So I have not been around here in a while. It was winter and I do not spend a lot of time outside when it is cold. I planted broccoli, cauliflower and spinach as my winter crops. However all of the broccoli and cauliflower sprouted just as they started forming heads. I do not know why it does that since I followed the instructions of planting to a Tee. We have been eating spinach from the garden at least.
Now that Spring is here I am back in all earnest. I already planted carrots, beans, patty pan squash, butternut, tomatoes, corn, cucumber, lettuce and some radish. Will keep you updated on how its growing.
Garden diary - 13 May 2011
13 May, 2011
I went away for a few days and left no one at home; it was very hot and a few of my seedlings just didn’t make it without water. These were the Brussels sprouts and some of the broccoli seedlings I planted. The rest is busy recovering after watering them.
The granadilla tree is starting to grow quite fast and I placed a tripod over it since I don’t have a trellis on which it can grow up against.
This past week and last week, it has been raining for a few days this side of the equator. This means I could not go out in the garden. Yesterday the rain let up a bit and I went to check how everything doing, the pea plants are down and some of the broccoli have yellowing leaves at the bottom. I read that this might be caused by the bottom 2 seedlings needing to die off so that the plant grows or by over watering. The beetroot seedlings are only a few left that is still standing. I think I will need to plant more cauliflower and Broccoli if I want to harvest more. I am just not sure if it is too late now to plant them now .
I went away for a few days and left no one at home; it was very hot and a few of my seedlings just didn’t make it without water. These were the Brussels sprouts and some of the broccoli seedlings I planted. The rest is busy recovering after watering them.
The granadilla tree is starting to grow quite fast and I placed a tripod over it since I don’t have a trellis on which it can grow up against.
This past week and last week, it has been raining for a few days this side of the equator. This means I could not go out in the garden. Yesterday the rain let up a bit and I went to check how everything doing, the pea plants are down and some of the broccoli have yellowing leaves at the bottom. I read that this might be caused by the bottom 2 seedlings needing to die off so that the plant grows or by over watering. The beetroot seedlings are only a few left that is still standing. I think I will need to plant more cauliflower and Broccoli if I want to harvest more. I am just not sure if it is too late now to plant them now .
What is growing in the garden and rain
22 March 2011
According to the weatherman, yesterday was the first day of Autumn. We had about 30% rain but it was enough for the plants and seedlings in the garden to just perk up a little bit more. I’m so amazed at their response to rain compared to when they are just watered with tap water.
My garlic, beetroot, cauliflower and onion seedlings that I planted about 2 weeks ago are pushing through. I did not have my camera with me when I went outside so I will take pictures the next time I go out.
All my corn is now done bearing and I have to pull up the stalks. Next time I will plant much more. Apart from the herbs and green peppers javascript:void(0)we are getting only spinach from the garden now. I planted some more peas from seed since the ones I planted on the 3rd of March, are very slow in germinating. I think I planted about 10 directly into the soil and only 2 are showing up now. Yesterday I planted about 20 seeds.
I made basil pesto with the basil that is in abundance now and also made a basil and parsley pesto. I use the pesto in pasta, with chicken breasts as well as on sandwiches. I froze 3 small containers and 1 is in the fridge for our daily use.
According to the weatherman, yesterday was the first day of Autumn. We had about 30% rain but it was enough for the plants and seedlings in the garden to just perk up a little bit more. I’m so amazed at their response to rain compared to when they are just watered with tap water.
My garlic, beetroot, cauliflower and onion seedlings that I planted about 2 weeks ago are pushing through. I did not have my camera with me when I went outside so I will take pictures the next time I go out.
All my corn is now done bearing and I have to pull up the stalks. Next time I will plant much more. Apart from the herbs and green peppers javascript:void(0)we are getting only spinach from the garden now. I planted some more peas from seed since the ones I planted on the 3rd of March, are very slow in germinating. I think I planted about 10 directly into the soil and only 2 are showing up now. Yesterday I planted about 20 seeds.
I made basil pesto with the basil that is in abundance now and also made a basil and parsley pesto. I use the pesto in pasta, with chicken breasts as well as on sandwiches. I froze 3 small containers and 1 is in the fridge for our daily use.
corn, green pepper, chillies basil - growing in the garden
17 march 2011
On Tuesday evening, 15 March 2011, I harvested carrots, basil, chillies, corn and a green pepper. This was all that I needed for dinner that night. I have lots of green peppers, spinach carrots some and different herbs currently growing in the garden. I lost out on some of the corn cobs because I was unsure of when to harvest. My guess is they were ready about 2 month ago, but when I wanted to pick them my husband said no it is not ready yet..
Lesson learnt…do not listen to hubby.
I have planted broccoli, peas, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts seeds in trays. Beets and garlic I have planted directly into the garden and am waiting with bated breath to see if the beets are going to germinate or at least produce. Since I have been sowing beetroot, not one beet has grown to maturity.
On Tuesday evening, 15 March 2011, I harvested carrots, basil, chillies, corn and a green pepper. This was all that I needed for dinner that night. I have lots of green peppers, spinach carrots some and different herbs currently growing in the garden. I lost out on some of the corn cobs because I was unsure of when to harvest. My guess is they were ready about 2 month ago, but when I wanted to pick them my husband said no it is not ready yet..
Lesson learnt…do not listen to hubby.
I have planted broccoli, peas, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts seeds in trays. Beets and garlic I have planted directly into the garden and am waiting with bated breath to see if the beets are going to germinate or at least produce. Since I have been sowing beetroot, not one beet has grown to maturity.
Corn and butternut harvest
On Saturday, 05/03/2011, I harvested corn and a butternut. It was only one butternut because the other one was attacked by pests and I have one plant. There is still one flower on the plant, but I am not sure if it will still produce another butternut.
The corn was just delicious and 2 of them I almost left too late on the plant and some of the kernels started going brown.
I transplanted my first batch of cauliflower seedlings and planted brussels sprouts, jalapeno peppers and some more cauliflower.
The corn was just delicious and 2 of them I almost left too late on the plant and some of the kernels started going brown.
I transplanted my first batch of cauliflower seedlings and planted brussels sprouts, jalapeno peppers and some more cauliflower.
Growing vegetables for Winter
Last year I made the horrible mistake of thinking that winter vegetables means you must plant the vegetables in the winter months. It resulted in me losing about 20 heads of cauliflower. It is the hardest and most painful lesson I have learnt in the school of gardening. That winter vegetables actually mean harvest in winter, not plant in winter.
If I would like to harvest in winter it means I have to start planting now. I am planning to have a wider variety of winter harvest and drew up a plan to follow the progress of each vegetable:
| Plant Name | planted | Trays or direct | Transplanted | Estimated harvest time | Actual harvest time | notes |
| Broccoli | 23 January 2011 | Trays | | | | |
| Cauliflower | 23 January 2011 | Trays | | | | |
| Purple broccoli | January 2011 | Trays | | 9-10 weeks after transplanting | | |
| Garlic | January 2011 | Trays | | | | 19 February seeing green sprouts through soil |
| Frilly lettuce | January | Trays | | 50-60 days | | |
| Onions | 24 January 2011 | Trays | | Oct/nov 2011 | | |
| Spinach | January 2011 | Trays and direct | | | | |
| Beetroot | January 2011 | directly | | 11- 12 weeks | | |
| Carrots | January 2011 | directly | | 50 – 60 days End march 2011 | | |
| coriander | 24 january 2011 | pots | | | | |
| Peas | | | | | | |
As you can see from the list above I still have to plant peas and then my first winter planting will be done.The broccoli seedlings are already growing beautifully and needs to be planted into the soil soon.
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