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• 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 Rural Experiences

• 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.
  
  
• 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
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• 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.
  
  

Buying A 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.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• 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
  
  

Watching The Farm Grow

• Farm Milestones - 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.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• Weed Of The Month - 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 ....
  
  
• Weed Of The Month - 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
  
  

Hobby Farm Implements

• 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
  
  
• 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 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 Fruits

• 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,
  
  
• 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
  
  
• 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
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• 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
  
  
• 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
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• 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
  
  

Hobby Farm Vegetables

• Brassicas
  These common garden vegetables including cabbages, cauliflowers and broccoli have been a success on my hobby farm this winter and spring and seem to be suited to my heavy soils.
  
  
• Peas
  The first vegetable to be grown on my farm was the dwarf garden pea. This hardy and versatile vegetable is a must for all gardens having so many important uses apart from its food value.
  
  
• Potatoes
  Highly productive and generally easy to grow, potato is a popular crop in hobby farm. Since its arrival from South America in the sixteenth century, the potato has become a very important food crop.
  
  
• Tomatoes
  In growing tomatoes, there appears to be as many experts as there are varieties. Introduced by the Spanish and Portuguese from South America, endless varieties and now found throughout the world.
  
  

Farm Environment

• Farm Wildlife
  Wildlife is active in my hobby farm. Native birds and rabbit find food in fruit and vegetables in hobby farms. In warm summer reptiles are active and bird netting is used at farm.
  
  
• Microenvironments
  Microenvironments in hobby farms such as temperature range, summer heat, wind, water, sunlight, soil microenvironment and even wall will affect hobby farming of plants and trees.
  
  
• Water Harvesting
  Drought conditions during the past few years have brought home the importance of conservation and the careful application of water on the farm.
  
  
• Drought Management
  Hobby farming in Australia requires drought management as there is little rainfall and water tanks in hobby farms are empty. In my hobby farm some plants and trees are with plant root on dry soil
  
  
• Soil Carbon
  I hope to do a little towards a solution to this problem by storing carbon in the form of organic compounds in the soil on the farm.
  
  
• Recycling On The Farm
  Recycling of organic matter in the form of mulch and compost is common activity on farms. But recycling of used materials such as wood, glass, bricks and plastic is often an overlooked area
  
  
• Spring Cleaning
  Spring is a pleasant but busy time, weeds grow faster, insects more active and fungal diseases can take hold in warm moist conditions. Care needs to be taken to ensure young plantings are protected.
  
  
• 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.
  
  

Farming Basics

• Soil
  Main aim as a hobby farmer is to first improve soil health by good management. Poor management can lead to a loss of fertility. In extreme cases valuable topsoil can also be blown or washed away.
  
  
• Plants From Seed
  Not only do seeds perpetuate the species into the future, they also create a variety of individual seedlings. Some of them will be more successful at surviving changes to adapt to new environments.
  
  
• Cuttings
  Practically any part except flower can be made into a cutting. Besides leaf, stem, root and shoot tip cuttings, other plant parts such as runners, rhizomes and suckers are almost ready made cuttings.
  
  
• Grafting
  Grafting is a simple art with science by joining parts of different plants to create a new combination. It has captured the imagination of many an adventurous gardener.
  
  
• Water
  The sight of a good downpour has become much less common in Southern Australia. Strategies need to be implemented to conserve and use the available water efficiently.
  
  
• Weeds
  Weeds are unwelcome because they rob crops of water, nutrients and sunlight. Some cause injury to animals and others clog implements making them difficult to operate.
  
  
• Soil Salinity
  One of the most difficult problems found in many parts of Australia is the presence of excess salt in the soil. Soil salinity is an indication of the level of soluble chemical compounds present.
  
  

Farming Philosophy

• Life Lesson
  One important lesson of bamboo is displayed by its inherent wisdom. The clump will die after flowering and so the bamboo not only knows how to live, it also knows when to die
  
  
• The Old Oak Tree
  The good treatment of animals is taken for granted, but few are concerned about the poor treatment of garden plants. Unless a plant is dying due to complete neglect
  
  
• The Four Elements
  The ancient Greek idea of how all things are formed has of course been discarded in modern times, but there are still many parallels that can be observed on the hobby farm.
  
  

Hobby Farm Resource Links

• Composts And Composting
  An information page on compost and composting for gardeners and hobby farmers.
  
  
• 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
  
  
• Greenhouses
  An information page on Greenhouse farming and greenhouse products
  
  
• Irrigations
  An information page on irrigation system and accessories
  
  
• Lawn And Garden
  An information page on lawn and garden care
  
  
• Tillers And Culitvators
  An information page on Tillers and cultivators
  
  
• Hatch Chicken In Incubator
  Video for elementary education courses on eggs incubator and hatching.
  
  

Turn Hobby Into Business

• Composting For Profit
  Create composts free with organic waste in your kitchen. Make more than enough compost to for yourself, family, friends and even expand it into a profitable home business!
  
  
• New Hobby - Water Fuel Car
  Learn from the expert how to run a car on water fuel and save cost. Turn this hobby into business if you are skill in car mechanics
  
  
• Make Biodiesel At Home
  A step by step guide to making your own biodiesel. Beat the rising oil prices and supply enough fuel for yourself for less
  
  
• Be Paid To Drive Car
  Get paid to drive your own car like you normally do. Earn up to $3200 every month. Also earn the chance to drive a new car for free.
  
  
• Gold For World Of Warcraft
  Best-Selling World Of Warcraft Gold Guide shares the secret tactics for gamers to legally make up to 200 Gold per hour without using hacks and without being banned
  
  
• Easy Photography Business
  Genuine Home Business Opportunity Lets You Earn $200+ Per Day Taking Simple Digital Photos Of Real Estate, Cars, Trucks, Boats, Etc. In Your Local Area! Computer, Internet Access And Digital Camera Required. Huge, Virtually Unknown Nationwide Industry!
  
  
• Money In Card Making
  Make money from the hobby of making creative greeting cards
  
  
• Hobby For Profit
  24 totally unique rock-solid business models to start making money on your hobby
  
  
• Online Hobby Enterprise
  The Automated Millions system teaches you how to get started in earning money online. The step by step approach provides guides, ebooks, cd's and other media to help you learn exactly what to do at every step of the way. Automated Millions system includes a huge amount of information that will benefit everyone in achieving success online.
  
  
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