October Garden Share

 

I'm joining up with a few other gardeners again this month in the Garden Share Collective. September appears to be a good time for gardening for me here in the north west of NSW at least. Not too hot, not too cold... Goldilocks conditions... just right.

 

 The garden and everywhere in fact is green. It's those little showers of rain here and there that are keeping things looking so fresh. Not soaking rain unfortunately but very much welcome.

September was a good month harvest wise as well. Given that there are none of those hefty crops like pumpkin or melons to tip the scales, 8.6 kilograms/ 19.3 lb isn't too bad a haul.

The harvest for September was made up of asparagus, rocket, turnip, silverbeet, carrots, lemonades, celery, snap peas, snow peas, peas, spring onions, herbs , lettuce, Brussels sprouts, broccoli,  beetroot, limes, leek and cabbage. I think I only visited the greengrocer twice in the whole month and that was for apples, potatoes and mushrooms.

And something that is really only of interest to me and perhaps Tim, we had 40mm of rain for the month and our temperature maximum and minimum were 33degC and 3.4 degC respectively. The temperature is measured on the verandah which is a sheltered position so not entirely indicative of what it is like for the poor plants that have to deal with the extremes.

I'm really hoping that I can better my tally as the weather warms up. I'm resigned to the fact that I will always have to buy some sort of fruit but I think I could almost take up the challenge right now and not buy vegetables. I just might.

 The bees are getting a real treat with the number and variety of flowers around. After last summers harsh conditions they deserve it. It is hard to believe that we harvested honey this time last year because this year the bees really only have enough for themselves at this stage. Things are looking good though for a harvest a little later in the season.

On my to-do list last month that I didn't get done was label the fruit trees. It's definitely not a pressing task so it just didn't get done. I know what they all are anyway. What did get done though was netting. I'm all for sharing my fruit but unfortunately the local bird life doesn't know the meaning of the word share. I'm fairly certain they are of the opinion that I planted those trees for their benefit alone. Sorry birds.

Plans for October:

• sow more seeds
• make more compost
• cross fingers for hatching turkey and duck eggs
• try to keep on top of the mowing
• eat from the garden everyday
• remove the 'winter' vegetables to make room for summery things
• plant said summery things
• spend a few minutes a day under the jasmine before it is gone for the year

Lizzie had the idea of a seed exchange this month too. I have already popped some snake bean seeds in the post for her but I could probably spare another packet or two. I also have some spare Climbing Princess bean seeds and some Bhut jolokia chilli seeds. I can only post these within Australia and not to Tasmania or Western Australia and my supplies are limited to what I collected last year. Just email me if you are interested: sunnycornerfarm (at) hotmail (dot) com

I would really like to get my hands on some Cinnamon myrtle and Aniseed myrtle plants/ seeds after having  the pleasure of seeing/ smelling them a while ago at the Mt Annan Botanical gardens. I think they are few and far between though particularly the cinnamon.

Now I am off to make a boring old dinner of spaghetti bolognaise which apparently my girls don't like (I thought all children were supposed to like bolognaise). They do however enjoy my pasta bake which is the same spaghetti bolognaise baked in the oven with cheese on top just don't tell them that.

And one of the perquisites of school holidays is girls who like to cook have time to make dessert. Panna cotta for us tonight. Thanks Grace.

Tracy

September Garden Share Collective

 

This month I thought it might be nice to join in at The Garden Share Collective hosted by Lizzie. I'm just finding my feet with it so I will just plod along and see how it goes.

 

 My kitchen garden is really looking nice thanks to a quick run around with the lawnmower. Paths are neat and the compost heap has a load of clippings.

My system of giving each vegetable bed a bit more attention on the day of the month corresponding to its number has been working well. So well in fact I have been getting ahead. I'm sure in a couple of months time when the summery weather is here I will be telling a different tale. But I hope not.

 

The weather over the past week has been stunning. Perfect for being outdoors and decidedly spring like. Plants that were looking a bit lacklustre are now starting to put on some growth.

The orchard is at its prettiest (apart from when there is actual fruit on the trees that is). Blossoms are everywhere and the bees are especially happy. The flowers are also attracting quite a few butterflies as well which is really nice.

What I have promised myself is that given it is a new month and spring to boot, we will be eating something from the garden everyday. Some days it might be something pretty humble like a handful of herbs  or like last night, everything we ate from the plant kingdom came from the garden- asparagus, carrots, celery, rocket, lettuce, parsley, spring onion and oregano. Tonight instead of our regular Sunday fare of soup, we are having a roast lamb dinner. From the garden will be the potatoes, carrots, broccoli, cabbage and a few leafy greens. The lamb of course is from the farm too.

September is one of my favourite months (I have eleven others by the way) it being my birthday month and all. The weather is usually near perfect. Not too hot or cold and a little rain to keep things fresh. The winds that batter us in August have usually dissipated too. This month I have my high tea to look forward to as well and a rather intense to-do list. So here it is, the to-do list.

September To- Do in the garden

• mow the orchard and label trees
• mulch roses
• weed herb garden path
• move compost along
• mulch front garden
• keep sowing seeds for summer
• tidy up shed garden
• general clean and tidy

Tracy