Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Cigarette butts?

Isn't everywhere non smoking these days?

In an outside area?

I got stuck into someone the other day. Walking out of emergency after visiting my son and the lady in front of me is lighting up as she is walking out the door. Completely ignoring all the signs. Generally I don't have the gumption to say anything but I was seriously pissed. Right in front of the emergency door was just too blatant.

Yeah spewers shouldn't be an issue. Won't have a Hotel Licence but a bar or cafe licence, so no smoking on site, not that the rules stop all smoking. I'm more concerned about kids then anything else as I will have lots of kids entertainment long term, that and staff. Staff are infamous for tipping drinks into gardens, but it's something can only do my best on.

Ahaha Stu, there wouldn't be too much there you haven't already cautioned or advised me on. Keep telling me any issues, whilst most I can't/won't change, I'll at least think about and may be able to tinker/adjust at least a little.

Plus I promise to post warts and all, so you'll get to say "told you so" ahahaha

Forgot to mention, my "I'm not going to glue" thing finally came unstuck (pun intended) the other day, it was blowing 40 knots, feed to GBs burst. Still haven't glued as move is eminent, but have gaff taped :/


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Extra nutrients.



I prefer to "I told you so"

Yeah, I can tell you from experience gaff tape does nothing.

Decided what you want to grow in the cafe?

I think it would be a supportive "told you so". Ahaha, I have found you very supportive Stu!

Colum, yeah Gaff tape is more just a stop ATM with high wind, I've lasted almost two months with no issues, just don't want to glue with the move countdown on. I think I jinxed myself anyway mentioning it the other night!

Lots of lettuces, lots of basil, long lasting herbs, kale, some flowers for colour, will be mainstays.

Will be looking to forum for ideas

Main function of first online growbeds will be for aesthetics and wow factor, then I will focus on more for using, or alternatively build more beds that would be more functional. Stuff in public eyes will also need to look at least mostly presentable.

It will be a difficult balance between function and aesthetics. The more the better, but I also need to factor in time keeping it pleasing to the eye. No crazy out of control growth here!

Long term goal for produce would be tomatoes, as they are a high cost item, but tomatoes I think will have a high difficulty factor in terms of aesthetics and time






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Oh and Stu, I had a good giggle over our back and forth on the other thread. Hilarious


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As a customer, I would enjoy the aesthetics of a spindly, trailing tomato vine much more than most of the faux anything that gets plonked in cafés. This is mainly because I think with my stomach. All. The. Time...
Straggly tomatoes will add some "organic" factor, which is all the rage at the moment anyway.
So long as you have some colour in the beds too, it will appeal as an overall arrangement :-)

As far as flowers goes, how about violets? They will do well in shady areas too which veggies might not. And they are edible - and they are pretty.
Nasturtiums, society garlic, lavender and rosemary all come to mind for the same reasons. Might as well have those flowers multi-tasking :-)
Now is where I admit though that I have no idea if any or all of the above will grow well in AP or not...

A rainbow of chards will have some ornamental factor too, even if they aren't used as much as some others, they look great and go gangbusters in AP.


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Yeah I should have mentioned main reason I've personally never grown tomatoes that would look good enough, plus a lot of work getting right (that's just from my point, I think if was good at it this wouldn't be case ahaha).

All the others will def go on list! Maybe tomatoes that I just contain to a certain size?


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If you look for a variety that is 'determinate', rather than 'indeterminate' or 'semi-determinate', they will only grow to a certain size. You could always try one out of the public eye for starters I guess? Even if you just plonk it in a dirt bed lol.
Sorry, I can't think of any off the top of my head - I don't know tomatoes that well. I think Colum is probably our biggest tomato guru :-) any ideas Colum?


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Ok did some googling. Those tumbling varieties would look fabulous! But here is a website with a list of determinate varieties.

http://bonnieplants.com/products/vegeta ... e-tomatoes

Just have to check which ones will work for your area.

The other thing that would look cool is cabbages and broccoli. I always think they look great when there is a bed full of healthy brocs and cabbages. Will you plant some fruit and nut trees out the back too?

I'm so excited for you :-) the possibilities are endless!


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Thanks Kat, I will definitely have a look! Yeah haven't grown cabbages before, but it would be awesome. Growing broccoli as we speak, for first time.... Definitely a goer! Prob no to trees, only cause out back will probably be kids stuff.... Lots of


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Mantis is the tomato guru, Kat.

Thanks Charlie, might send him a PM


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