DIY Mini Herb Garden - 2 weeks on...

Remember my previous blog post on setting up DIY Mini Herb Garden? I have blogged about the outcome on my hamster blog and thought I should repost the content here.

Sage, Wheat Grass & Lemon Balm

The seeds started to sprout within a few days and I have transplanted them to organic soil. The growing rate of wheat grass is super fast. Average growing height is around 1 cm per day. It has been 2 weeks since I first started and the hamsters are enjoying the end products.

Usually I will trim around 2 cm portion of wheat grass, soak it before 'presenting' to Fly or Nami. I would recommend hamster owners to give it a try. The whole experience is quite a breeze and quite fun to see Fly snatching the wheatgrass from my fingers and chomping down in great delight. Nami is not so fond of wheat grass though.

Wheat Grass

DIY Mini Herb Garden

Have been thinking about having a tiny herb garden by the kitchen yard even though I don't seem to have any green fingers =<

Have killed 1 pot of lemon balm previously but the thought of having fresh herbs at my disposal is rather tempting. Not too sure if anyone has encountered the same situation where you only need a small amount of herbs but the quantity sold is always much more than what you need. No doubt you can freeze the herbs and save it for future usage but I find it a hassle especially with the limited fridge size.

HIS only concern is whether these plants will attract any insects. That is also one of my concern. I tend to run at the first sight of any crawly/flying creatures while screaming for enforcement (HIM). But the thought of having a tiny herb garden is just too tempting.

Source: http://www.home-dzine.co.za/garden/garden-herb-garden.htm

 I love the above idea which is made entirely from recycled material. Herbs are kept neatly with clear labels and the entire setup can be easily transported to other corners of the house as when required.

Bought some seeds from Horti Flora which is stocked at NTUC Fairprice. Decided to make full use of these toy capsules which have tiny holes at the bottom as part of my basic germination kit. Have also placed trimmed pieces of filter bags at the bottom of the toy capsules which will prevent soil from falling out. I am trying to germinate the seeds (consisting of wheat grass, lemon balm and sage) by spreading them on wet cotton wool. The wheat grass is meant for my hamsters which are really fond of vegetables.

Wish me luck!

Do share with me if you have any ideas for tiny herb garden in high rise apartments.

Howling dog

Haiz... If you want to rear a dog, please try and take good care of it.

The howling is quite loud and it sort of echos around the quiet neighbourhood.

Every other day, i will hear this howling dog.

Reminds me of a werewolf... Too bad there is no full moon tonight.

Hamster watching television

Zoom zoom, the newest addition to the family watching Snow White and the Huntsmen with us...

Fly says Hi!

2 little cuties in the family!

2 white faced roborovski hamsters were adopted recently by my brothers.

They are so cute la!

Somehow they looks like tiny pigs to me... cos of their facial features.

One of the hamsters is very active and the way it "exercises" on the wheel just makes me laugh.

So hilarious.

Also can be found on YouTube.

Subsequent addition to the family - Squeaky & Nami

We thought of adopting another male hamster as a playmate to Fly ever since we observed that he gets quite depressive sometimes.

I stalked Singapore Hamsters Club everyday and finally adopted 2 hamsters from a forum user.

We actually only wanted just 1 hamster but the owner preferred both to be adopted together.

After discussing with HIM, we decided to just go ahead with the adoption which lead to a series of unfortunate events!

Instead of just 1 hamster, we adopted 2...

These supposed-to-be-male hamsters as assured by the owner turned out to be FEMALES...

These 2 hamsters which were cohabiting in peace previously started fighting when introduced into their new cage...

Seriously, the situation almost got out of control.

We did not get the playmate for Fly as we intended...

Instead of just preparing 1 cage, we had to setup 2 cages...

Anyway, these 2 hamsters are much more fierce as compared to Fly.

Introducing the tamer 1 - Squeaky which will squeak when she is feeling threatened.

Next is Nami which is like a watch dog. Always on the alert!

They are starting to grow on us though.

Our first activity once we get home is to check on them and 'play' with them for at least a few minutes before carrying on with other activities.

Although having  3 hamsters in 3 cages is more than what we had bargained for, the pleasure and laughter we get from them is all worth it!

New addition to the family - Fly

It is only natural to have a new addition to the family although we have still yet to finish up on the painting =0

Initially, we reared guppies but the population fluctuates at ridiculous rate due to our inexperience.

Buy 10 guppies... 8 died... Buy another 10... 6 died... 20 babies! 15 babies died...

Too traumatizing and changing of water was a pain especially with babies guppies in the tank.

I managed to find a fellow podder who was willing to let us adopt a hamster from her.

But we backed out in the last minute and decided to adopt from SPCA instead.

Somehow, I felt more comfortable with this decision and I would also get to see and 'choose' the ONE which I felt a bond with.

At the SPCA, each cage contains only 1 hamster and all cages are stacked into another netted cupboard to protect the tiny beings from the cats caged in the same room enclosure.

We had some difficulties trying to spot a hamster which we felt a bond with.

Trying to peek in with squinting eyes and spot the hamsters hidden in the dark cages.

But it was all very exciting.

We knew we wanted an active one and were keeping a lookout for one that is on the move.

We selected Fly who was 1 of the more active ones and were given the chance to interact with him.

It was love at first sight when Fly allowed us to cup him in our hands.

Introducing Fly - our winter white hamster son!

I would say it is worth a trip going down to SPCA especially if you are 'picky' and love at first sight is an important criteria in your selection process.

You will get to interact with your selected hamster before adoption and the staff are quite friendly.

Furthermore, you are doing a good deed by re-homing these abandoned hamsters.

Do take note that you have to bring along an empty cage and there is an adoption fee of $10.

For more information, check out http://www.spca.org.sg/