Garden Doctor

Bali House & Home GARDEN DOCTOR GARDEN DOCTOR Sustainable and Practical: All-Terrain Bamboo Wheelchairs GARDEN DOCTOR GARDEN DOCTOR Edible Tropical GardensGARDEN 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 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. 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 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 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 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. 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 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 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 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 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 As for lead contaminated soil which is sometimes an issue in Jet from Seminyak’ has been shown to reduce absorption of dietary lead. Similarly, those same two nutrients help reduce lead uptake in plants. mobility remains restricted, his new all-terrain bamboo wheelchair means that he can now get around more freely. 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. 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 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. www.ecolivingbali.com https://www.eastbalipovertyproject.org https://www.eastbalibamboobikes.com usually an indication that you have an aphid or scale 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 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. 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 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 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. 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 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 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. 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 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 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 roads. can explode into plague like proportions in just a matter of a also. Ants generally don’t like moist conditions, keep the soil 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 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. for that matter containing lead-based paint, then the more lead As the bugs consume the sap, the excrete a sweet ‘honeydew’ left contained on the interior and exterior walls of old buildings found in the surrounding garden beds. Most often areas most waste by-product, and ants absolutely love it. So of course, are still likely to be high. The safe level of lead in food is Here’s another tip. Plain old chalk used to write on chalkboards affected are under the dripline of the eaves due to the they move in to consume it - for them it’s like the sugar pot measured in parts per million so it’s easy to see how disturbed, is all that’s needed to keep the ants away. Ants will not walk weathering and runoff of leaded paints throughout the seasons. has been left out in the garden. From here a symbiotic crumbling, scraped, sanded or flaking paint can be a major through a line of powdery material such as chalk dust or talcum C/Bm/I-29 Jan 20 relationship develops between the bugs and the ants, source of direct contamination – whether from inhalation or powder. Test it and see!

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 Attacksno matter how hot it gets. Snake beans grow well too, the ‘Hi Kris, Ben and Twone’s hearts, they do not make any profit from 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 I’ve had a terrible time trying to grow salad greens for the kitchen. The few plants that did survive the onslaught of bugs and pests soon fl oundered in the heat. I am starting to reconsider if it’s even worth trying or perhaps trying something different, or growing in the wet season? The problem is I don’t know where to start and I am 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 local markets are often overfl owing with them. Asian greens such as bok choi, pak choi are possible, as well as Chinese cabbage or wombok but will probably benefi t from some protection from the hottest part of the day. Some varieties of kale may struggle due to the heat. Don’t even bother with broccoli or traditional cabbage, and hearting lettuce varieties 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. testing suggestions. Many thanks, Andrew. between two potters in front of our big bale. This unsure of what to try… any ideas? I would just like to accumulators such as low-growing leafy vegetables like lettuce, leaves alarm bells should be ringing as it’s the first sign that are out too. If you really must try lettuce grow an open leaf afternoon I removed a small bromeliad looking plant grow some edible plants to supplement my diet as part as well as root vegetables including carrots, onions, turnips and you have a problem. Ants are typically found on the ground variety such as oak leaf. Dear, Dr. Kris, I’ve read that living near heavy traffic and growing underneath one of the flower bushes thinking of a healthy lifestyle that I can eat fresh or radishes. As a general rule, the worst affected vegetables are and will only inhabit plants if there is a honeydew source, main roads increases the risk of lead contamination in the the ants could be attracted to the sap of the non-flower cooked. Thanks in advance for any either unwashed or unpeeled root vegetables. which means either aphids or other types of scale insects soil and is it bad for vegetable gardening? What are the risks or ways to make an edible garden in this situation? Thanks in advance, Jan. bush. To our surprise we revealed a HEAP of little mini 1.5cm snails with a long skinny yellowish-brown cone shell! I think perhaps the ants are loving the snail poo suggestions, Warren’ Leafy greens can be affected although much of this could possibly be surface borne dust. The least affected plants are have moved in. A quick check of the growing tips and the undersides of foliage will likely reveal the bugs. They say where there’s smoke there’s fire, well where there’s ants on because I found that the only 2 planters that had ants those that produce fruiting parts - whether or not we consider your plants you probably have a sap sucking insect problem. 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 Growing traditional vegetables suited to a them ‘fruit’ or ‘vegetables’. There’s very little danger of lead soil you likely be limited in what you can grow. The main factors the other. temperate climate in the tropics is more than a toxicity in anything from tomatoes to papayas and pumpkins 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 and a tendency to waterlog. Being unfamiliar with Indonesia’s little critters and land compositions I need some guidance for the best step forward to keep my garden thriving. The issue has just challenge - akin to a snow-fl akes chance in hell! During the tropical wet/dry seasons the climate and all fruit trees in general. Plants are fairly good at keeping lead out of themselves in most circumstances, but if the vegetables are covered in soil, or even 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 begun to show itself to be severe and deadly to our plant is either too hot, or there’s too much rain and an invisible layer of dust settles on fruit or leafy greens, you may with his family. Until 2004, when the East Bali Poverty Rejuvenating a poor soil is more involved then pouring fertiliser family! HOW DO WE GET RID OF THESE SNAILS/ANTS humidity or otherwise there’s not enough. And be consuming lead from the soil in that way. All fruit and Project established monthly parent-baby health posts in 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 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’ then if you can somehow successfully navigate the climate there are a seemingly inexhaustible supply of bugs and sap suckers to deal with that love this new exotic food you’ve brought into their environment. 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. 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. 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. 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 Some plants that we would all like to grow such as caulifl ower, cabbage, broccoli, or lettuce for example simply won’t withstand the heat. Even growing these in a temperate 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. Radishes will do well, plant from seed and they will germinate in a matter of days, you could be pulling them up within 3-4 weeks. They love the heat, and they are versatile. Radishes are best picked smaller and sooner rather than larger and www.ecolivingbali.com https://www.eastbalipovertyproject.org https://www.eastbalibamboobikes.com 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 usually an indication that you have an aphid or scale 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. summer climate would fail and run to seed on the fi rst hot day, meaning all winter season crops are out of consideration here in the tropics. 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 later. The larger, the more bland they become - they lose their peppery zing. Yet on the other hand if you let them go you can just keep picking the leaves for use in salads and soups, and just forget about the harvesting the root. The leaves have a 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. 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 So then, what about summer season vegetables? Well the heat certainly won’t be a problem. It is possible to grow many types of what we would consider summer vegetables in temperate climes – but for the most part it is possible only in the dry season. Avoid the wet season as the high humidity 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 peppery flavour much like arugula. After a few months unpicked radishes will fl ower and run to seed at which point you can harvest the seed pods or ‘radish peas’ as I like to call them. They are green and juicy, eat them raw straight off the plant or add to salads for a peppery crunch - tastes just like 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 away, lead levels are usually elevated directly next to main 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 and scales can rapidly decimate plants and their populations causes all sorts of problems usually staring with mildew and ending in fungus. Your options are limited to growing traditional summer crops in the dry season only. Here are some suggestions. 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 the same time. 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 and farming the bugs around you should probably deter them root yet the novelty of snacking on juicy bite-sized radish peas never wears off. Beetroot is another root crop that will also perform well in the dry season and just like the radishes you can pick the leaves roads. can explode into plague like proportions in just a matter of a Tomatoes will grow well during the dry season. Personally, I also. Ants generally don’t like moist conditions, keep the soil and add them to salads. Sprinkle some fl uffy dandelion seed few days. would opt for cherry/grape tomato varieties only. They seem On a final note – Old-school paints were up to 50% lead and around your plants well-watered directly to the root-zone so around the garden and perhaps grow some nasturtium, both In addition - generally the older the house, or any other building to be the hardiest, most prolifi c pest resistant tomatoes that even with newer layers painted over the top, the levels of lead you don’t wash off the pesticide. of which which will take care of themselves and you now have 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 I know of. What’s the point of growing your own if you have to spray fungicide and pesticide poison all over the place. 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 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 a good mix of salad greens including the radish and beetroot. Even better they are all hardy, relatively pest resistant, full of vitamins and minerals and will taste just as good if not better relationship develops between the bugs and the ants, Eggplants, chillies and pepper/capsicums will all grow well source of direct contamination – whether from inhalation or powder. Test it and see! than any traditional leafy vegetable once tossed and dressed.

C/Bm/I-29 Jan 20We now install 3M Safety & Security Window Films We now install 3M Safety & Security Window Films

ingestion. Please be careful when renovating your home. Have a professional remove flaking exterior lead-based paint to Anywhere you have ant problems get some chalk and start prevent future contamination. 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. It’s kind of amusing when you first start experimenting with 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 barrier line wherever they are entering. As for the snails, well it makes sense that they would be hiding around bromeliads or strappy type leafed plants. Snails 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. The snails in the pictures you have sent look like decollate snail (Rumina decollata) with the conical shell. They are 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 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. By Anita Copyright © 2019 Bali Advertiser Snails prefer cool, dark, moist places to hide out, so by 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 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. Modifying habitats can help prevent snail plagues by removal of hiding places such as thick clumps of vegetation, empty pots lying around and by using a rough dry mulch.

Dandelion and nasturtium are usually considered weeds but ingestion. Please be careful when renovating your home. Have they’re the types of plants I want to grow, the ones that grow a professional remove flaking exterior lead-based paint to Anywhere you have ant problems get some chalk and start themselves. If you can change your perspective, you will reap prevent future contamination. drawing barriers to the ants. Draw a circle around an ant and the rewards! 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 Really, the easiest way to grow your own food in the tropics course, after rain or every few days you may need to re-apply. is by growing tropical fruit and vegetable varieties that are suited to the climate - as they say….when in Rome! It’s kind of amusing when you first start experimenting with this. The chalk deterrent is also useful in the home as a good Start with tropical edibles that are at home in the heat and way to stop them entering the house for example through a humidity. Lemongrass, cardamom, turmeric, ginger, crack in the wall. Just draw a circle around the crack or a galangal, Thai basil and Vietnamese mint for starters. barrier line wherever they are entering. As for the snails, well it makes sense that they would be Vegetables will take off once the humidity hits. Sweet hiding around bromeliads or strappy type leafed plants. Snails potato, bitter melon, kangkong/water spinach, amaranth/ are molluscs and like a dark moist environment for protection mustard greens and rocket/arugula all grow well. Starchy and to avoid drying out. They will hide under leaf litter, dark tubers grow well in hot and humid summers, think taro or places and cover that keeps them moist. cassava otherwise known locally as ‘singkong’. I often see cassava thriving on dusty roadsides. The cassava The snails in the pictures you have sent look like decollate snail (Rumina decollata) with the conical shell. They are leaf or ‘daun singkong’ is a mainstay of ‘nasi padang’ and omnivores, so they will eat plants and other snails. If there other curries, just be careful to cook it properly and never are no brown garden snails to eat or other alternatives this eat it raw as it can be toxic if prepared incorrectly. snail is going to eat your plants and they can cause serious damage quickly. The easy fix is snail pellets, though not my Chokos/chayote which grows on a vine is another versatile preferred choice, especially if you have children and pets to vegetable that goes down well in a curry, the fresh vine consider. Laying down a dry rough mulch such as jagged shoots can be added to stir fry’s and curries. 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 Papaya is a tree that you can grow quickly from seed, to them and their delicate slimy exterior. potentially bearing fruit within a year of planting. Green By Anita papaya is popular as a vegetable in salads, or ‘rujak’. Papaya Copyright © 2019 Bali Advertiser Snails prefer cool, dark, moist places to hide out, so by juice is great, the seeds and leaves have multiple medicinal You can read all past articles of BA Feature Article at www.BaliAdvertiser.biz creating these locations in the garden you can locate the uses when infused as teas or even cooked and eaten. The snails and dispose of them. Upturned terracotta pots are a seeds can even be dried and used as a pepper substitute. 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 Edible gardeners in the temperate regions lament the fact them face down in the garden bed slightly propped up with that they don’t have the climate for growing exciting exotic a small gap for the snails to enter. Finally, the snail beer trap edible plants such as ginger, galangal, turmeric, sweet potato is the easiest way to take them out. A container, jar or a plastic or papaya but here in the tropics we have this fantastic bottle cut in half and then placed in the garden filled with a opportunity! It really makes tomatoes, cabbages and broccoli cup of beer is irresistible to snails and slugs. Dig it in level seem bland and boring, and that’s without even discussing with the soil so they can easily enter – they love the yeast. the possibilities with the plethora of fruits trees and vines Snails can easily be removed using the combination of available - now that’s a topic for another day! methods - hand picking, trapping, barriers, and bait/pellets. Modifying habitats can help prevent snail plagues by removal Whatever you decide on, always plant in a free draining of hiding places such as thick clumps of vegetation, empty soil for best results, kangkong/water spinach being the only pots lying around and by using a rough dry mulch. exception. Good Luck.

Dr. Kris

Dr. Kris Garden Doctor Contact: gardendoctor@hotmail.com Dr. Kris Garden Doctor Contact: gardendoctor@hotmail.com Garden Doctor Contact: dr.kris@ymail.com

Dr. Kris Garden Doctor Contact: gardendoctor@hotmail.com Copyright © 2019 Dr. Kris You can read all past articles of Dr. Kris Garden Doctor Contact: gardendoctor@hotmail.com Copyright © 2019 Dr. Kris You can read all past articles of C/Bm/I-6 Nov 19 Copyright © 2019 Dr. Kris You can read all past articles of Garden Doctor at www.BaliAdvertiser.biz Copyright © 2019 Dr. Kris You can read all past articles of Garden Doctor at www.BaliAdvertiser.biz Copyright © 2022 Dr. Kris You can read all past articles of Garden Doctor at www.BaliAdvertiser.biz Garden Doctor at www.BaliAdvertiser.biz 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

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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 Ben and Twone’s hearts, they do not make any profit from with disabilities. This means that many children and this venture. As such, Eco Living Bali urgently requires adults, and particularly those living in villages where funding to build more wheelchairs. Each wheelchair the rough terrain is not suitable for normal wheelchairs, sponsor will receive a certificate and a photo of the are confined to their homes. To try to rectify this dire wheelchair their contribution helps to build. Those who situation, Eco Living Bali, a supplier of sustainable sponsor an entire wheelchair will have their name or logo products made from natural ingredients, and East Bali placed on the chair.

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 Nengah Macika’s Story get to school. We decided that we had to help him get a Macika was a healthy baby until three months of age when wheelchair that would withstand the rough terrain of the he developed high fever and suffered several seizures. village, and that’s how the idea of an all-terrain wheelchair Since then, Macika’s growth and mobility have been was born,” says Brad. affected. He is also non-vocal and struggles to communicate with his family. Until 2004, when the East Bali Poverty After numerous brainstorming sessions, the team decided Project established monthly parent-baby health posts in to build their prototype from materials that are easy to neighboring Cegi, there were no health facilities near Ben source and repair in Indonesia. The wheelchair frame, village, where Macika lives. In 2005, the East Bali Poverty laminated seat, backrest, foot rest and rear basket are all 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

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 Grass on Clay

Ben and Twone’s hearts, they do not make any profit from ‘Dear Garden Doctor, condition of clay soil allowing for better drainage and root this venture. As such, Eco Living Bali urgently requires Would you know what is the easiest way to prepare clay penetration. Uptake of other nutrients will also be assisted by funding to build more wheelchairs. Each wheelchair soil or improve it before planting my buffalo turf grass the calcium content of the gypsum. If you’re lucky then gypsum sponsor will receive a certificate and a photo of the for a small courtyard area? My wife and I for the past two will work on your clay. Spread generous amounts of gypsum wheelchair their contribution helps to build. Those who years have been struggling with getting the grass to fully take in the front courtyard. Our backyard has been doing when the clay is moist and fork it in. sponsor an entire wheelchair will have their name or logo placed on the chair.

it fine, but the front is a heavy clay mix since the developers scraped off the top-soil and sold it before we came (so we’ve been told!). I’m going to dig it up and try again, do you have any other lawn tips for growing on clay – how I can get the best out of the grass? Thanks so much in advance, Richard.’

If your aim is also to plant a drought tolerant grass in the clay soil, then the deep-rooted buffalo grass is the perfect choice. A clay soil by definition will be made up of at least 35% clay. If moistened, clay soil feels sticky and will easily roll up into a ball. The clay particles are tiny and pack down on top of each other with small pore spaces which restrict water run-off through the soil. That is why clay soils become easily waterlogged. On the plus side they generally contain a high nutrient content for plant growth, though can be difficult to cultivate and become prone to expanding when wet and 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 cracking when dry. with his family. Until 2004, when the East Bali Poverty For an existing lawn that is suffering on clay, gypsum worked Project established monthly parent-baby health posts in Soil Amendments in will also help. First aerate the lawn with a fork, then spread neighboring Cegi, there were no health facilities near Ben 1kg of gypsum per sq/m and rake in. If the soil is dry, water village, where Macika lives. In 2005, the East Bali Poverty First, you’ll need to amend the soil it so that it becomes ideal after applying gypsum. Generally, gypsum is best mixed into Project found a volunteer professional massage therapist for planting grass. Start with a light tilling to break up the clay, then apply some topsoil/compost. The key is loosening up clay or heavy soils prior to laying turf. who trained Macika’s parents to give him daily massages, but he has shown little improvement. While Macika’s the clay and spreading organic matter/compost throughout the area that you intend to plant. Some people use sand or gypsum to break clay soil up. I highly recommend using It is always best to have a prepared soil laid before the lawn is planted whether on clay or sandy soil. For final preparations mobility remains restricted, his new all-terrain bamboo wheelchair means that he can now get around more freely. www.ecolivingbali.com organic matter instead, it supplies the nutrients that the newly always top dress with a thick layer of compost over the area https://www.eastbalipovertyproject.org planted lawn will need. and work it through the soil. The best way to improve any soil https://www.eastbalibamboobikes.com type is to add large amounts of organic matter or compost. Gypsum, otherwise known as clay-breaker is a quick fix used Add anything available such as compost, manure, seaweed, on the heaviest clay soils. If your clay is extremely heavy an dry leaves, even shredded newspaper, then fork it in and work addition of gypsum will help. Gypsum improves the physical it into the soil.

Watering

All new lawn types need to be kept moist during their establishment phase to ensure there is adequate water between the turf and the soil. This means a new root system will form and establish the new lawn firmly into the new site. Don’t over water, the soil needs to have periods of dry so that the roots will search deeper, becoming well rooted in the process. If possible, water early in the morning or in the evening so the lawn can absorb the moisture more effectively. If it’s been raining don’t water the grass at all. Watering early in the morning, then infrequently once the lawn is established is a general guide, and if rain is on the way hold off on watering both before and after - let nature do the work for you.

Mowing

C/BM/I-12 Feb 20

Buffalo grass must be mowed at the right height to ensure the turf remains in the best condition possible. Take care with the mower. Never remove more than one-third of the green leaf blade at any one time. This can weaken the grass and cause it to dry out easily on the hotter days. Mow the lawn to about 5 -6 cm high. To keep your lawn in maximum condition, mowing should take place on a regular basis. If possible don’t mow when the grass is wet. Lawns can be easily organically fertilised using a mulching mower or by regularly top dressing with compost. The trend these days is for smaller lawns, they are easier to manage and require less water.

Dr. Kris

Garden Doctor Contact: gardendoctor@hotmail.com

By AnitaBy Anita Copyright © 2019 Bali Advertiser You can read all past articles of BA Feature Article at www.BaliAdvertiser.biz Copyright © 2019 Bali Advertiser You can read all past articles of BA Feature Article at www.BaliAdvertiser.biz Copyright © 2019 Dr. Kris You can read all past articles of Garden Doctor at www.BaliAdvertiser.biz

C/Ho/G-1 Jan. 20

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