My new sheath just turned up from JRE industries for a Spyderco Bushcraft. Fits really well. I never liked the old sheath that came with the blade.
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The foragers Guide to Wild Foods by Nicole Apelian. I know this is an Australian Bushcraft blog but I became hooked on learning Northern Hemisphere plants from doing Paul Kirkleys online identification course. This is a book thats on my to buy list. One day I hope to do a trip through the Boreal Forrest.
I was going through some old picture files and found some from the level 1 course with Bushcraft Survival Australia. I met Scotty from you-tubes “Scoty goes walk abouts” there too. Ill see what else I can find . I didnt take too many photos.
Ive been getting more and more into traditional knife designs lately and have been looking for a Leuku style blades that have an upgraded to a handle that wont slip and better steels than spring type steels and a full tang to suit Australian timbers. I tend to like 8 inch blades for having more control for limbing and making timber projects than using axes. Leuku is a Finnish word meaning big knife used by the Sammi People. Ill be looking into the below two companies in the new year. Utility tools also makes a really nice Kephart blade that interests me too.
http://utilitytoolknives.com/what-makes-a-knife-a-utility-tool-knife/utk0200-8-inch-field-knife/
Apart from finishing off Wilderness Medicine that I had to postpone this year due to ill health. I have a fly fishing stream craft course in the new year followed by level 2 bushcraft with Gordon Deadman. Then back to NSW to catch up with Al Ainsworth and Jake Cassar to do more on foraging and bush foods. Followed by Tacmed Australia Tactical Medicine stop the bleed training. Im still looking for a Permaculture Design course at some stage in 2022 aswell.
Meanwhile Im downsizing from a 17 foot caravan. An old timber framed Millard that has been fully restored to a 14 foot trailer fashioned after an American Cargo trailer set up. Lets call it a bug out trailer for fun but Ill be living in it. I have just enough to build it and fit windows and solar before being broke until the sale of the caravan before I can insulate and clad the interior walls, before beginning to travel once again. The 14 footer will be fitted out for more off road use and larger battery and solar panels , an outdoor shower to stay fully off grid for months at a time. Stay tuned for the build posts.
Im looking for someone that has a property that they are willing to lease out a section in exchange for a couple of hours of work a day helping with working the land. Id like to set up an on going Permaculture come food forest garden system. Along with living in a tipi and document it all. Ill see how far I get and how my health holds up but thats the plan so far.
Ive been looking for a bushcraft gear belt that can hold a possibles pouch, knife, axe, saw etc in traditional leather. I think Ive finally come across one I really like. Made by anvil Hides out of Hermann Oak 7mm bridal leather, advertised as an unbreakable belt. 44mm wide with solid brass fittings, double holed. I had been trying to find off cuts of bridal leather to update the belt straps on my possibles pouch and stumbled across this site. Looking forward to hearing back from them in the new year.
Warrigal Greens or New Zealand Spinach gets its name from its seeds because they look like puppies heads and Warrigal is the Wiradjuri word for dog and are a perennial spinach-like plant native across south eastern Australia. They are easy to grow and are an excellent ground cover producing bright, green leaves than can be harvested and blanched like spinach.
Like spinach and other leafy greens, Warrigal Greens contain oxalates meaning that it’s important that they’re blanched or cooked before eating (the heat removes the acid).
The botanical name of Tetragonia was given because the woody seeds are ten-sided. It’s also known as NZ Spinach as it’s native to New Zealand and also parts of eastern Asia, Chile, Argentina. A member of the ice plant or Aizoaceae family, Warrigal greens are an edible succulent.
The native plant grows quickly to 2 m across and around 30 cm high, Leaves contain high levels of vitamin K, as well as vitamins C and B6, and manganese. This is a native plant and should not be harvested wild, however the seeds can be purchased and grown.
They are one of those plants I would like to plant and have go wild on properties to gather and provide a crop year round
Seeds
https://www.theseedcollection.com.au/Warrigal-Greens
Recipes
Ive been having more requests on setting up gardens and what to grow than bushcraft techniques lately, only a few more posts on homesteading and back to bushcraft. I dont mind doing research for people its something Im good at. Maybe I should have started a gardening Blog.
January
Amaranth, Asparagus Pea, Beans / Climbing & Bush, Beetroot, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Burdock, Carrots, Chives, Coriander, Cucumber, Huauzontle, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Lettuce, Malabar Greens, Mustard Greens, Okra, Oregano, Parsley, Parsnip, Pumpkin, Radish, Rocket, Rosella, Silverbeet, Squash, Sunflower, Sweet Corn, Turnips / Swedes, Warrigal Greens, NZ Spinach
Febuary
Amaranth, Asparagus Pea, Beetroot, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Burdock, Cabbage (tight-headed), Carrots, Chives, Coriander, Cucumber, Endive, Florence Fennel, Huauzontle, Jerusalem Artichoke, Kale, Collards, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Long Yam, Luffa, Malabar Greens, Mangle-wurzel, Mizuna, Mustard Greens, Okra, Onion, Oregano, Pak Choy, Bok Choy etc, Parsley, Parsnip, Peas/Snow Peas, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Quinoa, Radish, Rocket, Rockmelon, Rosella, Salsify, Shallots, Silverbeet, Spring Onions, Spinach, Squash, Sunflower, Sweet Corn, Sweet Potato, Tomatoes, Turnips / Swedes, Warrigal Greens, NZ Spinach, Watermelon, Water Chestnut, Zucchini
March
Amaranth, Beetroot, Broad Beans, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Burdock, Cabbage (loose-headed), Cabbage (tight-headed), Carrots, Cauliflower, Chives, Coriander, Endive, Florence Fennel, Kale, Collards, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Lettuce, Malabar Greens, Mizuna, Mustard Greens, Onion, Oregano, Pak Choy, Bok Choy etc, Parsley, Parsnip, Radish, Rocket, Rockmelon, Rosella, Salsify, Shallots, Silverbeet, Spinach, Turnips / Swedes
April
Beetroot, Broad Beans, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Burdock, Cabbage (loose-headed), Cabbage (tight-headed), Carrots, Cauliflower, Chives, Endive, Garlic, Huauzontle, Jerusalem Artichoke, Kale, Collards, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Lettuce, Mangle-wurzel, Mizuna, Mustard Greens, Onion, Oregano, Pak Choy, Bok Choy etc, Parsley, Peas/Snow Peas, Radish, Rocket, Salsify, Shallots, Silverbeet, Spinach, Turnips / Swedes
May
Broad Beans, Burdock, Cabbage (loose-headed), Cabbage (tight-headed), Carrots, Chicory, Chives, Endive, Garlic, Huauzontle, Jerusalem Artichoke, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Mangle-wurzel, Mizuna, Mustard Greens, Oregano, Pak Choy, Bok Choy etc, Parsley, Peas/Snow Peas, Radish, Rocket, Salsify, Shallots, Silverbeet, Spinach, Turnips / Swedes
June
Broad Beans, Cabbage (loose-headed), Cabbage (tight-headed), Chicory, Endive, Garlic, Jerusalem Artichoke, Lettuce, Onion, Peas/Snow Peas, Radish, Shallots
July
Broad Beans, Cabbage (loose-headed), Cabbage (tight-headed), Chicory, Endive, Garlic, Jerusalem Artichoke, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Mustard Greens, Onion, Parsnip, Peas/Snow Peas, Radish, Shallots
August
Artichoke (Globe), Asparagus, Beetroot, Cabbage (loose-headed), Cabbage (tight-headed), Chicory, Endive, Garlic, Jerusalem Artichoke, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Lettuce, Mustard Greens, Onion, Parsnip, Peas/Snow Peas, Potatoes, Radish, Shallots, Spinach, Spring Onions, Tomatoes, Watermelon
September
Amaranth, Artichoke (Globe), Asparagus, Asparagus Pea, Basil, Beans / Climbing & Bush, Beetroot, Broccoli, Burdock, Cabbage (loose-headed), Cabbage (tight-headed), Capsicum, Carrots, Celeriac, Celery, Chicory, Chilli, Chives, Coriander, Cucumber, Eggplant, Endive, Florence Fennel, Garlic, Jerusalem Artichoke, Kale, Collards, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Lettuce, Malabar Greens, Mangle-wurzel, Mizuna, Mustard Greens, Oregano, Pak Choy, Bok Choy etc, Parsley, Parsnip, Peas/Snow Peas, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Radish, Rocket, Rockmelon, Salsify, Shallots, Silverbeet, Spinach, Tomatoes, Turnips / Swedes, Watermelon, Zucchini
October
Amaranth, Artichoke (Globe), Asparagus, Asparagus Pea, Basil, Beans / Climbing & Bush, Beetroot, Broccoli, Burdock, Cabbage (loose-headed), Cabbage (tight-headed),, Capsicum, Carrots, Chicory, Chilli, Chives, Coriander, Cucumber, Eggplant, Florence Fennel, Garlic, Kale, Collards, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Lettuce, Luffa, Malabar Greens, Mangle-wurzel, Mizuna, Mustard Greens, Okra, Oregano, Pak Choy, Bok Choy etc, Parsley, Parsnip, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Quinoa, Radish, Rocket, Rockmelon, Rosella, Salsify, Silverbeet, Spring Onions, Squash, Sunflower, Sweet Corn, Tomatoes, Turnips / Swedes, Warrigal Greens, NZ Spinach, Watermelon, Water Chestnut, Zucchini
November
Amaranth, Artichoke (Globe), Asparagus, Asparagus Pea, Basil, Beans / Climbing & Bush, Beetroot, Broccoli, Burdock, Cabbage (loose-headed), Capsicum, Carrots, Celeriac, Celery, Chicory, Chilli, Chives, Coriander, Cucumber, Eggplant, Kale, Collards, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Lettuce, Long Yam, Luffa, Malabar Greens, Mangle-wurzel, Mizuna, MustardGreens, Okra, Oregano, Parsley, Parsnip, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Quinoa, Radish, Rocket, Rockmelon, Rosella, Salsify, Silverbeet, Squash, Sunflower, Sweet Corn, Tomatoes, Turnips / Swedes, Warrigal Greens, NZ Spinach, Watermelon, Zucchini
December
Amaranth, Asparagus Pea, Basil, Beans / Climbing & Bush, Beetroot, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Burdock, Cabbage (tight-headed), Capsicum, Carrots, Chicory, Chilli, Chives, Coriander, Cucumber, Eggplant, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Lettuce, Luffa, Malabar Greens, Mizuna, Mustard Greens, Okra, Oregano, Parsley, Parsnip, Peas/Snow Peas, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Quinoa, Radish, Rocket, Rockmelon, Rosella, Salsify, Silverbeet, Squash, Sunflower, Sweet Corn, Tomatoes, Turnips / Swedes, Warrigal Greens, NZ Spinach, Watermelon, Zucchini
Disclaimer; Dont get your panties in a twist
I know its a bushcraft blog but I also train in several martial arts, archery, shooting,fishing, I build stuff etc etc. Im disabled, not dead and I make the most out of the time I have. I may start a martial art section but I dont write that much about martial arts to make it worth while. So Im placing this under the prep section.
Id like to recommend the online training at the Kali Center. With covid Ive been trying to keep up with my training especially with a low immune system so online seems the go. There arent a lot of online training courses that I can recommend and Ive done many but this one i can can goes into a lot of depth and worth looking at.
I would wait till he runs specials to get the best price. Ive trained primarily in Amok as a knife skill. The kali Ive trained in made knife work look like Tai Chi. Ive found one flaw in most martial arts is that no one cross trains. MMA takes bits and pieces but they dont train in the individual martial art to se what they are trying to teach.
There are only so many ways of punching or kicking, its the intent or mindset or energy that training in each style allows you to obtain. So I cross train in knife fighting. I have my primary style of Amok but also look at Floro, Traditional Apache, Systema, Bowie knives, Libre etc.
While traveling and studying theres only so much you can do so this is my way to keep up with blade work. The past few years Ive trained mainly in weaponry, its easier when you have injuries that trying to do high kicks and walking away with bruises covering your body, which I do anyway, as I mainly pick combative styles to train in. I have 65% lung capacity if I dont walk away after a session feeling like Ive been run over by a truck then I dont see the sense in training in that style.
I luv Amok. It took me 5 years of training before I had permission to get an Amok tattoo. I told Tom Sotis Id get it in my armpit so he knew I was serious but I still cross train. Sticks and Jo are a great way to keep up my rehab as well. A great passively way of working injuries and building up damaged tissue.
https://www.kalicenter.training/courses/kali-knife-fighting
As a side note I didnt get a tattoo to say Ive trained in blades. I had lost a over decade of my life to sickness and probably tried to make up for it too fast. The guys in Amok and Systema took me in and made it easier for me to re-adjust to a normal life around people. I got the tattoo to honor them. I may write about it sometime.
Homemade Pest Control
Scale and Mealybugs: Make an oil preparation that suffocates them by mixing four tablespoons of dish washing liquid into one cup of vegetable oil. Mix one part of that mixture to about twenty parts of water, put it in your sprayer and spray the affected plants.
Aphids, Caterpillars and Other Insects: Add two tablespoons of soap flakes to one litre of water and stir thoroughly until completely dissolved (this is quicker in warm water). There is no need to dilute this further, just spray it on as is.
Black Spot Fungicide: In Queensland, Black Spot’s a major problem with roses, but this fungicide mixture works miracles. Add three teaspoons of bicarb soda to one litre of water. Don’t get carried away with the bicarb soda because if you make it too strong, it’ll cause all sorts of problems. Add a few drops of either dishwashing liquid, or fish emulsion to help the solution adhere to the leaf more effectively.
Fungicide: Mix one level teaspoon of bicarb soda into one litre of water. Add one litre of skim milk and a pinch of Condy’s Crystals which you can get from a produce agent (someone that supplies to horse owners). Shake thoroughly.
Grasshopper, Caterpillar and Possum Deterrent: Mix a cup of molasses into one litre of water and spray it over new foliage.
Nematodes: Add half a litre of molasses to two litres of water and spread over one and a half square metres of affected garden area.
All-round Insecticide: Chop four large onions, two cloves of garlic, and four hot chillies. Mix them together and cover with warm, soapy water and leave it to stand overnight. Strain off that liquid and add it to five litres of water to create an all-round insecticide.
Pesticide: Crush a whole bulb of garlic and cover with vegetable oil. After two days, strain off the liquid, add a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid and use one millilitre of concentrate to one litre of water.
Herbicide: Add a cup of common salt to a litre of vinegar. After it’s dissolved, brush it directly onto weeds. Remember, it’s not a selective weed killer. It’ll kill anything it touches so be very careful how you use it.
Predator Attractor: Predators that prey on pests are great things to have in the garden. Lacewings are particularly desirable because they consume aphids and many other pests. To encourage them into your garden, dissolve one teaspoon of a yeast based sandwich spread in water and spray it all over the plants.