Garden Zones

Summer Seems to be by.

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 13:45:43 PST

Scarecrow’s Garden Log: 06:03:2010:Broad Beans seedlings emergingon Wicking Bed 2 in the Main Vegetable GardenTemperatures that week:Lowest Min 8.8CLowest Max 23.3CHighest Max 30.3CNo Recorded RainfallWhat’s the weather been like in the garden?Much cooler and quite windy! Just like autumn should be! A good day to get out in the garden and get busy ready for the coming winter.Propagation:Seeds:Celery- Pink from Eden SeedsEndive- Salad King from Eden SeedsFennel- Bronze from Eden SeedsLovage from …

Last Days of Summer.

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 13:28:55 PST

Scarecrow’s Garden Log: 27:02:2010:Scruffy the Wattlebird has been feastingon the grapes on the back pergola. See more photos hereTemperatures that week:Lowest Min 10.3CLowest Max 28CHighest Max 35.8CNo Recorded RainfallWhat’s the weather been like in the garden?It tried to rain on Monday but nothing fell in the rain gauge. The cooler temperatures were welcome but have been steadily on the rise all week. Saturday brought humidity once again as areas to the north of us had heavy rain. that is th…

Strawberry Saga

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:29:49 PST

The continuing heatwaves that year, which began in November, have taken their toll on the Strawberry harvest. I have repeatedly pruned and fed the plants to boost flower production and fruit setting only to have the heat or pests (grasshoppers) wipe out the new growth and fruit. Now the plants are sending out runners to reproduce. I would like to continue to get some fruit off these plants so I remove the tiny runner stems as I see them.This encourages the plant to send up more flower stalks.Bin…

Zucchinis, Birds and Figs!

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 20:12:34 PST

Scarecrow’s Garden Log: 20:02:2010:Watercress in the shade house!Temperatures that week:Lowest Min 7.8CLowest Max 30.2CHighest Max 36.6CNo Recorded RainfallWhat’s the weather been like in the garden?Temperatures by 30C all week topping at 36.3C.Not even a tip of any rain!Propagation:Seeds:Coriander seed scattered around the outside of future brassica growing beds!Kale LacinatoKale Thousand HeadedInto punnets under curtains!Potting up:Broccoli- Nutri Bud, Celey- Tendercrisp and Chinese/Soup, Cher…

Tropical Heatwave

Sat, 13 Feb 2010 15:44:56 PST

Scarecrow’s Garden Log: 13:02:2010:Alyssum Lobularia maritimawith the flowering Butternut Pumpkinsin the Kitchen Garden.Temperatures that week:Lowest Min 10CLowest Max 29.9CHighest Max 37.2C1mm RainWhat’s the weather been like in the garden?We had another official Heatwave that week that’s 5 days by 35C. Along with the heat that date came humidity that fed down from the northern tropical regions! Many areas of the state (and indeed the country) received significant rain…we received 1mm. Propag…

Aptenia cordifolia

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 11:09:15 PST

Matron asked about the plant the snail was on in the photo on last weeks garden log.The plant is Aptenia cordifolia additionally called Baby Sunrose or Heartleaf Ice Plant See link hereNew Zealand Spinach (Tetragonia tetragonioides)It is a member of the same family (Aizoaceae) as New Zealand Spinach (Tetragonia tetragonioides) but has a smaller, lighter coloured leaf and a larger, bright pink flower. The flowers only open in full sunshine and wouldn’t you know it we have a cloudy day here toda…

Rain Means Snails!

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 08:33:40 PST

Scarecrow’s Garden Log: 06:02:2010:Guarding the RockmelonsTemperatures that week:Lowest Min 9.8CLowest Max 28.1CHighest Max 35.6C6mm RainWhat’s the weather been like in the garden?Some more rain and very humid conditions! Relatively cool conditions for February!There was adequate rain to bring out the Snails!Propagation:Potting up:Red Choi, Purple Flowered Choy, Celtuce, Tatsoi and Lettuces into punnets as Mixed GreensRed ChoiRomanesco BroccoliPurple Sprouting BroccoliNutri-Bud BroccoliLacinato …

Ya! Some Rain!!!!

Sat, 30 Jan 2010 19:11:32 PST

Scarecrow’s Garden Log: 30:01:2010:Raindrops on Ceylon SpinachLet the rain kiss you.Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops.Let the rain sing you a lullaby.~Langston Hughes~Temperatures that week:Lowest Min 12.8CLowest Max 29.9CHighest Max 36.6C14mm RainWhat’s the weather been like in the garden?We had some RAIN!!! Thunderstorm RAIN!!!Then the weather turned very humid!There is more rain on the seven day forecast, we shall see whether it comes!According to these ants we could b…

Wicking Bed Shade

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 11:01:44 PST

Please visit on the photo for a full size view!Under the supervision of the Black Ninja Cat (who managed to keep well out of my way for a change! ) I prepared the Chookhouse Wicking Bed for growing greens that year.Aged manure and soaked coir has been added with blood and bone and rock minerals Fecondo.While that mixture sits and the worms do their thing I’ve mulched it well with straw that the chooks have cleaned of seeds and broken down.With the temperature still up around 35-40C and the bed …

Autumn Seed Planting 2010

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 11:01:43 PST

We may still have a couple of heatwaves to get through that summer but I’ve started on my Autumn seed sowing for winter! There are a lot of varieties on the list but I’ve only planted 1 punnet (or pot) of each…and don’t forget my excesses are sold at the local markets. I have a few more Brassica seeds on their way in a seed order but they will go in as they reach!Greens/Brassicas:Broccoli Brassica oleracea var. italica- Romanesco from Cornucopia seeds- Purple Sprouting from 4Seasons SeedsCabba…