# Lessons from the Spade #

So we definitely had some challenges. We planted a whole whack of fruit tree's and WOW, they just continue growing and really flourishing. We planted some melon seed's and watched the little green lives burst forth from the earth. Excited, and really motivated...our bubbles burst, when they just died.
THIS IS WHAT WE LEARNT:
1)Apart from the fact that due to the heat, watering is vital and even more so in the "setting" stages of anything planted. Obviously the more fragile, the more water.
2)Without fertilizer, nothing will grow here. Whether you use organic (as we prefer), or whatever you choose, these little guys need food.
3)Remember crop rotation, good to google. Helps to know what potatoes for eg. are using so when you plant the next crop, you need to choose wisely for the ground to "rebuild" those minerals.
4)To live off nature...you contend against nature! Yes, sad as it may be, I love nature but when you are trying to grow your own crops...lets see? Monkeys, rabbits, birds...and if you happen to have chickens. Well! lets say snakes and monitors are quite intimidating when you lean over to collect the eggs. NB! Always look before putting hands into laying area's...you really cant be sure who has come to visit!