We Made a Veggie Garden!

Labour day brings us a Monday of work off and an excuse to either blob and do nothing for an extra day or to jam pack our weekend full of all of the things that we wish we had time to do but generally don't.

My fiancee Shellie and I chose the latter.
We like being busy creating things or going on adventures throughout our city and country. We decided Saturday we would wake up early and get straight to work in making a vegetable garden.

The basis of the garden; old pallet timber

We salvaged the old pieces of pallet timber from around the property to construct a box that would provide the basis of our garden.

Take note ladies, you too can get stuck in.

I had a simple design for a box in my mind and between us we brought it to life, we each wielded a hammer and got to work creating the box.

Wood slats on the bottom

Seeing as we were to put our new garden straight onto the lawn I decided that putting a bottom on it would contain the soil and plants in the box and also keep weeds from outside of the box from getting in.

Salvaging wood from old pallet scraps.

 We didn't have quite enough pieces of timber the right length to cover the entire bottom so I had to deconstruct some other pieces of pallets I had around to get all of the pieces needed.

The bottom covered

Giving the box the bottom not only acts as a container for the soil and plants, but also gives the rest of the box strength, by pulling it all together.

Our finished box

 The morning's job was over, we had completed the box construction, after lunch we would get to planting some veggies.

The garden box in its final resting position, unobtrusive and situated for morning sunshine.

We have been flatting in Wadestown at the forge, for the better part of this year, and have consistently been adding to a compost bin that was here on the property when we moved in. Over the course of six months we have been adding our food scraps and grass clippings to the compost bin and given a mix every now and then. The result of six months of being fed and breaking down, is beautiful soft soil that can now be used for our garden, hopefully to yield a good bunch of vegetables (at least enough for a salad).

The black compost bin stays out of the way

Inside is a mix of soft soil and the plant matter that will break down into it.

It took a few trips of carting buckets back and forth from the compost bin to our garden in order to fill it up. It also became hard to dig the soil out from the bin, fortunately these compost bins do not have a bottom so they can be pulled up and over from around the soil, this made things a lot easier.

The box filled with soil and divided into 9 equal sections.

By dividing the garden into sections we made it easier to keep track of the plants we will plant, one square for each species.

Constructing a frame for bean vines to climb

We had purchased some bean plants which grow in the form of a vine, in order for these to grow properly we had to construct a frame which could then have string hanging from it.

Stringing the frame so the plants can climb up

We planted a bunch of different plants including beans, tomatoes, carrots, capsicum, cucumber, lettuce, and also marigolds. The marigolds are said to repel moths and other insects; hopefully this means that when our vegetables grow they will not be eaten by bugs but be in tact for when we want to eat them.

Watering our plants for the first time.

We watered all of our plants for the first time, something we will continue to do, especially on hot summer days. Watering is best done at dawn and dusk, when it is the right temperature to allow the plants to absorb the water without the sun evaporating it.

Gardener Jayden: American Gothic impression

And of course, the best way to celebrate a job well done is by posing in a few silly photos. Behind these two silly poses I was sincerely stoked with what we had accomplished in a day. It is about time I starting taking part in gardening, something I think is so central to sustainable living.

Gardener Jayden: Rocking out with a rake.

Gardening is a fantastic hobby to have. It requires hard work, care, and patience. Just like hunting and farming it allows people to appreciate where their food comes from. Through consistent care of your garden you will reap the benefits of nutritious food to sustain your own body; you will also know exactly what has gone into the soil to create your food, it is your decision whether or not you use pesticides or fertilizers to enhance your plants growth (ideally not), I believe a garden needs good soil, plenty of sunlight and a little bit of water to encourage the best growth.

That's it.

Put simple things in to get the best things out. I hope. I'll tell you how it works out at the end of summer.

Spontaneous Table Construction

The weekend just been has been a weekend of laziness and recovery.
My fiancee Shellie and I headed up the island on a road trip to Napier with our good friend Liv, we shared the weekend with friends and did activities that required little effort and encouraged the recovery of the body and mind. Sleeping in past 8.00AM; eating good food in supurb locations; Relaxing our joints and muscles at Ocean Spa; and sharing a couple of cheeky beers.

A Picnic Lunch at White Pine Bush with friends.

Sunday lunch was roast chicken, and while that was cooking I noticed a pile of timber, old bed slats from a broken bed. I asked our host Terry what we could do with it, make a chair? a table? a stool?

Broken bed and the timber slats that we recycled.

Terry had been meaning to do something with the wood for some time, my prompt was the kick up the bum that he needed to do it. A plumber by trade, he had all of the tools required for most home DIY projects. He decided on making a coffee table to sit on the deck, perfect for coffee and other beverages to rest on while we enjoy the summer sun in Napier. 

The table top with one edge holding it together.

We cut six of the old bed slats down to size to make the table top and then cut four more pieces to hold them together as edging. Terry's tools were Makita brand, they took some getting used to, as they have subtle differences to my Ryobi brand tools. The Skill saw had a different safety catch and it took some time for me to line each cut up as I had to figure out where to line the saw with the cut. This goes to show that every handyman has their preferred tools and each tool has its own subtle differences.

The self drilling screws used pulled the table together snug and strong.

The four edge pieces pulled the table top together, the final step was to create legs at the desired height for the table. Terry decided on using an excessive eight pieces of wood to create an L shape in each corner that would hold the table together rigidly. I thought four pieces would be sufficient but Terry was determined.

Terry with the near finished tabletop.

Whilst attaching the leg pieces Terry drilled the pieces together while I held the table tightly to ensure all pieces fit together correctly

The finished table

This small project took us around 90 minutes to complete, we enjoyed having a project to do, it cleared up the mess of the broken bed and transformed it into something beautiful and practical. We enjoyed the Sunday sunshine and when we were finished the chicken was cooked and it was lunch time.

Liv and Shellie enjoy each others company and the presence of the new table.

Construction projects don't have to take a long time, and I am finding more and more as I continue to practice my skills and improve it takes less time to build things.

Construction is a great hobby to get into; it uses your body in a physical way, allowing you to develop your gross and fine motor skills and your hand/eye co-ordination.

Through physical construction you make things, an end product, ideally something useful that can make someone's life a little bit better.

Construction encourages cultures of sustainability and recycling, making the most of all of your resources to ensure minimal waste is left behind.

Construction also strengthens relationships, Terry and I have bonded as mates through building something together, and now other people can stregthen their relationships with each other by enjoying each others presence whilst using the new drinks table.

Buy from the producer - Market shopping

First of all. I'm sorry its late, this week has been a week of illness and stress and I am only beginning to put the rest of it in order.

Pressing on.

Wellington is a great place to live because on both Saturday and Sunday every week there are veggie markets. I often use the Victoria Street market on a Sunday which is run out of trucks in a car-park block. Another brilliant veggie market is the Hutt City Riverside Car-park market, held every Saturday, this market is similar, but also includes some fast food stalls and other junk stores, and some other types of goods.. Generally they are open all morning until the steady stream of customers dissolve in the early afternoon

http://www.huttvalleynz.com/Events/Riverbank-Market/

The best thing about shopping regularly at the veggie market is that it is cheaper. I won't start crunching numbers here, but your $20 on veggies will make you a lot more stir fry if you spend it at the market than at some super-brand-company that will sell you food that is sub-par for the price you pay. The best thing is saving money, but it isn't the only thing.

By shopping at the market you as a buyer are saying no to the overpriced veg, no to the imported veg, and no to the veg that has been frozen six months ago, only to be defrosted and put on shelves when it is no longer grown, that is given to you from supermarkets. There is no need to purchase fruit and vegetables that are individually wrapped in plastic. When you shop at the market you show your power as a buyer by negating the advertising and signposting of corporate super chains, and choosing for yourself instead, good locally produced food. Simple. You 'Take the power' and 'share the power'. Choosing your own destination for your hard earned coin.

                                      

 

https://www.change.org/p/countdown-supermarkets-progressive-enterprises-stop-wrapping-vegetables-and-fruit-in-plastic-wrap-and-styrofoam

By clicking on the above link and signing your name, you will be helping to rid supermarkets of excess plastic as seen in the image above.

 

Market shopping is good for the soul.
The setup is only present one morning per week and therefore a lot of people rush to one place to buy their vegetables. You will be pushing, squeezing, and excusing your way past many complete strangers, and that is good. You learn skills of interaction not only with them, but also with the tellers.
You are outside, rather than in a warehouse prison that the media has hypnotized you into spending much of your life in. You will experience the weather, you will breathe fresh clean air, and you will have to avoid mess on the ground that no one will cleanup. Market shopping will keep you active, and fill you with your daily dose of fresh air.

http://websta.me/p/671121070847395062_16532272

Market shopping at first can be an overwhelming experience, but when you have learnt to move with the crowds and handle your goods it becomes a fun experience. You will get to know your food better by moving around it and exploring good and less good qualities of food. You will have opportunities to eat and taste your food, One of the best marketplace snacks is vegetarian dumplings. Often times the market will have a busker or two, making music for the people to enjoy, some people love buskers and give them a few spare coins, others despise their attempts to screech out well known lyrics; regardless, buskers add to the environment of humanity found at the market. There are people. Lots of people, you might see a friend you know.

http://blandforddailyphoto.blogspot.co.nz/2014/06/2609-market-busker.html

Holding on to many bags of food as well as operate the mechanism of a wallet and the correct coins can be tricky, but in a fast paced market environment you will learn how to make a transaction fast. Some tips:
1. Take a friend. They can help you hold stuff, while you take on wallet responsibilities.
2. Prepare your money before approaching the teller, and move off to the side once the transaction is complete. This is an efficient way of market shopping that saves you time, and allows those waiting in line behind you to get on with their transaction.

http://peacechild.org/21-easy-ways-to-help-the-environment/

 

 

Market shopping works perfectly with re-useable bags, just weigh and pay for your produce and then put it in your own bag. A decent big bag will save on awkward carrying, and lessen the impact of your consumerism on the environment.
Recently I have even purchased free range eggs from the market, these are at similar prices to your normal Farmer Brown caged eggs from Countdown Eggs. Now that leaves your conscience feeling clean.

Clean your fruit and veg

 Speaking of clean, you must be vigilant at the market to choose produce that isn't spoiled. Check for clean fruit and veg before you buy. A cheaper price at the market means a product with less life, the cheapest bananas will be ripened black in a couple of days so you will have to use them quickly.  Clean your veg when you get home. Some people suggest cleaning produce before you eat it, I suggest cleaning it before you put it away; by doing this you ensure that the produce is not rotten, you can maximize spacial efficiency by cutting up certain produce and throwing out (composting) the waste;
Capsicums are a great example. Cheap to buy in bulk; when I get home with them I chop them up, chop the top, the bottom, cut out the seeds and core, and cut the stem off the top piece, you will be left with the top, the bottom, and a large round. Rinse these in water, shake off any excess water, and then put them in the  fridge in a container, ready to use when you need them.

A whole capsicum chopped, cleaned, and ready to eat.

By buying from the market and looking after your food before you eat it, you will be eating the best healthiest food there is on offer. If you run into me at the market, come and say hi!

Manifesto - What I Stand For

I am a designer. I am a Scout. I am a practitioner of D.I.Y. I am thrifty. I am an outdoors lover. I am a sharer of experience. I am a physical explorer. I am pleased by organization. I enjoy good food.

I am Jayden. For now that is all you need to know about me, I'm sure you will gain more insight into who I am through this blog; starting with below; my written manifesto, advocating D.I.Y. and Sustainability.

This is what I stand for. These thoughts of mine were arranged in this way during my undergraduate degree, and as of now I still agree with it all. It first deals with sustainability in regards to the maker, and then in regards to the consumer.

As a designer both consuming and making are of equal importance. The designers decisions in all steps of the design process make an impact on the world in a great number of ways; from whether or not a local produce grower is getting paid a decent wage as you purchase their goods, or if you are paying a lesser amount, and therefore supporting the exploitation of migrant workers in countries throughout the world.

In a world where consumerist culture is everywhere it is easy to spend money on cheap items that break and get thrown away. Throughout this blog I will be advocating for the reuse and recycling of your everyday items when their current useful life is over.

That is all for now, I will be posting an article about a new activity or project each week.

JH.