I have not been online much and Time did not wait for me, nor did the growth of my plants. I was constantly taking photos of my garden with the best intentions but things do not always go as planned.
This season, I started my garden early March. I followed the same methods as the prior 3 years, since I started home gardening. However, this time things were different. My glee when I saw the first seedlings popping their heads through the soil, change quite rapidly. There were also seedlings growing where I did not drop them. My garden was “infested” with chickweeds.
They looked healthy and green but weeds must go. I’ve hardly had issues with weeds before - but I know that gardening is not always a bed of roses. I started to diligently pull them out - one by one - but my patience wore thin. Thereafter, I did the easiest thing - I grabbed my little shovel and removed a layer of soil ensuring that I went deep enough to remove all the roots. To paraphrase the song -
“Starting all over again could have been rough - but I knew I would make it."
After this disappointing start, I sowed the new batch of seeds less enthusiastically. I was not used to this but had to quickly get over it. Luckily, things progressed well enough with my table garden outside and my seedlings inside. Soon I had a small jungle with plants eagerly waiting for the outdoor sun.
First harvest
After the last frost, brighter days arrived and the tomatoes, red peppers, courgettes and cucumbers were transplanted outside. The plants looked healthy - they were thriving in the sun. I could soon harvest radishes,
strawberries,
along with lettuce. When it was time to reap the paksoi, I received some well camouflaged and unwanted visitors. I guess they need to eat as well.
Tropical plants need warm weather
The rains came visiting with a vengeance. It rained so much I thought we would get a storm. The temperature dropped. It felt like early spring again instead of the herald of summer. It must have been shocking for the plants - my red peppers and cucumbers gave up the ghost. I have sown more cucumber plants - as I must persevere. One courgette(zucchini) is still hanging on though.
The tomatoes look battered and windswept.
They are still standing as they are wrapped around a suspended sisal cord. Each plant still boasts a few small tomatoes and flowers.
Table garden, grow bags and pots
The table garden is 120 X120 cm. It houses carrots,
beets and
turnips - which are doing well.
The rucola
and a few lettuce have “bolted”. They might now be too bitter to eat.
The potato seemed to have thrived in this weather.
A few years ago, I progagated thyme,
rosemary,
and mint.
They came out of hibernation or re-sprouted after winter and are doing well. That includes the anise hyssop which self-seeded. There are now numerous plants compared to 1 - from last season. I have a lot of fragrant minty tea leaves to enjoy.
Due to the heavy rainfall, my terrace garden looks lush and green despite all the woes. I am still very proud of my small garden. It is now takes up about 9 X 2 metres as every year I seem to plant a bit more. I even have plants hanging from the sides of the balcony.
Although I might need to wait until July to see the tropical plants flourishing - I am patient. Otherwise, who knows - I might decide to get more serious and install a garden dome next year. 😀
All photos are my own - taken with my iPhone.