October was hot and dry, apart from a few storms that brought about 15 mm of rain. We had temperatures close to 40degC on our veranda (see evidence below). Fortunately we got a chance early in the month to add more shadecloth to the garden. In previous years I have grown beans up the north side of the garden to shade it, but lately its been too dry to even get the beans started, so this year we have put up shadecloth all along the north side and its making a huge difference to the garden, the plants are not looking as wilted by the end of the day anyway! I have also been adding manure and mulch by the wheelbarrow load.
My other big project was digging a trench the centre of the garden for the herbs. The pots kept drying out to the point that water ran right through them. I dug the trench, lined it with newspaper (to make it drain more slowly), and packed around the pots with mulch. I am hoping that this keeps the pots cooler, and more water is available to the roots in a kind of a quick and cheap
wicking bed type system.
I am still harvesting mostly silverbeet, kale and herbs, but I've been able to gradually "pot up" seedlings (ie transplant into larger pots) from my own seeds, a few seedlings I bought, until they are big and strong enough to move outside. Last year I planted seedlings out right away and they just withered. I can see the bush beans and button squash are SO close! Also cherry tomatoes. And lots and the garden is full of seeds and flowers....
This month I just have to keep mulching and watering and planting out the seedlings as they are big enough.
How was your garden in October? What are you up to in November?
 |
| Taz actually chased her tail until she caught it! |
 |
| thermometer on our veranda (in degC) |
 |
| more shade |
 |
| borage flowers |
 |
| broccoli seeds nearly ready to harvest |
 |
| spring onion seeds |
 |
| native stingless bees enjoying the garlic chive flowers |
 |
| lemon flowers |
 |
| Herb Robert |
 |
| my sunken herb garden |
 |
| the choko vine is looking good! |
Join in the Garden Share Collective, link up here and link back to
Lizzie at Strayed from the Table.
I think Liz this past month you have had more rain than I. Glad to hear it though it is very dry out your ways. I love your idea of sunken pots in the soil to keep them protected. I too have plenty of mulching to do this month. I am going to be super prepared for summer this year.
ReplyDelete