What's Happening in the Garden-May 2019

Hello Dear Reader,

We have, at last, planted out some seedlings in the new raised garden beds. It was a long time coming, as the soil we bought in originally was nothing more than coloured sand, the quality was so poor that the few thing we did plant did not grow, there was just no nutrients in the soil. So, over our hot as hell summer, we piled in as much organic matter into the garden beds that would fit along with this fertiliser.

I am proud to say that our soil is now of much better quality and it retains moisture, which is so vital in a raised garden situation. We have decided to try our hand at rotational cropping where the same family of veggies aren't planted in the same bed from season to season, this will help to reduce the chance of pests and soil born disease.

There are 6 garden beds in total, one has the citrus trees and comfy in, one will be rested and the others are planted out like this-

Garden 1-The Alliaceae/Onion Family-at the moment I have planted spring onions and garlic chives

Garden 2-The Amarantheceae/Beetroot Family-so far in this bed I have planted silverbeet and seeds for spinach.

Garden 3-This is the herb garden and is directly in front of the entrance to the veranda for easy access. I have basil, 2 varieties of oregano, two rows of saved seeds for Italian parsley and thyme

Garden 4-This bed is a mixture of Asteraceae/Daisy Family and Brassiaceae/Cabbage Family, so far I have planted mustard green seeds and a couple of young mustard greens transplanted from the vegepod, mizuna, seeds for lettuce, bok choy, rocket and tatsoi.

This is the bed we will rest this year, it is next to the citrus bed. 

The corner garden has the lemon and lime trees plus the comfry and ginger. When we removed the pumpkin vine from this end bed we found nematodes on the pumpkin vine root so I have planted out a few rows of mustard green. Apparently it will help to fumigate the soil, here's hoping. I am sowing a row of seeds every 4 week for successive planting.

I still need to buy leeks and welsh onions for the Alliaceae bed and some beetroot seedlings for the Amaranthaceae bed. I am taking it slow and steady for the first growing season as I don't want to overwhelm myself with too much to look after.

I have also planted out the vegepod with saved seed of coriander, Italian parsley and a dill plant, it is also handy being situated out the side door near the laundry for easy access.

I plan to only grow veggies in Autumn and Winter and maybe a little bit into early spring, then we will pull out everything that has expired, add more compost and mulch to the beds and except for a couple of pumpkin vines, and will put the beds to sleep over summer once again. Well, that's the plan anyway.

What are you growing in your garden at the moment?

Have a lovely day,
💚Fi

One Year Ago-Cheesy baked Pasta
Two Years Ago-No Blog Post Today
Three Years Ago-Stay Home=Get Stuff Done