We are well into Spring here in Australia (NSW) and like any gardener this is an exciting time. Eventhough you can still grow veggies in our winter I usually let my garden take a rest to give time to the organic matter I added in the garden beds to break down into rich nutrients and breed beneficial organisms, it is usually time for me to go fishing for Blackfish (Luderick).

So this year, I have decided I want to focus on my soil and feed the micro-organisms that call it home. So the plan is to augment a commercial organic potting mix for three new garden beds:

• add some dirt
• add a balanced amount of organic matter: leaves, coco coir, Lucerne (Alfalfa) mulch, woodchips, cardboard etc...
• add some trace minerals and for this I have chosen Zeolite (0.0 to 0.5mm)
• add some vermicompost

Being inspired by Pauly "DrWorm" Piccirillo, I'm this year following his Worm Farming Revealed - Secret Recipe to select and balance the ingredient for the soil for my garden beds.

If you are interested in making your own soil mix, check Paul's Worm Farming Revealed - Secret Recipe I think it is worth the effort doing this mix and it does make sense why it works.

This week my 5 year old son has helped me planting few new plants I wanted to try in the garden:

• Strasberry strawberry
• Pineberry strawberry
• Lavender
• Dogbane (Piss-Off plant) to keep neighbour cats away
• Borage
• Mushroom plant

Yesterday I went for a day trip (almost 4hrs drive one way) to a Zeolite quarry to fetch the awesome rock dust. It has many trace minerals and its micro-porous surface allows retention of moisture, nutrient and makes great breeding ground for bacteria.

This morning before breakfast I went watering the garden and start making a batch of soil mix.

Hopefully I will soon convert this backyard lawn area into a veggie garden:

Following Pauly's recipe I will also regularly use Aerated Vermiompost Tea on my crops: https://www.facebook.com/TheLittleWormFarmer/posts/1648050452153469 https://www.facebook.com/TheLittleWormFarmer/posts/1648443332114181

Now it is time for me to take the family out to the beach and enjoy our Sunday.