Just Add Worms » time out

Bigger And Better In 2012 With Some Cute Additions

Rodney — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 09:46:36 +0000

Even though I started work last Wednesday today has really been the first serious day of production with diversions to the veggie garden, chicken coops and bee hives a definite no go. I’ve enjoyed the time out despite the damp and dismal weather but now its time to get those late December early January orders underway and on their way.

I hope you’ve had an enjoyable break with family and friends and that like myself you are looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead in this new year. The Christchurch earthquake, subsequent quakes, Pike River and the Rena grounding meant that 2011 was rather traumatic for many therefore here’s hoping that this year will be less eventful.

We have some exciting new innovations and products planned for the year ahead but I’ll tell more about these later.

Yes you did hear correctly we’re now selling chickens.

Sorry, just couldn’t resist.

If you have placed a non chicken order during the last few weeks please be assured that we will be doing our very best it get it to you within the next 10 working days.

Thank You And Merry Christmas

Rodney — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 11:21:33 +0000

Wow, frantic and frenetic are just some of the words that best describe the last three weeks as we’ve been very busy getting our orders made up and away in time for Christmas. As tired as I feel just now I know my to do list is not fully cleared until I publish this brief and final post for 2011. We’ve had anther great year and it all because of the tremendous support that we have received from clients from Stewart Island in the south to Mangonui in the north.

Before I literally doze off in front of this screen I would just like to thank all those amazing people who have supported us with their custom and comments during the past year.

Like myself I hope you enjoy your break with family and friends and that 2012 will be a better year than the one that is soon to close.

I’m sure we all feel that way towards the folk in Christchurch.

Here’s wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year. Especially to our wonderful daughter Daniela who is working in Vancouver Canada.

Feeding Birds In A Bottle

Rodney — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 08:25:03 +0000

The idea of making a bird feeder from an empty Just Juice bottle occurred to me on a wet Saturday afternoon as I was disposing of “our plastics” in the recycling bin. Plastic is one of my pet hates therefore I’m often thinking of other ways that it can be put to good use. I figured that if an opening was cut in the side or bottom of the bottle birds may venture into it to feed.

At the time I didn’t know what birds if any might be tempted.

After carefully fashioning the entrance with a sharp stanley knife (need to be very careful doing this) I cut three pieces of waste timber to make the stand. This would hopefully keep the bottle stable and prevent it from being blown away. The halves of mandarin shown in this video are kept in place by 3 x 30mm screws protruding from the lengthwise piece of timber within the bottle.

These feeders are positioned on our front deck and we love watching the antics of the silver eyes. To date they are the only birds brave enough to enter.

If you’re thinking of making a feeder like these its only a twenty minute job and costs next to nothing to make.

Colours Of Autumn

Rodney — Wed, 18 May 2011 09:29:51 +0000

Now that we are well into autumn there’s less to do in the vegetable garden and I have more time to relax and take in the ever changing textures and colours of the season.

Thank You And Merry Christmas From The Team At Just Add Worms

Rodney — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 10:16:33 +0000

Our blog has been some what neglected of late as we’ve been frantically busy getting all the December orders made up to be delivered in time for Christmas. This has meant my blogging and garden have taken a back seat. One morning last week I even dragged myself out of bed at 4.30 so as to catch up on the back log. Needs must but I certainly don’t want to make a habit of doing that!

At the time of writing this its 11.30 pm Christmas Eve and I’m finally winding down with a few glasses of wine after a very busy week. One of my last tasks is this blog post after which I intend going into “relax mode” until early in the new year, already the wine seems to be helping!

I’m also looking forward to spending some time pottering in the veggie garden and working with the bees.

Will look at dusting off the tools again around the 10th of January as we already have orders to get out.

Our tui feeders have certainly proven to be a very popular Christmas gift this year with many of the fairer sex informing us that after years of asking they’ve finally made the decision to get one. This is because they doubt that “their handy man” will ever get around to knocking something together.

That’s just fine by us and of course no names mentioned!

To those wonderful clients who have supported us with their custom, encouragement and comments during the past year I would just like to say … “thank you” your custom is appreciated.

You’ve kept us busy and enabled our small business to grow in a year that has sometimes been difficult and challenging.

Special thanks also to our family, friends and suppliers who have stepped in to help whenever it was needed.

Wherever you are reading this may your Christmas be merry, relaxing and an opportunity to be with family and friends.

Until next time …. “Merry Christmas”.

Orders can still be made via the Garden Shop however delivery will be approximately 10 working days form 10th January 2011.

Tiritiri Matangi Island Bird Sanctuary

Rodney — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 09:03:26 +0000

Even though I’ve lived in Auckland for almost 40 years I’ve never visited any of the off shore islands so when I was invited to check out “Tiri” about 4 weeks ago I jumped at the chance. Brian a friend of mine from Forest & Bird was keen to get back to the island with his camera and wanted to know if I would join him.

The overcast Thursday offered me a great opportunity to escape my workshop and to experience the peace, beauty and tranquility of this magical island retreat situated in the Hauraki Gulf.

The ferry trip from Auckland took about 75 minutes stopping off at Gulf Harbour along the way to pick up more passengers.

Immediately upon stepping on the island I sensed that this special place was going to quickly grow on me. Once the briefing from the DOC ranger was over we promptly set off to explore. In our travels we were also hoping to shoot some memorable photos and video of the bird life and anything else that might be of interest.

As we walked the tracks we were soon to be greeted by various birds but rather than prattle on as I’m sometimes prone I will let the video tell the remainder of our story.

We spent a very enjoyable day on Tiritiri Matangi and hope to return before too long as there is so much more to see. If you’ve never visited “Tiri” and are contemplating doing so I can now highly recommend it as an unforgettable experience.

Lest We Forget

Rodney — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 08:56:44 +0000

“They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them.”

My Dad Leslie Dunn Snr -21st New Zealand infantry battalion. 1939-1945 Western desert Egypt and his medals below.

Below: Alexander Beaton, 18th New Zealand infantry battalion. My great uncle missing in action at the battle of El Alamein Western desert Egypt 15th July 1942. Also the medal his mother, my great grandmother received. Both my father and uncle were fighting german troops led by the field marshal Erwin Rommel, also known as the desert fox.

New Zealand Memorial Cross. Instituted 12 September 1947 by King George VI.

This medal was awarded to the next-of-kin of NZ service personnel killed on active service (since 1995, this includes deaths during peace-keeping operations). Award is made to the nearest female relative if there is both a mother and a wife 2 crosses are awarded.

Below: Robert Dunn my grandfather after returning from the Boer war 1899-1902. Seventh contingent No 23 company Nelson section & No 24 company Canterbury section made up of 28 officers and 572 men.

Below: dawn service 25th April 2010 at cenotaph at Auckland War Memorial Museum. Set off at 4.30 am with our youngest son Fraser.

Wishing You A Merry Christmas And A Happy New Year

Rodney — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 09:48:38 +0000

It’s Christmas Eve tomorrow and among the many things I need to do before then is to write this last post of 2009 to wish you, wherever you are reading this, the very best for the festive season.

Also a special thank you to all those people who have supported me with their custom, encouragement and comments this past year, it’s greatly appreciated.

The first year of the Just Add Worms has been all about hard work, perseverance and learning new skills however I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.

Over the next few weeks I intend to take some time out to relax with family and friends and to enjoy some moderate excesses of good wine and food, naturally the food coming from my own garden.

Tomorrow I will go through the annual ritual of rolling out and preparing the barbecue for Christmas day lunch, year number 26 or thereabouts. It will be time then to just put my feet up and relax.

Well that’s the plan …. don’t tell the other half!

I hear you ask, what about your garden?

Well yes, a little work will need to be done there but at this time of year it’s more about gathering and enjoying it’s spoils.

Until next time … enjoy your time out.

Merry Christmas and may 2010 prove to be everything you want it to be.

Almost forgot … will be starting production again on the the 11th January but in the meantime feel free to place any orders through the “Garden Shop” located in the menu at the top of this web page. Promise to get onto it as soon as I start back.

Spring -The Season Of Sensation

Rodney — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 08:25:48 +0000

These new buds on one of the plum trees that I pruned about 3 weeks back signal that spring is near.

As I am an avid photographer I’m always on the lookout for that great shot so one rainy morning last week I downed my tools, grabbed the camera and went wandering in the garden. Due to the fact that there was poor light and close up images on slow shutter speeds to capture I also took the larger of my two tripods with me.

Of late the weather in Auckland has been milder and that magical feeling one gets as spring approaches was the motivation for getting out and about to take these shots.

Below: Another sure sign that spring is approaching is this cherry tree in full bloom. The nectar from it’s flowers is very much a favourite with the tuis.

Below: Magnolias always brighten our garden in late winter.

Spring is my favourite time of year as it allows me to spend more time in my garden.

Tribute To Olde Timers

Rodney — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 21:43:15 +0000

A little over a week ago I took a day out from my usual routine to visit the agricultural field days which take place at Mystery Creek just south of Hamilton. The last time I went was about six years ago, its a much bigger event now.

Nathan our eldest son took some time off from his business and was the driver for the day so I was able to play the part of the tourist which was great. The weather was fine when we started off at 9 am but two hours later as we entered the show ground it began to rain and it steadily worsened as the day progressed.

Rain is expected at the field days so its a day for umbrellas, hot coffee and gumboots.

In spite of the cold and dismal weather we had a relaxing day and took in 90% of what there was to see ranging from Suzuki cheerleaders with goose bumps, it was cold, massive John Deere tractors, the latest in dairy effluent systems, mobile sawmills, green houses, gourmet food and everything else in between.

The highlight of my day however was seeing the collection of vintage tractors as I have a passion for these old timers. Many an uncomfortable hour was spent on similar machines as a youngster.

The David Brown pictured above and Massey Ferguson below were just two of the many work horses that rattled my young bones as I turned hay and harrowed paddocks on the family farm.

Those days we were expected to pitch in and do our fair share of the work.

From there we went to check out today’s models and “wow” what a contrast.

Massive machines that can do the same amount of work in a quarter of the time I suspect. No freezing knuckles or sun burnt face and arms with these dream machines with their comfortable air conditioned cabs and mod cons.

The farmers and contractors of today don’t know how easy they’ve got it compared to those early days.

If any of them read this it should bring about a few gruff retorts.

I’m certainly not against progress or new technology, quite the contrary as it would have been great to have had such wonderful machinery during my early farming years.

This post has little to do with gardening but I really did enjoy my day amidst the tractors be they vintage or the latest hi tech.

Favourite Quotes
Once a new technology rolls over you, if you’re not part of the steamroller, you’re part of the road. Stewart Brand