NEW GROWTH, TREES ROCK AND WATER,

2012-01-20T07:33:00.000-08:00

9th October 2011

Great news unexpectedly I moved onto the plot! This is what it looks like!

. One of the sections of the plot before I started.          Further on in the season when I had both sections of
                                                                                  the plot. At the front Onions and garlic have been
                                                                                  sown.
9th October 2011
Great news unexpectedly I moved onto the plot!

12th October 2011.
It has been quite a job dealing with the soil which was compacted. I haved used a mattock (pickaxe) to break through and in the process pulled out sackloads of rubbish including metal bars! I then turned the soil over. As there was free recyled compost available I wheelbarrowed it down and covered the first part of the plot. The following day I sowed onion sets and a row of chard seedlings. I will keep you posted.

17th October 2011
Things are changing at a rapid pace. The first half is full on Japanese onions, elephant garlic and regular garlic. There is also a cupboard for tools.

31rst October 2011
A lot has happened since I last wrote. Half the plot has been covered with manure. The culti-tent which I erected over a week ago is full at the moment with oriental veg (which is just peeping through) and pots of broadbean seed. I have also panted a grape vine along the side of the plot. Some spring cabbage have been planted and also globe artichoke.

5th Nov
I have almost turned in all the manure.

12th November 2011
in response to my readings of Eliot Coleman's book (mentioned above) I sowed salad leaf (in my raised bed on the patio at home) and then covered it with a cloche and they have germinated! The weather in November is so mild. I even have two tomato plants growing and showing flowers! If the weather turns I will bring the potted one in.
On the plot I now have a banana plant taken from our garden. It seems to be fine. It has fleece wrapped around the trunk. I also sowed some Jerusalem artichokes. Roy a fellow allotmenteer gave me a chinese winter melon. which we will eat and i will save the seed for sowing. Next episode coming soon.

16th November 2011
Good News! I now have the adjacent section to my plot. Two thirds of which is already covered with manure (the supply ran out and i have started to cover it with compost. Unfortunately I have sustained a foot injury which should heal soon but by then the supply of compost may well have run out. That wikk mean waiting until December. I have some Broadbeans in pots which I will plant out after I see enough growth. I have also planted a semi hardy banana plant for the decorative effect. I have also ordered a cordon apple type for planting on the plot. That's all for now

26th November 2011
I rotavated my plot yesterday with my new rotovator it's all looking good and the soil is taking on a dark colour. I think I will look for more garlic to sow

3rd December 2011
Visted the site today and joined a meeting which was mainly aimed at disabled people to encourage them to be involved in growing vegetables the result of an initiative by Andrew a veteran plotholder. Raised bed have been built onsite for that purpose. I offered to support the project as I have a plot closeby and have some experience in the field. I was asked by one lady who has signed up for a raised bed whether I would water for her as she felt she wouldn't be able to lift a watering can. As I didn't see my role being in that capacity but more for emergencies and that it's really about enabling people I suggested an alternative (which is not allowed on the rest of the site) drip irrigation. I explained that I have wide experience in the field (due to Israeli background) and have used it widely, here in the UK. I also explained that I could easily source the pipes as I knew the companies that deal with it. Andrew's wife suggested that people could 'club together and order a roll'.
Time was getting on and I managed some work on my own plot. I had brought with me a rounded pliable raised bed which had tiers. I originally used it in our garden for growing lettuces on levels. I filled up at the backend of the plot with compost and manure and planted strawberries in the lower section. I went on to sow Radar onion sets. I stood on an old iron grating so as not to compact the earth. I managed to almost finish a pack but by then it was just too dark to continue I have said I will add some photos. There are also broad beans aquadulce that have been sown

9th December 2011
I visited the site to plant a cordon apple tree which I planted at an angle. This should encourage growth from the side.

I will soon be mentioning my voluntary work at Akiva Prinmary School. They have a series of raised beds. Prior to my garden they had already done some fine work but quite a few beds were neglected. I have cleared these

23rd December 2011
I have been on the plot today and built a box for compost. The travel wheel of my new rotovator bent while I move to another plot to another plot to help someone else. I phoned the company and they said they would replace it. After a number of attempts to remind them I could see they weren't going to. The rotovator is on guarantee! Yesterday i took it to a local welder whom i recommend Lorrie in Bunns Lane Mill Hill. He told me that he could see how flimsy the design is. We both thought it best to straighten in and add a supporting bar. This was all done at very reasonable cost. Today i placed it back on the rotovatorand I am pleased to say it looks 'the business. The Radar Onions which I sowed rather late are not yet showing but the Japanese onions are shooting up.

27 December 2011
I planted Shallots today. A bit early but the weather is so mild. I still had lots of energy so I did some edging on two sides of the plot at the same time creating a mini trench on one side to aid drainage. Banged in some posts either side of the compost box to strengthen it.

I am now adding some photos of the plot, the raised beds nearby where I have been asked to install drip irrigation if the grant application is agreed.

16th January 2011
There haven't been many entries lately but that doesn't mean I haven't been busy. Since the arrival of the recycled compost I have moved a fair amount of the compost. The last few days have been taken up with constructing the walkin netted tunnel. It's now finished (photos to follow). I will use it for growing brassicae..

I mentioned earlier that I have been working as a volunteer ar Akiva Primary School. The garden with raised beds was initiated by the parents. When I started the garden had some vegetables and bulbs but some beds were heavily overgrown with weeds. There is more order now.

2012-01-16T14:20:00.001-08:00

Websites to look at for the New Year

2012-01-04T08:51:00.000-08:00

A new year and new resolutions. I highly recommend taking a look at the sites of Lucy Seifert and Paul Brecher. details on the right hand side of this blog.

Page 2 of Trees Rock and Water.

2012-01-03T03:24:00.001-08:00

I am in the process of creating page 2 of this blog. I have started to move articles that have been donated to the blog to page 2. Please continue to send. I have editorial discretion so i may not allow something that i consider offensive or I may have to provide a shortened version if the article is very long. Of course I will consult with the author of the article.
urrently there are two articles by John Boyd on Issues of Democracy in the Europe and Paul Brech on the internal Martial Arts.

Thoughts of Paul Brecher

2011-12-23T23:58:00.000-08:00

Telling the truth means that you never have to remember what you said.
Taken with kind permission from Paul Brecher's website: http://www.taiji.net/

scenes from vietnam

2011-11-17T07:12:00.000-08:00

Trees Rock and Water

2011-11-17T05:13:00.000-08:00

Scenes of my bonsai and our garden

Yahad Ba Galil

2011-11-07T09:35:00.000-08:00

Yahad in the Galil - A Taste for Colour

The Yahad special needs community is based on Kibbutz Mahanayim in the Upper Galilee. One might wonder what is different about this community there are many special needs communities. The community works on an individual level trying to bring out the best in each individual. I would recommend going to the site and watching the video and then going to the wall posts to see the stunning pictures produced by Matan Pelles. To use the coloquial term 'I was blown away' The pictures very much reminded me of Gauguin's style. Here is the link: http://www.yahadbagalil.org.il/ The site is in Hebrew but look for the translate button on the top right hand corner. The English is somewhat unusual but bear with it

Growing Vegetables - A new page

2011-09-26T01:42:00.000-07:00

9th October 2011
Great news unexpectedly I moved onto the plot! This is what it looks like!

The new plot has some areas covered to protect crops.

9th October 2011
Great news unexpectedly I moved onto the plot!

12th October 2011.
It has been quite a job dealing with the soil which was compacted. I haved used a mattock (pickaxe) to break through and in the process pulled out sackloads of rubbish including metal bars! I then turned the soil over. As there was free recyled compost available I wheelbarrowed it down and covered the first part of the plot. The following day I sowed onion sets and a row of chard seedlings. I will keep you posted.

17th October 2011

Things are changing at a rapid pace. The first half is full on Japanese onions, elephant garlic and regular garlic. There is also a cupboard for tools.

31rst October 2011

A lot has happened since I last wrote. Half the plot has been covered with manure. The culti-tent which I erected over a week ago is full at the moment with oriental veg (which is just peeping through) and pots of broadbean seed. I have also panted a grape vine along the side of the plot. Some spring cabbage have been planted and also globe artichoke.

5th Nov
I have almost turned in all the manure. Today I sowed grass on the path between myself and the next plot.

12th November 2011
in response to my readings of Eliot Coleman's book (mentioned above) I sowed salad leaf (in my raised bed on the patio at home) and then covered it with a cloche and they have germinated! The weather in November is so mild. I even have two tomato plants growing and showing flowers! If the weather turns I will bring the potted one in.
On the plot I now have a banana plant taken from our garden. It seems to be fine. It has fleece wrapped around the trunk. I also sowed some Jerusalem artichokes. Roy a fellow allotmenteer gave me a chinese winter melon. which we will eat and i will save the seed for sowing. Next episode coming soon. Meanwhile Shalom

16th November 2011
Good News! I now have the adjacent section to my plot. Two thirds of which is already covered with manure (the supply ran out and i have started to cover it with compost. Unfortunately I have sustained a foot injury which should heal soon but by then the supply of compost may well have run out. That wikk mean waiting until December. I have some Broadbeans in pots which I will plant out after I see enough growth. I have also planted a semi hardy banana plant for the decorative effect. I have also ordered a cordon apple type for planting on the plot. That's all for now

26th November 2011
I rotiivated my plot yesterday with my new rotovator it's all looking good and the soil is taking on a dark colour. I think I will look for more garlic to sow

3rd December 2011
Visted the site today and joined a meeting which was mainly aimed at disabled people to encourage them to be involved in growing vegetables the result of an initiative by Andrew a veteran plotholder. Raised bed have been built onsite for that purpose. I offered to support the project as I have a plot closeby and have some experience in the field. I was asked by one lady who has signed up for a raised bed whether I would water for her as she felt she wouldn't be able to lift a watering can. As I didn't see my role being in that capacity but more for emergencies and that it's really about enabling people I suggested an alternative (which is not allowed on the rest of the site) drip irrigation. I explained that I have wide experience in the field (due to Israeli background) and have used it widely, here in the UK. I also explained that I could easily source the pipes as I knew the companies that deal with it. Andrew's wife suggested that people could 'club together and order a roll'.
Time was getting on and I managed some work on my own plot. I had brought with me a rounded pliable raised bed which had tiers. I originally used it in our garden for growing lettuces on levels. I filled up at the backend of the plot with compost and manure and planted strawberries in the lower section. I went on to sow Radar onion sets. I stood on an old iron grating so as not to compact the earth. I managed to almost finish a pack but by then it was just too dark to continue I have said I will add some photos. There are also broad beans aquadulce that have been sown

9th December 2011
I visited the site to plant a cordon apple tree which I planted at an angle. This should encourage growth from the side.
I will soon be mentioning my voluntary work at Akiva Prinmary School. They have a series of raised beds. Prior to my garden they had already done some fine work but quite a few beds were neglected. I have cleared these

23rd December 2011
I have been on the plot today and built a box for compost. The travel wheel of my new rotovator bent while I move to another plot to another plot to help someone else. I phoned the company and they said they would replace it. After a number of attempts to remind them I could see they weren't going to. The rotovator is on guarantee! Yesterday i took it to a local welder whom i recommend Lorrie in Bunns Lane Mill Hill. He told me that he could see how flimsy the design is. We both thought it best to straighten in and add a supporting bar. This was all done at very reasonable cost. Today i placed it back on the rotovatorand I am pleased to say it looks 'the business. The Radar Onions which I sowed rather late are not yet showing but the Japanese onions are shooting up.

27 December 2011
I planted Shallots today. A bit early but the weather is so mild. I still had lots of energy so I did some edging on two sides of the plot at the same time creating a mini trench on one side to aid drainage. Banged in some posts either side of the compost box to strengthen it.
I am now adding some photos of the plot and the raised beds nearby where I have been asked to install drip irrigation if the grant application is agreed.

My plot

The beds were the initiative of the allotment association to provide a facility for disabled people and school children.

16th January 2011
There haven't been many entries lately but that doesn't mean I haven't been busy. Since the arrival of the recycled compost I have moved a fair amount of the compost. The last few days have been taken up with constructing the walkin netted tunnel. It's now finished (photos to follow). I will use it for growing brassicae..
More news soon.

New tunnel for Brassicae

photos from the garden 19th April 2011

2011-04-10T04:31:00.000-07:00

The bananas have started growing with the onset of the warm weather.

A Comment By John Boyd

2011-03-23T08:00:00.000-07:00

Comment by John Boyd – Editor of the Democrat

Common EU austerity policy does not care a damn about the social consequences
The so called austerity policy of the Coalition Government is a common EU policy being applied across the EU. This common policy is an attack on living standards of all those who work for their living and a blatant transfer of the public sector to privateers. There is a deliberate transfer of money to the rich from poorer sections of society through taxation, diminished pensions and increase in the pensionable age under the totally misleading “tough but fair” ConDem slogan.
The introduction of privatisation in the form of ‘free market’ competition rules into the NHS is the conduit to privatise the NHS on economic ideology enshrined in the European Constitution (Lisbon Treaty). It is also in line with EU legislation on health service directives.
All this is being done in line with the EU Constitution and the four freedoms without a damn for the social consequences for the peoples of Britain. Transferring large sums of money to bail out the banks and the continued payment of grotesque bonuses is only a small part of the picture and a distraction from the overall picture. The peoples of Britain have been largely kept in ignorance of the full implications of EU membership and in particular that the European Union became a superstate on 1 December 2009. We are all now citizens of the EU. The government of the EU consists of the Commission and Council of Ministers. Since December 2009 ministers who go to Council meetings in Brussels are first and foremost responsible to the EU and secondary to their national government and parliament at Westminster. For instance the national budget of Britain has to be approved by the Council of finance ministers to ensure it is line with the common austerity policy.
It does not have to be that way.
The economy needs to be based once again on manufacturing instead of the disastrous financial sector and banks and services. This would provide many jobs but would require the Government to control the export of capital and instead encourage investment in Britain. This would be the basis of trade across the world instead of being truncated by membership of the European Union to the Single European ‘free’ Market.
The call by trade unions to ensure that immigrants who seek work in Britain are not used to lower wages and conditions must be heeded.
There must be a return to accountable and state control of national industries, services and resources including railways, energy, water, waterways, fishing grounds, forests, health services and the financial sector. This requires offending or disregarding EU policies, directives, regulations and legislation.
This leaves only one genuine course to guarantee the rational future of Britain and her peoples and that is for Britain to leave the EU. To help achieve this objective our Campaign fully supports the demand for a referendum to be held on whether or not Britain remains a member of the EU.

Jacobs Ladder Folk Festival

2011-03-13T05:36:00.000-07:00

Those of you planning to travel to Israel and like folk music here are the latest dates for the greatest folk festival. You can also hear Menachem's (founder of the folk festival) programme on the address given below. There are regular broadcasts. You can easily sign up for them.
The original site of the festival was on Kibbutz Mahanayim but has since moved to accomodate it's growing popularity. For more details go to the website below.

For Menachem's Folk Podcasts on Radio Upper Galilee go to:
www.tinyurl.com/radiouppergalilee
The next two Jacob's Ladder Festivals are:
Jacob's Ladder Spring Festival Thurs-Sat 19/20/21 May 2011
Jacob's Ladder Winter Weekend Fri/Sat 2/3 December 2011

Please join website mailing list for updates.
http://www.jlfestival.com/
.Jacob's Ladder folk Festival

Jacob's Ladder, Israel's best, biggest and oldest folk music festival, is held in Ginnosar every year, usually on a weekend in May. You can listen to folk, country, bluegrass, Irish music, blues and some world music as well. The festival is extremely well organized (by Yehudit and Menachem Vinegrad, who have been doing it for about 30 years), and takes place on a weekend. You can camp on site, or stay overnight in the Nof Ginnosar hotel or one of the many B&Bs / homestay accomodation in nearby Migdal, Huquq etc.

The atmosphere in Jacob's Ladder festival is unique. People are relaxed

Read more: http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Middle_East/Israel/Haifa_District/Ginnosar-1708992/Local_Customs-Ginnosar-TG-C-1.html#ixzz1GTxwzJW2

Scenes from Vietnam Taken on our visit

2011-01-10T10:37:00.000-08:00

The Scenes in this slide show are a mix of Kua Lalumpur and Vietnam.

We visited Vietnam in 2009 with some friends. That visit left a profound impression and a deep respect for the people. The effects of what they call 'The American War' can still be seen. Ironically the socalled 'greatest power on earth were not able to subdue this 'peasant people' even with the ghastly methods used. Vietnam has never, to my knowledge, been compensated by the US government.

There are some scenes of the presidential palace. Ho Chi Minh went there to receive foriegn guests but chose to live in a simple abode. The pictures of the bird sanctuary were taken in Malaysia.

Trees Rock and Water - Some scenes from our garden and other Interests

2011-01-10T09:48:00.000-08:00

Scenes from Vietnam

2011-01-10T06:12:00.000-08:00

Thought for the day

2010-12-18T05:47:00.000-08:00

Confucius – “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for life.”

A few simple tips about bonsai care

2010-11-18T09:01:00.000-08:00

I have added the following as I was asked today for some advice about a bonsai. There seems to be a common concensus thaty bonsai trees are difficult to look after. I don't think that is the case and it isn't time consuming.
The most common trees to be found on sale are Fukian Carmona, Serissa Foetida (tree of a thousand stars), Sageretia Thezans, Chinese Elms,
The first three are best indoors. Chinese Elm can be kept outdoors. If kept outdoors and sometimes indoors it will loose it's leaves. Sageretia Theezans is not a good tree for a beginner they can be temperamental. but they often have wonderful ancient looking trunks.

Watering.
Often labels on bonsai will tell you how often to water. This is incorrect. The tree roots take up water according to a variety of external factors. During the winter there is less need for water and if you followed the instructions you would be 'drowning your tree'. I generally use the finger test. If the upper crust of the soil is dry. Than watering is needed. I prefer submerging the the pot until the bubbles have stopped.. Lift and let the water run out.It is also helpful to spray the leaves daily with water.

Feeding.

Feeding is best carried out from March to Sept.
There are special bonsai feeds though I tend to use regular feeds such as tomato feed, bio feed etc.,

Repotting
Is more of an annual task if needed. I will talk about it on another occasion

Placing the trees.
Indoor trees: An area where there is plenty of light except when it gets really hot. Then move to a shadier spot. Do not place near a radiater. Outdoors : I have found by trial and error that during the summer it is better to keep the trees in semi shade. In both situations it is worth turning the trees around occasionally. Though trees outside need less care they still need checking for watering during dry spells.

An Update

2010-11-01T04:29:00.000-07:00

I haven't created any new trays for quite a while due to raw materials being too costly. Occasionally I will make small adjustments on the existing trays and because the landscapes change as the trees grow I felt it worth revisiting them.

Tanya

2010-10-23T16:35:00.000-07:00

I would like to mention my older niece Tanya who has a wonderful voice. Tanya was a favourite choice of the singing coach on X factor. Tanya fits in her singing at gigs and other in between her university studies. Please key in her name on google or take a look on Utube; tanyasmusicchannel

A question of composting

2010-10-09T11:05:00.000-07:00

I couldn't help slipping in my favourite plants. But really I wanted to mention composting..
I was speaking to someone on the plot today as I thought they may not be aware of various aspects of composting. I mentioned the fact that I never add brassicae or potato roots to my compost heap because of the likelihood of spreading disease and that I constantly turn the heap. I didn't want to go onto long as it would have been more like a lecture but I would like to mention that I try to keep the heap flat and wet. I keep a small bin in the kitchen for the green uncooked leftovers and i watch it like a hawk so that nothing else goes in.
I hope this might be of use. I thought it worth mentioning as sometimes people treat compost heaps as rubbish heaps. It really doesn't work that way if you want quality compost.

September 2010 Update from the vegetable plot

2010-09-20T09:43:00.000-07:00

The photos above are somewhat out of date as the plot is in a constant state of change. The culti-tunnel has been repositioned to a sunnier spot at the top of the plot. The potatoes above on the left hand side have been harvested ( I mentioned in a previous update that I had rather a poor crop but it seemed to have been a general problem for many this year). In there place are lettuce, radish and some spring onions. Today I sowed red onions (to grow over the winter) in between the lettuce (due to a lack of space!). There are many more (Japanese Onions) on the other side of the runner beans (pictured above on the left near the potatoes).. these will also grow over the winter. I purposely chose the high ground especially as the lower end of the plot tends to flood and I felt the precious onion could have been much better if not for that. This is a concern as crop rotation is so important.

I am harvesting rather a lot of runner beans, kenyan beans, celery, lettuce leaf, some tomatoes, cabbage, courgettes, some broccolli

and I have finished have just finished harvesting some smaller onions which were sown in the summer. A good crop despite the difficulties of no taps on site, flooding (at the lower end of the plot and various other obstacles.

There are also the other ongoing jobs such as; weeding, clearing area where the crops have been harvested and spreading manure..

I shall leave you for now. I am happy to answer questions.

Some of my landscapes

2010-07-16T15:40:00.000-07:00

My main passion is planting into rock. I have ceased creating new ones as resources are expensive. I have attempted in a fashion to copy the Vietnamese style of 'Hon Non Bo' of planting into rock which is surrounded by water.

Scenes from our garden

2010-07-16T15:22:00.000-07:00

Nothing stays the same. I think it is important that the garden goes through phases of change. There will be some aspects that will remain. The garden in it's various sections has taken on different themes. We can't allow ourselves to pour in huge amounts of money into the garden so it's about adapting natural resources wherever possible.

Scenes from Vietnam

2010-06-29T05:40:00.000-07:00

I felt it important to show scenes from our trip to vietnam. I felt a great empathy and respect for the people.

There are no traffic rules. Vehicles go in all directions yet I never witnessed any accidents.

The cyclists and moped riders carry extra passengers and luggage.

Mixed Scenes from Vietnam and Kua lalumpur, Malaysia

2010-06-29T04:09:00.000-07:00

On this slideshow views from Vietnam and Kua lalumpur