Hey gardeners in Victoria (Oz), did you know that the EPA will test your soil for you, one time?

You can send three samples (from different parts of the garden) and they'll test them and let you know what's up with your soil, and whether you have dangerous contaminants, like lead.

I'm checking before I plant my food forest garden, so I can decide whether to use our soil or go with raised beds.

https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/gardensafe

Edited to add the link.

#gardening #gardeningAu #GardeningAustralia #melbourne

Hey gardeners in Victoria (Oz), did you know that the EPA will test your soil for you, one time?

You can send three samples (from different parts of the garden) and they'll test them and let you know what's up with your soil, and whether you have dangerous contaminants, like lead.

I'm checking before I plant my food forest garden, so I can decide whether to use our soil or go with raised beds.

https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/gardensafe

Edited to add the link.

#gardening #gardeningAu #GardeningAustralia #melbourne

Do yourself a favour and get a friend that has one of these you can borrow

#GardeningAU

Do yourself a favour and get a friend that has one of these you can borrow

#GardeningAU

It appears I am finally having some success growing thyme

#Canberra #GardeningAU

It appears I am finally having some success growing thyme

#Canberra #GardeningAU

The tiny Warrigal greens shoot that'd self seeded itself in a crack and I took home in half a plastic water bottle I found nearby has embraced the kitchen window area and is thriving.

I probably need to put it in a "proper" pot real soon but I'm kind of worried that if I change tactics at this point I may make things worse.

#florespondence #gardening #gardeningAU

Two new wicking beds now completed, and I'm letting the soil settle, and the inevitable weed seeds to germinate. I've ordered tomato & chilli seeds, but I fear they will arrive too late to be of much use this year.

Today, I will go out in search of nasturtiums and/or marigolds for #CompanionPlanting.

#GardeningAU

The lovely family running http://www.seedfreaks.com.au are shutting up online sales for a couple years as of Oct 1st so that they can look after their toddler. So if you want some fantastic heirloom and heritage seeds, scoot over and order fast.

#gardening#GardeningAU#Seeds #plants #garden#Australia#Tasmania#Horticulture

The lovely family running http://www.seedfreaks.com.au are shutting up online sales for a couple years as of Oct 1st so that they can look after their toddler. So if you want some fantastic heirloom and heritage seeds, scoot over and order fast.

#gardening#GardeningAU#Seeds #plants #garden#Australia#Tasmania#Horticulture

The first Melbourne "Fool's spring" of the year has been just gorgeous.

But a warning to new gardeners; DO NOT plant your spring/summer plants yet.

Ignore the siren call of the bunnings.

You can probably get away with planting:
- peas
- broccoli
- rocket
- radish

But it is far, far, FAR TOO EARLY for tomatoes, corn, watermelon, eggplant, zucchini, basil etc

They will die almost definitely. And if they don't die, they will be leggy and not fruit as well. Just wait.

#GardeningAu #GardeningAustralia#Melbourne

The first Melbourne "Fool's spring" of the year has been just gorgeous.

But a warning to new gardeners; DO NOT plant your spring/summer plants yet.

Ignore the siren call of the bunnings.

You can probably get away with planting:
- peas
- broccoli
- rocket
- radish

But it is far, far, FAR TOO EARLY for tomatoes, corn, watermelon, eggplant, zucchini, basil etc

They will die almost definitely. And if they don't die, they will be leggy and not fruit as well. Just wait.

#GardeningAu #GardeningAustralia#Melbourne