Garden share collective - leaves in May
I just made the linkup - check out who else has showcased their lovely gardens here. This months Garden Share collective is supposed to focus on leaves. Now I could have a happy leaf photo or I could show you my cucumbers. I was going to take a photo, but it is all too sad.
My cucumber was doing OK - little bit of downy mildew which is to be expected in this climate, but I gave it a spray with liquid seaweed with a little bicarb mixed in and it seemed to be doing just fine. Then the rains came, and it rained, and it rained. The highest rainfall recorded in this area in May in 96 years! We had 200ml overnight a couple of weekends ago. I had noticed a little insect damage and sprayed with garlic chili spray, but of course the rains washed that all off, but they still carried on chomping. I saw a couple of catterpillars, so the whole bush got another spray of garlic/chili, but now the whole bush has died.
I also had a lovely bed of tatsoi and rocket, but they just collapsed with the rain and didnt seem to be recovering at all. Needless to say I have been feeling quite down about gardening. They are beginning to perk up a bit here.
This weekend I got out and replanted a few of my yellow cherry tomatoes, added some mulch and pulled out tons of weeds, and suddenly things look a bit brighter. Some of the other cucumber plants seem to be doing fine, and I have some baby capsicums! The mint is doing well in its wicking bed.
I have been planting out microgreens into wicking beds (had to move one of the beds under cover because it was just too wet!) Since I have a big packet of tiny tasoi seeds I am thinking that microgreens or baby greens is the way to go this year. It is quite my favourite green salad leaf to grow, and seems to like to be planted quite close together.
Since we had the top of the lychee tree chopped off we dont have as many lovely dry leaves to add to the compost. This makes my hubby happy as he doesnt have to mulch up the leaves weekly, but my poor compost doesnt like it! My compost tumbler was getting too heavy and wet, so I had a big job moving bucketfuls of wet heavy compost into the bin where it can carry on composting. I stirred that up a bit and it reduced down immensly. The coffee tree got a good pruning - hopefully I did it right.
I do have some happy leaves, the mint, tarragon and parsley seem to have just lapped up the rain and have been happily adding an awesome flavour to my daily salads.
My cucumber was doing OK - little bit of downy mildew which is to be expected in this climate, but I gave it a spray with liquid seaweed with a little bicarb mixed in and it seemed to be doing just fine. Then the rains came, and it rained, and it rained. The highest rainfall recorded in this area in May in 96 years! We had 200ml overnight a couple of weekends ago. I had noticed a little insect damage and sprayed with garlic chili spray, but of course the rains washed that all off, but they still carried on chomping. I saw a couple of catterpillars, so the whole bush got another spray of garlic/chili, but now the whole bush has died.
I also had a lovely bed of tatsoi and rocket, but they just collapsed with the rain and didnt seem to be recovering at all. Needless to say I have been feeling quite down about gardening. They are beginning to perk up a bit here.
This weekend I got out and replanted a few of my yellow cherry tomatoes, added some mulch and pulled out tons of weeds, and suddenly things look a bit brighter. Some of the other cucumber plants seem to be doing fine, and I have some baby capsicums! The mint is doing well in its wicking bed.
I have been planting out microgreens into wicking beds (had to move one of the beds under cover because it was just too wet!) Since I have a big packet of tiny tasoi seeds I am thinking that microgreens or baby greens is the way to go this year. It is quite my favourite green salad leaf to grow, and seems to like to be planted quite close together.
Since we had the top of the lychee tree chopped off we dont have as many lovely dry leaves to add to the compost. This makes my hubby happy as he doesnt have to mulch up the leaves weekly, but my poor compost doesnt like it! My compost tumbler was getting too heavy and wet, so I had a big job moving bucketfuls of wet heavy compost into the bin where it can carry on composting. I stirred that up a bit and it reduced down immensly. The coffee tree got a good pruning - hopefully I did it right.
So sorry about the loss of your cucumber plant...I hope the others will be okay.
ReplyDeleteWow that is a ton of rain!! We have been having the worst drought ever but the rains seem to be coming in finally with a few scattered showers every now and then...not enough to drench the hard dry soil, so it is still necessary to water.
I dare not plant anything just yet, so for now I only have a few herbs in my food garden.
It is so hard anticipating what the weather will do, and then sometimes you wait and miss a perfect opportunity.
DeleteWow that is a lot of rain in a short period of time. No wonder your garden took a beating. I've not tried seaweed and bi carb together. Do you just use it for powdery mildew? Your herbs are looking very happy. Thanks for getting your link in to the Collective. I always enjoy stopping by your lovely garden.
ReplyDeleteHi Kyrstie,
DeleteI figured seaweed could build the plants defences up and the bicarb is supposed to change the ph slightly. I sometimes use a 10% milk solution for downy mildew. Thank heavens for herbs!
So much rain and also lack of rain really plays havoc with our gardens. I hope your plants recover.
ReplyDeleteJoyful,
DeleteAs in life, I always try to focus on and remember the good times, not the bad. what rain?
That's a lot of rain Gill! That's sad that your cucumber plant died due too much water or the bugs. Gardening is tough, either too much or too little rain.
ReplyDeleteThe herbs are doing well though.
Sami,
DeleteI really thought I was in the clear and the wet season was over. I was wrong.
so green as always :-) we are getting a lot of rain too .. dare I say, almost too much of a good thing.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to be feast or famine around here - maybe for you as well?
DeleteHurray, I can finally leave a comment! For some reason since my computer upgraded, it's been sassy and I couldn't reply to anyone. Anyway, oh my, that's a lot of rain! Your garden still looks wonderful despite the downpours. Hoping for some nice drying days for you!
ReplyDelete