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Bali House & Home GARDEN DOCTOR GARDEN DOCTOR Sustainable and Practical: All-Terrain Bamboo Wheelchairs GARDEN DOCTOR GARDEN DOCTOR GARDEN DOCTOR GARDEN DOCTOR

Indonesia lacks services and infrastructure for people with disabilities. This means that many children and adults, and particularly those living in villages where the rough terrain is not suitable for normal wheelchairs, are confined to their homes. To try to rectify this dire situation, Eco Living Bali, a supplier of sustainable products made from natural ingredients, and East Bali Bamboo Bikes, which falls under the East Bali Poverty Project that helps isolated communities, joined forces to make the very first all-terrain wheelchair in Southeast Asia. The prototype, which was ready in March this year, took around eight weeks to produce.

As the parents of a disabled child, the issue of access has been dear to the hearts of the founders of Eco Living Bali, Brad and Twone Moreland. The inspiration for an all-terrain wheelchair came when the duo heard of the plight of a 12-year-old boy in North Lombok from Duncan Ward, the Founder of Classroom of Hope, an organization that helps to provide access to education for children in developing countries. “Nasrudin lost his standard wheelchair in the 2018 earthquake and had to drag himself through the dirt to get to school. We decided that we had to help him get a wheelchair that would withstand the rough terrain of the village, and that’s how the idea of an all-terrain wheelchair was born,” says Brad. After numerous brainstorming sessions, the team decided to build their prototype from materials that are easy to source and repair in Indonesia. The wheelchair frame, laminated seat, backrest, foot rest and rear basket are all

C/Bm/I-29 Jan 20 C/Bm/I-6 Nov 19

We now install 3M Safety & Security Window Films

made from bamboo sourced from the slopes of Mount Agung in Ben village. The wheelchair is protected with environmentally-friendly lacquer and sealant to ensure that it withstands rough weather conditions. The decision was also made to use mountain bike wheels suitable for steep or uneven terrain. “As there is already a short supply of metal wheelchair parts in Bali, we wanted to find an alternative solution, and as owners of an eco store, we wanted to find a sustainable solution. As bamboo is found in abundance in Bali and throughout Asia, a bamboo wheelchair could be easily repaired by a bamboo artisan in a village,” Brad says, adding that each wheelchair has to be custom made to fit the beneficiary’s requirements. Up to date, Eco Living Bali and East Bali Bamboo Bikes have funded and built three bamboo wheelchairs. The first wheelchair, or the prototype, is currently on display in the Eco Living Bali shop in Kerobokan. The two other wheelchairs have been handed over to those in need. Nasrudin, who was the inspiration behind the project, received the second wheelchair, while the third wheelchair was donated to 15-year-old Nengah Macika, the son of one of the East Bali Bamboo Bikes craftsmen from Ban Village. “We have a growing list of underprivileged children and adults in Bali and Lombok who require all-terrain wheelchairs, and we are currently seeking funding to make them,” says Brad. “We are initially only targeting Bali and Lombok, however, we plan to expand to other islands soon and then hopefully the rest of Asia.” As the issue of access for people with disabilities is close to

Sustainable and Practical: All-Terrain Bamboo Wheelchairs Indonesia lacks services and infrastructure for people Lead Contamination in Soil / Improving Soil Protecting Plants From Pest Attacks with disabilities. This means that many children and adults, and particularly those living in villages where Ben and Twone’s hearts, they do not make any profit from the rough terrain is not suitable for normal wheelchairs, this venture. As such, Eco Living Bali urgently requires Hi Dr Kris, What a good article on soil testing thank you. My problem is all the plants that I’ve planted whether from cuttings or seed start off fine and grow, but won’t flower or set fruit, and after a short while stop growing and become retarded. I have fertilised with cow poop and chemicals with no difference. I really am at a loss as what to do next. Any ideas please. I’m now going to try your ‘Hello Garden Doctor! Two weeks ago, a couple of our little white flower bushes by our swimming pool which are in raised circular potters started yellowing and slowly wilting/dying. We fertilized thinking it would help but instead they appear dead. We noticed ants going to and from forming a highway are confined to their homes. To try to rectify this dire situation, Eco Living Bali, a supplier of sustainable products made from natural ingredients, and East Bali Bamboo Bikes, which falls under the East Bali Poverty Project that helps isolated communities, joined forces to make the very first all-terrain wheelchair in Southeast Asia. The prototype, which was ready in March this year, took around eight weeks to produce. Lead in the soil presents a risk if it is either inhaled or ingested. Lead in the soil can also be absorbed by vegetables grown in it. Children who play in the garden are also at risk. If living near main roads, consider growing vegetables in raised garden beds filled with clean imported soil and compost. Limit potential exposure by avoiding plants known to be lead whereby the ants protect the sap sucking bugs and even transport them around to other sites to send the honeydew production into overdrive - it’s an ant farm of a different type that you won’t like! If you ever see ants crawling up and down stems and across funding to build more wheelchairs. Each wheelchair sponsor will receive a certificate and a photo of the wheelchair their contribution helps to build. Those who sponsor an entire wheelchair will have their name or logo placed on the chair. ingestion. Please be careful when renovating your home. Have a professional remove flaking exterior lead-based paint to prevent future contamination. Anywhere you have ant problems get some chalk and start drawing barriers to the ants. Draw a circle around an ant and watch what happens! I’m suggestion that you draw chalk lines around your pots to stop the ants migrating back and forth, draw chalk barriers wherever you don’t want them. Of course, after rain or every few days you may need to re-apply. testing suggestions. Many thanks, Andrew. between two potters in front of our big bale. This accumulators such as low-growing leafy vegetables like lettuce, leaves alarm bells should be ringing as it’s the first sign that afternoon I removed a small bromeliad looking plant As the parents of a disabled child, the issue of access has as well as root vegetables including carrots, onions, turnips and you have a problem. Ants are typically found on the ground It’s kind of amusing when you first start experimenting with Dear, Dr. Kris, I’ve read that living near heavy traffic and main roads increases the risk of lead contamination in the soil and is it bad for vegetable gardening? What are the growing underneath one of the flower bushes thinking the ants could be attracted to the sap of the non-flower bush. To our surprise we revealed a HEAP of little mini been dear to the hearts of the founders of Eco Living Bali, Brad and Twone Moreland. The inspiration for an all-terrain wheelchair came when the duo heard of the plight of a 12-year-old boy in North Lombok from Duncan Ward, the radishes. As a general rule, the worst affected vegetables are either unwashed or unpeeled root vegetables. and will only inhabit plants if there is a honeydew source, which means either aphids or other types of scale insects have moved in. A quick check of the growing tips and the this. The chalk deterrent is also useful in the home as a good way to stop them entering the house for example through a crack in the wall. Just draw a circle around the crack or a risks or ways to make an edible garden in this situation? 1.5cm snails with a long skinny yellowish-brown cone Founder of Classroom of Hope, an organization that helps Leafy greens can be affected although much of this could undersides of foliage will likely reveal the bugs. They say barrier line wherever they are entering. Thanks in advance, Jan. shell! I think perhaps the ants are loving the snail poo to provide access to education for children in developing possibly be surface borne dust. The least affected plants are where there’s smoke there’s fire, well where there’s ants on because I found that the only 2 planters that had ants countries. “Nasrudin lost his standard wheelchair in the those that produce fruiting parts - whether or not we consider your plants you probably have a sap sucking insect problem. As for the snails, well it makes sense that they would be The soil is where a good garden starts, and if you have a poor going in them had the snails in. One planter more than 2018 earthquake and had to drag himself through the dirt to them ‘fruit’ or ‘vegetables’. There’s very little danger of lead hiding around bromeliads or strappy type leafed plants. Snails soil you likely be limited in what you can grow. The main factors that affect soil quality for growing flowers, fruits and vegetables depend on whether it is sandy which will mean it tends to dry too quickly, or if it is clay which means there is less aeration the other. Being unfamiliar with Indonesia’s little critters and land compositions I need some guidance for the best step get to school. We decided that we had to help him get a wheelchair that would withstand the rough terrain of the village, and that’s how the idea of an all-terrain wheelchair was born,” says Brad. toxicity in anything from tomatoes to papayas and pumpkins and all fruit trees in general. Plants are fairly good at keeping lead out of themselves in most Nengah Macika’s Story Macika was a healthy baby until three months of age when he developed high fever and suffered several seizures. Since then, Macika’s growth and mobility have been are molluscs and like a dark moist environment for protection and to avoid drying out. They will hide under leaf litter, dark places and cover that keeps them moist. and a tendency to waterlog. forward to keep my garden thriving. The issue has just After numerous brainstorming sessions, the team decided circumstances, but if the vegetables are covered in soil, or even affected. He is also non-vocal and struggles to communicate The snails in the pictures you have sent look like decollate begun to show itself to be severe and deadly to our plant to build their prototype from materials that are easy to an invisible layer of dust settles on fruit or leafy greens, you may with his family. Until 2004, when the East Bali Poverty snail (Rumina decollata) with the conical shell. They are Rejuvenating a poor soil is more involved then pouring fertiliser over the ground. Natural fertiisers such as cow dung and chicken manure need to be worked in along with compost over time to gradually improve the soil, otherwise try raised garden beds with a whole new ‘imported’ soil for an instant solution. family! HOW DO WE GET RID OF THESE SNAILS/ANTS AND SAVE OUR GARDEN FROM A MASS INFESTATION!? Attached is some evidence of the suspects and the crime scene. Thank you so much for your time! Looking forward to your reply! source and repair in Indonesia. The wheelchair frame, laminated seat, backrest, foot rest and rear basket are all be consuming lead from the soil in that way. All fruit and vegetables taken from the garden should be washed to remove all traces of soil before consumption. A good diet with adequate amounts of calcium and phosphorous Project established monthly parent-baby health posts in neighboring Cegi, there were no health facilities near Ben village, where Macika lives. In 2005, the East Bali Poverty Project found a volunteer professional massage therapist who trained Macika’s parents to give him daily massages, but he has shown little improvement. While Macika’s omnivores, so they will eat plants and other snails. If there are no brown garden snails to eat or other alternatives this snail is going to eat your plants and they can cause serious damage quickly. The easy fix is snail pellets, though not my preferred choice, especially if you have children and pets to As for lead contaminated soil which is sometimes an issue in urban areas, replacing the soil or amending it is also the solution. If you live near main roads, industrial areas or old buildings you would expect an elevated level of lead in your soil. Jet from Seminyak’ Thanks for the interesting question - I think you have two separate unrelated issues going on with the ants and the snails. Ants go after anything sweet. Whenever you see a large population of ants in and around your plants its has been shown to reduce absorption of dietary lead. Similarly, those same two nutrients help reduce lead uptake in plants. Seaweed and spirulina when eaten have also been demonstrated to bind heavy metals and remove them from the body. It’s not clear from the studies whether you have to eat them concurrently with the potentially contaminated foods or just every now and then - so to be safe just put spirulina on everything. mobility remains restricted, his new all-terrain bamboo wheelchair means that he can now get around more freely. www.ecolivingbali.com https://www.eastbalipovertyproject.org https://www.eastbalibamboobikes.com By Anita consider. Laying down a dry rough mulch such as jagged bark mulch is one way to deter snails or even crushed eggshells or shell grit mulch, as they don’t like to crawl across the sharp jagged edges which probably feels like razor blades to them and their delicate slimy exterior. usually an indication that you have an aphid or scale Copyright © 2019 Bali Advertiser Snails prefer cool, dark, moist places to hide out, so by A recent Australian study led by RMIT University, Melbourne, found that 20% of edible home gardens are contaminated with levels of lead exceeding the safety guidelines of 300 mg/kg - whereas natural background levels are usually in the range of 15-40mg/kg. The figure is worse in Sydney, where a similar study found 40 per cent of vegetable patches had levels of lead that exceeded the safety guidelines. I can imagine that a similar statistic plays out across gardens in most cities and crowded insect infestation. So whilst it’s not the ants that are causing the initial problem, they can exacerbate it, which I will get to a bit later. Aphids and scale insects are tiny bugs usually only a few mm in size. Aphids are commonly green to brown and camouflage themselves very well, whereas scale insects generally will show up as white, beige to brown in colour. Any good soil will be ‘living’ filled with organic matter. Organic matter also helps bind the lead up in the soil, rendering it less available to plants. So, get composting, and adding it to the garden beds. Besides reducing lead uptake, it is also the key solution to a poor soil, producing healthier and more productive plants. Otherwise import a clean soil for an instant fix and a fresh start. So first, to get to the aphids and scales you will need to check the undersides of the leaves. In the initial stages hosing with a fast jet of water underneath the leaves could be enough to You can read all past articles of BA Feature Article at www.BaliAdvertiser.biz creating these locations in the garden you can locate the snails and dispose of them. Upturned terracotta pots are a good snail trap, check every few days and you’ll find them congregating inside. Orange or any other citrus halves with the pulp scooped out is another known trap method. Leave them face down in the garden bed slightly propped up with a small gap for the snails to enter. Finally, the snail beer trap is the easiest way to take them out. A container, jar or a plastic urban areas the world over. These bugs cleverly reside on the undersides of the leaves I don’t think that there is a need to worry excessively about lead rid a small infestation, but as your plants are dying and the bottle cut in half and then placed in the garden filled with a High levels of lead remain in the soil in urban areas - the result from adding the toxic metal to paint and petrol for decades. Living close to main roads is an issue due to lead accumulation so they can go about their business of sucking out the fresh sap from the leaves in secret, placing the plant under severe stress - essentially they are stealing the plants nutrition. By in the soil - just be cautious, be alert not alarmed! Wash your edible plants, mulch your soil, and work in compost infestation is severe its probably best to spray with an organic pesticide such as white oil or neem oil that is available at hardware and garden centres. cup of beer is irresistible to snails and slugs. Dig it in level with the soil so they can easily enter – they love the yeast. in soils from traffic pollution. Vegetable gardens should be the time that you’ve realised this, the plants could be and organic matter which will help to bind any lead, reducing Snails can easily be removed using the combination of established away from busy roads - at least 20 to 80 metres dead and the bugs already moved onto the next victim. Aphids the bioavailability but also improving the overall soil health at As the ants may be in on the deal, protecting, transporting methods - hand picking, trapping, barriers, and bait/pellets. away, lead levels are usually elevated directly next to main and scales can rapidly decimate plants and their populations the same time. and farming the bugs around you should probably deter them Modifying habitats can help prevent snail plagues by removal roads. can explode into plague like proportions in just a matter of a also. Ants generally don’t like moist conditions, keep the soil of hiding places such as thick clumps of vegetation, empty few days. On a final note – Old-school paints were up to 50% lead and around your plants well-watered directly to the root-zone so pots lying around and by using a rough dry mulch. In addition - generally the older the house, or any other building even with newer layers painted over the top, the levels of lead you don’t wash off the pesticide. left contained on the interior and exterior walls of old buildings are still likely to be high. The safe level of lead in food is measured in parts per million so it’s easy to see how disturbed, crumbling, scraped, sanded or flaking paint can be a major source of direct contamination – whether from inhalation or for that matter containing lead-based paint, then the more lead found in the surrounding garden beds. Most often areas most affected are under the dripline of the eaves due to the weathering and runoff of leaded paints throughout the seasons. Here’s another tip. Plain old chalk used to write on chalkboards is all that’s needed to keep the ants away. Ants will not walk through a line of powdery material such as chalk dust or talcum powder. Test it and see! As the bugs consume the sap, the excrete a sweet ‘honeydew’ waste by-product, and ants absolutely love it. So of course, they move in to consume it - for them it’s like the sugar pot has been left out in the garden. From here a symbiotic relationship develops between the bugs and the ants, We now install 3M Safety & Security Window Films C/Bm/I-29 Jan 20 Dr. Kris Garden Doctor Contact: gardendoctor@hotmail.com Copyright © 2019 Dr. Kris You can read all past articles of Garden Doctor at www.BaliAdvertiser.biz Dr. Kris Garden Doctor Contact: gardendoctor@hotmail.com Copyright © 2019 Dr. Kris You can read all past articles of Garden Doctor at www.BaliAdvertiser.biz C/Bm/I-6 Nov 19

made from bamboo sourced from the slopes of Mount Agung in Ben village. The wheelchair is protected with environmentally-friendly lacquer and sealant to ensure that it withstands rough weather conditions. The decision was also made to use mountain bike wheels suitable for steep or uneven terrain. “As there is already a short supply of metal wheelchair parts in Bali, we wanted to find an alternative solution, and as owners of an eco store, we wanted to find a sustainable solution. As bamboo is found in abundance in Bali and throughout Asia, a bamboo wheelchair could be easily repaired by a bamboo artisan in a village,” Brad says, adding that each wheelchair has to be custom made to fit the beneficiary’s requirements. Up to date, Eco Living Bali and East Bali Bamboo Bikes have funded and built three bamboo wheelchairs. The first wheelchair, or the prototype, is currently on display in the Eco Living Bali shop in Kerobokan. The two other wheelchairs have been handed over to those in need. Nasrudin, who was the inspiration behind the project, received the second wheelchair, while the third wheelchair was donated to 15-year-old Nengah Macika, the son of one of the East Bali Bamboo Bikes craftsmen from Ban Village. “We have a growing list of underprivileged children and adults in Bali and Lombok who require all-terrain wheelchairs, and we are currently seeking funding to make them,” says Brad. “We are initially only targeting Bali and Lombok, however, we plan to expand to other islands soon and then hopefully the rest of Asia.” As the issue of access for people with disabilities is close to

Lead Contamination in Soil / Improving Soil Protecting Plants From Pest AttacksTraditionally harvesting rainwater was always a necessity, it’s Dr. Kris, Ben and Twone’s hearts, they do not make any profit from There’s so much rain it seems a pity not to capture it for the best way to conserve water and energy. It is a responsible this venture. As such, Eco Living Bali urgently requires Hi Dr Kris, What a good article on soil testing thank you. My problem is all the plants that I’ve planted whether from cuttings or seed start off fine and grow, but won’t flower or set fruit, and after a short while stop growing and become retarded. I have fertilised with cow poop and ‘Hello Garden Doctor! Two weeks ago, a couple of our little white flower bushes by our swimming pool which are in raised circular potters started yellowing and slowly wilting/dying. We fertilized use. We erected a gutter on my roof in Ubud to catch the rain water into a rain barrel. The problem is the stored water quickly turns brown and fetid and attracts all kinds of unwanted insect life in there. Can you recommend Lead in the soil presents a risk if it is either inhaled or ingested. Lead in the soil can also be absorbed by vegetables grown in it. Children who play in the garden are also at risk. If living near main roads, consider growing vegetables in raised whereby the ants protect the sap sucking bugs and even transport them around to other sites to send the honeydew production into overdrive - it’s an ant farm of a different type that you won’t like! way to garden for self-sufficiency and conservation but it’s also better for your plants. Chlorine and other chemicals in tap water raise the pH and funding to build more wheelchairs. Each wheelchair sponsor will receive a certificate and a photo of the wheelchair their contribution helps to build. Those who sponsor an entire wheelchair will have their name or logo placed on the chair. ingestion. Please be careful when renovating your home. Have a professional remove flaking exterior lead-based paint to prevent future contamination. Anywhere you have ant problems get some chalk and start drawing barriers to the ants. Draw a circle around an ant and watch what happens! I’m suggestion that you draw chalk lines around your pots to stop the ants migrating back and chemicals with no difference. I really am at a loss as what thinking it would help but instead they appear dead. We measures to keep the water clean enough to use for garden beds filled with clean imported soil and compost. Limit essentially ‘lock-out’ nutrients preventing uptake by plants and forth, draw chalk barriers wherever you don’t want them. Of to do next. Any ideas please. I’m now going to try your testing suggestions. Many thanks, Andrew. noticed ants going to and from forming a highway between two potters in front of our big bale. This afternoon I removed a small bromeliad looking plant watering plants, maybe washing dishes etc? Not expecting it to be drinkable quality. I have a Nazava filter potential exposure by avoiding plants known to be lead accumulators such as low-growing leafy vegetables like lettuce, as well as root vegetables including carrots, onions, turnips and If you ever see ants crawling up and down stems and across leaves alarm bells should be ringing as it’s the first sign that you have a problem. Ants are typically found on the ground in this way reducing plant growth and health. Tap water can also contain fluoride, salts, and minerals that are harmful to course, after rain or every few days you may need to re-apply. It’s kind of amusing when you first start experimenting with Dear, Dr. Kris, I’ve read that living near heavy traffic and growing underneath one of the flower bushes thinking for that. radishes. As a general rule, the worst affected vegetables are and will only inhabit plants if there is a honeydew source, the soil in the long term. Well-water can also cause problems this. The chalk deterrent is also useful in the home as a good main roads increases the risk of lead contamination in the the ants could be attracted to the sap of the non-flower Thanks! either unwashed or unpeeled root vegetables. which means either aphids or other types of scale insects due to salinity, chemicals and high mineral content. way to stop them entering the house for example through a soil and is it bad for vegetable gardening? What are the bush. To our surprise we revealed a HEAP of little mini Matthew in Ubud have moved in. A quick check of the growing tips and the crack in the wall. Just draw a circle around the crack or a risks or ways to make an edible garden in this situation? 1.5cm snails with a long skinny yellowish-brown cone Leafy greens can be affected although much of this could undersides of foliage will likely reveal the bugs. They say Rain water usually has a pH close to neutral or slightly acidic, barrier line wherever they are entering. Thanks in advance, Jan. shell! I think perhaps the ants are loving the snail poo because I found that the only 2 planters that had ants Ah, the wet season in Bali… sometimes the rain can seem possibly be surface borne dust. The least affected plants are those that produce fruiting parts - whether or not we consider where there’s smoke there’s fire, well where there’s ants on your plants you probably have a sap sucking insect problem. either way rain water is usually softer than both tap and As for the snails, well it makes sense that they would be The soil is where a good garden starts, and if you have a poor going in them had the snails in. One planter more than like it’s endless - until the dry season comes around again them ‘fruit’ or ‘vegetables’. There’s very little danger of lead well-water. It doesn’t contain the minerals that are typically hiding around bromeliads or strappy type leafed plants. Snails soil you likely be limited in what you can grow. The main factors the other. of course, and then you wonder ‘did it ever rain for so long?’ toxicity in anything from tomatoes to papayas and pumpkins responsible for the hard water stains seen on bathroom are molluscs and like a dark moist environment for protection that affect soil quality for growing flowers, fruits and vegetables depend on whether it is sandy which will mean it tends to dry too quickly, or if it is clay which means there is less aeration Being unfamiliar with Indonesia’s little critters and land compositions I need some guidance for the best step The easiest thing to do would be to put an airtight lid on the barrel or cover it with nylon flyscreen mesh, to keep out the bugs, debris and mosquitoes. I’d be most worried about the and all fruit trees in general. Plants are fairly good at keeping lead out of themselves in most screens and tubs. This is described as ‘hard’ water and it usually carries a higher pH than rainwater. Nengah Macika’s Story Macika was a healthy baby until three months of age when he developed high fever and suffered several seizures. Since then, Macika’s growth and mobility have been and to avoid drying out. They will hide under leaf litter, dark places and cover that keeps them moist. and a tendency to waterlog. forward to keep my garden thriving. The issue has just begun to show itself to be severe and deadly to our plant mosquitoes, you definitely don’t want to be creating a circumstances, but if the vegetables are covered in soil, or even an invisible layer of dust settles on fruit or leafy greens, you may Lime-scale encrusted deposits on the inside of hot water affected. He is also non-vocal and struggles to communicate with his family. Until 2004, when the East Bali Poverty The snails in the pictures you have sent look like decollate snail (Rumina decollata) with the conical shell. They are Rejuvenating a poor soil is more involved then pouring fertiliser family! HOW DO WE GET RID OF THESE SNAILS/ANTS mosquito farm and all of the unpleasantries that come along be consuming lead from the soil in that way. All fruit and kettles is also common sight in Bali – how hard is the tap Project established monthly parent-baby health posts in omnivores, so they will eat plants and other snails. If there over the ground. Natural fertiisers such as cow dung and chicken manure need to be worked in along with compost over time to gradually improve the soil, otherwise try raised garden beds with a whole new ‘imported’ soil for an instant solution. As for lead contaminated soil which is sometimes an issue in urban areas, replacing the soil or amending it is also the solution. If you live near main roads, industrial areas or old buildings you would expect an elevated level of lead in your soil. AND SAVE OUR GARDEN FROM A MASS INFESTATION!? Attached is some evidence of the suspects and the crime scene. Thank you so much for your time! Looking forward to your reply! Jet from Seminyak’ Thanks for the interesting question - I think you have two separate unrelated issues going on with the ants and the snails. Ants go after anything sweet. Whenever you see a large population of ants in and around your plants its with it, the neighbours probably wouldn’t be happy either. vegetables taken from the garden should be washed to remove all traces of soil before consumption. A good diet with adequate amounts of calcium and phosphorous has been shown to reduce absorption of dietary lead. Similarly, those same two nutrients help reduce lead uptake in plants. Seaweed and spirulina when eaten have also been demonstrated to bind heavy metals and remove them from the body. It’s not clear from the studies whether you have to eat them concurrently with the potentially contaminated foods or just every now and then - so to be safe just put spirulina on everything. water here? Which is an important question as it can cause nutrient lockout, this is a pH level where plants are unable to assimilate the nutrients that are present in the soil. The pH level of rain water is typically more acidic, usually between 5 and 7 and much better suited for nutrient uptake, essentially unlocking nutrients for plants, and it’s also better for the soil and micro-organisms within it. neighboring Cegi, there were no health facilities near Ben village, where Macika lives. In 2005, the East Bali Poverty Project found a volunteer professional massage therapist who trained Macika’s parents to give him daily massages, but he has shown little improvement. While Macika’s mobility remains restricted, his new all-terrain bamboo wheelchair means that he can now get around more freely. www.ecolivingbali.com https://www.eastbalipovertyproject.org https://www.eastbalibamboobikes.com By Anita are no brown garden snails to eat or other alternatives this snail is going to eat your plants and they can cause serious damage quickly. The easy fix is snail pellets, though not my preferred choice, especially if you have children and pets to consider. Laying down a dry rough mulch such as jagged bark mulch is one way to deter snails or even crushed eggshells or shell grit mulch, as they don’t like to crawl across the sharp jagged edges which probably feels like razor blades to them and their delicate slimy exterior. usually an indication that you have an aphid or scale Copyright © 2019 Bali Advertiser Snails prefer cool, dark, moist places to hide out, so by A recent Australian study led by RMIT University, Melbourne, found that 20% of edible home gardens are contaminated with levels of lead exceeding the safety guidelines of 300 mg/kg - whereas natural background levels are usually in the range of 15-40mg/kg. The figure is worse in Sydney, where a similar study found 40 per cent of vegetable patches had levels of lead that exceeded the safety guidelines. I can imagine that a similar statistic plays out across gardens in most cities and crowded urban areas the world over. insect infestation. So whilst it’s not the ants that are causing the initial problem, they can exacerbate it, which I will get to a bit later. Aphids and scale insects are tiny bugs usually only a few mm in size. Aphids are commonly green to brown and camouflage themselves very well, whereas scale insects generally will show up as white, beige to brown in colour. These bugs cleverly reside on the undersides of the leaves Any good soil will be ‘living’ filled with organic matter. Organic matter also helps bind the lead up in the soil, rendering it less available to plants. So, get composting, and adding it to the garden beds. Besides reducing lead uptake, it is also the key solution to a poor soil, producing healthier and more productive plants. Otherwise import a clean soil for an instant fix and a fresh start. I don’t think that there is a need to worry excessively about lead So first, to get to the aphids and scales you will need to check the undersides of the leaves. In the initial stages hosing with a fast jet of water underneath the leaves could be enough to rid a small infestation, but as your plants are dying and the Rainwater is 100% soft water. Free of the salts, minerals, chemicals, and treatments and that are found in your average town and well-water. Salts and chemicals will build up over time to the detriment of the soil and plants. Rainwater is slightly acidic. Most plants prefer soil just below neutral pH levels somewhere in the range between 5.5 and 7. Funny that, that rainwater is in a similar, whereas You can read all past articles of BA Feature Article at www.BaliAdvertiser.biz creating these locations in the garden you can locate the snails and dispose of them. Upturned terracotta pots are a good snail trap, check every few days and you’ll find them congregating inside. Orange or any other citrus halves with the pulp scooped out is another known trap method. Leave them face down in the garden bed slightly propped up with a small gap for the snails to enter. Finally, the snail beer trap is the easiest way to take them out. A container, jar or a plastic bottle cut in half and then placed in the garden filled with a High levels of lead remain in the soil in urban areas - the result from adding the toxic metal to paint and petrol for decades. Living close to main roads is an issue due to lead accumulation in soils from traffic pollution. Vegetable gardens should be established away from busy roads - at least 20 to 80 metres so they can go about their business of sucking out the fresh sap from the leaves in secret, placing the plant under severe stress - essentially they are stealing the plants nutrition. By the time that you’ve realised this, the plants could be dead and the bugs already moved onto the next victim. Aphids If collecting rainwater in containers, barrels garbage bins etc. make sure you always close off with a lid when it has stopped in the soil - just be cautious, be alert not alarmed! Wash your edible plants, mulch your soil, and work in compost and organic matter which will help to bind any lead, reducing the bioavailability but also improving the overall soil health at infestation is severe its probably best to spray with an organic pesticide such as white oil or neem oil that is available at hardware and garden centres. As the ants may be in on the deal, protecting, transporting town-water is alkalized to protect the pipes from corroding and can have a pH level upwards of 8. Rainwater is living water. Stored rainwater will contain organic cup of beer is irresistible to snails and slugs. Dig it in level with the soil so they can easily enter – they love the yeast. Snails can easily be removed using the combination of methods - hand picking, trapping, barriers, and bait/pellets. away, lead levels are usually elevated directly next to main and scales can rapidly decimate plants and their populations raining or when it is full of water. Installing a purpose-built the same time. and farming the bugs around you should probably deter them matter. A rain barrel hosts a beneficial biology supporting Modifying habitats can help prevent snail plagues by removal roads. can explode into plague like proportions in just a matter of a water tank would be worth it if planning on longer term use, also. Ants generally don’t like moist conditions, keep the soil micro-organisms and other life. If channelled from your of hiding places such as thick clumps of vegetation, empty few days. they’re quite cheap these days. A water storage tank will have On a final note – Old-school paints were up to 50% lead and around your plants well-watered directly to the root-zone so rooftop, there will be traces of organic material, we’re just pots lying around and by using a rough dry mulch. In addition - generally the older the house, or any other building for that matter containing lead-based paint, then the more lead found in the surrounding garden beds. Most often areas most affected are under the dripline of the eaves due to the weathering and runoff of leaded paints throughout the seasons. As the bugs consume the sap, the excrete a sweet ‘honeydew’ waste by-product, and ants absolutely love it. So of course, they move in to consume it - for them it’s like the sugar pot has been left out in the garden. From here a symbiotic relationship develops between the bugs and the ants, a basket to filter out the debris, bugs, soil particles and prevent mosquitoes getting into the tank via the guttering. A tap is installed at the low point on the tank or a small pump can easily be installed for higher water pressure. There should be an overflow valve near the top - you can direct the overflow even with newer layers painted over the top, the levels of lead left contained on the interior and exterior walls of old buildings are still likely to be high. The safe level of lead in food is measured in parts per million so it’s easy to see how disturbed, crumbling, scraped, sanded or flaking paint can be a major source of direct contamination – whether from inhalation or you don’t wash off the pesticide. Here’s another tip. Plain old chalk used to write on chalkboards is all that’s needed to keep the ants away. Ants will not walk through a line of powdery material such as chalk dust or talcum powder. Test it and see! talking about contact exposure to bacteria, leaf litter, pollen, dust etc. (not surprisingly, great for your plants). It’s like a light fertilizer every time you water with harvested rainwater along with all the additional organic micro- Dr. Kris Garden Doctor Contact: gardendoctor@hotmail.com Copyright © 2019 Dr. Kris You can read all past articles of Garden Doctor at www.BaliAdvertiser.biz Dr. Kris Garden Doctor Contact: gardendoctor@hotmail.com Copyright © 2019 Dr. Kris You can read all past articles of Garden Doctor at www.BaliAdvertiser.biz into another barrel. nutrients!

When Life Won’t Give You Lemons! Rainwater also contains nitrates. A very important macronutrient - the most bio-available form of nitrogen -basically ‘Good Morning Garden Doctor, removed otherwise they’ll re-infest the new growth. Basically, it’s dissolved nitrogen and plants love it! I’m picturing increased yields - a big, juicy constant supply I live up at UBUD and in our garden there is a very tired you need to cut the tree back to its bare bones by removing of lemons on a pest free tree, facilitated by the brutal skeleton looking lemon tree. It was here when we got here but the canopy. I know it sounds risky, but lemon trees and most Nitrogen is one of the three essential macro-nutrients that pruning technique. over the past few years it seems to be producing less and less. We’ve had numerous bug infestations lately in other types of citrus usually bounce back hard and grow better after treatment like this. It will most likely be re-invigorated plants need, necessary for development and green foliage. Further Tips for General Citrus Care the past two years, I think one was a citrus beetle and with increased fruit production into the future. For some citrus Nitrates, which are made up of nitrogen and oxygen, are now it’s full of tiny white bugs. I’ve been spraying white growers it is a routine course of action undertaken every 10 formulated by nature for maximum uptake by your plants. Citrus will tolerate a range of soils, though most prefer well oil, but the bugs just seem to come right back or I can years or so, whether bug infested or not it gives the tree a drained, moderate to slightly acidic soil, pH of 5.5 to 6.5. never get rid of them entirely. Once we get rid of one pest new lease on life. Rainwater is always better than tap water for the garden, its Citrus will always prefer full sun and a site protected from another one seems to move in. The tree looks like it’s better suited to plant growth and development because of strong winds. They also need a regular feeding schedule as just hanging on, the new foliage is shrivelled and any lemons that we do get aren’t very good and usually only a few. Should I keep spraying with the white oil or should I try a different pesticide, or just give up? I want to save the tree as it’s an established tree and when we first The ideal method of ‘skeletonising’ involves cutting all of the growth back, so that you’re left with a single trunk and strong even spaced branch stumps. Ensure you are using sharp sterile cutting tools - making clean cuts is essential. the ideal pH, its soft nature, no added chemicals and the presence of beneficial nutrients, its simply water the way nature intended. nutrient rich soil is required for fruit production. Citrus are voracious feeders and they have an insatiable appetite for nutrients and will soak up whatever fertiliser you can send their way. Well-nourished trees will produce high yields, and also develop natural defences to pests and diseases. moved here we had heaps of lemons from Fresh potable water is valuable resource - rapidly becoming it, so many that we made lemonade! a scarce resource in Bali. A lack of foresight in planning All types of citrus require a constant nutrient has led to unsustainable harvesting of Bali’s groundwater. supply, with a high requirement for trace Do you have any further advice for lemons and citrus in general? I’m thinking of trying There has been ongoing water woes in Bali due to the elements. A regular application of a liquid seaweed fertiliser will supply needed trace mandarins in the future. Looking forward over-development of the past few decades coupled with elements, otherwise mulch with fresh kelp/ to hearing back, the explosive growth of tourism on the island, which has seaweed gathered fresh from the beach. Sincerely, Kate.’ outstripped the capacity of the water resources to keep up. Sprinkle compost around the tree and feed a Tapping into the groundwater is unsustainable-it is being few times a year with a specially formulated You love your lemon tree, but the problem is used up faster than it can be replenished. citrus fertiliser. Pelletised chook manure or the bugs do too! There are many types of other animal manures can be also be added insects and mites that are common pests of to the topsoil over the root zone twice/year. citrus trees. The orange citrus beetle otherwise Reports put the capacity of Bali’s groundwater aquifer Always water well after fertilising. A consistent known as the ‘stink’ bug is one of them, aphids supplies at around 15-20%.supply of nutrients is the key to getting the and scale are also common invaders. It best out of any citrus - seaweed fertiliser and definitely sounds like you have a scale More often than not wells are drilled on the cheap, without compost is a requirement at the very least. infestation which is severely affecting the casings or otherwise not up to environmental standards and health of the tree. The scale insects reside on protocols. This leads to cross contamination from land-based Fruit and frequency will also depend on water the undersides of the new growth, sucking on activities, runoff from urban areas, raw sewerage and even supply. Too little and the fruit may be small or the fresh sap and in the process retarding the not appear at all. Water regularly in ability of your plant to grow and produce fruit. chemical by-products from farming such as fertilisers and combination with a free draining soil - they will pesticides. Wells drilled close to coastal areas also risk salt require least one deep watering weekly for If the scale infestation is severe twigs and water intrusion. If you could take a cross section of the flower bud formation through to fruit set to branches will be dying back, leaves are subterranean ground in the south of Bali with all of the produce a good crop. shrivelled and falling, and the fruit is stunted if any is produced Rake up the debris from the lopping and pack it into strong historical drilling that has gone on over the years it may well at all. As the problem your dealing with is unresponsive to plastic bags sealed tight and left in the sun for a few weeks look more like Swiss cheese than solid rock! Add mulch for moisture retention and to discourage weeds pesticide spray then it could be time to take some drastic to kill all the pests, after which time it can be thrown out - but which will only compete with your tree for water and nutrients. action and skeletonise the tree - sounds scary doesn’t it but not into the compost. If weeds are left to become over-grown they will invite pests just make sure to do it before Halloween! The less water that is used from the local water supply or and disease. Never mulch right up to the tree trunk, otherwise You will find that soon afterwards the lemon tree responds from wells the better. Each litre of harvested rainwater equals collar rot could result - meaning no fruit and probably no tree Skeleton Pruning with lush new vigorous growth. At this point is a critical stage. a litre of town or well water that can be conserved or put also! The tree will require extra water and a constant supply of better use. A skeleton prune is simply pruning the tree back to its main nutrients to keep pace with the plethora of new shoots Hopefully by this time next year I hear that you’ve been limbs so that you are left with the ‘skeleton’ of the plant, in sprouting from the skeleton. We could all do our best to conserve this precious resource making lemonade! other words a brutal cut back - which in many circles is the go-to option for successfully countering most citrus diseases Over the next weeks/months the new growth produced can a little better. Have a great New Year. and pest problems. be so dense that it may even be necessary to prune in the With a severe bug infestation, you want to go hard at it, but centre and thin shoots at the periphery to prevent the tree from becoming overcrowded with foliage. It could take Dr. Kris Garden Doctor Contact: dr.kris@ymail.com Dr. Kris Garden Doctor Contact: gardendoctor@hotmail.com preferably not back to a stump obviously. At the very least, anywhere from one to two years before the lemon tree starts Copyright © 2019 Dr. Kris all of the branches and foliage containing the pests must be to bear fruit again, but when it does…watch out! Copyright © 2019 Dr. Kris You can read all past articles of Garden Doctor at www.BaliAdvertiser.biz You can read all past articles of Garden Doctor at www.BaliAdvertiser.biz

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with disabilities. This means that many children and adults, and particularly those living in villages where the rough terrain is not suitable for normal wheelchairs, are confined to their homes. To try to rectify this dire situation, Eco Living Bali, a supplier of sustainable products made from natural ingredients, and East Bali Bamboo Bikes, which falls under the East Bali Poverty Project that helps isolated communities, joined forces to make the very first all-terrain wheelchair in Southeast Asia. The prototype, which was ready in March this year, took around eight weeks to produce. BALI ADDRESS : JL. BY PASS NGURAH RAI NO. 176 - SANUR

PHONE : 0361 - 449 0395 | PAK RONALD : +62 823 3988 2460As the parents of a disabled child, the issue of access has JAKARTA ADDRESS : JL. IR. H JUANDA NO. 9 REMPOA CIPUTAT TIMUR PHONE : 021 - 7471 5692 | PAK SAID : +62 813 8545 7546 been dear to the hearts of the founders of Eco Living Bali, Brad and Twone Moreland. The inspiration for an all-terrain wheelchair came when the duo heard of the plight of a C/Ho/G-11 March 20 12-year-old boy in North Lombok from Duncan Ward, the MOESSON ANTIK Founder of Classroom of Hope, an organization that helps to provide access to education for children in developing countries. “Nasrudin lost his standard wheelchair in the 2018 earthquake and had to drag himself through the dirt to Special antique items: old safes, iron boxes, radios, fans, clocks, get to school. We decided that we had to help him get a wheelchair that would withstand the rough terrain of the lamps, porcelain & Van Der Pol cabinets, Chinese bed, furniture village, and that’s how the idea of an all-terrain wheelchair from Europe & China. was born,” says Brad. FOR BUSINESS SPECIAL PRICESAfter numerous brainstorming sessions, the team decided to build their prototype from materials that are easy to Jl. Parangtritis Sudut Ring Road Selatan Yogyakarta Tel. +62 274 4399 328 source and repair in Indonesia. The wheelchair frame, laminated seat, backrest, foot rest and rear basket are all

made from bamboo sourced from the slopes of Mount Agung in Ben village. The wheelchair is protected with environmentally-friendly lacquer and sealant to ensure that it withstands rough weather conditions. The decision was also made to use mountain bike wheels suitable for steep or uneven terrain. “As there is already a short supply of metal wheelchair parts in Bali, we wanted to find an alternative solution, and as owners of an eco store, we wanted to find a sustainable solution. As bamboo is found in abundance in Bali and throughout Asia, a bamboo wheelchair could be easily repaired by a bamboo artisan in a village,” Brad says, adding that each wheelchair has to be custom made to fit the beneficiary’s requirements. Up to date, Eco Living Bali and East Bali Bamboo Bikes have funded and built three bamboo wheelchairs. The first wheelchair, or the prototype, is currently on display in the Eco Living Bali shop in Kerobokan. The two other wheelchairs have been handed over to those in need. Nasrudin, who was the inspiration behind the project, received the second wheelchair, while the third wheelchair was donated to 15-year-old Nengah Macika, the son of one of the East Bali Bamboo Bikes craftsmen from Ban Village. “We have a growing list of underprivileged children and adults in Bali and Lombok who require all-terrain wheelchairs, and we are currently seeking funding to make them,” says Brad. “We are initially only targeting Bali and Lombok, however, we plan to expand to other islands soon and then hopefully the rest of Asia.” As the issue of access for people with disabilities is close to

Sustainable and Practical: All-Terrain Bamboo Wheelchairs Ben and Twone’s hearts, they do not make any profit from this venture. As such, Eco Living Bali urgently requires funding to build more wheelchairs. Each wheelchair sponsor will receive a certificate and a photo of the wheelchair their contribution helps to build. Those who sponsor an entire wheelchair will have their name or logo placed on the chair.

Nengah Macika’s Story

Macika was a healthy baby until three months of age when he developed high fever and suffered several seizures. Since then, Macika’s growth and mobility have been affected. He is also non-vocal and struggles to communicate with his family. Until 2004, when the East Bali Poverty Project established monthly parent-baby health posts in neighboring Cegi, there were no health facilities near Ben village, where Macika lives. In 2005, the East Bali Poverty Project found a volunteer professional massage therapist who trained Macika’s parents to give him daily massages, but he has shown little improvement. While Macika’s mobility remains restricted, his new all-terrain bamboo wheelchair means that he can now get around more freely. www.ecolivingbali.com https://www.eastbalipovertyproject.org https://www.eastbalibamboobikes.com

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