Pages

Monday, February 2, 2015

Garden Share

 
Hard to believe that the first month of 2015 is behind us now. I'm guessing that could be because it is summertime and time does seem to pass by quicker than it does in the colder months.
 
The garden is enjoying the milder, wetter summer that we have had this season and so am I. It's so much easier to work when it isn't too hot. Our top temperature here on our farm in the New England was 36.9 degC which is pleasant for summer. The minimum was 11.3deg C which is quite good too. January's rain total was 130.5mm and I would love for this trend to continue because everything grows so much better with rainfall.
 

The zucchini plants are growing quite well. Not too many are getting away from me and becoming giants. I planted this yellow one later so it's just coming on now and I'm glad. The colour alone is enough of a reason to grow it.

 
Cucumbers are slightly out of control. This one plant of Large White has at least 10 cucumbers needing to be picked today. I made some pickled cucumbers this morning but I still think the chickens may have to assist with disposing of the excess. That's ok, I have to feed them anyway, it might as well be organic vegetables that cost me not much more than my own effort.
 

 The Mexican Sour Gherkin cucumbers / cucamelons aren't helping with the cucumber glut any. These little gems however are a perfect snack while working in the vegie patch. Crisp, crunchy and just slightly sour.

 Eggplants are performing well this summer. I did sow a number of other varieties but all of my colourful aubergines didn't germinate this time around. The purple/ black ones are delicious enough but I'm going to try extra hard next spring to grow some of the white and green varieties.

 The milder temperatures and conditions means we have peas and beans at the same time. Usually I grow my peas over the winter but there are many self-sown peas in the garden not only growing but thriving and producing a small but welcome crop.


Snake beans are the bean of the moment.

 Planting
I don't think I planted much in the vegetable garden in January. If I did, I can't remember. I did plant a number of native shrubs along the driveway to satisfy the planting bug.

In February I'll be sowing:
  • beetroot
  • carrots
  • radish
  • lettuces
  • swedes and turnips
  • chard
  • Asian greens
  • broccoli
  • Brussels sprouts
  • cauliflower
  • leeks and onions
  • cabbage
Harvesting
  • tomatoes
  •  herbs
  • corn
  • zucchini
  • capsicum
  • chillies
  • beans
  • peas
  • eggplant
  • cucumber
  • honey
To-do in February
  • weeding
  • seed sowing
  • mowing
  • compost turning
  • preserving the summer harvest

http://www.strayedtable.com/2015/02/01/garden-share-collective-february-2015/
The Garden Share Collective is a group of bloggers who share their vegetable patches, container gardens and the herbs they grow on their window sills. Creating a monthly community to navigate through any garden troubles and to rival in the success of a good harvest we will nurture any beginner gardener to flourish. Each month we set ourselves a few tasks to complete by the next month, this gives us a little push to getting closer to picking and harvesting. The long-term goal of the Garden Share Collective is to get more and more people gardening and growing clean food organically and sustainably.
The Garden Share Collective runs on the first Monday of each Month

Thanks for the inspiration to share my garden Lizzie.www.strayedtable.com

tracy

10 comments:

Texan said...

Your garden photos are lovely! I am just starting to plant seedlings now! In about two months I will be setting them out in my garden! I too bought some yellow Zucchini seeds for this years garden, the tiny gherkin melon looking cucumbers and some white eggplants and some rosey lavender ones as well. Seems we have picked some of the same things. I am very ready for spring to arrive here!

Unknown said...

Wow! How great is your garden and its abundance. I grow only what my family will eat and so im restricted but like you i would grow yellow zucchini just for the colour.

Anonymous said...

Love the little Mexican cucumbers! We have only had a few cucs so far, but loads and loads of zucchinis! Your yellow ones are gorgeous!

Chookyblue...... said...

your garden is looking nice and healthy..........

Unknown said...

Wow those yellow zucchini are stunning and your garden is super productive at the moment, lovely pictures.

Janette said...

Your yellow zucchini certainly adds a splash of coulour to the garden as do the purple podded peas.

Unknown said...

It's all looking great - I have never tried peas in summer due to the heat, but we do have a self sown one trying valiantly to grow (if only the dog would stop laying on it!).

africanaussie said...

Oh lovely stuff, and imagine having so much that you have to share with the chickens! Those little mixican cucumbers look awesome. I wonder if they will grow up here in the tropics? I might try them later on when it cools down a bit.

Vickie said...

I never tire from seeing your photos of your lovely surrounds and am green with envy and your vegie growing..yum yum, cheers Vickie

Unknown said...

Your lovely blog makes me feel so inadequate. I've only managed a total of 6 radishes, 4 or 5 capsicums, basil, oregano and a million chillis for the mont- can't even make one meal out of that! But all of your lovely looking produce is very inspiring - need to get planting.