On 05/10/2013 my class was with Lisa Short on Plant Propagation Unit. As usual in the morning I observed all the plants and pricked out and potted on Lemon Grass (Cymbopogon ciratus) around 30 tubes. Secondly I pricked out and potted on Origanum vulgare around 8 tubes.
Lemon grass (Cymbopogon ciratus)
Lemon grass (Cymbopogon ciratus)
Finally I started to pricked out and potting on Doronicum 'Little Leo' around 16 tubes which is doing good and healthy. Leopard's Bane is an early blooming daisy that makes for a lovely combination with spring-blooming bulbs, especially brightly coloured tulips. This compact selection has semi-double, bright-yellow flowers over mounds of fresh green foliage. Best in light shade, such as a woodland setting. Plants may go dormant during hot summer weather, particularly in hot humid summer regions. Trim back by half after blooming, to prevent self seeding. Good choice for edging or the rock garden.
On 5/10/2013 my Turf Unit was last section with Alan Ferguson. We have Assessment on Turf a thirty multiple choice questions in Computer Room.
On 7/10/2013 I had my morning section with Kim Thomas on Permaculture Unit. We watched video of the construction of a "No dig garden" and video on "Sheet mulching" and Kim gathered a wide variety of ingredients and share her Primo compost recipe with the students as we do a composting practical.
Building a compost box
The following instructions describe how to make a moveable, wooden compost box consisting of identical interlocking sections which are stacked one on top of the other.
As the compost decreases in volume, the top sections of the box can be taken off and used to start building up a new container. Make a few extra sections and you will have a very flexible composting system.
The two basic types of ingredients for making compost are those rich in carbon and those rich in nitrogen. Carbon-rich materials, or “dry browns,” include leaves, hay, and straw. Nitrogen rich material or “wet greens,” include kitchen scraps and grass clippings, comfrey, marigold plant, lupin these work best when used sparsely and mixed in well so they don’t mat down. The main goal is to keep a fair mix of these materials throughout the pile and horse manure was added together with dolomite to reduced acidic in the pile. A pile of leaf litter was added the compost together with the few bucket of soil.
Make sure the pile stays moist, but not too wet. (It should feel like a damp sponge). We added fish fertiliser mixed in water and filled in water cans or if you live in a very wet climate, may need to cover the pile with a tarp to keep it from becoming too soggy. Finally we close the compost box with thick carpet.
On 7/10/2013 In the afternoon I had my Plant Identification Unit with Lisa Burton. We have a test on Plant Identification in the beginning of class and we a walk around the Polytech to identify eight more trees or shrubs. They are Pittosporum eugenioides, Lavandula stoechas, Protea neriifolia, Aristotelia serrata, Griselinia littorals, Acer palmatum, Magnolia 'Susan' and Olea europaea. This plants will be tested on 14/11/2013.
On 08/10/2013 I had my Revegetation Unit with Lisa Burton the last section. We went on field trip to Orokonui Ecosantuary and guided around by amazing Tahu. She has a lot of passion for the project . She guided us and explained all the species and native plants.
The Ecosanctuary is in a north-facing valley comprising about 250ha of regenerating native forest. The Trust gained the use of the 230 hectare Orokonui Conservation Area 20 km north of central Dunedin. The New Zealand Department of Conservation approved the Trust's use of the land and completed a heads of agreement and the Orokonui site was visited on 27 April 2006 by Chris Carter, the New Zealand Minister of Conservation. The Trust purchased and added a further 67 hectares of adjacent land to the Conservation Area. The donation of 57ha from an adjacent landowner extended the proposed Ecosanctuary area by 20%.
On 08/10/2013 in the afternoon with Kim Thomas on Vermiculture Unit. We have a guest speaker Cherryle Prew from Soil Foodweb. Her web site is: www.soilfoodweb.co.nz. She explained regarding the soil in power points presentation. She also tested the soil and sap of the plants using refractometer to check nutrient measurements of plan sap density. She also check the living organism in liquid vermicast that was diluted using microscope.
Soil Foodweb Institute New Zealand are soil rehabilitation specialists working with the New Zealand biological farming industry since 2003. New Zealand’s foremost soil testing lab for microbial activity and the team is fully committed to assisting farmers and growers achieve true sustainable soil fertility by measuring the microbes in soils and composts. By utilizing their services will achieve and maintain a balanced and healthy soil. Their focus is on enabling all of the benefits associated with biological farming.
Key benefits are the reduction in chemical inputs, suppression of pests and weeds, overall animal health, reduction in water usage and improved grass/crop quality without loss of production. Soil Foodweb supply training workshops to farmer and industry groups.
To support continued understanding of the soils functions, Soil Foodweb Institute New Zealand regularly conducts workshops on soil health and how to maintain it by maximising soil microbes.
We end up the section by feeding the wormy and check the pH and temperature.
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