Time to transplant from the seed trays into the garden. 10 Brussel Sprout plants (3 rows) and 6 purple cauliflower (2 rows) went into the freshly dug over beds. The beds were not composted because after spending a day digging them over the energy to sift compost through a seive was missing. From that seed tray none (that' right, none) of the green cauliflower germinated, all the brussel sprouts germinated and all except one (or was it two) of the purple cauli germinated.
To my total surprise another pumpkin germinated. After however many weeks it has been they were about to get written off as a disaster. There are now 2 pumpkin and 1 giant pumpkin desperately awaiting transplanting into the vege patch.
16 November 2008
15 November 2008
Neta Rep at Mitre 10 Mega
The strawberries were looking a little sad in the summer heat and as they had not been watered in a few days it was time to extend the irrigation system to include them. As it happened, the strawberries are at the base of the blackcurrents which are on the path from the tap to the vege patch so the black tube already ran through the both! But what to get? They're on a bank with no form of support for up-risers.
Luckily the Neta rep was showing his stuff at Mitre 10 today. One of all the different forms of nozzles they have and telling everyone (well, me and one other person, there wasn't much interest really) how to use it all. A three plastic stakes and a some joiners was all that was needed and $5.41 later they're in the ground. The strawberries should be looking forward to a good drink tonight.
Luckily the Neta rep was showing his stuff at Mitre 10 today. One of all the different forms of nozzles they have and telling everyone (well, me and one other person, there wasn't much interest really) how to use it all. A three plastic stakes and a some joiners was all that was needed and $5.41 later they're in the ground. The strawberries should be looking forward to a good drink tonight.
10 November 2008
Strawberries
Anyone actually know the etymology of strawberry? There appear to be two theories, both claim Anglo-Saxon origins:
streawberige, meaning "spreading berry" (due to the runners)
streowberige, meaning "hay berry" (due to being ripe at the same time)
Anyone know the origins of my strawberry plants? Got six for a buck a piece at a local primary school fair. The are apparently white strawberries and like a relatively shadey spot. A quick Internet search suggests they are "alpine" strawberries (what ever that might mean), they are bird resistant (because they never go red) and that they flower and fruit all year round (yea, right). No runners so seed collection is a must (Strawberries should be on a 3 year plant replacement rotation).
The plants were planted out tonight on the bank under the blackcurrents as a ground cover.
streawberige, meaning "spreading berry" (due to the runners)
streowberige, meaning "hay berry" (due to being ripe at the same time)
Anyone know the origins of my strawberry plants? Got six for a buck a piece at a local primary school fair. The are apparently white strawberries and like a relatively shadey spot. A quick Internet search suggests they are "alpine" strawberries (what ever that might mean), they are bird resistant (because they never go red) and that they flower and fruit all year round (yea, right). No runners so seed collection is a must (Strawberries should be on a 3 year plant replacement rotation).
The plants were planted out tonight on the bank under the blackcurrents as a ground cover.
02 November 2008
Garden-Bound
Waiting to go into the garden was 2 white corn, 1 zucchini, and 1 pumpkin (seeds saved from a supermarket pumpkin). They now each have their own little part of the vege patch. With some luck the cold weather is over and they'll survive.
Spent some time trying to weed, but until the plants get large enough its hard to tell a carrot from grass. Still, did some, and will do more once it becomes obvious what's what. After the weeding came a feeding (of fertiliser).
Another pumpkin has germinated! Tons of brussel sprouts have germinated, as have a small number of cauliflower. More time is needed before they can go into the vege-patch but all looks good at the moment.
Spent some time trying to weed, but until the plants get large enough its hard to tell a carrot from grass. Still, did some, and will do more once it becomes obvious what's what. After the weeding came a feeding (of fertiliser).
Another pumpkin has germinated! Tons of brussel sprouts have germinated, as have a small number of cauliflower. More time is needed before they can go into the vege-patch but all looks good at the moment.
Art Gallery Talk
Lynda Hallinan's talk at the art gallery was as funny as last years. She started with a huge list of stuff she grows in her garden in Auckland (much of which (like organges) won't grow in Dunedin), and went on to give a list of eco-sins including her use of various chemicals. Perhaps the worst sin is driving one mile to work each day (thats the distance from the Unversity to the Octagon).
Just like last year she was giving away goodies. I managed to get a free copy of "Homegrown 3: Harvest Your Own Fresh Herbs". I think it is officially released on Monday. Its full of nice glossy pictures and recipies - but I've not had a chance to read it yet because I'm currently reading Homegrown 1, which arrived through the post a few days ago.
Anyhow, thumbs up for each of the Homegrown books, and if you ever get the chance to hear Hallinan holler, take it.
Just like last year she was giving away goodies. I managed to get a free copy of "Homegrown 3: Harvest Your Own Fresh Herbs". I think it is officially released on Monday. Its full of nice glossy pictures and recipies - but I've not had a chance to read it yet because I'm currently reading Homegrown 1, which arrived through the post a few days ago.
Anyhow, thumbs up for each of the Homegrown books, and if you ever get the chance to hear Hallinan holler, take it.
27 October 2008
Brassica
Filled the last seed tray with brassica:
15 brussel sprouts
10 purple cauliflower
15 green cauliflower
all seeds are from last year. the sprouts from Watkins and the others from Kaiotes.
started to dig over the last part of the patch. there are 4 living cauliflower plants so they have been left in place.
15 brussel sprouts
10 purple cauliflower
15 green cauliflower
all seeds are from last year. the sprouts from Watkins and the others from Kaiotes.
started to dig over the last part of the patch. there are 4 living cauliflower plants so they have been left in place.
26 October 2008
Yuck!
Started to dig the final section of the vege patch and its wet, very wet, very wet indeed. Its like a thick muddy goop down there. As a consequence the irrigation system has been turned down from 5 mins a night to 3 mins a night. Everything got a feeding with the organic fertiliser.
Almost everything is growing well. A few things are not: the strawberry spinach is growing very slowly. The parsnips (which are always slow to germinate) are not showing signs of anything and at least one lettuce has died. Parsley hasn't reard its head either.
In the green room a second corn has sprouted as has one pumpkin (seed saved from a supermarket pumpkin) and one zucchini.
The kings radishes have sprouted well and as there were a gap between the rows black-radish from last year was used as a filler.
Almost everything is growing well. A few things are not: the strawberry spinach is growing very slowly. The parsnips (which are always slow to germinate) are not showing signs of anything and at least one lettuce has died. Parsley hasn't reard its head either.
In the green room a second corn has sprouted as has one pumpkin (seed saved from a supermarket pumpkin) and one zucchini.
The kings radishes have sprouted well and as there were a gap between the rows black-radish from last year was used as a filler.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)