The Veggie Patch report:

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The Birthday Gift:::::

My number 1 Gal pal and I getting ready to plant.

Here we are again, planting the coral bark Maple for her birthday.

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Growing mushrooms at home – Details for sourcing supplies.

If you live in and around Melbourne (Australia), you can pick up small mushroom growing kits (April to October) and order supplies for larger scale mushroom growing from Mark and Helen at the markets listed below.

If you’re interested in growing mushrooms at home and you don’t live in Melbourne – you can purchase mushroom growing kits at most major hardware stores and gardening centres.  If you would like to grow your own on a larger scale, check your local phone book for a person nearest you, who produces compost for mushroom growing.  They usually also stock the other materials you’ll need such as the peat/lime casing etc..  (The kind of mushroom compost you’ll need is not to be confused with buying mushroom compost from a nursery. Nursery compost is the kind of mushroom compost that has come from mushroom growers after the crops have finished and is used as mulch for the garden.)

The ‘Mushroom Shed’ Market day details:

(Melbourne -Australia)

Saturdays:
1st Saturday/month – Bundoora Farmers Market, Bundoora Park, Bundoora
All other Saturdays – St Andrews market, St Andrews

Sundays:
1st Sunday/month – Hurstbridge Farmers market, Fergusons Paddock, Hurstbridge
2nd Sunday/month – Whitehorse Farmers market, 397 Whitehorse Rd Civic Centre, Nunawading
3rd & 5th Sunday/month – Latrobe Uni market, Latrobe Uni, Bundoora
4th Sunday/month – Templestowe Farmers market, 1 Thompsons Road, Templestowe

Weekdays:
Wednesday: Monash Uni market (during semester)
Thursday: Latrobe Uni market (during semester)

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Lovely Lichen – the living garden accessory…

Here are some pictures of Lichen  from my walks about the Dandenongs

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Dig It Down Under Community : In the members area this month there is a competition/givaway of Emma Cooper’s wonderful book ‘The Alternative Kitchen Garden an A to Z’.  Entries close 25th July 2010.   Also there is an article on collecting and growing Lichen in your garden, including recipes and instructions.

It’s simple to register to be a part of the Dig It Down Under Community, just REGISTER HERE It’s free to join and your privacy is respected.

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In this episode of Dig It Down Under:

• The good dirt on Biodynamics – Interview with Anne Tillett from the Biodynamic Agriculture Association of Australia.
• The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show – Review and Highlights
• Strange Fruit  – I review Peruvian Ground Cherries and the Pepino with notes on how to grow them.

The Veggie Patch Report :

• I finally build my strawberry towers
• I finish my winter planting – just in time
• I follow up on a possible cure for the powdery mildew on my zucchini squash.

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Highlights of the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show (MIFGS)

The Rotating Globe from the ‘Yates Tree & Shrub Growers Victoria’ Stand.

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MALM – The Haggis Plant by Michael Strownix won the Gold for best floral feature.

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A box of the stunning Green Trick Dianthus.

More information can be found at carnations.com.au.

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Biodynamic Gardening:

More information about Biodynamic gardening and farming can be found at:

http://www.biodynamics.net.au/

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Peruvian Ground Cherries:

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Pepinos:

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My Strawberry Towers:

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Rock dust minerals can be purchased at:

http://rockminerals.com.au

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In the members area this month:

The free .pdf download this month is an introduction to Biodynamic gardening summary from our guest speaker this month – Anne Tillett of the Biodynamic Agriculture Association of Australia.

It’s simple to register to be a part of the Dig It Down Under Community, just REGISTER HERE It’s free to join and your privacy is respected.

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• Gardening in Bushfire Zones – Interview with Dr Kevin Tolhurst from the University of Melbourne – Dept. of Forest and Ecosystem Science.
• My day at the Yarra River in Warburton and how I went over for a duck
• Work begins at Woods Sherbrooke – Rejuvenating and old kitchen garden
• Pest Control with Predator Bugs Pt II – Interview with Russell Fox
• Riley makes up her garden wishlist for Santa – but has she been naughty or nice??
• The Veggie Patch Report
• Free Gift for members of the Dig It Down Under Community – A download of the 5 top flowering plants for balcony, rooftop garden or that hot spot in the garden including top tips for keeping out door potted plants alive though summer.

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Gardening in Bushfire Zones

You can find out more about Dr Tolhurst Here

Here’s more information about fires, gardens and fire retardant plants.

Fires, gardens and fire retardant plants
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Woods Sherbrooke Kitchen Garden

Follow Woods Garden Story Here

http://digitdownunder.com/vegetable-gardening/?cat=172

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The day I went over for a duck…..

You’d never guess from this serene picture of a duck, on the Yarra River at Warburton,  that intrigue and and attempted murder were just around the corner!!!!

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Free Gift for members of the Dig It Down Under Community – A pdf download of the 5 top flowering plants for balcony, rooftop garden or that hot spot in the garden including top tips for keeping out door potted plants alive though summer.  It’s easy and free to become a member, simply register to join and you’re in!  You’ll not only be able to download free articles but you can also get a discount on garden related goodies from the shop.

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Herbalicious & Spicy Special

• Vanilla Beans – Deep in the jungle
• Saffron Crocus – Exploring herbal gold
• Edible Chrysanthemum - Fragrant greens
• Build a herb spiral
• Herbs to ‘dye’  for – Henna and Indigo – a chat over the back fence.
• Raspberry & Strawberry Revelations – I am such  a gardening tragic.
• Veggie Patch Report – Spring planting 2009, planning starts now!!

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Saffron comes from the Stigmas of the Crocus Sativa

Chrysanthemum Coronarium – A herb or an edible green when young.

Vanilla pods on the vine

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Visit the Home of Annie and her Henna Art at : http://www.goddesscafe.com.au/

Here is the address for the interesting blog article about growing indigo in cooler climates :  http://www.sheeptoshawl.com/indigo.html

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This Months Gifts :

The gift for episode 11 is an article about making your own herbal tea blends written by Philip Moore.

Many thanks to Renaissance herbs for the use of the tea article.  Renaissance herbs are available at all good nursery outlets.  They are in the mustard coloured pots.

Also available is a schematic for building a herb spiral.

For access to this and other articles that are a part of the ‘Dig It Down Under’ episodes please sign up for the newsletter.  It’s free and your privacy is respected.  Please scroll down to the bottom right hand corner to sign up.

© Vanilla Image from Mary Lane. Image from BigStockPhoto.com  Thank You

©Crocus image from Elina Gareeva. Image from BigStockPhoto.com  Thank You

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