Cooking Compost, Chilli Oil & planting more Australian Natives

I have reticulated the watering of my compost. I extended the drip tubing from the garden to the underside of the compost lid (which is carpet). The tubing is attached to little brackets so the carpet doesn’t get continually wet from the watering (see pics).  Perth had a record no rain for 63 continuous days from Jan-Mar, then it drizzled for a bit, then no rain for a further several weeks. I made up the initial mix (see recipe below) and since then I’ve thrown in pruned leaves, soft stems and soft veggie scraps. I then turn the pile with a pitch fork every few weeks or more. By the end of spring, this should be ready to use as rich organic garden mulch.

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The cable tie acts as a hinge for the lid. This can be easily changed if needed.

Compost recipe

2 parts nitrogen (green leaves, chopped lemongrass blades, veggie scraps) to 1 part carbon (dead leaves and thin sticks).  I’ve read that a 2-to-1 ratio of Greens to Browns will make a fast batch, also known as a hot-pile. So, this hotpile should be ready for my hotpatch in about 4 months.

The Carbon:Nitrogen ratio in this batch is about 30:1. In the initial mix, I added some mushroom compost, blended manure, rock dust and blood & bone meal. After a few days, I stuck my hand down into the middle of the pile and it felt warm. 

Planting small Western Australian Natives

To attract more small wildlife into my patch, I’m trying out some natives to attract beneficial insects such as native bees and coloured butterflies. I listened to a talk by the ‘Frog Doctor’ (Biologist) at the 2011 Garden Show and he gave out free native tubes that I have planted around my pond.

Can you spot the 3 small natives close to the rocks?

Part of his advice in ‘creating’ a habitat pond was to get the yellow flowers in the morning sun and blue/indigo flowers in the afternoon sun, then use a log or old piece of wood with scattered 2-5mm drilled holes to make a home for native bees, making sure that some of the wood dips into the pond (coming soon).

I now have six West Australian small natives & interstate natives mixed with non-native plants around the pond.

 

  

 This was the only lilly to appear in Autumn. It lasted about 3 days.

I’ve also planted some small bushy natives in corners of the veggie patch and time will tell if this will aid my quest for housing good pests. I already have Ladybugs around and they are one of the best predators (grrrr!) for an organic veggie patch.  I tell visitors that if you listen closely, you can hear them growl. 

Autumn planting - progess after 5 weeks

Left - garlic and beetroot in the bed, bok choi in rear green pot.

Right - potatoes at the back, nasturtiums in the front.

Carrots and snow peas in the tub                

Chilli oil is a great to preserve fresh chillies. All I do is simmer chopped up freshly-plucked green and red chillies in olive oil for about 20 mins, let it cool, and then pour into glass jars to be frozen. 

Bottled chilli oil, less then 1 hour after picking the fresh chillies

It will keep in the fridge for up to 3 weeks. 

As a snack, it’s great with cheese & crackers and red wine. Try it!