This morning the wind had died down and it is a lovely day so, straight after breakfast, I got out in the garden to plant out some seedlings. Of course these jobs always take longer than one expects with extra jobs cropping up along the way such as tying up other plants.
These are the plants on my potting table and I wanted to plant the Asclepias curassivica which is a relation of the "Swan Plant" for the Monarch caterpillars and Tithonia Goldfinger for the Monarch Butterflies (both Kings seeds).
We did not grow potatoes this year as there was not enough room and do not grow kumara either. On the potting table there are six more tomato plants ready to be planted up as well as basil, chives and a few other plants. In the garden the tomatoes have set fruit We are still picking beans from the first row with others having set. We are picking courgettes and have small cucumbers as well as lettuce. All in all the garden is producing well.
All the Christmas mail has been posted so now I just have the e-cards and emails to do.
Our next year growing seems a long way off. I shan't even think about sowing or planting before April.
ReplyDeleteOur winters are mild and we often don't get frosts and winters are short.
DeleteEverything is going dormant here, so no fresh picked veggies for some time now. We usually have our main meal in the afternoon as well.
ReplyDeleteI wonder where your veggies would come from
DeleteI am very happy to note that you are planting with Monarchs in mind. As for gravy, it is seriously over-rated in my opinion, and we seldom, if ever use it. Mostly it just seems to mask the flavour of everything else on the plate. Since we stopped eating red meat it is not an issue in any event.
ReplyDeleteLast year Doug released well over 200 Monarch's and so far this season over 30 although he hasn't found any caterpillars for a while - the wasps must be getting them. As you can see, we still eat red meat but not a lot.
DeleteYour plants look very healthy. I wish you sunshine and enough rain for them to grow well and produce beautiful flowers and veggies.
ReplyDeleteI would love short winters. We had a sprinkling of snow on rooftops today. To keep my mind on positive things, I am planning my spring garden and caring for my many cuttings that I have in water or soil around the house.
Only 48 more days of Trump.
We don't get snow. If there happens to be a couple of flakes on the top of the hills it is front page news. Good that you have cuttings ready for your spring. I lost just one seedling to a slug/snail last night. Should have gone and got a second packed of slug bait as there was not much in the packet I used.
DeleteYou're lucky I don't live nearby as I would have liked to have invited myself over for lunch. :)
ReplyDeleteI've a garden now with which to do what I fancy. From blog posts past, I think I recall that Monarchs thrive in your garden. I was going to try planting the Common Milkweed (syriaca) first, then go from there. As far nectar-rich blooms for insects to nosh on, in general, I had thought that a Lantana or Asteraceae might work well.
Not sure about those plants - the main one we grow is the buddlia although I think it has now been named a noxious weed. Good to hear you now have a garden. Yes, we have lots of Monarchs as Doug collects the caterpillars and puts them in a cage with some greenery so that the wasps don't kill them.
DeleteToday I have cooked a pot of mince with equal quantity of finely chopped mushroom and have a spatchcocked chicken roasting. It smells delicious.