Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi everyone,

Apologies for not updating the progress of my System more frequently, but stay tuned for some exquisite pics. The system is quite a new installation so I had to get it cycling to produce optimum results. The Cycling from Ammonia to Nitrates is now in full swing and the results are beginning to manifest beautifully (I love it when science unfolds as predicted)

I am running 30 Rainbow Trout and will be upgrading this to 100 Trout at the weekned now that the system is in equilibrium and can safely sustain itself.

Today I introduced a host of new plants spread across the four beds and including an eceletic selection of herbs ( Majoram, Thyme, Oregano, Greek Oregano,Curry plant, Sage , Mint and Rosemary).
My reason for introducing the herb garden is two fold, 1) The obvious salubrious benefits of herbs and, mind you, the pleasure of being able to go outside and harvest a judicious selection of mixed herbs and not PAY THRU THE NOSE FOR IT! 2) to assist in keeping at bay the dreaded white butterfly and other insect vermin!

Also introduced more Lettuce (cos), Strawberries, Spinach and Garlic, I already have growing a beautiful selection of lettuces, brussel sprouts, cabage, Broccoli, carrots, Cauliflower BokChoy and silverbeet and they are really starting to flourish with inexorable fecundity!

I have today, introduced some flowers to attact the bees and assist in encouraging a full involvement of nature, I've added Mesembryanthemum and Pansys, lots of colour there!

I also added Strawberries today.

I am awaiting the warmer months with bated breath, I want to plant a flourish of tomatoes and will plant rock melon and also looking at the feasibilitie of planting berries, particularly Blueberries.

I have designed some accessories for my system which are currently being manufactured and will be in situ late this week I hope.

viz: "snap-on upright brackets to support Galvanised Mesh to serve as a support for trailing plants such as tomatoes and vine producing fruit"

A "snap on Frame" to serve as a stand/table to serve as a station to use whilst working on the garden during harvesting or planting or conducting general maintenance.

I will be publishing some new pics to support all of the aforementioned additions and evolutions. I will also publish a full history of all my daily test results, (including mishaps) since the incipience of the system.

I expect to have this information available by the end of this week.

Cheers everyone, and happy AQUAPONICS!

Frank!
Rizzo (Risso)

Frank, what herb stops/discourages the white cabbage butterfly?

Hewy there Outback!! There are lots of ways to control and deter this pest, Oregano, Mint, dill, Sage and Coriander, and natural predators like ladybirds and assassin bugs, mantids and you can make some organic potions which also act as deterents.

here's a couple of links that you might find helpful.


http://www.sgaonline.org.au/info_cabbag ... erfly.html

http://www.sgaonline.org.au/info_cabbag ... erfly.html

Cheers
Frank!

Opps Sorry Outback I pasted the same link twice, here's the 2nd link.

http://vegetablegardens.suite101.com/ar ... st_control

Cheers.

Frank

Cabbage moth,,,yep white buggers, apparently "see" suitable species of plantfrom a fair distance,,,,therefore,mixed plantings are not as savagely attacked.
Nice clumps,,or rows of cabbage/broccoli etc is ASKING for trouble.

Yeah, I was starting to sorta figure that out chappo, the single cauliflowers surrounded by tomatoes or celery are fine, the ones in beds full of other cauliflowers are getting decimated.

I'll check them links out after work Frank, thanks.

That's just it though, that's the trouble with buying commercially grown Cabbage and Brussel sprouts etc, they are the most sprayed vegetables, this is exactly why we should be producing these wonderful vegetables in a way that circumvents the need for pesticides. So yes it's a challenge but doable, even if you do grow them in a clump, you can always "net" them, anyway I'm going to see how these herbs work in practice, also hear that "marigolds" are efficacious in keeping these little white vermin at bay!

Frank

Good stuff Rizzo..Mix em all up will cause confusion to the pests and give off some aromas to repel some pests.
The cycling is complete for 30 fish..A extra 60 will cause a temporary spike of ammo's but the bacteria will catch up very quick.
Great stuff aquaponics bet you are learning heaps
LB

try including marigolds - MANY insects dislike them (many people as well) and they grow like weeds - they helped in my system!

Thanks Moderator, Yes! Lots of evidence that Marigolds are excellent for control of these pests, thanks for reminding me of this, I will introduce some post haste, will also monitor the results, I'm looking forward to the warmer weather to test these natural repellents. So far I have had no problems there's not a single spot or blemish on the produce, but then again the white moth isn't here yet or is it?

Thanks again Moderator very much appreciate the advice!

FRANK!

no need to wait for the warm weather - marigolds handle the cooler weather just fine - my seeds have only germinated in the past week, which has been our coldest one this year

Cairns aint that cold!

for a Cairns resident its cold when we reach anywhere below 15