TAS Diary Archives
August 18, 2007
Cabbages and cauliflower
As you will know, I have taken a (comparatively) more active role in the vegetable gardening this year because Dan has had less time than previously. I got terribly tense about the brassicas - not really sure why, except that the plants I grew from seed looked pretty pathetic.
I had a plan involving mini cauliflower, cabbage and three varieties of sprouting broccoli. I managed to mix up the cabbage and cauliflower seedlings - I've planted them out but won't know which is which until the heads form (if they do). I also started the broccoli in trays in the greenhouse. I don't knwo if I used the wrong compost or what but they were just embarrasingly pathetic. In the end, they went in the compost and I sowed the seeds direct. I've now got several rows of healthy looking plants, but I don't know if I sowed too late to get anything useful from them. I'll just have to be patient (not my strong point) and wait and see.
Part of the bed went unused this year - for the reasons above. It did grow a great crop of weed though. Today, I pulled them out - very therapeutic. The soil was lovely - black, friable and full of worms. I think we'll sow some green manures this year - Dan's perusing the choice just now. He's also looking for something to sow in the pigs pens when they become vacant. The grazing rye was OK but there are lots of options. We've got a bit of ground to reseed so we're going to use a grass / herbal mix developed for goats - but I'm sure the sheep (and the rabbits!) will love it!
Posted by Rosemary at August 18, 2007 3:43 PM
Comments
My Grandmother always told us kids; "the most fun part of being a gardner is, EXPERIMENTING AND LEARNING". Thats my motto, as I ALWAYS have a LARGE pile of my experiments that do not quite make it! But, I learn and keep going. Here in Central Oregon, gardening is ONE GREAT BIG experiment!!! We can grow root crops very well, but need a green house to grow everything else. We did just pull some spuds for a very tasty new potato and pea dish. We planted mostly Yukon Gold Potatoes this year. We have around 220+ hills. We, also have a little squirrels that are called, Golden Mantels; that LOVE to have a few new potatoes themselves!! Darn critters anyway!! - So glad that you two took the time to take a nice walk together; especially during you very busy schedules. Have a GREAT day!!
Posted by: Wanda at August 19, 2007 11:32 AMWe inherited a vegetable patch when we moved in this year, and have had a crack at all sorts - including brassicas. We have lost loads of cabbages, purple-sprouting and cauliflowers to slugs, catapillars, alien abduction, you-name-it....but we have finally got some survivors including some cauliflowers with curds that are almost ready to eat. I feel almost elated..if I wasn't so tired. It will be worth it!
Posted by: Not A Proper Farmer at August 19, 2007 7:21 PMI have nominated you for a 'Nice Matters' award.
Posted by: claire at August 20, 2007 8:06 AMJust stopping by to say, " HELLO". Hope you both are having a good time harvesting out of your lovely garden. We will be pulling our onions tomorrow and getting them ready to dry. It was 23 degrees here last night, so do not want them to freeze. The potatoes are starting to lay over now. We will harvest them in a week or so. The weather is telling us to get ready for winter. A wee bit early this year. Every once in a while it will do this for a couple weeks and then turn into a beautiful Indian Summer. We are keeping our fingers crossed. We are not prepared for snow as yet. A lot of prep work to do first. Anyway, have a great day! Be back to visit in a few.
Posted by: Wanda at August 26, 2007 2:50 AMHi Rosemary and Dan!!
I GOT THE PACKAGE AND THE MARMITE!!! I AM GOING THROUGH IT ALL IN THE MORNING, AS IT IS LATE TONIGHT. I WILL BE BACK TOMORROW. I AM SO EXCITED!!!
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!
WANDA
As you know ma gardenin skills aren't too hot (remember the tomatoes?!) but I am interested in yer "great crop of weed" !!! ;-)
Posted by: Scooby Doo! at September 3, 2007 5:01 PMHo, Sue
Not the kind of weed yoou're thinking about and nothing that's going to help pay the mortgage unless there is an untapped market for docks and chickweed.
Posted by: Rosemary at September 3, 2007 8:50 PMHmmm that's unfortunately... ya know all these rallys take their toll on the bank balance! Still I've got a packet of mixed 'erbs in the pantry PMSL! ;-)
Posted by: Miss Doo at September 4, 2007 2:11 PM
I know how you feel about brassicas - but they are so rewarding when you succeed! Are you far enough north to avoid the aphids?
TopVeg
Posted by: TopVeg at August 19, 2007 10:10 AM