longlongwaytogo ([info]longlongwaytogo) wrote,
@ 2009-08-25 21:57:00
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Palm Oil
Thanks to my Society and Environment class, I have found out about Palm Oil. I'd seen the signs at the zoo but hadn't really put two and two together and understood what it meant or how many things have palm oil in them. Or the effects it has on the rainforests and therefore the globe. :( 
I think this is a case of "I'd like to change something in my life to help this issue". It'll be really hard to cut all palm oil out of my life, but cutting down would be great. However it's really hard to figure out what has palm oil in it and what doesn't!
It's been suggested that one way to do it is to cook and grow more things yourself- I think I'm inspired. Not quite sure when I'll be able to do this, but I could even start with just biscuits to snack on, or making sure the tomatoes are planted this year.
Has anyone else in Australia reading this tried to grow a vegetable garden? What worked in the heat? What was worth the effort? Mum's always said that carrots and potatoes aren't worth the effort because we eat so many of them. I don't eat that many herbs, or sprouts. Maybe I should start. I'm a big fan of tomatoes. What else could I try for? Maybe things that my family eats (like cucumbers!) even if I don't.

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[info]jiangyin
2009-08-25 12:40 pm UTC (link)
There used to be a vegie garden in my backyard a few years ago - primarily tomatoes, but I think we tried to grow pumpkins at one stage. Pretty sure my mum's going to give it another shot. My grandparents used to have one as well - to my best recollection, they grew peas and tomatoes, but this was many years ago. I do remember sitting in the vegie garden and eating peas, though. :D

- Ez

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[info]longlongwaytogo
2009-08-25 12:48 pm UTC (link)
oo yes! Peas!! :D

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[info]calliopeaurora
2009-08-25 01:06 pm UTC (link)
I would go with tomatoes, cucumbers and stuff that you will likely eat in summer like rocket. A herb garden is also a great idea if you're willing?

Also, you can look to Lush products since they're trying to go palm oil free and are incorporating it into their shampoos and body products :)

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[info]wumbawoman
2009-08-25 01:24 pm UTC (link)
Do you like peanuts? They (supposedly) LOVE heat. All sun all the time. The only thing they thrive in sand. Butyou can get a kiddie pool and fill it with sand if you want.

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[info]torylltales
2009-08-25 01:36 pm UTC (link)
We used to grow stuff, but becauee we live on a clay bed, there's really no european vegetables that will grow in our ground. Our carrots were always tiny and twisted because of the hard clay, and our potatoes didn't fare much better.

Our neighbor Nick spend a decade improving the soil in his yard, and grows all the traditional Italian stuff like tomatoes, zucchini, aubergine and stuff, but he uses so much water on them, and has spent such a long time making the ground suitable for growing.

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[info]thebrettzone
2009-08-25 07:12 pm UTC (link)
Let's see: tomatoes, peppers (all kinds), beans, some types of peas, some types of corn. There should be a list somewhere from the agency that governs that kind of thing in Australia. :P

I also strongly recommend that you start composting (if you don't already) and adding any ashes from fires, etc. to the compost. Dead leaves will work too, but you need lots of moisture for that.

We turned mainly clay soil into great garden soil by composting and adding grass/leaves from the yard over the years.

Also either use a "no till" or hand-tilling for the soils. Tractors will turn over too much top soil and cause it to wash away.

As for watering, rain barrels, drip lines, etc. all help. I only water after the sun heads for the horizon to cut down on evaporation.

Natural pest control: ladybugs (you can buy them online) and vinegar for weeds. Add the dead weeds to your compost pile!

You may also need some chicken wire fences to keep the pests away. Here rabbits, raccoons, possums, etc. will devour a garden if you let them.

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[info]katmerican
2009-08-26 08:04 am UTC (link)
Ahhah! Look what I found!

You can change which climate you have in the drop down list and it will give you a list of things to plant, when, and how easy they are.

http://www.gardenate.com/?zone=4

Later today I will take some photos of the strages of my vegetable growing, but right now it's chucking with rain. Also you aren't to laugh at how pathetic all of my things are looking this year. It's rained all summer and nothing's really ripening.

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[info]katmerican
2009-08-26 08:06 am UTC (link)
Forgot to mention that although it talks about planting direct into the soil there is absolutely no reason why you can't grow most of them in tubs. Asparagus is probably beyond you (it needs leaving for two years before you start to harvest) but most of the rest do fine in pots though it might be a bit trial and improvement to start with.

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