And that's me in the corner!
But yesterday, for the first time in weeks - months - we were blessed with a sunny, warm weekend. Well, Sunday morning - Saturday was damp and miserable. After frosty starts this week, it was a joy to wake up to sunshine and blue skies.
My parents were coming for a visit, too, so I was really happy: we could be out in the garden, and indeed, we ended up eating lunch outside. I can't remember the last time we did that!
The sunshine motivated me to venture into the vegie garden for some proper work, to get the space ready for spring sowing action. I built two teepee-style trellises for climbing beans (above), inspired by ones in Hobart's botanic gardens. Their frames, of course, were mega-structures, welded strong and reaching for the skies; mine are tea-tree sticks rescued from a screen I demolished a few months ago, barely six feet tall. And trussed together with old pantyhose. In front of them, I lay out guarding to mark where I'll sow mixed mesclun salad greens.
Elsewhere I put up hip-high climbing frames (made last year) to support non-climbing peas and beans; Dad pounded them in for me to ensure they were secure in the ground. I also marked out a line ready for Tuscan Cavolo Nero kale, which I've never grown before. I'm looking forward to these - pictures I have seen are very impressive with their tall, blackish, plume-like leaves.
I also planned where I'll grow tomatoes, once Dad has gotten them going in a month or so. Last year I grew small cherry tomatoes in pots, and while I was happy with my first-ever attempt, it was hellish keeping the plants moist in the unseasonal heat. So I'm growing them directly in the ground this year. I'm hoping for Black Krims, please Dad - one of my favourites.
And here is an update of my savoy cabbages: my, how they've grown! I love their dark crinkled leaves; such a fascinating texture.
What's growing in your garden?
Hello e, lovely to have a tour of your garden! There is nothing like some sunshine to get the gardening motivation happening! I am also raising some Tuscan Cavolo Nero kale seed. Your cabbages look very healthy :)
ReplyDeleteYes, sunshine is a rare commodity in a Hoabrt winter! I was very happy with what I achieved. In a month or so the ground should be warming up for sawing. But I am ready for it!
DeleteUnlike your organised approach to gardening, i take a bit of a scattergun approach. I have lots growing, in a higgedly-piggedly kind of fashion, including leeks, garlic, Brussels sprouts, parsnips, scallions, 4-5 different types of lettuce, large clusters of celery, silverbeet, a clump of lemongrass, and several chilli plants. My little patch is going for gold, this winter!
ReplyDeleteI am so envious! I aodre parnsip, brussels spouts, leeks and galric and - oh! You have a wonderful variety. I must say, it is only in the last year I have learnt to be more regimented and organised, with rows and the like. I realised it really maximised my small space, as well as making picking easier). Thank you for dropping by Dig In!
DeleteMy vegetable garden is hopeless at the moment - but I'm planning to change that this spring! I loved looking at your photos - your garden is very neat!
ReplyDeleteAs I said above, being neat helps maximise a small space. But i think i'm just an uptight kinda person, too :-)
DeleteIt's taken me a couple of years to work out that neat works best. But I have a long way to go, especially when i see my dad's garden. I always forget to plant something... Looking forward to the warmer weather, too, so I can really get cracking.
DeleteVery nice! I move in two weeks and I am really looking forward to starting my own vegetable garden and growing every herb possible! I will be living in the tropics and I am excited at the long list of stuff that grows well up there!
ReplyDeleteOOh, we get tropic envy when we watch the northern presenters on Gardening Australia. All the gorgeous things like mangoes and fabulous tropical flowers.
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