It's winter here in Australia and it's a time that I've always struggled with in the Veggie Patch.
The frosts have been heavy however the rain is no where to be seen. Despite how cold it is the Sun comes out and spending time in the garden isn't too bad. So it's time to clear out the spring and summer crops that have finished and make room for some new winter crops. Now, usually I kind of give up on the path in winter and wait until the spring weather starts to appear before getting motivated enough to get out and plant up the whole patch. So I'm not very experienced when it comes to winter crops and am pretty much making it up as I go.
From this patch I removed the old tomato and capsicum plants that were left over from summer, as well as a massive globe artichoke that was growing at the end of the patch. I had planted turmeric in this patch which had died off and i assumed it had gone rotten in the ground and didn't do anything. I was very surprised to dig up massive turmeric bunches. No idea what to do with all that turmeric now. But it was the sweet potato that was the real challenge to clean up. It had popped up from where it had grown previously and I attempted to pull it out for ages before I gave in and let it grow. There could have been potatoes anywhere so I turned the whole patch searching for them. This is what I got...
My wife planted a heap of peas at a time I didn't think she should have, but they all grew and I thought they wouldn't do very well if I didn't thin them out, which I never got around to doing. Much to my surprise they have taken off and we are getting bucket loads of peas off them which the boys love. So I'm planting another lot to see how they go and to try and find the optimal time of year to plant them in this area.
I also raided my seed collection to see what old bean seeds I had to plant a green manure crop in a bed I was resting. I spaced out some spring onion, spread some flower seed and did a general clean up and of course had help along the way.
He has developed a fascination with seeds and planting them and I'm finding things popping up all over the place. I'm looking forward to showing him what grows from the seeds he's planting and I think he is old enough now to get it.
If you're interested in what else I got up to or more detail on what I've written above please check out my video...