Using tin cans to replenish the soil

We have long been into recycling and have made our own compost for years but this is a new idea put out by Environment 2000 - if it works it gives us a better soil and stops pollution!

If one can remove the aluminium at the top of the can - the key that one has to pull to open the can -the tin can be used in pit beds in the garden as it puts the necessary nutrients back into the soil.

Vegetable gardening in Zimbabwe

A lot is being written about how people in Zimbabwe are turning their gardens into vegetable plots! We are managing to produce more than we can cope with in our garden. We have a modest garden and we make sure that we only grow as much as we, and our neighbours and staff, can cope with at one time. By careful planning this is possible.

We love spinach and this time of year is when we have rain - this means the spinach droops and dies off.

We have discovered that by growing it under the eaves of the house we can keep our spinach on the go almost all year.

Another discovery this year has been that the coloured spinach called 'bright lights' (actually kale) does not mind the rain - we now have green, red and yellow spinach on our table on a regular basis!

No Fungus this year!

At this time of year we usually have an abundance of fungus of many varieties.

This year - nothing!

Our rains have been good and our soil is ideal - but why no mushrooms?

Let us hope that later on in the seson we will see them.

The toad tree is so called as it's seed pods resemble a toad in shape and colour. this tree was grown from seed from the Chiredzi area. It is about four years old and has yet to produce seed - however it is a lovely tree in any garden