Tree ferns in Spring

 Here is a Cyathea australis from 15 months ago and how it has established itself in a fairly shady section of the garden.

The chickens are completely at home in the dense undergrowth - they huddle like this when they are scared - I have only had these birds for a few months and have not handled them so they are virtually wild except for when they return to the chicken coop each sunset.

 Here is an example of how I have built up the base of the citrus so the organic compost and cow manure stays in place despite the attention of the chickens and erosion from rain and watering.  I place the manure underneath bricks and pavers and then back fill the gaps with broken sticks and branches so there is no exposed earth for the chickens to dig up or water to wash away.

Even here you can see how over time the mound around each citrus has built up providing valuable organic matter that is well drained.

Going to the Local Markets

It's always a pleasure to walk amongst the smiling faces at the local markets.

Especially when there is a great variety of genuine, regional produce hand assembled by people with a real passion for what they are promoting.

Sunny day, a couple of friends and the kids stumbling through the crowd makes for a great way to bump into old friends and see some of the finest gourmet foods, handmade clothes and local artisan designs in the one place. 

Sure beats walking around like a zombie in an air conditioned shopping center.

Brian Larkin Pullets 12 wks Old

Here are the new chickens - three white pullets 12 weeks old and three older birds 20wks.  The buff bird at the front looks a little scraggily as she is moulting.  They had just been released into the chicken pen and were finding their feet.

As you can see they began to scratch and peck immediately and sorted through the kitchen scraps we had out for them.

There is a black bird - apparently a cross with an Australrop - I have had these types previously and they make great layers.  Also, note the beetle green sheen on the black feathers - it is very striking in the morning light.

This bird was described as Grey by Brian Larkin - it has an almost tortoise-shell pattern and it will probably work well for camouflage from predators etc when it is free ranging.  

It is always exciting introducing new Birds into the flock.  Met with Brian Larkin this morning and recruited another half dozen of his birds into my flock.  Let's hope they have long and prosperous lives helping work the rainforest and are happy and productive on the egg front too!

Asked to take some images of the birds in the transport truck but was declined, as he feared they might be repercussions as people see the transport as inhumane for some reason.  I could not see why or how the conditions were not acceptable - it is tricky work moving a couple hundred chickens across the state. 

Anyway, lovely bloke and hope I don't have to buy any more for a while and the dog stays away from the girls and lets us all live in peace.

Brian Larkin Recommends

It is always advisable:

1) To run your flock of young pullets away from older birds at least until fully mature to help avoid picking up other established diseases that your older birds might have been exposed to and most likely have developed an immunity to.

2) Treat all new birds you add to your flock with a coccidiostat via the drinking water approx 10 days after bringing them home and make sure the new birds are fed on an appropriate ready mix feed, that also contains a coccidiostat until they are at least five to six months old.

Transplanting Cyathea cooperi

 Now the Cyathea cooperi has been in place in its' new position for about ten weeks, you can see that it has recovered from the shock of the move and is growing new fronds.  The three old fronds have slowly withered and the nutrients have moved back into the plant. 

I have not watered it by hand since I moved it, except for a long soaking on the day of the move.  Relying on rainfall and the milder climate over winter, it has re-shot a brace of three fronds and although they are thinner and won't be nearly as big as the previous fronds just yet, it is well on its' way to getting established.

 Just included a shot here of a friendly daughter to add some perspective - you can see how the trunk stands about 500mm emergent above the soil line, and remember there is at least that much in the potting mix around the base.

Here's hoping it keeps going on strong and is robust enough to survive the heat and wind of summer.

 This is a Cyathea planted at the same time as the transplanted one, and demonstrates clearly that tree ferns thrive once established and not disturbed. It is not my usual practice to lift and move plants around the garden for exactly this reason.

Here are some landscape shots of the garden as a whole - it is coming along nicely even though I have left it without any extra watering since February.  I like to let the soil dry out over winter.  I did go this morning and water for a good hour though, as without water everything grows very slowly.  And the winds of August dry things out even more.

And finally, introducing some of the newest members of the flock - some silver lace wyandottes bought from a lovely lady at the Maitland Wyandotte Show 2013.  At three and a half months, they might be a little vulnerable to the rest of the flock but I am offering them protection for a couple of weeks.  Just love that colour!

Transplanting Cyathea Tree Ferns

Cyathea cooperi Tree Fern after being moved

 This is a five year old Cyathea cooperi Tree Fern which we transplanted from its original postion to this spot.

You can see how I dug down about 500mm for the rootball to be covered at ground level and then built up organic matter (cow manure and compost) around the base and trunk for stability and to keep the moisture in.  This is very effective in giving transplanted tree ferns the damp but not moist conditions they thrive in, plus it saves having to build stakes around the plant for structural support.

I used about fifteen rocks to keep the base firm and to protect it from foraging chickens, as well as about eight bricks to stop erosion from watering.  The rootball at 5 years is about the 500mm across, and I did chop it back a bit for shape with a spade to give the rootball as neat fit with the hole.

Using three 25L bags of cow manure and about 2 bags of compost means the plant has plenty of nutrient rich media to grow into as it settles into place.  I imagine it will take 18 months to settle in completely and re establish the fronds to the previous length, which was about 3m long and about 15 fronds.

Fresh Fruit Basket Delivery Service

For a Great Fresh Fruit Delivery Service featuring some fine market fresh fruit as the hero, you simply can't go past this mob.

Have just seen the new website post launch and it is a stand out.

New Fresh Fruit Hamper Delivery Website

Fruit Hampers Info

 When you want to send a Fruit Hamper or Fruit Basket, there are three things you need to keep in mind.  Making sure you are getting value for money, getting a generous fruit arrangement, and being able to rely on an experienced designer to create you fruit hamper.  Importantly, it is not about the sheer convenience of using a local florist - there is a distinct difference between a florists' effort and the generous market fresh of a true fruit hamper specialist.

1.  Getting Value for Money
Fruit Hampers Info offers a simple pricing schedule of $59 small, $79 large and $99 Grande.  Most times you will be satisfdied with a small, as it is generous enough for a couple of people to have a few serves fo fruit over the week.

For a bigger impact, go Grande and share the benefits of larger fruits, more diversity and seasonal gems as they are available.  Be aware that a florists' idea of a fruit basket - and the small size of counted fruit pieces - like eight pieces of fruit in an arrangement for $80.

2. Generous Fruit Arrangement
Fruit Hampers are all about sharing the freshest seasonal fruit in a way that shows generosity, abundance and a genuine feeling of giving - all of this is dependent on an approach where plenty of fruit is included.  You want the basket overflowing with fruit, and brimming with whatever is in peak season.

People appreciate a good serving of fruit and notice that the time and effort is equal to the occasion.

3.  Experienced Designers Make a Difference.
Knowing how to put together the right fruit basket makes a real difference when you are aiming to make a lasting impression.