I have been busy... Particularly seeing as spring has, as they say, sprung.
Time to put in new trees, remove any that haven't survived - although the only
thing that has needed removal is a grape vine that didn't like where it had been
put. Apparently, grapes like poor quality but well drained soils, so I've put it in
one of the worse spots in the garden...
There's obviously a limit to space, and a limit to habitat, but I'm trying as many
different trees as I can - particularly things that like having poorer and dryer
soils, so many Australian native trees, a tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) hedge,
olive trees. I've a few more fruit trees coming in, and am slowly getting everything
established.
I'm also trying some Red Aztec maize - looks different to regular, shop-bought
corn. The main thing being that seeds will not store indefinitely - the best way to
store them long-term is to germinate them. I also have some cotton on the way,
although I'm yet to put the seedlings into the ground, ideally near the outlet for
the sewage treatment system - I'm not going to eat the cotton, they are annuals,
and they like plenty of water. Although, this may mean building a cotton gin at
some stage... and I already have to work on the solar food dryer. On the plus
side, I may be able to get a couple of stills made up for me, including a still for
steam distillation - important for extraction essential oils, particularly tea tree oil.
I want some Salix alba (as I'm sure I've already said) - it's the source of what
we know as aspirin. What can I saw - I have a degrees in Chemistry and
Engineering, so am looking at industrial uses of my plants, not just for food.
I really need a spare pair of hands around here, one that doesn't mind spending
time out in the garden. It takes time and energy to grow vegetables and grains,
and I need to do more to establish some growing beds.