Worm farm

I have had my worm farm for about 10 years now. When I'm not in the country I take the whole setup over to my friend Debbie's, and she takes care or them.
They don't need a lot of attention or affection. If a few basic requirements are met, the worms are happy to spend their lives converting household waste into lovely dark crumbly compost.
I have a commercial black plastic 3 tier bin arrangement, but the worms aren't fussy, and can live in a variety of setups.
Every month or so during the summer I harvest a tier of worm compost. I also collect the liquid that drains out the bottom. Dilute it to the colour of weak tea, and it is a great liquid fertiliser.

The basic requirements of the worms are a dark, moist, cool environment, with good drainage. I avoid feeding them meat, fats, onions, citrus and anything that might sprout eg tomato or pumpkin seeds.
In the autumn I try to take the time to get a load of horse manure from my friends, I fill my high sided plastic wheelbarrow with the drainage hole in the bottom with the manure, and throw in a couple of handfuls of worms. For the winter this is parked under a tree, and partially covered, to stay cool, and let a little rain in. In the spring the load of manure has been converted to a lovely crumbly mix, and the worm population has exploded. This mix is perfect for transplanting the new spring seedlings, or revitalising the potting mix in my planters.

 

 

Worms definitely aren't as entertaining as the chooks, but they are an important part of our life here on the (tiny) farm.

 

Fish in a tortilla

Steve (the fisherman in the family) has been away for a while, but now is back. So we have the net back in the water, and are catching fish once again.
Our favourite lunch is fish fillets in a fresh tortilla, and lots of diced red onions, tomatoes and lettuce from the garden.

Todays catch is a flounder.

The fish is doused in flour that has some pepper, salt and a little curry powder mixed with it, and is then grilled or fried for a few minutes.

The tortillas:
1 c flour ( I use spelt, but all purpose works too)
pinch salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 dsp oil
1/3 c water (plus or minus depending on how dry the mix is)
Mix together and divide into 2 balls. Roll out each ball thinly- this makes each tortilla about the size of a dinner plate.
Cook a few minutes on each side and fill with fish, tomatoes, lettuce and onions.
Enjoy.

 

 

Drying Fruit

Drying fruit is a great way to keep fruit. I have been drying apples lately, but I have also been drying peaches and grapes. The figs are starting to ripen, so it is a race to harvest them before the birds find them.

 

The apples are easy to prepare with this little gadget. It peals, cores and slices all in one go. the slices are uniform, and this helps everything dry consistently.

 

I use an electric dryer. A little noisy, but I set it up to run at night so it isn't too intrusive. Set at a low setting for the night means that the fruit doesn't get over dried before morning. Then in the morning a short time on a higher setting finishes it off.

 

 

 

Now I am starting to accumulate bags of delicious leathery dried fruit. Great to add to granola or mix with nuts for snacks.

 

Recycled water tank

The problem: What to do with a 22,000 litre plastic water tank that has developed a fatal leak and has in the last 12 years been built and planted around, to the point where it is going to be a huge job to remove it , let alone dispose of it.
Solution: Turn it into a handy storage shed.
So that is what we did. Made some stone steps up to the right level. Cut a doorway into the tank. Added a few 'windows for some extra light, and called it a shed.
It turned out pretty cute.

First into storage is the fire wood.

 

Next I think all my gardening paraphernalia. That should fill it up quickly.