Daniel built me a vegie garden during Spring last year. At the time I was heavily pregnant, and I must have looked a sight planting all those seeds and seedlings. I strugggled to do it, but I was determined. Where we live, there are no nearby farmers markets, no decent fruit shops and so we only have the choice between the two major supermarkets. I value organic food for the family, but I often hesitate to pay the prices they charge. Our little health food store supplies eggs and some vegies, so that is at least a help. I thought it was rather important that I start growing something.
I had success with my heirloom zucchini, beetroot, radishes, bush beans and silverbeet. I had early success with a few varieties of lettuce, but the hot weather in between all the rain caused them to bolt. I collected some seed from them the other day. My broccoli is only just now becoming productive, as initially it looked eaten to death, but I left it alone and it came back. My tomatoes were a bit infested with grubs at first, though that seems to be disappearing now, though they are very slow to ripen.
I need to do some preserving of the zucchini, beetroot and tomatoes. Something I've never attempted before.
And then, it will be clearing beds to make way for some winter crops. We are in a cold, frosty Winter climate with very occasional snow.
These shots were all taken at the beginning of Summer. Believe me, it doesn't look neat like this anymore!
My herb garden is at the front. The chives, parsley, oregano, marjoram, rosemary, par-cel (which I mistakenly thought was celery when I purchased it) and tarragon all went very well. The coriander bolted quickly, much to Daniel's delight as he refuses to eat it. The basil is only just taking off now, so it's days are numbered. Not enough to make pesto out of this year, but great for adding to pasta sauce and pizza.
What are you planting for Winter?
love the look of your herb garden - the step in to be able to harvest. great idea. i'm in northern nsw in a coastal climate. its my first 12months of ever growing vegies so am very new. i too am passionate about organic living and struggle with the costs at markets (which are a 30min drive away!) on our budget (hubby studyin!) so am growing organic vegies from seed. last week of feb i planted broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, beans. all except the cabbage have sprouted. have heard zucchinis are long time to fruiting... i believe it! planted seeds back in novemeber? it is now massive and flowers are opening. such a hobby of investment and hope! all the best for your autumn planting.
ReplyDeleteIt must be the different climates. I'm southern NSW, inland, and I too planted my zucchini seeds back in Novemember. By early January they were full of zucchini's. Maybe they like the dry heat?
ReplyDeleteThere is something wonderful about popping a few seeds in and seeing them grow to jungle-like proportions. But there is some heartache also (like my cucumber, celery and carrots being a no-show). It is a continual learning process.
Good luck with all that Brassica!
Your garden looks fabulous and has completely insipered me to get stuck back into mine which, at the moment, is looking quite bare and sorry for itself! What is par-cel exactly?
ReplyDeleteWhy thank you :) Par-cel is a cross between parsley and celery. I use it to replace celery in bolognaise sauce and soups, since I had no luck with growing celery.
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog, loving it too!
ReplyDeleteI'm in WA and most of my vegies kinda cooked this year. Zucchini and cucumbers were a no show, stacks of corn and tomatoes, but the crowning glory this year was the "Moon & stars" watermelon - we've had over 50 kilos harvested so far and still have some on the vine (Autumn is yet to fully arrive over here....)
Loving reading your journey Tania!