Balcony Garden Update

Well the Garden on the Balcony was doing really good, but we have had a poor summer so far weather wise, and some bad storms.
Last week after a very strong winds tore threw the city it played havoc with my Tomatoes, although they have survived they are all now lying flat in a blanket mesh across the balcony.
One part of me wants to hack it down to small bushes but the other part says just leave it till its finished with all the fruit, as it is producing lots of cherry tomatoes.

One of the reasons I grew cherry Toms was because of the smaller size they grow, but even at about a meter high, they still got beaten by the winds, something that is hard to avoid when your so high up!

anyway heres some pics and video on the journey so far.

Freshly planted

halfway there

Looking good

After the wind

Lots of Tomatoes and Basil

EDC - Every Day Carry

Little bit different from the gardening videos but something I think is important to have..
EDC or Every Day Carry, a small collection of items that can be used in a an emergency situation
Mine is specific for my inhabitant Urban city Life and the things I feel will be most useful.

This is in addition to a BOB - Bug Out Bag that everyone should have packed and ready at home in case of emergency departure from storms, earthquakes, fire. a 3 day bag with food and preps, I will do a follow up video on a BOB.

If You like this sort of Survival topic I strongly suggest you take a look at fellow prepper Dan, at his Blog 
The Daily Prep

My HTC Android phone, access email, contacts, A watch with mini compass, Sun glasses Wallet with ID and cash, BG gerber Pocket Knife, Mint strips, Key fob with USB Thumb drive encrypted with copies of Passports , Birth certificat and photos, Dog Tag mirror for signaling, Whistle, and Hand crank mini torch.

Ikea Sunnan Solar Lamp Hack

Ikea Sunnan Solar Lamp Hack
I purchased The solar powered Lamp from Ikea called "Sunnan" it was only $20 which I think for the quailuty of the product is good value.

The best thing is the potenial to hack this to power other small appliances and devices, so I have made a video of taking it apart.

I also found a similar Solar Powered lamp on EBAY for $9.96 free shipping from Hong Kong

Ikea Sunnan Solar Lamp

Solar Cell and Power pack pops out

4 x screws to remove cover

3 x AA 1200 mAh  1.2v battries

small circuit with Diode and fuse

base comes apart with removal of 4 screws

Aquaponics disaster and update

After starting the Aquaponics in Sept 2011 the plants grew fantastic before a really bad Aphid attack took over.

I tried everything including a non chemical method of Garlic (boiled) mixed with a little Olive oil and spayed all the plants.

The results were disastrous killing most of the plants and most of my fish. So mid Dec I gave it another overhaul and clean out and replanted again and added some new fish stock.

Fingers crossed....

The system as of Jan 2012 doing well

Newly added fish stock

Replanted System in Dec 2011

Dec 2011 just before it all collapsed 

System planted Sept 2011

Cool Time Capture video