A grand vege patch at the very top of our block. My hubby commenced this project with the ambition of keeping our young daughter outside in the garden as well as being to start enjoying the land and space which we are growing to love. In amongst all the trials of building a house (or not building at this point) the new Vege patch provides us with something that we have created ourselves to put our stamp on block.
The soil for the Vege patch came from a contact who was looking to get rid of some fill. Although there is some rubbish in the soil and a number clayey patches, all 30 tonnes of it was brought in and loaded in the Vege patch for next to nothing. Considering the driveway access to this part of our block is barely negotiable in the wet and we didn't have to lift a finger, it was a bargain! There will probably be considerable effort involved to get the soil into tip top shape, but soil from a landscape yard would have cost ten times as much. Although I don't think I'll be enthusiastic enough to improve the soil if we get some good yields from the plants.
On the wee
kend, we finished off the mulching and built the first trellis pyramids for future peas, beans and tomatoes.We have kicked of the plants with some seedlings from a nursery at Ourimbah - $10 for 10!
Our first plants are:
capsicum, dill, rocket, thyme, coriander, cauliflower, sage, oregano, and chives.
capsicum, dill, rocket, thyme, coriander, cauliflower, sage, oregano, and chives.
The capsicum was the Monkey's choice as mummy is not a fan! 
We have also created somewhat of an orchard along the back fence. The winter sun in this position is limited so it will be interesting to see how the plants manage. The previous owners left us with a lemon and orange tree, and we now also have an olive, mandarin and Tahitian lime.
With many hours of procrastination of the weekend, I have also finalised an order through my sisters Diggers club membership. Over the next few weeks and months our vege patch will expand to include potatoes, beans, snow peas, sugar snap peas, corn, zuchinni, shallots, carrots, rhubarb, spinach, tommy tomatoes, peanuts, beetroot, pumpkins, watermelon, rockmelon and a bay tree.
Although I have had vege patch in the past, it was about a tenth the size and I am excited about the prospect of having a plentiful supply of our own veges and fruit.
Nothing to something mantra:
Nothing:
We have also created somewhat of an orchard along the back fence. The winter sun in this position is limited so it will be interesting to see how the plants manage. The previous owners left us with a lemon and orange tree, and we now also have an olive, mandarin and Tahitian lime.
With many hours of procrastination of the weekend, I have also finalised an order through my sisters Diggers club membership. Over the next few weeks and months our vege patch will expand to include potatoes, beans, snow peas, sugar snap peas, corn, zuchinni, shallots, carrots, rhubarb, spinach, tommy tomatoes, peanuts, beetroot, pumpkins, watermelon, rockmelon and a bay tree.
Although I have had vege patch in the past, it was about a tenth the size and I am excited about the prospect of having a plentiful supply of our own veges and fruit.
Nothing to something mantra:
Nothing:
- bare garden heartily growing onion weed
- many hours spent indoors on the weekend due to lack of space around the outside of the house and lack of motivation
- all our fruit and veges coming from the fruit shop every week
- a fun outdoor space to enjoy as a family
- a project which creates a sense of ownership and belonging at our new block
- lots of learning experiences for the Monkey
- reducing our ecological footprint
- scrumptious supply of fruit and veges!
Woo Hoo to that and to add as a "something", lots more to chat about with your sis as we compare notes on our success and failures each season. Can't wait to see how you go
ReplyDeleteThis looks amazing!
ReplyDelete