Saturday 26 April 2008

Gardening Goodness

I am really enjoying my garden right now. I have mulched and fed more areas within the greenhouse over the past two days. I planted out the peas against a rustic trellis made from a broken baby safety gate. I also planted out some rocket, red cabbage, corn, Italian and broad beans.

Today I planted another ten punnets of seedlings-to-be. Who knows where I'll plant them out, though! That's presuming success. A few varieties of seed were old, and not all fitted into the mouse-proof cage I'm using to protect my seedlings. The last lot did so well- only the purple-podded peas didn't germinate.



So far everything is growing fantastically - this weather makes it easier! I've harvested a lot of cucumbers and pumpkins, a handful of beans, the odd cherry tomato, plenty of salad and cooking greens ... and we're still enjoying and giving away many macadamias. And the chickens are mostly laying again - hooray!

Locally - citrus, chokos, pumpkins and bananas are doing really well. We're lucky to have friends and neighbours sharing their excess with our family. I can't wait until our gardens and orchards are more productive so that we can have an abundance to share too. Growing and eating local food is really important to me. Meanwhile, I'm happily passing on nuts and pumpkins to those who have none, and accepting others' abundances to eat and preserve.

How does your garden grow?

5 comments:

Cindi said...

Here in SW Virginia we still have frost advisory until May 10 so I haven't planted. I would love to some day have a greenhouse like you. We are hoping to get some things in next weekend.

Anonymous said...

Hi Belinda, you are right, the weather is making life in the garden sooooo much easier. Apart from the fact that I detest the heat with a passion, we had 2 days of 49C...not a lot gets left standing when that happens...thank goodness for shadecloth!

You know every time I look at the pics of your farm and that glorious stream I wish my house was near one, I long to be by the water, it wont happen for a while, parental health means I need to be where I am right now....but in time.....

Blessings :)

Bel said...

Thanks Cindi and Molly. I wish each of you all the best with your gardens and hope that the weather is kind to you both.

Piecake said...

Can you post a picture of the baby gate trellis?

Bel said...

Sure piecake! It's very simple, though, hardly any construction at all...