Well, Finally an update on my alleged veg "garden".
So, apparently I didn't get around to documenting this quite as well as I wanted (not that anyone is actually looking :) ).
I have however been quite busy in my "free" time tinkering away and making changes.
| SO FAR: |
 | First there was the enclosure and bare ground as you saw in the earlier post. |
 | Then I built the first raised bed and planted seedlings. |
| THE SNAILS: |
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| At some point in this process, the kids were horrified to hear that I intended on killing as many snails as I possibly could, and that snail bait was in fact snail poison. They had also at various stages in their lives gone through phases where they were enamoured with the "lovely" little creatures, and had collected them "to keep them safe" in various tupperwares (with holes punched through the lids) and random jars. Inevitably these snails would be forgotten until some poor sod (me) decides to clean out the plastics cupboard, or Garden tools draw, or any other random place you least expect it, only to find decomposing snails. We arrived at this compromise. They could save all the snails they caught - if they kept them in this old fishtank we converted into a terrarium type thing. Thye have subsequently had babies by the bazillion and are enjoying all of our stale lettuce and assorted scraps. At this rate they might end up having to fight the compost worms!!! |
| ELECTRIC FENCE: |
 | Well, as mentioned earlier I realised that if a baboon really wanted in, they could simply rip the door off, or bounce on the roof until it broke. I wanted to chase them off so that they knew not to come near it. Proper electrical fences are not an option, cost wise. Then came a bunch of DIY "off the net" options, which could end up being dangerous to the baboons (I want them away - not hurt). A while back I saw a silly circuit kit which zaps you through a car coil, and decided to try it out.
It works well!! (Available at about R90 from yebo electronics or electronics123.co.za)
I decided to house the circuit and coil in a tupperware (coz it was there) and run it with a battery (power backup) and a trickle charger. All in all the whole thing cost (with wire and odds and ends) about R300. Here is the finished product (not as neat as I am used to - but Ive been rushing things to get them finished in the short breaks I have.).
It works by charging the car coil about once a second. I then took a lead from the coil to the wire which I ran through PVC Ducting. I know I will have hassles with tension later down the line, but I will add springs then. For the wire I just used run of the mill cheap bailing wire.
Tips!
You need to earth your circuit (not mentioned in the instructions) to get the most out (I just took a wire from the transistor to the chickenwire)
Make sure your wires run at least 2cm from any earthed point as in the wet, even a wet PVC pipe provides enough conductivity for a very irritating zap-zap-zap, and once its zapped through the night - it becomes carbonised, and will carry on arcing even when it dries out.
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| BACK GATE, IRRIGATION & PAINT: |
 | Years of neglect have seen the garden gate at the back become a visual deterrant only. It had no structural integrity left. I used an off-cut from some boxes I built the kids as a replacement gate (18mm Ply). I then varnished it about 8 times, and painted it. Ply doesn't like rain, and I dont like replacing rotten wood. It weighs a ton, looks as imposing as a Joburg bouncer, and generally does the job.
Well, I went a bit OTT (a lot actually) with the irrigation. I have 3 pipes which will feed the various parts of the veg "room". Because its so windy I didnt really want the "misters" to waste water in the wind, so I put millions in so a low pressure drip would keep the ground wet, without making mist in the wind. I have one pipe on each side, and one along the roof, which I will use for mist in summer, and take pipes off for the hanging plants and tomatoes.
The vibracrete fence was painted green, a very effective way of making your garden look bigger and nicer for very little if you have this fencing. However, with winter well and truly here I realised my garden would need ANY light it could get. I have painted the house and vibracrete white to reflect as much light as possible in the little green house, and I must say it makes a massive difference. Luckily I dont have to paint everywhere this colour as it looks awful! |
| GETTING THERE: |
 | I Used a lot of straw in the beds, but I had far more left than I needed, so I decided to lay some on the floor as a better option than mud, and I must say - this is yet another low cost option that really works.
I've put a bunch of seedlings in place and a few "trellis" like things for the climbers. I've finished the second bed on the other side, leaving a possible third for another time. I have also started my second batch of potatoes (about 3 months after my first) and so far Ive added a bit of soil and a second tyre to the first batch.
The nets full of examples of how this works, but heres 1 quick ref http://www.kiddiegardens.com/growing_potatoes_in_tires.html . You can really grow them in anything - Dog food bags, sacks, you name it. Just do a bit of Googling and youre there. My plan is to have 4 sets growing in 3 month rotations, So I can harvest all year round. So far though they seem to be growing a lot slower than the first time I tried (and lost to the baboons). This could be because I used different (organic) potatoes, or because its damn cold!!! |
Well that does it for now! Feel free to get in touch if you want any tips.
I have made many mistakes along the way, that I am happy for others to learn from.
