Comments for Green-Change.com http://green-change.com An Australian family choosing to go green Tue, 08 May 2012 23:20:17 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Comment on My Favourite Sustainability and Homesteading Podcasts by Darren http://green-change.com/2012/04/29/my-favourite-podcasts/#comment-116054 Darren Tue, 08 May 2012 23:20:17 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=3041#comment-116054 <p>@Dan: Dingoes may be a problem out west, I'm not too sure. Wild dogs are worse, and there are some packs around here. They've never been near our property, thankfully. Our biggest predator problem here though is foxes - they're very hard on poultry, rabbits, baby lambs, etc, so all the cages/pens have to be very well protected. Makes it hard to free-range your animals!</p> @Dan: Dingoes may be a problem out west, I’m not too sure. Wild dogs are worse, and there are some packs around here. They’ve never been near our property, thankfully. Our biggest predator problem here though is foxes – they’re very hard on poultry, rabbits, baby lambs, etc, so all the cages/pens have to be very well protected. Makes it hard to free-range your animals!

]]> Comment on My Favourite Sustainability and Homesteading Podcasts by dan vamos http://green-change.com/2012/04/29/my-favourite-podcasts/#comment-116027 dan vamos Tue, 08 May 2012 20:11:51 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=3041#comment-116027 <p>Too bad on the hunting guns. Wild boar and venison are treats not to be missed. Add-in the damage feral hogs do...</p> <p>Also, I thought wild dogs (dingos sp?) are an issue as well in remote parts.</p> <p>Anyway, I'm not a real gun nut, but defending yourself and getting some free bacon would be nice.</p> <p>Thanks for the answer.</p> <p>Dan</p> Too bad on the hunting guns. Wild boar and venison are treats not to be missed. Add-in the damage feral hogs do…

Also, I thought wild dogs (dingos sp?) are an issue as well in remote parts.

Anyway, I’m not a real gun nut, but defending yourself and getting some free bacon would be nice.

Thanks for the answer.

Dan

]]> Comment on Corn Eaten By Pests! by Darren http://green-change.com/2012/02/16/corn-eaten-by-pests/#comment-115951 Darren Tue, 08 May 2012 13:31:49 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=2977#comment-115951 <p>@Alli: It was just a small experimental patch, but still the fresh corn would have been a nice treat. I didn't water it at all once it got going, as we've had a very wet summer here. I've found that crushed egg shells and a layer of coffee grounds around seedlings help to keep the slugs and snails away. Beer traps work fairly well for catching them, and the ducks appreciate the snack! Some people also put strips of copper around the seedlings, as slugs won't cross them (they get a weird electrical sensation, kind of like when aluminium foil touches a tooth filling), but I've found that too fiddly.</p> @Alli: It was just a small experimental patch, but still the fresh corn would have been a nice treat. I didn’t water it at all once it got going, as we’ve had a very wet summer here. I’ve found that crushed egg shells and a layer of coffee grounds around seedlings help to keep the slugs and snails away. Beer traps work fairly well for catching them, and the ducks appreciate the snack! Some people also put strips of copper around the seedlings, as slugs won’t cross them (they get a weird electrical sensation, kind of like when aluminium foil touches a tooth filling), but I’ve found that too fiddly.

]]> Comment on My Favourite Sustainability and Homesteading Podcasts by Darren http://green-change.com/2012/04/29/my-favourite-podcasts/#comment-115947 Darren Tue, 08 May 2012 13:26:39 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=3041#comment-115947 <p>@Dan: No worries, ten years will give me just enough time to develop a homestead worth showing off to you!</p> <p>I am seeing a little more interest in homesteading type stuff here - mostly under the broad label of permaculture. There are a number of permaculture-based community gardens in our region, and kids are starting to learn about it at school, so awareness is growing. I don't see much real prepper discussion among people I know in real-life, though. Most of what I see is among online friends, and they're probably a non-typical sample space :-).</p> <p>You'd be amazed at the gun control here! It's very difficult to jump through all the hoops to get a gun license, and hunting isn't really accommodated very much compared to the US (despite having large numbers of feral deer, goats, pigs, etc damaging our state and national parks). It's even harder to get a handgun, and as far as I know there's no such thing as a concealed carry permit for the general public. It's not even legal to carry a knife in public here!</p> @Dan: No worries, ten years will give me just enough time to develop a homestead worth showing off to you!

I am seeing a little more interest in homesteading type stuff here – mostly under the broad label of permaculture. There are a number of permaculture-based community gardens in our region, and kids are starting to learn about it at school, so awareness is growing. I don’t see much real prepper discussion among people I know in real-life, though. Most of what I see is among online friends, and they’re probably a non-typical sample space :-) .

You’d be amazed at the gun control here! It’s very difficult to jump through all the hoops to get a gun license, and hunting isn’t really accommodated very much compared to the US (despite having large numbers of feral deer, goats, pigs, etc damaging our state and national parks). It’s even harder to get a handgun, and as far as I know there’s no such thing as a concealed carry permit for the general public. It’s not even legal to carry a knife in public here!

]]> Comment on Corn Eaten By Pests! by Alli @ Ducks on the Dam http://green-change.com/2012/02/16/corn-eaten-by-pests/#comment-115834 Alli @ Ducks on the Dam Tue, 08 May 2012 02:47:52 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=2977#comment-115834 <p>Oh no! How disheartening :( We don't grow corn - I'm still wary of the amount of water that it uses. My greens though - the bok choy, lettuce and that type of thing get decimated by slugs. I plant from seedlings (I know, lazy) and they have gorgeous green leaves and then within a day or so I come back to little stumps. Any suggestions?</p> Oh no! How disheartening :( We don’t grow corn – I’m still wary of the amount of water that it uses. My greens though – the bok choy, lettuce and that type of thing get decimated by slugs. I plant from seedlings (I know, lazy) and they have gorgeous green leaves and then within a day or so I come back to little stumps. Any suggestions?

]]> Comment on My Favourite Sustainability and Homesteading Podcasts by dan vamos http://green-change.com/2012/04/29/my-favourite-podcasts/#comment-115833 dan vamos Tue, 08 May 2012 02:35:44 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=3041#comment-115833 <p>Darren,</p> <p>Thanks for listening...and the invite. My daughter is still many years away from graduation, but I'll hold you to your offer: TEN years from today!!!</p> <p>My friends down under: you are right to skip much of the American politics and BS...I do and I AM an American...LOL.</p> <p>I do have a political/prepper question, though. Do you find increased interest/awareness in homesteading/prepping in your neck of the woods as well? Do you find there to be a prepper "quickening" in your culture?</p> <p>Lastly, I must confess to being really dumb about Aussie politics (I know, the Ugly American Scenario) but I wondered what is the political climate towards guns and the ease of obtaining them. </p> <p>Just curious.</p> <p>Dan Vamos</p> Darren,

Thanks for listening…and the invite. My daughter is still many years away from graduation, but I’ll hold you to your offer: TEN years from today!!!

My friends down under: you are right to skip much of the American politics and BS…I do and I AM an American…LOL.

I do have a political/prepper question, though. Do you find increased interest/awareness in homesteading/prepping in your neck of the woods as well? Do you find there to be a prepper “quickening” in your culture?

Lastly, I must confess to being really dumb about Aussie politics (I know, the Ugly American Scenario) but I wondered what is the political climate towards guns and the ease of obtaining them.

Just curious.

Dan Vamos

]]> Comment on My Favourite Sustainability and Homesteading Podcasts by Darren http://green-change.com/2012/04/29/my-favourite-podcasts/#comment-115782 Darren Mon, 07 May 2012 22:00:21 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=3041#comment-115782 <p>@Sam: Oh, how'd I miss The Self-Sufficient Gardener!? It's right there in my iTunes - I must have accidentally skipped it when building the list. I'll add it now!</p> @Sam: Oh, how’d I miss The Self-Sufficient Gardener!? It’s right there in my iTunes – I must have accidentally skipped it when building the list. I’ll add it now!

]]> Comment on Wicking Beds – Water Efficient Gardening by Darren http://green-change.com/2009/05/01/wicking-beds-water-efficient-gardening/#comment-115781 Darren Mon, 07 May 2012 21:59:12 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=977#comment-115781 <p>@Sam: Good point! When I've had wicking beds I've stuck the posts in the ground outside the bed.</p> @Sam: Good point! When I’ve had wicking beds I’ve stuck the posts in the ground outside the bed.

]]> Comment on My Favourite Sustainability and Homesteading Podcasts by Sam http://green-change.com/2012/04/29/my-favourite-podcasts/#comment-115728 Sam Mon, 07 May 2012 14:45:06 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=3041#comment-115728 <p>Good list, mate. I too am a fan of The Survival Podcast, and I too skip a lot of the US-centric, gun stuff.</p> <p>Another gardening podcast I listen to is The Self-Sufficient Gardener (theselfsufficientgardener.com/). He picks a topic per week and gets stuck in. I particularly like the ones where he picks a genus and looks into the history, cultural references and uses.</p> Good list, mate. I too am a fan of The Survival Podcast, and I too skip a lot of the US-centric, gun stuff.

Another gardening podcast I listen to is The Self-Sufficient Gardener (theselfsufficientgardener.com/). He picks a topic per week and gets stuck in. I particularly like the ones where he picks a genus and looks into the history, cultural references and uses.

]]> Comment on Wicking Beds – Water Efficient Gardening by Sam http://green-change.com/2009/05/01/wicking-beds-water-efficient-gardening/#comment-115725 Sam Mon, 07 May 2012 14:34:20 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=977#comment-115725 <p>What I just learned from my wicking bed: You can't stake up a wild tomato bush in a wicking bed because of the weed matting barrier between the growing medium and the reservoir medium. Luckily, I made mine with exterior posts holding up zincalume sheeting as the walls of the bed. I'm going to erect a frame over it for next summer to a) support shade cloth and b) to tie up tomatoes that are hell-bent on garden domination :)</p> What I just learned from my wicking bed: You can’t stake up a wild tomato bush in a wicking bed because of the weed matting barrier between the growing medium and the reservoir medium. Luckily, I made mine with exterior posts holding up zincalume sheeting as the walls of the bed. I’m going to erect a frame over it for next summer to a) support shade cloth and b) to tie up tomatoes that are hell-bent on garden domination :)

]]> Comment on My Favourite Sustainability and Homesteading Podcasts by Darren http://green-change.com/2012/04/29/my-favourite-podcasts/#comment-115706 Darren Mon, 07 May 2012 11:44:51 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=3041#comment-115706 <p>@Dan: Thanks for stopping by! I'm still working through your older episodes, and haven't caught up to the ones you're making now. I'm really enjoying them. Winter is a good time to get those blinds installed - they keep the warmth in just as well as they keep the sun out. Between our blinds, curtains and insulation, we still haven't lit the wood fire yet; that'd be like you guys getting into December without heating.</p> <p>You'd enjoy a trip to Australia - let me know if you're anywhere south of Sydney and maybe we can meet up!</p> @Dan: Thanks for stopping by! I’m still working through your older episodes, and haven’t caught up to the ones you’re making now. I’m really enjoying them. Winter is a good time to get those blinds installed – they keep the warmth in just as well as they keep the sun out. Between our blinds, curtains and insulation, we still haven’t lit the wood fire yet; that’d be like you guys getting into December without heating.

You’d enjoy a trip to Australia – let me know if you’re anywhere south of Sydney and maybe we can meet up!

]]> Comment on My Favourite Sustainability and Homesteading Podcasts by dan vamos http://green-change.com/2012/04/29/my-favourite-podcasts/#comment-115623 dan vamos Mon, 07 May 2012 02:14:43 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=3041#comment-115623 <p>Greetings and salutations from Las Vegas.</p> <p>I am honored to make it onto your podcast list. My podcasts tend to wander over many topics, but being green is definitely one topic dear to my heart. </p> <p>My love of fruit trees is unsurpassed. If you can plant and grow your own food, please do. Pesticides and petro-chemical fertilizers are horrid stuff!</p> <p>Also, I just did a series of videos on installing blinds to keep the sun out and the cooling costs down. Very appropriate for my Aussie friends... but as you head into winter, it's probably not that pressing.</p> <p>If you get a chance, come over and visit my site.</p> <p>My daughter informed me years ago that her high school graduation present will be a trip down under, and she hasn't deviated from that sentiment. We'll be down there soon enough, just keep that bloody vegemite away from me!!!!</p> <p>Warmest regards,</p> <p>Dan Vamos</p> Greetings and salutations from Las Vegas.

I am honored to make it onto your podcast list. My podcasts tend to wander over many topics, but being green is definitely one topic dear to my heart.

My love of fruit trees is unsurpassed. If you can plant and grow your own food, please do. Pesticides and petro-chemical fertilizers are horrid stuff!

Also, I just did a series of videos on installing blinds to keep the sun out and the cooling costs down. Very appropriate for my Aussie friends… but as you head into winter, it’s probably not that pressing.

If you get a chance, come over and visit my site.

My daughter informed me years ago that her high school graduation present will be a trip down under, and she hasn’t deviated from that sentiment. We’ll be down there soon enough, just keep that bloody vegemite away from me!!!!

Warmest regards,

Dan Vamos

]]> Comment on Growing Mushrooms From Spent Mushroom Compost by Darren http://green-change.com/2009/01/17/growing-mushrooms-from-mushroom-compost/#comment-115519 Darren Sun, 06 May 2012 12:34:47 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=485#comment-115519 <p>@Andryan: Sorry, I don’t live in that area so don’t personally know of local suppliers. Try looking up “mushroom farms” in the local Yellow Pages. I’m sure if you ring around you’ll find someone.</p> @Andryan: Sorry, I don’t live in that area so don’t personally know of local suppliers. Try looking up “mushroom farms” in the local Yellow Pages. I’m sure if you ring around you’ll find someone.

]]> Comment on How To Encourage A Hen To Go Broody by Darren http://green-change.com/2010/01/19/how-to-encourage-a-hen-to-go-broody/#comment-115518 Darren Sun, 06 May 2012 12:32:13 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=1405#comment-115518 <p>@Colleen: Great news! I'd wait until the mother starts ignoring the ducklings before removing them, just to make sure they get the best start possible. If you really want to, though, you can take them away at any age as long as the other people are willing to give them some warmth in a brooder box. By 3 weeks old they won't need heat if kept in a protected area, and by 6 weeks old they can go outside as long as conditions aren't excessively harsh. I'm not sure why the others would have stopped laying, although mine do tend to lay in batches with breaks in between. I've got some little muscovies just hatching now. So cute!</p> @Colleen: Great news! I’d wait until the mother starts ignoring the ducklings before removing them, just to make sure they get the best start possible. If you really want to, though, you can take them away at any age as long as the other people are willing to give them some warmth in a brooder box. By 3 weeks old they won’t need heat if kept in a protected area, and by 6 weeks old they can go outside as long as conditions aren’t excessively harsh. I’m not sure why the others would have stopped laying, although mine do tend to lay in batches with breaks in between. I’ve got some little muscovies just hatching now. So cute!

]]> Comment on Growing Mushrooms From Spent Mushroom Compost by Andryan http://green-change.com/2009/01/17/growing-mushrooms-from-mushroom-compost/#comment-115385 Andryan Sat, 05 May 2012 19:29:08 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=485#comment-115385 <p>hi there, where can I find the spent mushroom compost in Perth area? Thank you</p> hi there, where can I find the spent mushroom compost in Perth area? Thank you

]]> Comment on How To Encourage A Hen To Go Broody by Colleen http://green-change.com/2010/01/19/how-to-encourage-a-hen-to-go-broody/#comment-115330 Colleen Sat, 05 May 2012 13:10:47 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=1405#comment-115330 <p>Hi Darren,</p> <p>Its Colleen again. So all my ducks have started to lay and now 1 of the mama ducks is brooding again. She has 5 eggs in her nest and has been setting for about a week now. I have 2 questions. Someone that I work with wants the ducklings. When can I take the ducklings away from mom without causing too much trauma to mom or ducklings? And it seems that the other ducks have stopped laying. Is that normal? Should the other 5 keep laying or not untill this bunch hatch? Thanks again for all your advice.</p> Hi Darren,

Its Colleen again. So all my ducks have started to lay and now 1 of the mama ducks is brooding again. She has 5 eggs in her nest and has been setting for about a week now. I have 2 questions. Someone that I work with wants the ducklings. When can I take the ducklings away from mom without causing too much trauma to mom or ducklings? And it seems that the other ducks have stopped laying. Is that normal? Should the other 5 keep laying or not untill this bunch hatch? Thanks again for all your advice.

]]> Comment on My Favourite Sustainability and Homesteading Podcasts by Darren http://green-change.com/2012/04/29/my-favourite-podcasts/#comment-114331 Darren Tue, 01 May 2012 11:39:00 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=3041#comment-114331 <p>@Meg: Thanks for the recommendation! I'll have to check it out.</p> @Meg: Thanks for the recommendation! I’ll have to check it out.

]]> Comment on My Favourite Sustainability and Homesteading Podcasts by Meg http://green-change.com/2012/04/29/my-favourite-podcasts/#comment-114088 Meg Mon, 30 Apr 2012 08:12:38 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=3041#comment-114088 <p>Thanks for providing a list of podcasts. I am addicted to podcasting and love to listen whilst gardening but have failed at finding many good 'green' or 'gardening' podcasts. Bush telly is great. I know Philip Adams isn't strictly about gardening etc but he does live on a biodynamic farm in the Hunter and often refers to his farm. He often features guests and has interviews relating to gm, food security and other topical issues,including a lot on climate change - especially in relation to India and China. He has some really interesting podcasts about these issues if you head back into the archives. </p> <p>http://www.abc.net.au/rn/features/inbedwithphillip/</p> <p>and you can find him on the itunes store under radio national </p> <p>Happy listening :-D</p> Thanks for providing a list of podcasts. I am addicted to podcasting and love to listen whilst gardening but have failed at finding many good ‘green’ or ‘gardening’ podcasts. Bush telly is great. I know Philip Adams isn’t strictly about gardening etc but he does live on a biodynamic farm in the Hunter and often refers to his farm. He often features guests and has interviews relating to gm, food security and other topical issues,including a lot on climate change – especially in relation to India and China. He has some really interesting podcasts about these issues if you head back into the archives.

http://www.abc.net.au/rn/features/inbedwithphillip/

and you can find him on the itunes store under radio national

Happy listening :-D

]]> Comment on Mulch Delivery by Darren http://green-change.com/2011/06/17/mulch-delivery/#comment-113630 Darren Sat, 28 Apr 2012 11:57:52 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=2499#comment-113630 <p>@Avril: Wow, that's a lot of work! I checked out Mulchnet - I'll have to give it a go next time. Did your mulch contain much woody chips? Mine didn't, and I've found it broke down faster than I'd have liked. Good if you're composting it, but not great for making paths or if you want long-lasting mulch cover.</p> @Avril: Wow, that’s a lot of work! I checked out Mulchnet – I’ll have to give it a go next time. Did your mulch contain much woody chips? Mine didn’t, and I’ve found it broke down faster than I’d have liked. Good if you’re composting it, but not great for making paths or if you want long-lasting mulch cover.

]]> Comment on Head Cheese Recipe by Darren http://green-change.com/2012/04/19/head-cheese-recipe/#comment-113629 Darren Sat, 28 Apr 2012 11:55:13 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=3017#comment-113629 <p>@farmer_liz: I agree, it can be difficult to tackle the underused parts of animals. I've found it's only really weird the first time (for each part) - after that, I don't have any problem the next time. It's worth it, as offal and scraps can be extremely cheap!</p> @farmer_liz: I agree, it can be difficult to tackle the underused parts of animals. I’ve found it’s only really weird the first time (for each part) – after that, I don’t have any problem the next time. It’s worth it, as offal and scraps can be extremely cheap!

]]> Comment on ANZAC Day 2012 – Granddad’s Garden by Darren http://green-change.com/2012/04/26/anzac-day-2012-granddads-garden/#comment-113628 Darren Sat, 28 Apr 2012 11:52:22 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=3029#comment-113628 <p>@Julie: It's a normal black passionfruit. My vines here in Jamberoo had lots of flowers and no fruit as well. I've heard of several people with the same problem - most are blaming the mild wet summer. I don't know if there's anything we can do about it.</p> @Julie: It’s a normal black passionfruit. My vines here in Jamberoo had lots of flowers and no fruit as well. I’ve heard of several people with the same problem – most are blaming the mild wet summer. I don’t know if there’s anything we can do about it.

]]> Comment on Head Cheese Recipe by Darren http://green-change.com/2012/04/19/head-cheese-recipe/#comment-113627 Darren Sat, 28 Apr 2012 11:50:40 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=3017#comment-113627 <p>@Meryl: Go for it! You could probably get the butcher to cut it in half, or even quarters. Did they still have the cheeks on for $5 - that'd be a bargain! I've got a weird mental image of you going into a store and asking for help finding a pot big enough for a whole head :-).</p> @Meryl: Go for it! You could probably get the butcher to cut it in half, or even quarters. Did they still have the cheeks on for $5 – that’d be a bargain! I’ve got a weird mental image of you going into a store and asking for help finding a pot big enough for a whole head :-) .

]]> Comment on Head Cheese Recipe by Darren http://green-change.com/2012/04/19/head-cheese-recipe/#comment-113626 Darren Sat, 28 Apr 2012 11:48:47 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=3017#comment-113626 <p>@Joanna: I had to Google "scrapple". It sounds interesting!</p> @Joanna: I had to Google “scrapple”. It sounds interesting!

]]> Comment on Mulch Delivery by Avril http://green-change.com/2011/06/17/mulch-delivery/#comment-113572 Avril Sat, 28 Apr 2012 05:48:57 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=2499#comment-113572 <p>I feel your pain! We are about 1/10th the way through moving 30m3 of mulch by shovel & wheelbarrow. Great exercise! We got ours free through the Aussie service Mulchnet, which pairs your request up to local tree loppers looking to dump their mulch nearby. We got 2 truckloads delivered for free. Pretty great! I'm converting about 40m2 of old lawn in a shady spot into a big garden bed using newspaper & cardboard topped with mulch - the tree overhead will take care of mulch "top-ups" for us after this. Hope it works as getting tired of battling Kikuyu..</p> I feel your pain! We are about 1/10th the way through moving 30m3 of mulch by shovel & wheelbarrow. Great exercise! We got ours free through the Aussie service Mulchnet, which pairs your request up to local tree loppers looking to dump their mulch nearby. We got 2 truckloads delivered for free. Pretty great! I’m converting about 40m2 of old lawn in a shady spot into a big garden bed using newspaper & cardboard topped with mulch – the tree overhead will take care of mulch “top-ups” for us after this. Hope it works as getting tired of battling Kikuyu..

]]> Comment on Head Cheese Recipe by farmer_liz http://green-change.com/2012/04/19/head-cheese-recipe/#comment-113565 farmer_liz Sat, 28 Apr 2012 05:23:20 +0000 http://green-change.com/?p=3017#comment-113565 <p>Interesting.... I like the idea of using all of the animal, but sometimes the reality is more difficult (mostly just overcoming the mental rather than the physical). Thanks for sharing your method, I will try it next time we have a pig's head.</p> Interesting…. I like the idea of using all of the animal, but sometimes the reality is more difficult (mostly just overcoming the mental rather than the physical). Thanks for sharing your method, I will try it next time we have a pig’s head.

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