This weekend the emphasis is on production, not preparation.
Sep 6th, 2008 by Dani
Which is a nice way of saying we had scrambled eggs for dinner because i spent too much time in the garden to cook the dinner I had planned. It was a beautiful warm spring day in Melbourne. Perfect for the gazillion outdoor tasks awaiting my attention. Apart from some general tidying and weeding of the non-edible areas of the yard, the food producing sector needed attention.
Whilst I am not of the black thumbed variety, I am an amateur in the gardening department. Each year I pick up a little more, through trial, error, questions and reading. Last year, I allowed myself to become ovrshelmed by the weeding. In an effort to combat this, I used some of that woven plastic weed mat to minimise the problem and topped it with coconut husk mulch. Pathetic I know. But it kept me going. This year, I am all for a different approach. While the plastic matting keeps the weeds at bay, it is horrendously annoying at replanting time. I needed a better solution.
this, unfortunately, is nether my house or garden, photo by willsfca, some rights reserved
(if I have to get up an read the Ankle Biters the riot act one more time during the writing of this post I’m going to lose my tiny little mind)
So this year, I have removed all the plastic weed mat, moved the remaining coconut mulch to other beds, dug fresh compost into the beds, laid news paper as a weed mat and mulched the veg patch with pea straw. During the week I created a new bed in an unused patch by the compost heap which is planted with silver beet (chard) and rhubarb. It got the same newspaper/pea straw treatment.Time (or a clever gardening type commenter) will advise as to the wisdom of this plan.
The biggest treat of the day was in removing the weed mat, I found a heap of new asparagus spears just peeking through the soil. I wonder what would have happened to them had I not removed it? I kept that area free of newspaper in case of any more. I thought I’d already eaten all the asparagus I was going to get this season. Happy days.
My cabbage and broccoli plants have taken a cabbage moth beating in the last few days so I whizzed up some chillis, garlic and cayenne in the thermomix and added them to spray bottle of water. I’ve sprayed the plants and hopefully that will prevent further damage. Upon advice from the very clever Em, I left my broccoli in the ground after we ate the head and I’ve noticed it’s sprouting lots more lovely florets up the side.
*sigh* not mine either, photo by ChatiryGirl, some rights reserved
In the greenhouse, I have eggplant, broccoli and tomato seedlings coming along nicely. Ten varieties of tomato, largely heirloom I might add. Too tired to go check the names for you I’m afraid. I also have mushrooms coming along nicely on the bottom shelf. A successful experiment.
On the shady side of the patch, I’ve planted some azaelas. I’ve no idea if their flowers will attract bees or if I should be looking for a specific type of flower for that purpose. Never mind. They’ll look pretty and it’s a spot in which they will grow well. Tasks that didn’t get done today were planting the warragul greens seeds and coriander. Hopefully that will get done tomorrow.
Now all is quiet from the Ankle Biters room, peace has descended upon Chez KP and I’m going to kick back and relax with a good book!
Blimey…you have been busy! Sounds like you have quite a lot of food coming out of your garden. I miss having a garden (a proper one in the earth). I’m trying to make do with my balcony garden, but it’s very neglected of late.
Docwitchs last blog post..Spring Fevers
I can’t imagine what it’s like to find surprise asparagus, but I love the idea.
Btw, I’m here from The Wind in Your Vagina, where I saw that you were lacking haters. I can offer that service, if you life. For a very reasonable fee.
Marinkas last blog post..Is Obama a Good Enough Father to Be President?
You have been busy! And how incredibly exciting to find asparagus, I’m buzzing vicariously. I would *love* to grow asparagus.
Ems last blog post..Classic Mint Jelly
Docwitch I was once stuck with the balcony garden too. At least there’s lot’s of tub varietes of veg out there these days.
Oh Marinka. Thank you. I feel so honoured. Like I have somehow ‘arrived’ in the blogosphere. Do you take hater fee in surprise asparagus?
INdeed I have been busy Em, I can hardly move today. Back is killing me LOL I think I’m getting old. I put mine in about three year ago and the crop just gets that bit bigger every year. Nothing beats asparagus picked fresha nd eaten before you even leave the garden.
The garden sounds amazing! I wish that I had a garden too - unfortunately, not only do I not have any proper dirt, but I’m a terrible gardener! That must be why I love hearing about other people’s - so I can live vicariously through others!
Agness last blog post..Tonik
Welcome Agnes. It sure is a steep learning curve this gardening business. You can live vicariously through me any time …although the bickering Ankle Biters may be a steep price to pay for some garden!