Christian Gardeners International

Earthworms Job 25:6 How much less man, that is a worm? and the son of man, which is a worm? Are important creatures in the garden They bring air, water and organic matter into the soil Worms breakdown organic matter by digesting it Which means plant roots can grow more easily Which means water can penetrate easily Which means nutrients are available to plants They improve soil structure and fertility Earthworms thrive in dug or undug soil Worms and organic mulches go great together Mulches provide protection for worms Mulches can be straw, peatmoss or any organic matter Mulches also keep the soil cool Worms prefer cooler soil Ammonium sulphate can kill worms Many pesticides are lethal to worms Soil fumigants are toxic Worms are a favorite snack of birds When it rains worms go to the top of the soil Together earthworms can eat 10kg of soil per square meter In fertile areas there can be millions of earthworms Settlers to Austra

Compost Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. It's a cheap source of organic matter for the garden The end result of composting should be valuable humus It is an important component of fertile soil Compost consists of water, air, carbon and nitrogen Almost any organic material can be used such as not needed fruit and vegetables plants, fruit peelings, tea leaves, coffee grounds, egg shells, lawn clippings, nettles, comfrey, old animal manure Dont add straw, paper, sawdust or woody materials Turn the compost at least once a week Turning compost transfers material on the outside to the center Tumbling compost bins allow for easy turning If the compost drys out add some water The decomposed compost should be a brown color Rather than a black color Compost can be made from worm farms See More! The easy guide to Po

Fertilizers Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; They can be powder, granular or liquid form NPK or inorganic fertilisers which means Nitrogen, phosporous and potassium when all three are available it is a complete fertiliser 10:5:10 means 10% nitrogen 5% phosphorus 10% potassium they are fast acting they are available commericially they release nutrients over a few months they are directed to the plant not the soil fertilisers need moisture to work well they can be in a liquid form Organic fertilisers includes a whole range of substances they usually contain less nutrients than inorganics they usually contain more trace elements than inorganics they can be available commericially dried blood and bone excellent for fruit and vegetables it is high in nitrogen and phosphorus manure it is high in nitrogen and phosphorus well rotted manure is applie

Soil structure and types Acts 15:11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. The soil is different according to the location Sites close together can have different soils Soils differ in organic matter, their condition and depth The soil affects plant growth Most fruits and vegetables grow reasonably well on a wide range of soils but growing on the right kind of soil is important Clay Clay particles are smaller than sand They pack down hard together Which makes the soil heavy Clay soils can be hard to penetrate Clay soils need less water They are difficult to dig Sand Sand particles are large in shape Sandy soils have an open structure Sandy soils have good drainage Sandy soils need more water They are easy to dig Loam It is a mixture of sand, clay and silt Loam particles are smaller than sand Loam soils hold water more than sand Loam soils have good drainage Loam

Mulching Romans 16:27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen. A mulch is a layer of material which is applied to the surface of the soil Mulches can be organic or inorganic Mulching can bring significant benefits in growing fruits and vegetables Mulches reduce evaporation of water from the soil Organic mulches provide nutrients to the soil Mulches improve soil structure and fertility Mulches are effective in smothering weed growth Mulches keep soil moist which encourages earthworms Mulches can be used in small or big gardens Mulches can prevent heavy rain damaging the soil structure Mulches modify the soil temperature Keeping soil moist and cool in summer Or allowing the soil to warm up in cooler months Mulches should not pack down so that water cannot reach the soil It is better that the mulch has an open structure Mulch vegetable beds with garden compost, straw, leaves, rotted animal manure, leaf mould or small wood c

Cape gooseberries (Physalis peruviana) Philippians 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Also known as the husk tomato or the golden berry It gets its name from the Cape of Good Hope Not to be confused with the chinese gooseberry It is an interesting perennial plant The plants grow well in subtropical climates They grow to a height of 2 meter They spread to a distance of 1.5 meters The berries make a good jam The berries go with pies The variety golden nugget is grown in Australia Yield is as high as 2kg per plant How to Grow Plant out after the frosts finish They prefer deep light soil Mix compost into the planting site Space plants 1.5 meters apart Keep the soil moist Harvesting When the husk turns light brown Berries are picked for several months The berries can be eaten fresh When cropping ceases cut plant to 20cm of the ground Se

Tamarillos (Cyphomandra betacea) Mark 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. Also known as the tree tomato It is grown in Australia and New Zealand Trees grow to 5 meters tall Young trees can be brought at nurseries Trees live for 5-7 years The fruit is the size of a duck egg The fruit can be red, orange or yellow The skin can be easily peeled The fruit can be stewed Yield can be as high as 20kg per tree How to Grow They prefer a light well drained soil They can be grown from seed or cuttings Work alot of compost into the planting hole Transplant seedlings when they are at least 15cm tall Space plants 2 meters apart Protect plants from strong winds Mulch around the tree Pinch out the growing tip when plant is 1 meter tall Harvesting Winter time They can be eaten fresh Fruit can be stored indoors Fruit can be stored in a refrigerator

Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) Romans 14:9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. Also known as rosella or luo shen hua It is grown for its fleshy fruit It is grown in tropical or subtropical climates It is grown in many different countries China and Thailand are the major producers The plant can grow to 2.5 meters(5ft) tall Plants grow quickly in hot weather The tree is self fertile Fruit can be made into a jam It is a popular product in Queensland Australia Fruit can be made into a drink Fruit can be made into a sauce It is a good source of calcium and magnesium How to Grow It is grown from seed or cuttings They can be grown in most soils Set plants 1 meter apart Keep the soil moist Harvesting Fruit can be picked 15-20 days from flowering Snap the fruit of the plant Regular picking encourages more fruit See More! The easy guide t

Apricots (Prunus armeniaca) Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: It's a deciduous stone fruit tree It is a popular garden tree That originates in China Trees grow to 5 meters high Trees spread to about 5 meters in length They can live for 75 years or longer Trees are self fertile Trees are drought tolerant Trees produce fruit after 4-5 years from planting Apricots flower early Blossoms can be destroyed by frost Yield is as high as 45kg per tree How to Grow They grow on a wide range of soils They like deep moist soils They like a full sun position Plant in the Autumn Do not allow the soil to dry out Protect trees from frost Harvesting Summer When they are ripe and soft Fruit ripened on the tree has the best flavor See More! The easy guide to Potatoes http://cga777.blogspot.com/2017/11/potatoes-solanum-tuberosum-isaiah-111.html The ea

Cherries (Prunus avium) Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. Also known as the sweet cherry It is a vigorous deciduous tree They are related to sour acid cherries Trees can grow to 6 meters high Trees can grow to 6 meters wide Dwarf tree varieties grow only to 2 meters high Fruit matures quickly after blossoming Cherries can be eaten fresh They can be used in jams or cooking Yield can be as high as 100kg per tree How to Grow They like a warm and sheltered spot They like deep and well drained soil The best soil is a loamy soil Plant in the Winter Water very well in Summer Fertilise with nitrogen in Winter Protect fruit from birds Harvesting In the Summer Fruit can be bottled or frozen See More! The easy guide to Potatoes http://cga777.blogspot.com/2017/11/potatoes-solanum-tuberosum-isaiah-111.html The easy guide to Pumpkins http://cg

Peaches (Prunus persica) Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. It is a small deciduous tree They are related to nectarines They originate in China They are a popular dessert fruit They can be grown across Australia In cool and warm climates The fruit has smooth skin The skin can be green, yellow or orange The fruit vary in size The fruit grows in early Spring Trees grow to 3 meters high Peach trees are self fertile Trees produce less fruit after 10-15 years of age Yield is as high as 27kg per tree There are dwarf peach trees that can be grown They are ideal trees for home gardeners Fruit can be canned or made into jam Fruit can be used with ice cream or in pies How to Grow They will grow in a range of soils They like deep well drained soil Protect flower buds from frost with a cover Keep trees well watered in Summer Apply blood and bone in Autumn Plant in late Autumn Protect fruit

Plums (Prunus) John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: Is a stone fruit tree They are easy to grow They have been grown since ancient times There are different types Japanese, European, Blue and Blood Blue plums are known also as damson plums Dried plums are known as prunes Some trees can grow to 9 meters high Most trees produce alot of fruit Fruit color varies from yellow to blood red The flesh in the fruit varies as well Yield is as high as 27kg per tree How to Grow They grow in a wide range of soils They prefer deep fertile soils They like a sunny and sheltered spot It is best to grow 2 trees close together Because cross pollination will produce large crops Plant in winter Fertilise the trees with a general fertiliser Harvesting Summer and early Autumn Pick the fruit when it approaches maturity See More! The easy guide to Potatoes http://cga777.blogspot.com/2017/11/potato

Persimmon (Diospyros kaki) Luke 20:26 And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace. Also known as kaki Is an elegant small tree That is grown in Japan and China There are 2 types astringent and non-astringent non-astringent fruit can be eaten from the tree astringent fruit needs to ripen and go soft astringent tree are self fertile non-astringent trees need a pollinator Planting 2 trees close will improve fruit yields Persimmons grow rapidly in Spring When grown tall the tree provides shade Trees have brittle wood The fruit is the size of an apple The fruit is a bright orange colour The fruit has a unique sweet flavour They can grow to 7 meters(23ft) high Yield can be as high as 40kg per tree How to Grow They grow in most climate zones They prefer acid to neutral soils The need a sunny and sheltered position Plant in Winter Watering will help the trees

Quinces (Cydonia oblonga) Psalms 119:107 I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word. They are an ornamental and productive tree They are related to pears Trees can grow to 3.5 meters high Trees are self fertile Trees are extrememly tough Trees grow in a irregular way The fruit is covered in a fine woolly fuzz This fuzz is rubbed off before cooking The fruit can be eaten raw Fruit goes well in pies and sauces Fruit goes well in a jam Yields of fruit are variable Yield can be as high as 45kg per tree How to Grow They can be grown in a range of climates They prefer deep soil They like a warm well drained site Plant trees in the Winter Keep trees well watered in the summer Harvesting Autumn When the fruit are fully ripe Store fruit in a cool, dark place See More! The easy guide to Potatoes http://cga777.blogspot.com/2017/11/potatoes-solanum-tuberosum-isaiah-111.html The eas

Pomegranates (Punica granatum) Exodus 28:34 A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe round about. The name means seedy apple It is a small tree with glossy leaves It is an edible landscape plant Trees grow to 6 meters(20ft) high The tree has bright red flowers in the Summer The fruit is usually yellow orange But can vary in colour The fruit has many seeds in it The fruit has a unique flavour It is eaten in the same way as passionfruit Fruit goes well with meats Fruit goes well with cream cheese Fruit goes well in a cool drink Yield can be as high as 44kg per tree How to Grow They grow in a wide range of climates They prefer hot dry summers They prefer deep heavy soils Plant by seed or hardwood cuttings Plant trees 4 meters apart Harvesting Late Summer and Autumn See More! The easy guide to Potatoes http://cga777.blogspot.com/2017/11/potatoes-solanum-tub

Pears (Pyrus communis) Matthew 13:45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Also known as European pears They are related to nashi pears Trees can grow to 6 meters high Dwarf pear trees grow to 3 meters high Trees can live for a very long time Sometimes to over 100 years old They can survive very low winter temperatures They grow well in areas where apples grow However they need more warmth and sunlight Over a lifetime they are more productive than apples The roots of the tree grow very deep The wood from trees is valuable It can be used for furniture or tool handles Varieties of pears are classed as early season, mid season Or as late season Heavy crops come after about 7 years Yield is 18-45kg per tree Australia's favorite variety is Packham's Triumph How to Grow They like an open position At least 2 trees need to be planted They need cross pollination from another variety

Apples (Malus domestica) Proverbs 7:2 Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye. They are a widely grown and popular fruit tree They have been grown for about 3000 years Alot of apples are produced in Australia Trees grow to 4 meters high Dwarf apple trees grow to about 2 meters high Most apple trees are not self fertile The month of harvest varies accoding to the climate Yield can be as high as 55kg for a mature tree There is a large range of apple cultivars to choose from Varieties of apples are classed as early season, mid season Or as late season Apple are available for most of the year Some varieties store well others dont How to Grow They can be grown in a wide variety of climates They can be grown in a wide variety of soils They need full sun and cool winters 2 varieties should be planted to ensure cross pollination They need good drainage Plant in the winter Water in dry periods in Spring and S