My hen has turned broody recently and I can't keep her away from the laying box which could ultimately effect her health. The following link gives some good tips on handy tips.
I have closed the chook house off (with the lay box) so she cant get in there and gave her a soak in a cold bath to alter her hormonal balance....
http://successwithpoultry.blogspot.com.au/2009/06/how-to-stop-broody-hen-from-staying.html
Tuesday, 22 October 2013
Food Diversity
VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE
It's not only important to grow a variety of food species which supports bio-diversity
but to feed ourselves a diverse and nutritious diet.
Make sure you collect seed, swap seed or purchase seed from organic seed saver networks such as Eden Seeds.
The splendid variety of vegetables can be torturous in a delightful way. I love working through the catalogues and feel very empowered saving my own seed form backyard crops.
Tuesday, 1 October 2013
Australian Native Beekeeping for hobby keepers
The following information was copied from the ABC Natuve Bee Fact sheet in relation to the Australian Native Bee Research Centre at Kurrajong, NSW.
"In Australia we have about 2000 species of native bees, but only 10 of these are social bees with a queen, drones and workers, like the honey bees. These social native bees are stingless, and live in colonies of up to many 1000s in such places as hollow trees. They are 3 - 4 mm long and look like small flies. All our other native bee species are solitary and do not have a social colony structure. Each solitary female builds an individual nest for her offspring. While solitary bees do not store excess honey in their nests, they play an important role in the bush as pollinators.
The stingless social bees are tropical bees and thrive in the northern states of Australia. It is possible to transfer these colonies into boxes, like hives, in which they are more easily managed. The brood comb, containing the eggs, is often formed in a beautiful spiral and it is possible to extract a little bush honey from the clusters of honey pots.
...Native bees are specific in the types of food they require, so Anne and Les provide different groups of native plant species to nourish them for the longest possible period. But while the bees like eucalypts, grevilleas, callistemon and melaleucas, they also like non-native plants like roses, abelias and daisies, so the home garden can support native bee populations quite easily. It is, of course, very important not to use insecticide in the garden".
You can buy Native Bee hives from a range of people - try Steve's Native Bees at http://www.stevesnativebees.com.au/
Also check out Amazing Bees at http://www.amazingbees.com.au/bee-colonies.html
"In Australia we have about 2000 species of native bees, but only 10 of these are social bees with a queen, drones and workers, like the honey bees. These social native bees are stingless, and live in colonies of up to many 1000s in such places as hollow trees. They are 3 - 4 mm long and look like small flies. All our other native bee species are solitary and do not have a social colony structure. Each solitary female builds an individual nest for her offspring. While solitary bees do not store excess honey in their nests, they play an important role in the bush as pollinators.
The stingless social bees are tropical bees and thrive in the northern states of Australia. It is possible to transfer these colonies into boxes, like hives, in which they are more easily managed. The brood comb, containing the eggs, is often formed in a beautiful spiral and it is possible to extract a little bush honey from the clusters of honey pots.
...Native bees are specific in the types of food they require, so Anne and Les provide different groups of native plant species to nourish them for the longest possible period. But while the bees like eucalypts, grevilleas, callistemon and melaleucas, they also like non-native plants like roses, abelias and daisies, so the home garden can support native bee populations quite easily. It is, of course, very important not to use insecticide in the garden".
You can buy Native Bee hives from a range of people - try Steve's Native Bees at http://www.stevesnativebees.com.au/
Also check out Amazing Bees at http://www.amazingbees.com.au/bee-colonies.html
Passion Fruit growing tips
A friend of mine asked me why his Passion Fruit vine wasn't fruiting.
With some background research I thought I'd list a few tips for those who love Passion Fruit
With some background research I thought I'd list a few tips for those who love Passion Fruit
- In spring, a good pruning is very handy accompanied by chook manure and mulch
- Passion Fruit vines like full sun, a trellis (obviously) and a good watering with well drained soil (to avoid root rot)
- Bees Bees and more bees! To Cross pollinate we need bees - so make sure you have other flowering herbs and plants nearby to attract bees to your Passion Fruit...Bees love Lavender and endless flowers. I also noticed they love Eucalyptus summer beauty plant types. If you have the space you could introduce a native bee hive to the garden - even better!!!!
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