We went past CGuy on our way. Our trailer was only half full and he had stuff which he needed to transport. Unfortunately, he couldn't fit his bee hive on - not this time... :)
Arriving at the farm, this sight greeted my eyes...
A bulging veggie patch... |
The mealies (corn) I had planted in a clump inside as we didn't have time to get them on irrigation. They are doing so-so - next year they'll get their own outside, irrigated bed, and they'll have sunflowers and beans to keep them company. They look healthy, but don't have too many husks on them. But I reckon they'll provide me with seed for next season, so they aren't a total loss.
Plants spilling out into the paths |
A couple of radish plants had gone to seed - they're being saved for next year :) |
Giant spinach leaves - that cooler box with it's handle up stands 50cms high |
The largest leaves were over 65cms long...
The armfuls of spinach made a huge pile on the kitchen floor |
The three aubergine (eggplant) plants were weighed down with fruit - this is a picture of just some of them .
The egg box is so that you can get a size comparison |
Thumbs up from the aubergines :) |
Unfortunately, the beans weren't that happy - they need to be picked sooner than they were, so I had a few dry pods on the plants. Never mind, I now have seed for next year. I'm harvesting quite a bit from the town plants, so we aren't going without.
Yellow and purple Franchi Sementi been seeds |
And even my poor neglected potatoes surprised me. Bearing in mind that their planting and last watering was on 9th January, and they were planted right at the base of the tyre tower. I was pleased just to see growth peeping above the soil.
Potato plants hanging in there |
The tyres aren't on irrigation... yet :)
But, my greatest surprise was...
My first ever pumpkin |
A good few hours (roughly 7 - 3 hours on Saturday and 4 hours on Sunday) of de-tangling, supporting, weeding and harvesting - just what I need to make me a happy little puppy :)
Thank You - another blessing to be grateful for.
It's a jungle!
ReplyDeleteHow nice to see things growing like crazy!!
:)
Sue - A jungle indeed! :) I'm over the moon!
DeleteCongratulations on your great harvest!!
ReplyDeleteMs Belinda - Thank you :)
DeleteYeah!! This is the post I've been wondering about. That pumpkin looks wonderful! And the eggplant very nice! A very nice start, bu it must "kill" you to have to wait a month to get back to the farm.
ReplyDeleteTami - It works - it truly works. RMan is so impressed he is definitely going to be making a second shadecloth veggie house LOL He's already earmarked the spot.
DeleteAnd the pests (apart from some ants and crickets, have been noticeable in their absence.
Oh, yes - to wait a month is frustrating to say the least...
how much rain have you had since you were last up?
ReplyDeleteThat is indeed a great crop. Also do you have more than one crop cycle per year with the weather being so warm/hot where you are?
Gill in Canada, where it is snowing.
Gill - Only 3 - 4mm since January 9th. But my porous pipe keeps the veggie patch watered beautifully :)
DeleteYes, I have already harvested spinach 3 - 4 times, and should be able to harvest another 2 - 3 times. Tomatoes - they'll keep producing until the plant dies at the end of March - maybe the beginning of April. Generally, though, we can plant at least two crops of things like mealies (corn) radish (year round) carrots, etc.
Looks yummy. And congratulations on your pumpkin. I bet you will hate to eat it since you have waited so long for it.
ReplyDeleteJane - Thanks :) Yup - I have a feeling that that pumpkin is going to be personal LOL
DeleteLooks like it is going to be a successful garden year.
ReplyDeleteJohn - Oh, pleeeease :)
DeleteWhat a beautiful sight to behold. You must have been in gardening heaven walking in that shade cloth veggie patch. BTW the thumbs up eggplant looks like the lower portion of the State of Michigan .. it's often called 'the mitten' How cool!
ReplyDeleteMrs Mac - Oh, yes I was! I must Google a map of Michigan - that sounds so funny :)
DeleteBeautiful! What a joy to have all your hard work pay off so wonderfully well. I only hope my pumpkin jinx is over this summer as well.
ReplyDeleteLeigh - Perseverance pays off LOL
Delete