Compost update

Not much has been happening on my balcony of late. Although, I did just give it a big spring clean. I cleared out the mess, re-potted plants and... checked out my compost.

I'm really thrilled because my experiment worked and the soil that I got from it was beautiful. I had so much I had to give some away!

I've already started my next lot. First, I kept some soil from the previous compost to use as a starter. I put some at the bottom of the container, put my kitchen vege scraps in and then another layer. I can now add bits to it as I do my cooking etc.

What's really great is that it never stank. 

One reason it didn't, I think, is because I never put cooked food or meat in it. Just vegetable skins, egg shell and fruit leftovers. I also had a heavy lid on it (a large pottery water saucer actually) which kept the moisture in and flies and mosquitoes out, whilst not being air tight and killing the helpful bugs and bacteria inside. 

In fact, after adding everything and a good amount of water, not enough to flood it, I pretty much forgot it except to add bits to the top now and then. When I opened it up at the weekend, it was moist, dark and rich. Beautiful. The worms and helpful bugs had been very happy in there, I think.

Bali's gates and gardens

Here are more photos of the gardens and gates in Bali. They are everywhere. Downtown as well as in the villages. They are an integral part of the landscape and very much add to the surroundings. The wood and stone work are beautifully intricate. Fitting testimony to their Hindu culture. Their faith is everywhere from the decorative pieces to the little daily offerings put outside the door to the active participation in prayer and temple ceremonies.

As a tropical country, it gets very hot. We were there during the dry season, so it was dusty too. However, there was greenery everywhere. Although the stonework was in every direction, it never stood alone and austere. It was always surrounded by plants in some form or another adding charm and mystery to the scene.

"Gates and Gardens"

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Bali 1

My oldest daughter and I have just been on a three day trip to Bali. It was my first time there and I was quite excited. Bali is a Hindu culture in an Islamic country. So I wanted to see the differences in aesthetics and gardening, and it didn't let me down.

With only a few days there, we didn't have a lot of time, but we went on a tour of their batik, carving and silver crafts. They were really beautiful - and amazing. I learned that in their weaving the woven pattern is pre-dyed onto the thread before it's woven and as I'm not a weaver and don't know how it's done, it just blew me away. How do you 'see' the picture in a long line - without computers? Now that's magic.

As we were taken around and walked about the place, we saw a lot of little gardens. A lot of them were hidden behind gates and walls and you'd only see glimpses of them as you went past. I've always loved that idea of a 'secret' garden that you could see just a little into. The gates themselves were also beautiful and made gorgeous frames for the small paradises within. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

They use sandstone, limestone and volcanic rock for their sculptures. I'll put up more photos next week.

A world of plants

Entering Baladia's and Musa's balcony and you feel you are in a haven in a high rise. Surrounded by plants, the highway is but a distant hum easily forgotten and ignored.

The balcony, however, definitely can't be ignored as a combination of comfort and green provides a place to be still. "Being connected to nature is a type of meditation for me,' says Baladia.

Both owners have been gardening since they were children either as a home garden or in farming. When they were decorating their apartment, being able to step out from the bricks and mortar and connect to their natural surroundings was an integral part of their home design. It is a short step from the living areas into a green space. So much so that they took one wall out of the downstairs bathroom and put in a wall of green instead!

Plants frame the spectacular view on the lower balcony, and create a living wall for privacy on the upper. The lower balcony is more enclosed and sheltered than the upper which is open directly to the elements. This has created two different habitats and allows them to have a variety of plants.

Shade loving plants inhabit the lower balcony and help keep the area cool. Pond reeds, tiny ferns and moss thrive to add character to the pots and surrounding space. In two corners stand Joshua trees that have grown in fascinating lines as they reach from under the ceiling to the light.

Upstairs are more sun hungry plants including a mango and frangapani. The purple heart loves to sit in the full sun and has repaid them with dainty pink flowers. Baladia told me, "Having a balcony garden is like having a child. You cannot forget them; they need care, but they are very grateful and the more you look after them the more beautiful they become." 

As their garden is very personal to them it comes as no surprise that they both follow in the long gardening tradition of sharing plants with other keen gardeners (including me). Plants from friends around the world have found homes there including an ornamental banana and a young creeper that will proliferate in showers of red flowers (see below, left) when it matures.  The plant on the right is a succulent setting out roots - almost ready to be transplanted.

I have included a video for you that showcases more photos of their lovely balconies that their whole family enjoys - including Sasha the tortoise who has the run of the balcony downstairs!

Let me know what you think.