvest slightly earlier. Chopped all leaves first. Baby #6 just to the right of it....

This was what we got...

The trunk made a nice little picket fence. It will decompose there.

Some video of the day...

Resting after all the morning's excitement...

The only leaf I cant compost

This species is a real problem...

It's easier to identify when I flip it over...

fishy business

 Added fish innards to the garden today. Dug holes maybe 8-10 inches deep, chucked in the fish,

then some paper,

followed by coco coir,

and a layer of weeds from that area.

And then covered it back up. Accidentally took a selfie too :)

clay to reduce erosion

 I have just started adding any clay that I dig up to the edges of the veggie bed, just as an added barrier to keep the good soil in.

banana status

 Just a pic of the bananas

Fingers crossed they ripen and stay on the tree, especially with these little devils around...