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Use a rain water tank to conserve water

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I think just about everyone these days does at least a little to conserve resources. Some do it to help save the planet while others might do it to save money or for other benefit.

Now I know that many of you who read this blog are gardeners. Some of you live in areas with little water for part of the year or you might have water restrictions during the growing season. Perhaps using rainwater tanks to collect the runoff from your house when it rains might help you keep your garden and lawn looking beautiful during times of water restriction.

By using rain water tanks you’d be helping to conserve the water in your area. I think you’ll also find that your plants enjoy a good dousing with rain water. The water in my part of the world is hard water – full of minerals, but I believe that rain water is usually soft water.

You can purchase rain water tanks at waterharvest.com.au for both residential and commercial use. They also carry grey water systems. If you’re not familiar with grey systems they take water from your shower, wash basins, washing machines and other sources in your home, treat it and store it for reuse in your garden, toilets, washing machines or even for washing your car.

You can visit the site to learn more about their above and below ground rain water tanks and grey water systems. They have several different tanks in various sizes to choose from. Just think, if you purchase a rain water tank you could save quite a bit of money on your water bill and do your part to conserve.






Spectacular Toad Lilies in the Fall Garden

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I think the Toad Lily is one of the most unusual flowers that I grow.

In the Spring the plant appears as small sprouts emerging from the ground with several oblong green leaves. As summer passes the Toad lily plant grows to about two or two and a half feet in height in the form of long stalks with oblong green leaves.

To tell the truth it doesn’t really look like much for most of the growing season. However, when many of the other flowers in the garden stop blooming the Toad Lily is just getting started. By late September most years the buds begin to appear and then by early October the Toad lilies begin to bloom with their lovely speckled flowers.

Aren’t they pretty?

Gardeners, Plant and Nature lovers can join in every Sunday, visit As the Garden Grows for more information.

Green Thumb Sunday over the Holidays

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I just wanted to let all GTS members know that those of you who are around and able to blog on Sunday December 23rd and Sunday December 30th are welcome to participate in Green Thumb Sunday.

Since neither of the Sundays fall on an actual holiday date we’ll continue as normal.

I do realize that some of you might be out of town for the holidays or might have a house full of guests. So if you are not able to make your regular GTS post during this time that’s fine.

A tip – if your blogging platform allows you to post date your posts you could make a GTS post in advance and just post date it to the 23rd or 30th of December so that it will automatically post for you. I know WordPress has the ability to post date posts (just be sure to save it as published with a future date and it will automatically post on the date and time you set) and I’m sure some of the other popular blogging platforms have this ability as well.

As for the rest of the winter months … I noticed last year that some GTS members slowed down in their postings over the cool months of winter. Please remember that picture of your garden in the winter can be just as beautiful as pictures of your garden and plants during the growing season. Landscapes, older photos of your garden or plants, and photos of house plants are also welcome during this time. So keep on posting!

I must also apologize for my lack of regular posts over the last month or so. I’ve been quite ill and on top of that I have a new sick puppy at home. We got her on November 23rd and she’s been sick since we got her. As a result I’ve had to cut down on my blogging as it takes quite a bit of my time caring for her and treating her various ailments. Hopefully things will return to near normal soon!

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