Category: Garden Doctor by Dr. Kris

 ‘Dear Kris, I heard that after washing the rice water be used as a general fertilizer for plants and the garden? Do you think this is true or just an old wives tale? Rasheenayen, Bali. Well my mother-in-law swears by it, and as for myself I also water it around the garden. It seems to […]

Dr. Kris, There’s so much rain it seems a pity not to capture it for use. We erected a gutter on my roof in Ubud to catch the rain water into a rain barrel. The problem is the stored water quickly turns brown and fetid and attracts all kinds of unwanted insect life in there. […]

‘Hi Kris, I’ve had a terrible time trying to grow salad greens for the kitchen. The few plants that did survive the onslaught of bugs and pests soon floundered in the heat. I am starting to reconsider if it’s even worth trying or perhaps trying something different, or growing in the wet season? The problem […]

‘Hi, I read about the $289 million court case and the glyphosate Roundup, what are the best ways to kill weeds without weed killer? Seems you just can’t stop the weeds in the tropics, just in the home garden and around the paths. Please help. Thankyou in advance. Lucas, UBUD.’ In August, a US Court […]

Hello Dr Kris, Where can I find Aloe Vera in Kuta Bali? I am very sunburnt and really need this. Thank you in advance, Sophie Violaris   Yes, it’s a good idea… have some Aloe Vera plants on hand when you’re in Bali to combat the inevitable sunburn. You can buy Aloe at any nursery […]

‘Dear Dr. Kris, I would like to ask you about fertilizer available in Bali. A few days ago, we moved a few 5m-high palm trees from the area near our pond to the other part of our garden as their roots had caused the pond to leak. I wonder if they need fertiliser to settle […]

‘Dear Garden Doctor, I’ve finally relented and got this idea to join in with those hipsters types and grow some herbs. Just wondering if there is any real difference between a herb and a vegetable? I want to grow a simple herb garden to use in the kitchen mainly for convenience and a bit of […]

‘I live in Thailand and I have just moved into a new house the previous owner has left me a beautiful pot plant which seems to be absolutely thriving but after a little deeper look I can see the plant has grown into the soil under it. The plant is in a very awkward place […]

‘I am currently in Bali and I leaned into a plant near The Baleka Resort. I believe I was stung by a bee or wasp, I went to a pharmacy and bought a small bottle of Bokashi oil and found it helped very much! Although my hand is swollen and hurts occasionally, I still don’t […]

‘Selamat Pagi, I live in a townhouse that has a small paved area with sunny balconies and was looking for some ideas on growing some salad type plants in planter containers. Looking for easy to grow or the lower maintenance types. What would you suggest for a beginner green thumb like me? Many thanks from […]