Site Map (Alphabetical)
To see an ordinary site map click here
- A Specialist Enterprise
Hobby farmers may be interested in growing seedlings for sales at markets or nursery outlets. It is important to have an understanding of the competition and what the retail nursery operator requires.
- About Me
My parents migrated from Sicily island to Australia, working on orchards and vineyards. I developed strong interest on farming since young and I am confident of making my hobby farm a success.
- Apricots
Apricots, a “must have plant” in farm garden, can be difficult to grow to perfection. Some basic rules must be followed to ensure an acceptable crop of sweet, juicy fruit for many years to come.
- Beautiful Bugs
Beautiful and interesting bugs are found everyday on my hobby farm, Most abundant are Beetles, Butterflies, Moths, Wasps, Bees, Ants-Flies, Gnats and Mosquitoes. Pest control may be necessary at times
- Beauty In Spring & Summer
Six months after planting a row of Bottlebrushes ‘Kings Park Special‘, they have started to produce bright crimson blooms.
- Beauty In Winter & Spring
Many plantings have been established on my hobby farm. Most of these are drought hardy native trees and shrubs. Some of the fruit trees have also flowered and are producing their first crops.
- Brassicas
Cauliflowers, Chinese kale are popular vegetables for hobby farm. These large growing brassicas require planting distance. Beneficial insects keep butterfly larvae away from these tasty vegetables.
Buying A Hobby Farm
- Carobs
Carob is now increasing in popularity throughout the world in temperate and the drier sub-tropical regions. This tough and long -lived plant will grow in most climates and soils,
- Christmas Tree Growing
Growing Christmas trees has been of interest to me as a way of revegetating the farm and, if I am lucky, as a means to earn a small income.
- College Days
With plans to become a secondary school teacher, my life as a student of agricultural science began in the early seventies at the Roseworthy campus near Adelaide.
- Composts And Composting
An information page on compost and composting for gardeners and hobby farmers.
- Cuttings
Plant cuttings is a humble offering from the plant world. Vineyard is from vine cuttings. Plant Cuttings in hobby farm is common as cutting is free and it can be performed on any part except flowers
- Dates
The large dark green fronds of date palms carried on a thick and attractive trunk dominate most gardens. Most palms are of Canary Island palm with fruits of coarse texture containing little flesh
- Drought Management
Drought management is part of Australian hobby farming. Soil cultivation, balanced fertilizer, crops selection, water harvesting system are important for dealing with extended drought condition.
- Earthworms
The value of these quiet and unassuming little creatures should not be underestimated. The presence of a large number of worms in the garden or on the farm is a clear sign that the soil is healthy
- Eco-Renewable Resources
A resource site on environment and nature with well-researched articles on eco-renewable recourses, eco-renewable energy, alternative energy, solar energy, wind power, climate change, global warming, ecology, environment, green energy, sustainable resources and sustainable development
- Eggplants
Grown throughout the world where warm climates occur at least during summer, my first crop of eggplants have been surprisingly resilient during extreme heatwave conditions this summer.
- Far North Queensland
On arrival to Australia our family first moved to the sugarcane fields of North Queensland.My earliest memories include images of mango trees, succulent guavas and the acidic tang of
star apple fruits
- Farm Challenges
Initial task for my hobby farm is to establish boundary windbreaks and guard trees. Weed control, rabbit fencing are also my priority. Most importantly is to ensure there is sufficient water supply.
- Farm Wildlife
Wildlife is active in my hobby farm. Reptiles, native birds and rabbit find food in fruit and vegetables. Wildlife Is healthy sign for my hobby harm.
Farming Basics
Farming Philosophy
- Figs
Figs can be pruned heavily and trained to shape. Once established with their strong feeder root, figs are extreme survivor for hobby farms. But fruit quality will be poor when water is lacking
Garden Fruits On My Hobby Farm
- Garden Tractors
An information page on farm tractors, machine equipment, Tractor trader, machinery trader, heavy equipment trader, heavy equipment operator school and tractors for sale
- Grafting
An elderly man's grafted olive is story on plant grafting as little magic in garden. Grafting is simple art with science. With grafting tools and methods, expect the unexpected along grafting steps
- Greenhouses
An information page on Greenhouse farming and greenhouse products
Hardy Fruits On My Hobby Farm
Hobby Farm Creatures
- Hobby Farm Cultivator
Spring tyne cultivator is a handy farm implement. It is lightweight, easy to attach/remove from the tractor linkage points and easy to clean after use. It is one of my best hobby farm investment
Hobby Farm Environment
- Hobby Farm First Year
After a difficult drought last summer, compounded by a severe lack of water for irrigation, the plantings have mostly responded well to some good spring rain this year.
- Hobby Farm Grader
The farm has begun to change greatly in appearance due to the development of extensive plantings and also due to work undertaken with the soil grader.
Hobby Farm Implements
Hobby Farm Recycling
Hobby Farm Resource Links
- Hobby Farm Second Year
First plantings of native trees have begun to blossom attracting many nectar feeding birds. Trees are giving an appearance of depth to the farm, rather than the original flat open area.
Hobby Farm Soil Care
Hobby Farm Vegetables
Hobby Farm Weeds
Hobby Links
- Irrigations
An information page on irrigation system and accessories
- Lawn And Garden
An information page on lawn and garden care
- Life Lesson
There are always life’s little lessons of plants and animals to be learnt in my hobby farm. My bamboo lesson from bamboo plants is that the bamboo is true survivor passing away with grace
- Looking To The Future
In a rapidly changing world, the future is bound to bring difficult challenges, but I believe the hobby farmer will be in very good position to come up with sustainable solutions to these challenges
- Machinery & Implements
For health and safety reason hobby farm equipment, farming hand tools such as post hole digger, farm implements and farm machinery must be well maintained
- Microenvironments
Microenvironments in hobby farm deals with microclimates, wind, sunlight, soil, soil and even frost damage
- My Hobby Farm
My hobby farm land is on the outskirts of Melbourne 50 km from city center. I intend to grow plants, fruits and vegetables and develop it into a place where plants and resident fauna reside in harmony
- My Re-vegetation Project
This photo gallery serves as a diary showing how a damaged part of the farm is to be revegetated and what will happen to the new wildlife which will come once established.
My Rural Experiences
- My Weeds (2007)
Most weeds on my hobby farm are quite tame when compared to the ones I grew up with. This photo gallery displays the various weeds found at the hobby farm over the months ....
- My Weeds (Jan-May 2008)
The farm is getting a lot of weeds, especailly when I am unable to work at the farm for whatever reason. This photo gallery displays the various weeds found at the hobby farm over the months
- My Weeds (Jun-Dec 2008)
Helped by some good rains this summer weeds are now fighting amongst themselves in an attempt to control their patch.
- Olives
Olives are common in hobby farms for fruits and oil. It is drought tolerant and will grow in most soils, even rocky and limestone soils, Even in cool winter which help to stimulate flower initiation.
- Peaches & Nectarines
Peaches and nectarines are common garden fruits. Being closely related they have similar growing requirements. Their fruits tend to mature over short period and drying or preserving skills is required
- Peas
Peas cultivar are dwarf, semi-dwarf, sugar peas and others. inoculated pea seed with rhizobia bacteria coating grows easily with Good soil drainage. Broad beans, dried peas are important food source
- Persimmons
With beautiful autumn foliage ranging from deep yellow to red and contrasting bright orange yellow fruit in late summer, persimmon is easy to spot. Persimmon fruits are high in glucose and protein.
- Pistachio Nuts
Pistachio nut is suited to Mediterranean climates, tolerating very cold winters, but requiring a hot dry climate in summer for fruits to develop properly. It is in the must grow list for my hobby farm
- Plants From Seed
Plants from seed are produced through plant seedling. In my hobby farm the evolution of new species is through seed production. Variety of seedlings can create a variety of plant hybrids.
- Plums
Plums trees are a reliable way to get a home fruit garden started. One or two trees, if managed correctly, can produce an outstanding crop for home use for several months over summer and autumn.
- Pomegranates
Hard and soft seeded pomegranate strikes easily from dormant cuttings in hobby farm and will produce fruit after a relatively short time. There are few pests and diseases and requires low water
- Potatoes
Among Potato Varieties, I choose Sebago for my hobby farm. Potato Tuber And Potato Plant are used for Planting Potatoes. Thick Mulch, Slow Acting Fertilizer is needed for Growing Potatoes
- Prickly Pears
When all else fails and there is no luck in the garden, you can always grow the prickly pear. This extremely drought tolerant cactus will grow well in dry climates even if soils are poor.
- Quandongs
Drought in Australia shows no relief for years. Future farm crops need to survive with annual rainfall of less than 300 mm. Quandong, known also as native peach, is one crop suited to low rainfall.
- Quinces
Quince will grow in a wide range of soils, even heavy waterlogged sites with poor drainage. It is a tough plant able to survive extremes of heat in summer and cold in winter
- Reading And Learning
Everything About MAGAZINES and PERIODICALS – A site on the helpfulness of magazines and periodicals, including a few of the different ways magazines and periodicals can be used in our lives. An eBook entitled “magazines and periodicals - A Part of Our Everyday Lives” is available for free download
- Recycling On The Farm
Effective recycling on hobby farm requires proper
storage for recycled materials and used materials. Recycling of organic matter in the form of mulch and compost is common activity on farms
- Shades Of Grey
Australian native trees and shrubs with grey foliage have become adapted to dry conditions. One such plant that have fitted in well on the farm are the smaller and often multi-stemmed Mallee gums.
- Soil
Soil is formed through weathering process. Hobby farm requires soil health management including soil ph test, soil texture test, organic level check and to maintain the right level of soil salinity
- Soil Carbon
Carbon can be stored in soil in the form of organic compounds. Carbon from dead plant can be stored as humus. Adding poultry manure, planting pine seedlings are ways to increase soil organic
- Soil Salinity
Soil salinity, natural salts and salt crystals in soil, is the creeping menace in hobby farm. Soil test and hobby farm irrigation for soil salinity management will help to maintain the right soil ph
- Spring Cleaning
Spring cleaning is part of hobby farming. Regular tasks are: convert weeds into mulch, cleaning up weeds and grasses, spraying, fertilizing and insect control.
- Stairway To Heaven
This recycling project has resulted in the reincarnation of a stairway, that needed to be demolished, into a shade house for the farm. As far as animals are concerned, this is their stairway to heaven
- Starting An Enterprise
Developing an hobby farm enterprise can lead to much excitement and frenetic activity soon after purchasing the farm. Driven by adrenalin it is easy to get carried away.
- The Four Elements
Ancient Greek idea of four elements: earth, wind, fire and water play their parts on farm activities. The earth is soil, wind brings carbon dioxide to plants, fire brings heat and water brings life
- The Murray
Our family moved to South Australia in the early nineteen sixties and to a very different world. No more carefree days - everyone had work to do.
- The Old Oak Tree
A chinese ancient story about an old oak tree and a carpenter's dream. In the wisdom of oak I learn new lessons on hobby farming
- The Plant Graveyard
Dealing with many dead 10 year old pine trees, most would be to set them alight. I decided to experiment with the natural processes that occur when plants decompose by constructing a plant graveyard
- The Ugly Sapling
Just like in the fairytale, the ugly duckling of the plant world in Australia would have to be the Drooping Sheoak. This native tree certainly comes from humble beginnings.
- Tillers And Culitvators
An information page on Tillers and cultivators
- Tomatoes
With pests and diseases control, dwarf tomato varieties grows well in my hobby farm. Growing tomatoes with tomato seedlings from open pollinated tomato, i hope to produce drought tolerant tomato
Watching The Farm Grow
- Water
A timeless water passage on farming is a story about water bringing life to land. To maintain water for soil and plants, installing water system in hobby farm is as important as efficient water usage
- Water Harvesting
Water is important for my hobby farm. I have installed water harvesting system with water piping in my hobby farm. Water runoff is collected. It is a passive water harvesting system
Water on the Farm
- Weeds
Weeds are the ultimate survivors in farm. Hostile weeds in Australia are carpet weeds, noxious weeds, South African weeds, and some unpleasant weeds. Some weeds are pleasant surprise at my hobby farm
- Why Buy A Hobby Farm
Buying a small farm is generally an emotive experience. However, general themes can be identified and several broad categories of hobby farmers can usually be observed in most regions.
- Wind Management
Air movement is essential for good plant growth, reducing the level of fungal growth in crops as well as replacing carbon dioxide used by plants. Excessive wind can cause many damages to crops on farm
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- Links
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