Your Questions About Gardening

GardenersCardiff answers:

Tried growing last year, but I planted too late and 5 out of 6 didn’t even sprout. Unfortunately, hop shortage means rhizomes for growing your own are in shortage, too. My LHBS doesn’t even know what they’ll be getting, but I’d love to get Cascade, Cenetennial, Columbus, and Hallertauer.
If you do get some, plant in pots in your kitchen near the window (if you’re in a northern region) so they can begin sprouting early and you won’t have to worry about frost…

GardenersCardiff answers:

Hi, Capt, many answers here are very good and home brewing is very rewarding.
If you live in a major metro area no doubt there are home brew shops you can visit. People there are friendly and helpful with much information and beer wisdom.
Most ‘hard’ items can be used over and over again for many years.
I’m brewing now at a place called You Brew-It using THEIR equipment, cookers, coolers and lagering facilities. Then I CAN it with their canner. It’s great and there might be a place like this wherever you are. I recommend this method although brewing at your place can produce excellent results.
Http://www.westcoastubrew.com/
or
http://www.ubrewit.com.au/
or
http://www.thebeerfactory.com.au/index.html

Some good home brew info here ::
http://www.realbeer.com/edu/homebrewing/

Yes, it’s hard to grow your own hops and barley – it takes years to grow hop vines big enough to use, and barley takes a lot of equipment.
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GardenersCardiff answers:

No,you don’t need one. A properly organised aquarium means getting the balance right….the volume and surface area of the water,the quantity of fish and plants,the temperature,and the light. When it’s right it is a self-sustaining mini ecological system. Fish droppings feed the plants and the plants help to oxygenate the water for the fish.The volume and surface area are governed by the size and shape of the tank….everything else follows from that. It’s best to get your plants growing first before any fish are put in….when it’s nicely settled in a week or so,then it’s time for some fish. Snails and catfish help to keep the glass and gravel clean,..biological vaccuum cleaners..haha….and a decent filter and aerator is normally required,but in a large tank properly balanced even that isn’t strictly necessary. Lakes and seas manage quite well without them. Getting the balance that good however is a bit of a struggle,so we take the easy way and get a filter and aerator.