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Garden share - September 2014

We had some rain in August!  This is very unusual, our long term average rainfall for August is 28.7 mm, although it has varied between 0.8 and 106 mm.  We never know what we are going to get, but usually we don't expect much in August.  This year we got about about 40mm, which was very welcome considering that year to date rainfall is about 100 mm below average for this time of year.  September also ranges 1 to 140 mm, with an average of 40 mm, so maybe it will rain this month too.

The result of all this rain is that the garden has recovered and produced lots of green veges, including various asian greens, silverbeet and celery, as well as plenty of parsley, chervil and coriander.  Also mint, calendula, lavender, borage and nasturtiums are growing well.


As promised last month, I sorted through my seeds and I'll have a list to swap next Monday.  I started planting, even though I'm not very confident about the weather.  I am thinking that if I can get these plants established before it gets too hot and dry, I might get some yield.  Last year I was late getting seeds started and I didn't get much to grow at all through summer.  

I just planted one tray to get started, so I don't overdo it and have more seedlings than I can look after!  For now its just a few tomatoes, rosella, capsicum, eggplant, lots of beans, golden nugget pumpkin, sphaghetti squash, tromboncino and pickling cucumbers.  Plus I'll put some more beetroot and carrost seeds directly in the garden when I get a chance.

If you're interested in seed saving and starting from seeds, I've written a few useful posts in the past, see them all here.

seed collection

seeds planted

garden helper

the bees were enjoying the broccoli flowers (more seeds in production)

an abundance of leafy greens

maybe my carrots will finally grow now!
Jobs for September: pot up the seedlings, replant the ones that don't sprout, put a few more seeds in the garden, practice raindance.


You can join the Garden Share Collective too!  Link back to Lizzie at Strayed from the Table.


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Comments

  1. The Webbers Living a Good Life, againSeptember 1, 2014 at 9:37 AM

    It's so nice to be able to go outside and pick lovely produce for dinner that evening. We hopeto be much better organised for the latter part of the seasons next time aorund.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownOctober 1, 2014 at 7:06 AM

      yes, I love just popping out to the garden to get herbs and veges!

      Delete
  2. AnonymousSeptember 1, 2014 at 1:19 PM

    I also save all my seed- although your little jars and boxes look more organised. I'm glad you got some rain- and hope you get more this month. I just watered outside and - it is now raining. always the way.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownOctober 1, 2014 at 7:07 AM

      I found that I had so many in little containers I needed to get organised! I buy my moisturised in those jars and I've been using it for nearly 10 years, so there are plenty of jars around the house!

      Delete
  3. africanaussieSeptember 1, 2014 at 1:31 PM

    You always seem to have something for the table, so must be doing something right. I agree with the concept of not planting too much, and a bit more variety. I am off to read what you have to say about seed saving as so much of my garden went to seed while i was gone.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Merryn@merrynsmenuSeptember 1, 2014 at 2:48 PM

    Such beautiful leafy greens! It is great you save your seeds diligently. Your first picked basket with the greens, lavender, mint and nasturtiums is a credit to you. |I am going back to read about your seed saving tips.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Brenda @ 13 AcresSeptember 1, 2014 at 4:48 PM

    your garden is looking fab…all those great leafy greens. Our frosts have been severe that I lost a few winter plantings, and really should have covered them. I'm growing my seeds indoors too this year for further protection whilst I try and concoct a mini poly tunnel for them! Glad you got rain…happy gardening xx

    ReplyDelete
  6. lizzie {Strayed Table}September 2, 2014 at 9:18 AM

    So glad you got some rain, its definitely looking greener up your way. Seed saving is now part of my garden habit, collecting the ones that do well and sowing them again next year. Glad that you too are putting rosellas in now. I have mine in the ground already but they don't look too happy. Fingers crossed they come good in the coming weeks.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousSeptember 4, 2014 at 12:42 PM

    Rain makes all the difference, doesn't it? We had a dry August but fortunately good rainfall (for Adelaide!) earlier in the year. Your leafy greens look magnificent.

    ReplyDelete
  8. UnknownOctober 1, 2014 at 7:09 AM

    Thanks everyone! See you in October for the next garden share :)

    ReplyDelete

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