At 46 degrees latitude south, the area is called a temperate climate.

• The prevailing wind is westerly (45 mph) with cold weather coming on SouWesters.
• Rainfall averages 20 inches (500mm) with typically dry autumns and winters and most rain falls during December and January
• The long dry periods can occur with variation in annual rain from 13 to 25 inches.
• Floods occur on average every 7 years but can occur at any time with 3 in 3 months one year.
  

• Winters from May to August mean a no grass growth period of 120 days.
• At 640 feet above sea level (200 meters) and surrounded by hills the area experiences 100 ground frosts a year.  This helps keep the area relatively free of many pests and diseases.

A change in fertilizer policy at Garthmyl      

For forty years Garthmyl has followed  the traditional solid fertilizer recommendations of  Lime and Superphosphate applications to the soils.

A recent reading of Dr Arden Anderson’s book “Science in Agriculture” has inspired us to experiment using COMPOST TEA. For the 2005 and 2006 in Spring an application of this brew has been applied. Noticeable results include;

• No damage from Porina or Grass Grub
• Reduction in thistle and barley grass in pastures
• Grass growth during the winter and for longer during dry spells
• Preference by stock for Compost T pastures
• A better smell to the soil under the grass
• Root thatch broken and more earth worm activity
• Grass roots reaching down 4 to 6 inches within a year reaching the nutrients necessary for healthy grass
• The Brix (sugar levels) double within a year in grass leaves

Trials are being conducted using “Triggers” to stimulate the chemical release of essential elements, in the soil, to be more available to plants and thus animals.

For more information on this go to www.foliafeed.co.nz