29th June 2022 - We’re in the full swing of summer now
There wasn’t very much on this plot when we took on the responsibility for it. Nature would argue differently, there was plenty going on. What it was though had no input from Desi and I (Chris) and nowadays, look at these first two pictures! What an amazing flower this Passiflora has, so delicate, so intricate, so amazing (the bees love them too). The second picture shows you how they look on the shrub itself. There are going to be hundreds of flowers, or so it seems, this year.
We have removed the peppery salad plants from the area near the fence. In their place we have placed chilli pepper plants. We’ve not grown chillies before, let us hope we have got the right plants here.
Across the way in the work area, you can see the bag of harvested plant mass. Hopefully we can get some seeds from these and grow again next year. We have reorganised this area, to “grow on” plants outside. Easier to water if they are altogether like this.
We have also put all the salad leaves on top of the compost bins. This one is currently not used as the "infinity" bin next door has a huge appetite and keeps emptying itself.
The peas are doing well. We have removed the netting so we can harvest the peas, very nice and sweet, we’re eating half of those we are picking raw.
In the new plot we have put the remainder of the peppers. We know they are not ideal conditions and it is quite late in the season, but we may get something from them. A Marigold has been planted here too, in an attempt to keep the aphids away.
Down on the sweet corn patch, we have buried some empty beer cans in order to add beer as slug traps. Allegedly, the slugs find beer irresistible, fall in the can and then enjoy a happy ending. We’ll see what happens. Low cost lager is option 1, or reasonable cost lager, one for the slugs, one for Chris… mmm perhaps option 2.
Notice the Runner Beans are now beginning to emerge and plants already establishing themselves.
Where the brassicas were last year (or at least a good part of it) has now been dug over, cold frame (small box) removed and the concrete slabs also, along with the small pallet… now ready for some planting.
The terrace area is now beginning to fill up nicely. It is amazing how it looks so empty when the small plants are initially planted, and the thought crosses your mind, maybe we need something else… and then!
Out front, roadside, things are shaping up nicely too. We have some Begonias in there, along with the Marigolds and Mallows. The Apple mint around the corner is growing well, so is the strawberry and Eau-de-Cologne flavoured mints. The sweet peas in the distance are starting to show themselves, they are having to grow tall - look at the horseradish!
