We started a tiny veggie patch in a nice sunny spot in our garden that used to be occupied by a very damaging fig tree. Not sure what type of fig, but it should never have been planted in the ground. Anyway, that got chopped down, the pool fence re-directed and the paving fixed. That left us with a bare patch of soil that we didn’t know what to do with. My daughter had the idea of growing some veggies, and so the veggie growing project began.
My youngest watering the newly planted seeds
We planted on the 26th April – late for autumn planting I know. We planted spinach, carrots, lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, kale and a couple of pumpkin seeds. Another no-no apparently was to plant directly into the garden, which we did. We thought we would just throw caution to the wind and see what happened. I received warnings from colleagues at work that carrots and cauliflower were hard to grow.
veg patch one month in – see my sad little lettace
Well six weeks on and its not looking too bad. The kids have been so excited about the veggie patch progress, rushing out to see whats grown bigger and biggest every few days. Spinach and kale are coming along nicely, they seem to be doing well along the edge, but there is slow growth in the middle. I think maybe something has had a go at the seeds and new shoots. Maybe a bird or slugs. who knows. To my surprise the carrots look good and it looks like a near 100% seed success rate (insert more farmer-like term – germination rate?).
veg patch at 6 weeks – we are growing things
The lettuces were a complete fail, only one has finally grown, so I am nurturing it as much as possible. The broccoli and caulis are looking good. No sign of pumpkins although I was since told that its the wrong time of year and they like to grow out the compost. Next job is to feed the plants. I have been watering daily. My compost isn’t ready yet, so might have to get some fertiliser for now.
How is your winter garden growing? Are you harvesting yet? When did you plant?
Teresa x
Knit, bake, cultivate 
How wonderful to be growing things! The size of the garden doesn’t matter, as long as you are enjoying yourself 🙂
Thanks, thats what I keep telling myself. Its all good fun – and the guinea pigs seem to be enjoying it! I am green with envy over your veggie patch though. I will be taking some tips from you when we move to pastures new.