We really are spoiled for choice when it comes to gardening. In our enclosed undercover garden, the sugar-snap climbing peas are full of flowers and edible pods, underplanted with spinach and kohlrabi.
A succession crop of peas is planted under the tomato frames, while the self-seeded tomato plants are being transplanted into pots to grow while waiting for warmer weather. Seeds of zucchini are beginning to pop up, though they still need nighttime shelter as the temperature often drops below 16°C.
The subtropical passionfruit are overtaking some of the roof area, providing fragrant smelling beautiful flowers. Although I often have temperatures of 25°C during the day, I need a constant temperature over the 24-hour period for fruit to set.
Outside, I have been harvesting the cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli that were planted as seedlings back in May. A succession planting of brassicas is growing slowly, and once the weather warms up, should begin to flourish with a crop available by November. The Chinese vegetables have also provided plenty of food for stir-fries, especially as you can harvest the outside leaves and let the plant grow on. Rainbow Lights silver beet with it’s yellow, crimson and pink stems has proved to be a versatile vegetable.
The parsnip, which seeded prolifically, spreading far and wide, has given me plenty of opportunity to harvest at various sizes as I have thinned it out.
The onions and spring onions, along with a succession crop of beetroot, have overwintered, continuing to grow slowly.
I have left most of the outside garden unplanted and incorporated manure, compost and mulch, letting the soil food web break down the nutrients for new plants. Soon this area will be ready for planting another succession of brassicas as well as beans.
Areas for potatoes have been planted as well as lots of seedling leeks. Recently I harvested the last of the beetroot in the main garden and prepared the soil for sowing carrot seeds, while the rain that followed finished the preparation nicely.
Oranges, lemons and bananas have provided fruit along with a few ripening pawpaw. The rest of the fruit trees have been pruned and some of the miniature ones are alive with buds.
The soil outside is still too cold for planting seeds in garden soil, but I have been experimenting with hanging baskets undercover on the climbing frames where the temperature is more constant and a long climb for any slugs.
As you can see there is always something to eat and plenty of small jobs to keep up the interest in gardening whatever the season.
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