Around my veggie patch.

Last post illustrated the state the veggie patch was in when I began. 

It has now been over two months and a lot has changed. I decided to lay a path along the centre of the main garden bed, to allow for easier access to the veggie patch. I used sleepers and had them cut to size at the hardware store. I dug them into a trench to keep them upright. I have laid a bed of mulch along the path, which not only looks pretty but after decomposing, will provide mulch to the garden beds.

This photo shows the garden as it is today. The veggie patch from the angle below is running north/south orientation, receiving sunlight for most of the day. The chicken coop (more on that another time) is built next to it, and somehow one of my chickens managed to get into the veggie patch today (after much searching a hole was discovered, then quickly boarded up!). Needless to say, my cos lettuce is no more...

My strawberries have not been a great success so far. Most of them have gone rotten before they became ripe. I have laid straw under them but this doesn't seem to have made any difference.

Next to the veggie patch I have a group of terracota pots. In these I have some herbs, spinach (for the chickens) and more strawberries.

 

I have made vertical cylinder climbing frames for my beans and cucumbers out of left over wire. The beans are growing brilliantly. I planted a large number of cucumber seeds with the idea that only half were likely to sprout. They all sprouted! So now I will have the thin them out, and give some away to my colleagues.

I never realised how thirsty tomato plants are!?! I am having to keep the water up to these plants at least once a day. Their fruit is looking amazing though, I can't wait to see these ripen. I will be making a huge batch of tomato relish!

Ok, I'm off now to lock my chickens up for the night.

Sam xox

What I started with.

When we moved into our rental home, it was immediately apparent that the garden had been 'let go' for many months. The veggie patch was a mash up of plants, including a large frangipani tree, groupings of shallots, and rouge tomato plants seemingly growing from seed. The other garden beds had basil plants that had gone to seed and bush tomatoes at the end of their season. There was nothing able to be harvested.

Structurally the main veggie patch was superb. It was a fully fenced block about 4 meters by 2.5 meters complete with entry gate. On the long side next to the fence was a grid that could be used to hold up climbing veggies. There was also a gigantic banana tree that was shading a third of the patch with its mass of foliage.

In one corner of the main patch stands a compost bin. It was reasonably small but sufficient enough for its purpose.

The main veggie patch has a paved space next to it, and next to this is a built up garden bed (divided into two) made entirely from loose bricks. These beds were filled with plants that had gone to seed. The space was also being used as the garbage bin area.

 Around the main patch was a boarder bed outlined by bricks. Strawberry plants had spread through these beds, with a number of runners growing along the perimeter of the patch.

Through all the overgrown and dying plants, I could definitely see this spaces potential. A little bit of hard work would be all it would take to bring this area back to its former glory.

Sam xox

Beginning.

It's Spring. The weather is beginning to warm. Daylight savings time has commenced. What better time to start something I have been wanting to for some time?

I am beginning an online journal to record my gardening education. 'Education' because I know I am no where near close to knowing half of what I should about vegetable gardens, organic gardening, and sustainable living.

I have always wanted a garden to potter in. For years my husband and I shared a tiny flat in Sydney. The balcony was big for Sydney standards. I was able to keep a large number of pots, most of which I tried (and often failed) to grow vegetables and herbs in.

By good fortune we had the chance to take a 'sea change' earlier this year, and we are now living on the northern coast, close to the beach, and with a beautiful sized yard for me to potter in to my hearts content.

This blog will be my space to keep a record of my gardening, share the things I learn along the way, share new ideas, photos, and hopefully meet like-minded people from all across the globe.

Sam xox