31 Jul 2013

garden share collective: august

This month reflects not so much what I have done around the garden, but what my Dad has done (if you need reminding of just how capable he is, read here. And here).
 
Though I may have the Garden Share Collective to thank for prompting these achievements, as I casually mentioned to Dad how good it would be to provide an update on the water tank situation mentioned in the previous post … so here goes.

This kind of rigid plastic tank with its supporting metal cage is usually used to cart water. It holds 1000 litres. Dad bought it (second hand) for about $100, so a very cheap option. I'll bucket the water out for my vegies and backyard pots

So, Dad came up mid-week and finish installing the tank. No help from me this time; he came over while I was at work and refused my offers to take a day off. Truth is I think he prefers it when I’m not with him, because then I’m not reminding him to wear his ear muffs or eye goggles or leather gloves or to just be careful Dad, be careful!

While it may have made more sense to place the tap on the other side of the tank, away from the garden, clever Dad reasons that one day I might get another tank (!), so this configuration will work better when there are two, side by side.

The base is also haphazard (we’re all about making do – I have piles of house bricks and pavers sitting about), but come summer I shall paint all the supports white so they look a bit more uniform.

Dad also delivered a great quantity of ‘vegie mix’ – fortified soil for the vegie garden. Thanks, Dad.

Thank you too to the weather gods, because on the Saturday after Dad’s work, the weather was drab but fine enough for me to sweep around the tank, brush some more sand into the new paving strip, neatly stack the leftover bricks and pavers, and generally tidy up what has been a building site for quite a few months. All ‘infrastructure’ stuff but sometimes this is what gardening is about (and I get more obsessed with order as I get older).

Then I set to distributing that vegie mix about (well, I made a thermos of tea and then I went back to work). First I transplanted some self-seeded larkspurs from the garden beds - their vibrant cobalt flowers are stars at attracting bees to the garden, but I don’t need them within the vegie patch - and I set aside the last two bean trellises.

I then bucketed the vegie mix around (Dad, you would be so proud of me: I even raked it smooth). I’ll dig it in closer to planting time; probably September or October, once the soil and the days start to warm up. Not only will this improve the soil, but it will raise the level: the middle patch is reclaimed from the lawn, so is not very deep or good a quality. This stuff adds a couple of inches as well as some better substance to the soil.
These few hours in the garden were a pleasant task; I spend my working days sitting at a desk so physically moving like this is good for my soul and my muscles. And it was good to get this ‘infrastructure’ stuff done ahead of spring’s planting and sowing. And it gives me something to report to you.

Thank the heavens again, because on Sunday, we had steady, drizzly rain. Enough to start filling the tank - it was lovely to hear the water trickling down the pipes and into the tank - and to wet down the vegie mix (the weekend after this, we had torrential rain; that thousand litre tank is now completely filled). With a break in the rain, I decided to cut back my neighbour’s pittosporum (see second photo). It looks – looked – soft and pretty, but I plan on placing a passionfruit against that wall in spring. Getting the overhanging branches off now allows any rain to fall onto the ground and keep the bed moist.
Garlic growing well in the bag

So this has been a much more positive update than I had anticipated. I had originally drafted a fairly depressing post – driven by some gloomy days – that would have had you all sending me prescriptions for anti-depression medication. But, a turn in weather means a change of heart and an opportunity to get outside and achieve something. I am buoyed by getting this major work down. It’s good to look out the window and see neat, orderly progress.

To do this coming month:
  • Start dreaming about spring seeds to buy and sow
  • Phone the nursery and ask about passionfruit vines
  • Keep feeding and harvesting the greens that are growing: tatsoi, silverbeet and curly kale
  • Stay positive!
Rosemary sprigs for a future rosemary tree, to be grown in a more convenient location of the garden 

Don’t get forget to see others in the Garden Share Collective who are being far more active in terms of growing than I am! Click on the logo in the column at right to find more green thumbs.

Dad even popped this broom holder up for me, so it’s easier to sweep up leaves without having to move all these tools first

31 comments:

  1. e, I'll say it again, you have a great dad! And you are being so wonderfully organised in the garden. it looks so good, planning for spring is one of the great joys of gardening. Love the tank - that is on my list of things to do this year. Every time I hear it raining I think wistfully of the non-existent tank not filling up with water...

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    1. Hi Jo! i'll tell dad you think he's great too!
      i know that feeling of listening to rain running away uncollected. now i'm a very contented gal. after all this work, i feel set for the warmer weather now.

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  2. It looks like you have been busy e. You do have a great dad, how lovely that you both love gardening and it is something you can enjoy together.

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    1. thanks jane - though as i said, i do think dad prefers it when i'm not there! he can just get on with it without me being Miss OHS Nanny.
      but it's good to refelct back on this post and see that some realy important work has been done, and i'm ready for spring planting action in a cuple fo months!

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    2. that was meant to be 'couple of months' :-)

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  3. Your dad is a real gem. The tank is all installed, there is fresh soil in your garden beds, things are looking up. I hope to hear all about your spring plans of planting out your veggie beds. I am really impressed at what you have done this month - it is a lot. Would love to know what you plan to grow in Tassie for spring to see the comparison in climate.

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    1. lizzie, that is the great thing about the collective - seeign what others in different climes are doing. it's an informative experience and it really inspires me to consider growing things i'd normally not consider - just a few months later than everyone else!

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  4. Dad's are the BEST! You have a wonderful space set for planting soon. Your tank is fabulous and wow, filled already!! I would really like to get one set up. Our last house was tank water only and it was a great way to gain a real appreciation for the value of water.
    I love thinking about what to plant each Spring. The possibilities and hope that gardening bring makes me happy :-)
    I look forward to seeing what you decide too plant.

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    1. thanks you kyrstie for your kind words!
      it's a small space but manageable for me right now. and for dad too ;-)
      and i'm a real believer in water tanks. they do make you value this precious resource. i get so angry when i see the neighbours hosing down their driveways! so wasteful.

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  5. can I borrow your Dad next weekend? Great update, thanks for sharing, from a fellow share gardener x

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    1. Hey Lisa! there may be a line for him :-) i'm off to his place soon to retaurn the favour and do some manual labour for him.

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  6. Wow you have made some solid progress in the garden. Bless your Dad. I wish mine lived closer so he help me out in the garden, but I can't complain hubby helps out.

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    1. Hello G! as much as i don't like admitting it... there are just some things we need strong men to do for us! thank you for your kind words - yes, i've really laid the groundwork for the warmer months (which are still some way off in hobart, if the heavy frost this morning was anything to go by).

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  7. Stay positive! I hear you. The hardest part I find is seeing all the things that need to be done but not getting a chance to do them. Getting outside and getting hands in the dirt is the biggest motivator! Spring isn't too far off now :)

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    1. helllo jacqui - we may garden in different climes but we share the same attitude it seems (we all do!). getting into the frsh ait and dirt IS the best motivator and spirit-lifter by far, i truly agree with you.

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  8. Your garden beds are looking great, cant believe the tank filled up so quickly. We have one tank and have been contemplating installing another one but not sure if we would use enough for two when the current one is already quite large.

    Dads are wonderful aren't they! When we first brought our house dad came over when we were at work a couple of times and painted some of the outside for us, I was so thankful as painting is quite boring after awhile :)

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    1. hi louie! i haven't yet made it over to your garden share collective post - next!
      yes it is amazing the tank - all 1000 litres - is already full. it's like having a fully-stocked pantry - i'm ready for everything now. our past few summers have been very dry, so my two tanks (i have a small corrugated iron one, juuuust visible in the background of the pic) will be a necessity.
      and i agree with you on painting. a great idea at the time until you are cutting in and rolling, rolling, rolling...

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  9. Thank you for the chance to see your garden. Love the tool/broom hanger.

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    1. thank you linda for stoppign by Dig In. every super-organised neat-freak gardener needs one of those broom hangers!!

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  10. Love your tank - and how wonderful that your dad did all of that...

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    1. thanks jeanie (and i'm off over to your garden share collective post soon). i truly do appreciate what dad does for me. there are some things i just haven't got the skills (or tools) for!

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  11. Hi, I've popped over from the Garden share collective,
    Total Dad envy! judging by the other comments, you could make a fortune renting him out!
    Your veg beds look great, so neat. I'm off to have a look around the rest of your blog now, looking forward to keeping up with your garden in future too.
    Alex

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    1. hello alex! i spoke to mum last nght and told her to pass on all the love dad is getting here. mum's reply? "tell them all to get in line!".
      thank you so much for coming over and i hope you enjoy the rest of Dig In.

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  12. Hi there E. You and your Dad have done a wonderful job. I had to laugh at you being motherly with him as I am the same with mine, especially at work.

    The garden beds look great and I have to say I am a little jealous of your broom rack. I want one!

    Glad your tank is filled, should be a great growing season ahead!

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    1. good morning SB! everyone needs one of those broom racks (get thee to a hardware store!). it's meant to be a fancy indoor one - probably for coats or towels - but it's perfect for this job.
      and yes, with my water tankss full, i'm ready to go (and grow!).

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  13. My father-in-law isn't close to being as handy as your dad. I'm a teensy envious. We do have weather warm enough to start tomatoes so maybe we're even. Really glad we met!

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    1. hello maureen - yes, this is the wonderful thing about lizzie's garden share collective; i'm discovering new blogs and people i might never have come across myself.

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  14. Well done, you have been busy since last month. Great water tank and your garden beds look so full and neat. Lovely garlic shoots, are these the big organic garlic bulbs? Great broom rack too. I love Hobart and admire you for doing so much over winter and looking forward to Spring already.

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    1. hi merrin, sorry for the late reply. Yes, i achieved much more than i anticipated - always a good thing. And i'm a neat-freak, so thank you for noticing the orderly garden beds :-)
      the garlic was the last of some organic stuff i bought from the bellerive farmers market, so it comes from tasty stock.
      ha, i love how much the broom rack is a hit with everyone. i wonder if i am starting a trend?!

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  15. What an amazing garden you have. I'm deeply envious. Most of my land is on the front and side of my house - I need a Jamie Durie type landscaper to come and help me work out how to best use the land I have to grow vegetables :)

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    1. or you need a dad like mine - he's my principal advisor and teacher! i agree though, sometimes it's hard to know where to start, especially with tricky areas.

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