Waratah Eco Farm

23/04/2025

🍓 12 Top Strawberry Plant Hacks for Juicy, Flavorful Berries
1. Add coffee grounds – Boost flavor with a sprinkle around the plant.

2. Use crushed eggshells – Deter slugs naturally by scattering them at the base.

3. Trim runners – Cut off side shoots to help plants focus on fruiting.

4. Apply Epsom salt – Mix 1 tbsp in a gallon of water to support healthy growth.

5. Mulch with straw – Keeps berries clean and prevents rot.

6. Plant in full sun – At least 6–8 hours of sun = sweeter berries.

7. Use raised beds or containers – Improves drainage and reduces disease.

8. Fertilize after harvest – Replenish nutrients for next season’s crop.

9. Rotate planting spots – Helps avoid pests and soil diseases.

10. Cover with netting – Protects ripening berries from birds.

11. Water early in the day – Prevents fungal diseases and keeps plants hydrated.

12. Pinch first-year flowers – Encourages strong root growth and future yields.

23/04/2025

DIY Painted Rock Garden Markers
https://mideas.co/nYPwh

23/04/2025

Pour Turmeric on Your Plants and Watch What Happens: The Gardener’s Secret Remedy

Today, I’m sharing 10 surprising uses of turmeric for your plants. This spice is not only great in cooking but also in the garden. I typically use it alone, either as a powder or spray, but sometimes combine it with other natural ingredients for even more powerful effects. Avoiding chemical pesticides and fertilizers is crucial for a healthy garden, and turmeric offers a natural, effective alternative. Here are 10 ways you can use turmeric to benefit your plants:

1. Powerful Natural Ant Repellent
Ants can be a nuisance in the garden, but turmeric’s smell drives them away.
How to Use:
Sprinkle turmeric powder around your plants and on the soil surface. Use sparingly, as a little goes a long way.

2. Repels Mealybugs
By repelling ants, you also deter mealybugs, as ants protect these pests for their honeydew.
How to Use:
Sprinkle turmeric powder around your plants to repel both ants and mealybugs.

3. Natural Pesticide
Turmeric is an effective repellent against various garden pests, including cabbage looper larvae and gray worm larvae.
How to Use:
Sprinkle turmeric powder around the base of affected plants.

4. Effective Antifungal
Turmeric’s antifungal properties help combat plant diseases caused by fungi.
How to Use:
Mix 2 teaspoons of turmeric powder in 1 liter of water.
Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spray on affected plants.

5. Treats Leaf Spots
For black spots on leaves, turmeric spray is very effective.
How to Use:
Mix 2 teaspoons of turmeric powder in 1 liter of water.
Spray the mixture on the leaves of the affected plant.

6. Treats Powdery Mildew
To combat powdery mildew, combine turmeric with other natural ingredients.
How to Use:
Mix 2 teaspoons of turmeric powder, 100 ml of milk, and 2 teaspoons of white vinegar in 1 liter of water.
Spray this mixture on the leaves and stems of the affected plant.

7. Prevents Rose Bush Dieback
To prevent dieback in rose bushes, use a turmeric paste on cut branches.
How to Use:
Prepare a thick paste using water and turmeric powder.
Apply the paste to the cut wound on the branch.

8. Prevents Root Rot
Mixing turmeric into the soil can prevent root rot.
How to Use:
For potted plants, mix 1 tablespoon of turmeric per 5 liters of potting soil.
For in-ground plants, water with a mixture of 1 teaspoon of turmeric in 1 liter of water.

9. Heals Plant Wounds
Turmeric’s antiseptic properties help heal plant injuries.
How to Use:
Prepare a paste of water and turmeric powder.
Apply the paste to the plant wound and cover with grafting tape if possible.

10. Promotes Root Development
Turmeric acts similarly to rooting hormones, stimulating root growth in cuttings.
How to Use:
Add 1 tablespoon of turmeric to the potting soil when planting cuttings.
By incorporating these simple turmeric-based remedies, you can maintain a healthy, pest-free garden naturally.

23/04/2025

Old school garden trick, but still works well. Keep your tools sharpe, clean, and rust proof! 🪴
What You Need:
- A 5-gallon bucket
- 5 gallons of sand
- ¾ quart of motor oil
How To Use The Sand And Oil Method:
- Fill your bucket up with sand and pour motor oil on top.
- Use a hand trowel or small tool to mix the sand and oil.
- Continuously plunge your dirty tool in and out until clean.
- Tap your tool against the bucket and brush it off to remove leftover sand.
How It Works:
The coarse sand scrapes away at dirt particles on the tool with the added bonus of sharpening the edges. The sand can then be wiped off much more easily than stuck-on soil. While the sand cleans and sharpens, the oil protects the metal, preventing rusting.
Your bucket of sand and oil isn't only good for a single use. It can clean tools over and over again to keep them in pristine condition

18/04/2025

10/04/2025

🔬🧑‍🔬🍅 🍅🍅
Conventionally grown food is produced using traditional farming methods that may include the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). This approach focuses on maximizing crop yields and reducing pests and diseases.

Genetically Modified Food
Genetically modified (GM) food refers to crops that have been altered at the genetic level through biotechnology. This modification can enhance certain traits, such as resistance to pests, improved nutritional content, or longer shelf life. GM foods are often designed to increase agricultural efficiency.

Organic Food
Organic food is produced without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or genetically modified organisms. Organic farming emphasizes natural processes and biodiversity, aiming for sustainable practices that maintain soil health and reduce environmental impact. Organic certification ensures that these practices are followed throughout the food's production.

07/04/2025

DIY heater for the greenhouse! Inside the terracotta pots is a big pillar candle, the rocks on top heat up and generate and retain a lot of heat inside the greenhouse. Makes a MASSIVE difference, the temperature in this greenhouse hasn't dropped below +12c even at near freezing temps outside with this thing going!
See more: https://mideas.co/EnHWF

02/04/2025

The great choko revival: Grandma was right all along

Hinterland Homesteading with Racheal Pascoe

A lot of us remember the rambling choko vine at Grandma’s house and how choko was served up, too many times. But maybe we could think about giving chokos a second chance? Now, I am certainly not a dooms day prepper, but I think it is a good idea to have as many edible plants growing around the garden as possible.

Chokos are super easy to grow in south east Queensland and they give so much back in the way of fruit. It turns out Grandma might have been onto something!

Choko goodness

The dear old choko provides us with a great source of vitamin C, folate, potassium, manganese and amino acids. Who knew all of this goodness could come from a plain old choko?

How to grow a choko

Buy yourself one from the fruit shop if you can’t get one from a gardening friend. Sit the choko on the kitchen windowsill for a few weeks and you will notice it start to sprout. When the choko has a good bit of growth on it, plant it in the ground. Just cover it with soil, leaving the stalk out and water it every other day. In no time at all it will grow, reach up and be looking for something to grow up.

Chokos ideally need a trellis to grow on, or they can even grow along a fence. The fruit is ripe when it is about the size of a large avocado and looks kind of filled out. Before long, you will have lots of chokos and be sharing with others. We grow them at home here and enjoy eating them, but our pet pig Freckles also likes them. She helps us out when we have an abundance.

When to pick

I think tiny little chokos are super cute. They remind me of Coles Miniatures! Just a perfect little version of the big fruit. Anyhow, the time to pick chokos is when they are about 7cm to 10cm long. The skin and fruit are still tender at this size. If you let the fruit grow to a whopping size, then it is all a bit tougher.

How to eat choko

Now, a choko by itself can be plain but if you incorporate it into dishes, you will be amazed as to how many ways you can serve it up. You will need to peel the choko first.

Steamed choko with butter and salt and pepper used to be the most common way of eating it.

Zucchini is kind of similar in that it is very plain in taste but can go along with other veggies to create a fabulous dish. Think of choko as being a bit like zucchini, whatever you pair it with, will add the flavour.

Choko can be diced, grated, sliced, baked and added to soups. As we are all thinking of ways to feed ourselves and our pets more economically, maybe choko could be incorporated into your pet meals? Steamed and fed to the chickens, mixed in with other veggies for dog food etc. Of course, add it in moderation and observe your pets to make sure it agrees with them.

Our choko vine here at home has gone bonkers with flowers and tiny fruit. If you fancy growing choko at home, now is the perfect time to get one and make a start. Grandma would be super pleased to think chokos are having a revival!

29/03/2025

I have been researching WWII survival methods and found an old technique that's quite brilliant, especially with current supply chain issues where bread, yeast, and flour might be the first to disappear from shelves. This sustainable way to stretch resources involves something most of us can easily grow: zucchini flour.
Though this might be old news to some, with rising concerns about wheat costs, I thought it worth sharing. This technique, sometimes called Amish flour or troops flour, has been a staple in Amish and Mennonite households for generations and was also embraced during the 1940s rationing.
To make zucchini flour, let your zucchini grow large—oversized or marrow-sized is ideal. Peel the zucchini into thin, even strips using a carrot peeler or a mandolin for faster prep. Dehydrate the strips using an electronic dehydrator or by threading them. Avoid large seeds for a finer texture. Ensure the zucchini is completely dry; any moisture can ruin it during storage. Then, run the dried zucchini through a food processor or hand grinder until it has a powdered consistency, similar to good quality whole wheat flour. Three large zucchinis yield about four to five cups of finished flour.
Zucchini flour can replace a third of the flour in most recipes without affecting the final product. It works well as a thickening agent for gravies, breading for fish, and is especially useful for making tortillas and bannock, our quick go-to breads. It also makes great dumplings and brownies. Store the flour in airtight jars or vacuum packs.
For us, zucchini flour is a free, sustainable, easily produced alternative that reduces our flour usage by a third. You can do the same with sweet and regular potatoes, other squashes, acorns, and pumpkins. I prefer zucchini because it has the mildest flavor and we always have an abundance of them

16/03/2025

15/03/2025

TURN YOUR KITCHEN SCRAPS INTO A MEALWORM EMPIRE: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE FORERS!

Raising and breeding mealworms for your chickens is not just a cost-effective venture but an eco-friendly way to recycle kitchen scraps into a protein-rich treat for your flock. Here's the detailed blueprint to build your very own mealworm empire:

Step 1: Choosing a Container
- Select a plastic, glass, or metal container with smooth sides to prevent the mealworms and beetles from escaping. Avoid wood, as it can absorb moisture and lead to mold.
- Ensure the container is well-ventilated. You can use a plastic bin with a fitted lid and cut a section out of the lid, replacing it with a fine mesh for airflow.

Step 2: Adding Bedding
- Use a dry material such as wheat bran, rolled oats, cornmeal, or a mixture of these. This bedding will serve as both their living environment and food source.
- Add about 2-3 inches of bedding to the bottom of the container. Make sure it's dry, as excessive moisture can lead to mold or bacterial growth.

Step 3: Introducing Mealworms
- Purchase live mealworms from a pet store, online supplier, or bait shop. Start with at least 500-1,000 mealworms for quicker colony establishment.
- Spread the mealworms evenly over the bedding.

Step 4: Providing Food and Water
- Supplement their diet with fresh, moisture-rich vegetables or fruits. Carrots, potatoes, apples, and cucumber slices are excellent choices.
- Replace fresh produce every couple of days to prevent rot or mold. Avoid using citrus fruits or anything that can spoil rapidly.
- Do not provide standing water, as mealworms get their moisture from the fresh produce.

Step 5: Encouraging Breeding and Growth
- Maintain the container at a warm temperature between 70-80°F (21-27°C). Use a heating pad or keep the container in a warm room if necessary.
- Mealworms will progress through four stages: egg, larva (mealworm), pupa, and adult beetle. The entire life cycle takes 10-12 weeks at optimal conditions.
- Once the larva pupates, it will transition into a beetle. These beetles will lay eggs, completing the cycle.

Step 6: Managing the Stages
- To optimize the breeding process, separate the stages into different containers:
- Larvae (mealworms)
- Pupae
- Beetles
- Separating the stages prevents beetles from accidentally eating the eggs or larvae.

Step 7: Cleaning and Maintenance
- Every few weeks, sift the bedding to remove waste, known as "frass." Frass can be composted or used as fertilizer for plants.
- Replace the bedding every few months or sooner if it becomes excessively soiled.

Step 8: Harvesting Mealworms
- To harvest, simply scoop out mature mealworms from the bedding. Clean them by allowing them to eat only fresh produce for 24 hours, which will clear their digestive tracts.
- Once cleaned, you can feed the mealworms directly to your chickens as a nutritious protein source.

Step 9: Scaling Up
- If you want to produce more mealworms, expand to additional containers. Rotate your stock to ensure a consistent supply.

Step 10: Tips for Success
- Avoid exposing the container to direct sunlight or excessive humidity, as this can harm the colony.
- Monitor for pests or mold, and address these issues immediately to maintain a healthy environment.
- Keep a balance of beetles, larvae, and pupae to sustain the colony over time.

This ultimate guide makes it simple to convert your kitchen scraps into a thriving mealworm empire! Give it a try and watch your chickens go crazy for these delicious treats.

06/03/2025

28/02/2025

It is important to note that during the summer months there are fewer flowers and other food sources for bees, which puts them in difficulties. In addition, the water is scarce and many bees drown when trying to drink in the pools. A advice to help them is to grate an apple and put the pieces in a bowl with water. Thus, bees can obtain fruit sugars and drink water without risk of drowning, since they can perch on fruit pieces. Our bees populations are threatened, so it is important to provide them with all possible support.
See more: https://mideas.co/mkhBI