Garden share collective June 2014

Once again another month has rolled by and it is time to link up with  Lizzie at   strayedtable for our monthly collective where we share what has happened in our gardens for the last month and what we hope to be working on for the next month.  Wrapping up May and heading into June.
The Garden Share Collective

Last month I wanted to work on:

Seed tape .... I did make seed tape, and did a tutorial on the processs - you can see it here.  It was fun, and worked well, expecially with kids. Mostly though I see a space and throw a few seeds in.  I can see myself doing it at the beginning of a planting season.
Worms ..... I have been adding a little of the worm castings every time I plant something, and as a side dressing when plants seem to need a bit of a boost.  It does seem to help.
Sitting .... plenty of that - I like the new (original) location of the swing where we have a long view of the garden. - veggie garden is just around that corner....


Eat veggies out of the garden .... so far we have not been flooded with veggies.  I think it is all the rain - and no sunshine.   This weekend the sun was shining and we took advantage and had a lovely walk on the beach - I know it is not a gardening photo, but it shows you a little more of the area where we live.  This was a sea fan that had washed up from the great barrier reef.

I have been eating salad greens, baby lettuce, amaranth, rocket, bok choy.  I also continue to make sprouts in my lovely sprouter from MrFothergills - this is the best way to make sprouts, you can make as many or as few trays as you like.  I now stagger them, so that I am not flooded with them all at one time.  I also add herbs to my salads, basil, parsley, oregano, thyme and mint are all doing well.

Moon planting... I am aware of moon planting, and loosely stick to the theory that as the moon is waxing we should plant above ground crops, so plant leafy lettuces, silverbeet, eggplant and tomatoes.  Supposedly the moon forces will bring them up from the ground with great vigor.  Now that the moon is waning I began to look at crops that grow underground.  I have trouble with radishes forming long leggy roots, and have been wondering if I should loosen the soil somewhat for my root crops.  I try to adhere to not disturbing the soil too much, but maybe the amount of rain we have compacts the soil..  I dug to the depth of the garden fork in a couple of places to see if that will make a difference.  There are lots of lovely worms, so the soil looks good.  I planted out beetroot and radishes, and if they grow up good and strong then I think that might be something I need to be doing.
 The squash that I planted into the upturned grass seem to be doing well, and the volunteer cherry tomato alongside looks as though it is on steroids.    Lots of little flowers and tiny fruit, so I think next month I will be reporting a much bigger harvest
 I moved some eggplant seedlings into the wicking bed, and hope they start growing a bit quicker as they seem to be rather slow growing.  Everything got a good drink of seaweed tea last weekend, so there are no excuses.
 I found this praying mantis in the garden, he is a good bug - he can stay, but the grasshoppers quickly get squashed between my crocs.

To do in the next month:
General maintenance, filling in empty areas, harvesting.
Entertaining in the garden now that the weather seems to be improving.
Get ready for my trip in July and August to see my new little grandson in America.  :)

 Look at these lovely little feet, I will be playing little piggies with those toes soon!


Comments

  1. I think my comment just disappeared! I love your beetroot raised garden beds and your eggplant is very healthy. You will have vegetables to pick before you know it with your clever DIY seed tape creation. Winter will be wonderful in your garden :D

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    1. Oh gosh I hope so Merryn, I don't know why your comment disappeared the first time, glad you re-posted.

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    2. Oh gosh I hope so Merryn, I don't know why your comment disappeared the first time, glad you re-posted.

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  2. Well done, you've been very quick off the mark this month! Mine won't get done until the weekend! Nice to share the lovely view from your swing seat and of the ocean and to see your tomatoes doing so well. Is it winter where you are? It's coming into summer here in the UK - I get very confused with this international gardening lark!

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    1. Caro,
      It is a bit topsy turvy even here in Australia. I live in the very northern tip of Australia, the tropics. During the summer it is way too hot and humid to grow much except weird tropical veggies, so during the "winter" we grow what most people consider summer veggies.

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  3. Your garden is looking wonderful. That soil looks so rich. Very lucky beetroot. I used to endeavour to plant by the moon, but just couldn't get my timing right. Love the shot of the pray mantis, one of my favourite insects. Those toes look perfect for playing little piggies!

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    1. Frog,
      I think my compost and worms have really improved the soil a lot, but have to keep adding it. Every now and then I think of planting by the moon, but I cant say that it deters me from planting at the wrong time.

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  4. One of these days I hope to have worms and good soil in my garden...just like you...you gave me quite a bit to aspire to.
    I'm excited for you...to visit your new little grandson in the US...yeah!!!

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    1. Virginia,
      I resisted worms as I didn't like the idea of a free standing worm farm, but the in ground ones are very low care- you should give them a try.

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    1. Dewberry,
      I love living in this age where I can get lots of little photos and videos, but seeing him in person is going to be the best.

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  6. Your garden is beautiful, looking forward to checking out your blog.

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    1. Thanks Sue, I love discovering new blogs, and your garden looks very different to mine!

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    2. Mine seems to look very different each section, we have an orchard and veggie beds in a paddock, backyard is more formal with the new dry garden grown in the mix then the front is totally cottage garden with a side bed of herbs. I love growing and looking forward to seeing more of your garden I think you certainly have a green thumb!

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  7. What a lovely post - the beach and those toes... divine! Good luck with your root crops too,

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    1. thank you newgoodlife, there has been a lot going on in my life lately. Luckily I have made some time for gardening though as well. I really hope this will be the year I can grow beetroot.

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  8. Thanks so much for writing about the moon planting. You made it sound so simple, which is exactly what I needed -- I've been all confused about it, but not now.

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    1. Sue,
      Maybe I have simplified it too much, but that is the only way I could get my head around it as well.

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  9. Oh those toes. So sweet!!
    Volunteer plants always grow best. It makes sense I suppose.
    Your garden is looking good.

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    1. Tracy,
      Aren't they just! I have a tomato that decided to grow right in my herb spiral, and it is becoming a monster.

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  10. Lol, I can't imagine what my girls (the Mudlets) would make of your friendly bug...although I'm guessing mild hysteria would feature

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    1. landroverswife,
      They really are quite innocuous, other than when they mate and the female eats the male..... :)

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  11. Oh those adorable little feet. I bet you can't wait to get there. I haven't experimented with planting by the moon so will watch with interest to see how it goes.

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    1. Kyrstie,
      I am counting down the days. we have had so much rain that I think it might be an unfair time to test the theory.

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  12. Love the beneficial insects, we have a resident stick insect at the moment, very cool! Thanks for the information on moon planting too.

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    1. I saw your stick insect how cool - they can get huge.

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  13. i love that sitting is an important priotity - as it shoudl be, if that is your garden view!
    and please. lots of sunny beach shots are very welcome as hobart heads into winter. the sun was a very rare sighting this weekend.

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    1. e. I am glad you enjoyed the beachy shot, we never tire of walking on the beach. We have actually gone back to rain every day so havent seen the sun for a while either.

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  14. Little toes are the best. I swear by moon planting for root veggies like spuds, garlic and beets, not so much with the leafy greens so i look forward to seeing you beets and radishes how they go. I do know they like loose soil too so its a good thing you gave it a good dig. Enjoy your trip :-)

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    1. Liz,
      well that is nice to know, your garden is such an inspiration, especially since your life is so busy with the new baby as well. I would love to have baskets of goodies like you manage to produce.

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  15. I love the swing idea. I can't wait until my fruit trees are big enough from which to hang one.
    Lovely garden.

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    1. We have had our swing for years, but it is often the first seat visitors will head to. a swing under a fruit tree sounds divine.

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  16. This is the first I've ever heard of seed tape - what a fantastic idea! I might try that with my next batch of plantings.

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    1. Melissa, it works really well when you are first planting out, but now I just throw in a few seeds every time I see an empty hole.

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  17. Adorable little feet of your groundson, , wonderfull garden, greeting from Belgium

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    1. thank you for stopping by all the way from Belgium, hope you have a lovely day

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