Looks like a lot of IT types on Lemmy NZ by the discussion today (I'm one too). But I've had enough of that in my lifetime, so, another gardening topic:
I've been growing some Asparagus from seed over winter in our sun room and have just got them into the ground. They take a while to establish, so I probably won't start picking them until after next winter.
Really easy to grow from seed, just have to wait a bit longer. These have gone into a no dig bed with pretty rough compost, but by the time they establish it will have rotted down well. I'll try to collect some seaweed sometime during summer and add that as well, which is recommended for Asparagus beds.
Netting to keep those hard-working blackbirds from moving the garden bed to somewhere I don't want it.
I'm still a kid at heart. When my wife makes me a stack of pikelets that are supposed to last a week, then leaves them on the kitchen bench, where I walk past often during the day. I do not know where they go, but they are usually gone within a day, 2 at most!!! (must be the dog)
Not sure why in NZ it seems that the government is always responsible, this should be driven by the industry e.g. Frontera. After all, it is their lively hood and they are the ones who have created the situation. Admittedly with some push from govt. at times.
The issue with Oat milk currently is that it's grown here, shipped to Sweden where it's processed into Oat Milk and then shipped back. Take that shipping out of the equation, and surely it will be a more reasonable price? Let's hope this Oat Milk factory gets built soon!
Even some in Countdown! Angel Food Cheese (made in NZ) and Veesey Cheese (product of Greece) - at $35.90 and $43.50 a kilo! I might try a small block (220g @ $7.90) of the Angel Food Cheddar Cheese just out of curiosity? Hopefully, in time, competition might drive the prices down a bit?
Very interesting point toward the end due to proposed legislation of the Free Trade Agreement between NZ and the EU:
if New Zealand can’t reduce its greenhouse gases by 30 percent by 2030 - a very real possibility at this point given its current trajectory - it could be sanctioned, or cut off by the EU.
Thanks for the link. The dowels that they sell might be a better method for us. Inoculate a few logs and wait 6-18 months. We can source plenty of logs and have space. Just need to research how well they survive in the cold.
Bought a medium size bag to see how it goes. The guy selling them says it's still a bit cold to grow them outside down south - frost is the main issue and they grow very slowly in the cold.
So we'll try this bag inside and see how it goes. I'm going to have a go at growing spores after we've done a third harvest off this bag. If I can get some going I'll inoculate some wood shavings. Otherwise I can buy some spores off this guy and try that.
It sounds very much like a trial and error thing until you get just the right conditions and ensure you are fastidious with cleanliness when growing spores.
I really want to try this again, but, I know it's probably just cheaper to buy mushrooms.
I've tried to continue growing my own from purchased blocks before, but couldn't keep on top of it. I am hoping to have another go this time. Can you do it well without sterilization?
Are there any good NZ based resources for 'How To' grow them fairly easily? I'm down South, so it gets cold, but the guy at the market seems to be able to do it. I'll be having a chat with him today. Any tips or links would be great.
Labour/Greens have tried so hard, but those in the industry simply won't pay for their pollution. Time for some draconian action or NZ agriculture's value on the world stage will plummet (or perhaps that should be is plummeting) . I bet they will have their hand out then too...
Living amongst the Southland Dairy community, I can honestly say I cannot believe the influence that they reign on Local Councils (regional and district) as well. They have repeatedly come up with schemes that delay any meaningful change and often claim best practice changes without actually measuring outcomes.
Just reading through the T&C's etc. of my bank and find the nugget below. Relevant to the discussion a little while ago:
The reason I've started going through their T&C's is because they still have not sorted around 21 small unauthorised transactions (total around $50) that occurred around 3 weeks ago. They informed me this morning that they are currently (I suspect they've just started) working through the claim, and they will be in touch in another 4-5 weeks. So much for the Visa Zero Liability guarantee...
The small amount of compost, 3-5 cm you cover with each year, is pretty much all gone by the following year. So if I understand your question, yes, no dig works on raised beds as well.
Just a quote I found of interest this morning from ABC Australia:
"Other countries, including Australia, take GST off fruit and vegetables. In fact, most countries that have a form of GST have carve-outs for certain items, and if anything, New Zealand is currently an outlier."
Not what the various pundits will have you believe. I remember when the change came through in Aus. (I was there), there was a lot of bluff and bluster, but it turned out not to be nearly as difficult in the end.
We use Countdown Delivery as well. We're a good hour away from a decent supermarket which, unless we have something else to purchase, would cost us at least $40 in fuel. So that decision is a no-brainer.
Noticed the "Unavailable online" change with our last shop. I don't think it is them trying to get online shoppers to pay for more expensive products, I think it means there is no stock or perhaps low stock in the physical shop. I wouldn't be surprised if online shopping is starting to strip shelves and if they don't put on some restrictions when they are low in stock, their physical shelves might be a bit bare. Which wouldn't be a good look for in shop shoppers. Just guessing.
Anyway, a quick look shows some things that were "Unavailable online" are now available - so my guess is that it's related to a stocking issue, not something nefarious.
I had originally thought it may have something to do with rebranding and stock, but I've not seen any rebranding as yet?
Looks like a lot of IT types on Lemmy NZ by the discussion today (I'm one too). But I've had enough of that in my lifetime, so, another gardening topic:
I've been growing some Asparagus from seed over winter in our sun room and have just got them into the ground. They take a while to establish, so I probably won't start picking them until after next winter.
Really easy to grow from seed, just have to wait a bit longer. These have gone into a no dig bed with pretty rough compost, but by the time they establish it will have rotted down well. I'll try to collect some seaweed sometime during summer and add that as well, which is recommended for Asparagus beds.
Netting to keep those hard-working blackbirds from moving the garden bed to somewhere I don't want it.