I have mentioned before that there are plenty of stones in our area. Not many large, useful ones, but many, many, many small irritating ones. The size that are just perfect for distorting carrots which are trying to grow, or prevent RMan from raking up freshly scythed oats.
The stones on the road wash down whenever we have heavy rain (something I have a vague memory of - we have had exactly 1.5mm of rain thus far this month. Previous years: 2014 = 33mm, 2015 = 53mm) - all different sizes of stones. And, serendipitously, some of the stones are exactly the right size for my purpose.
Soil test results. The yellowed in area's show deficiencies |
When we had our soil tested back in October 2014, the knowledgeable gentleman we saw told us that we should be grateful for those stones, as they contain valuable trace minerals which are beneficial for the garden.
The small pebbles were boiled for 10 minutes |
I boiled up the stones to make sure that they didn't contain any unfriendly pathogens.
To assist in water reaching inside the pot, RMan hauled out his drill |
I used the drilled plant pots to sort out exactly the size I required |
Pebbles line the base of the pots |
Aquaculture!! Growing without soil.
ReplyDeleteSharon - TaDaaaa! :)
DeleteOn Easter Island, they use "rock mulch" to stop the topsoil blowing away. I've made peace with all the millions of rocks and pebbles, I use them around my trees to stop the water flowing away, chicken wire gabions around the veggie patch, weed suppressant, channels for water. I don't want any more, but the ones I've got are mighty useful.
ReplyDeletepqsa - Dunno - we have so many stones here. We've used them in gabions as a gate entrance, and to prevent washaway on rainwater channels. But, I never thought I'd be harvesting them from the sand road outside our property...
Deleteit is aquaponics isint it or auaponics without the fish bit :-)
ReplyDeleteDawn - Definitely no fish involved :)
DeleteWE have that here as well. A lot of the homes in the area (including mine) are stone, so they are put to good use.
ReplyDeleteI admit, I love them but yea-it makes for an interesting carrot-Ha!
Have a great week
Sue - Wish that the stones were of a size that walls / structures could be built with them!! These are just irritating and sized (and smaller) stones. The kind that play havoc with lawn mower blades etc...
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