This afternoon, we arrived at the property just after lunch to meet with Adam, our local agronomist. Lanky and I, with our limited experience in pasture management, were eager to tap into Adam’s extensive knowledge and expertise. We were particularly grateful for his insights, as pasture management is an area where we knew we needed guidance. Upon arrival, Adam wasted no time in getting to work. He began by carefully examining our pasture, pointing out the various grasses and clover that made up the bulk of the vegetation. He identified several types of grasses, explaining their benefits and growth patterns, and also noted the presence of clover, which he said…

As winter comes to an end, and with three weeks left until spring. I’m diving into detailed planning for our gardens. I’ll hold off on transplanting any crops until the last frost date has safely passed which is early October. This waiting period gives me ample time to start seeds, take cuttings, and meticulously plan out each section of the garden. I’ve chosen to focus on the area at the front of our property, just below the dam. This spot gives us about two acres to work with—a significant amount of space for gardening. Rather than rushing, I’m approaching the process thoughtfully, staying flexible with what we plant and where.This…

After 3 weeks away visiting family and friends in New South Wales, one of my first tasks were to check on the potted plants, my main concern was my Egyptian walking onions, before we left for holidays I transplanted the Bulbs into pots outside, after hardening them for around a week. I also checked the Bulblets, the bulblets weren’t showing any signs of development (Part 3). The Bulblets’ lack of development concerned me. I’d never cultivated Egyptian walking onions before. I watched a few Youtube videos to see if they needed certain weather conditions to trigger root development, however the videos indicated that the bulblets aren’t viable once cut from…

Roughly a month ago, I found two suppliers promising to deliver “the good stuff” – Egyptian walking onions. One offered bulblets, while the other supplied onion bulbs complete with roots. As it was my first venture into growing these onions after years of searching, I decided to try both options. This post updates on the progress, or lack thereof, for both choices. bulblets It’s been a month since the bulblets arrived, and I eagerly planted them in a well-draining potting mix, ensuring they received plenty of sunlight and keeping the soil moist. Despite my efforts, I’ve noticed a troubling change: the once vibrant purplish hue of the bulblets is fading,…

We have an update on the Egyptian walking onions, albeit slightly delayed due to contracting Covid and subsequent appointments related to our house build. Roughly 3-4 days after placing the order for the onions from Edible Jungle Nursery, our package arrived. Alongside the onions, we had also ordered a cutting of a Frangipani named “Col’s Cooktown Sunset.” The packaging was excellent, with each type of plant carefully placed in a labeled paper bag. These bags were then packed into a sturdy cardboard postage box. Upon inspection, we found not only the expected 5 onion bulbs but a generous extra, totaling 6 bulbs. This unexpected addition was a pleasant surprise, and…

Setting off on my quest for Egyptian Walking Onions has been a journey brimming with anticipation and excitement. These extraordinary biennial plants, easily managed as perennials due to their simple propagation, possess the fascinating ability to migrate from their original planting spot. This phenomenon occurs as bulbils sprout atop the plant, causing the stem to bend under their weight. Consequently, these bulbils make contact with the soil, take root, and give rise to new plants. The entire process is not only captivating but also renders the plant entirely edible. Finding a supplier or two After years of diligent searching, often met with disappointment from items labeled as “unavailable” or “sold…

For me, gardening is more than a hobby—it’s a way of life, nurturing both the soul and the family. The anticipation of a change in season or the opportunity to sow new seeds and cuttings fills me with excitement. As autumn unfolds in Australia, it’s the perfect time to kickstart the growth of winter seeds. In the beginning: Navigating the unique growing patterns of South Australia and continually enhancing the soil of our rental has been a learning process for me. To mitigate potential setbacks, I’ve been planting an abundance of seeds, hedging my bets against a higher failure rate compared to my experiences in NSW. In the initial year…