How Are Your Duck Feet?

That's what the barber asked me yesterday.

Obviously he was referring to the current constant rain that we have been getting in our region. This has been most welcome, although a little frustrating at times when I want get to work in the garden. And it seems to be encouraging the weeds to grow even faster. I am waiting (and dreading) to see how a few days of sunshine will help speed up that growth.

I have asked a few neighbours if this winter's rainfall is normal or a bit above average. The feeling that they have is that this year's rainfall is about the same as a few years ago, and they seemed happy about that.

What I am hoping for is that there will be enough rain to to get the currently appropriately named Rocky River flowing. I heard someone say that there is some water in the upper reaches, but will that flow get further downstream is the big question.

Winter In Full Swing

It's more than 2 weeks since the last entry, but the last fortnight has been a tricky time.

A few days in hospital waiting for a diagnosis for the severe stomach pains I felt, and then a trip to city to have the specialist blast the stone that was a major contributor, meant that there was no time for working in the garden.

I think the weeds must have known something. they have grown tall and thick. Especially the Stinging Nettles. I have never seen so many in such a small space, but at least the rain we have been having has kept the ground soft, which makes the nettles easy to pull. Some of the nettles will hopefully made into a soup for fertilising the garden.

Those weeds that I am not pulling by hand being cut down to ground level using a second-hand scythe that I found at Crystal Brook last weekend. I was not expecting to be able to find one so soon after deciding that it might be a suitable tool for the job. Good exercise and no fuel or fumes.

It has been raining most days for the past week so the makeshift water storage containers are overflowing. I really must get another rainwater tank. But it  has been great to sit inside on those rainy days, listening to the rain on the roof, especially when there is a loaf of bread being baked in the breadmaker.

Although it's winter, and sometimes the range of vegetables to harvest might be less, we have enjoyed the salads that we had for lunch in the last couple of days. Thanks to the Snow Peas, Lettuce, Italian Parsley and Rocket that have been established. Now is the time to get some more going, because they won't last forever. I also had the first of our Brocolli from the garden yesterday. It was only tiny but at least the caterpillars didn't get it!

How come the bugs in the garden only choose the vegetables to eat and leave all the weeds alone? And it's hard to catch the little critters, although the evidence of their presence is obvious.

As I'm writing this, the rain is falling again. I'm wondering if the amount of rain this winter is typical of the location.

Mid-Winter Update

It's about time to give a quick update on some of the progress being made with the garden.

In the Vegetable Patches:
The first Snow Peas have started to set some pods, and in fact we had a small serve of them with lunch a couple of days ago. There are lots of flowers and little pods setting on the plants. Another small patch of Snow Peas has been planted, after I scrounged some old cyclone fencing and posts, to make their climbing frame.

The Asparagus crown that were split up and transplanted several weeks ago have sent up their first spear, so they have been covered with some more compost and soil to encourage longer spears. We may not get much from them this year as they establish themselves after transplanting. Hopefully those that were not moved will provide us with some good spears.

A perennials vegetable patch has been started, with Aparagus, Jerusalem Artichokes and Rhubarb being planted there. Some Globe Artichokes have also been planted near the Broad Bean patch. The Beans are continuing to grow well, and look like they will be in flower soon.

Some more Broccoli seedlings have been planted, this time in the wicking bed that has just had the Lettuce removed. I am hoping that this might make it easier to keep pests like earwigs (I think it was them than that wreaked havoc with the first young seedlings that went in) and cabbage moth caterpillars at bay.

The Spring Onion seedlings are growing well and some more seeds have been sown. One lot has been transplanted and another lot is being kept in the large planter box where they were sown.

To get an early start with some of the summer veggies we have bought a cheap and small greenhouse to help with propogation.

We met another gardener at the Port Augusta today, and he asked if we had Tomatos started yet. He said that he plants out his seedlings on 1st August, with plastic protection, and starts harvesting in November, with plants about 2m tall. That supplies him and neighbours with plenty of Tomatos. I planted some seeds a couple of days ago in the little greenhouse, so they won't be ready by 1st August, but hopefully I'll get some to plant out soon after that, and get an early start. Just have to keep the frost away.

I also have some Capsicum and Coriander seeds in the greenhouse. Hoping to get the same thing as the Tomatoes going with them.

Picked up more Australian Native Shrubs at the market, from the gardener mentioned above. And some chook, sheep and pig manure (from another seller) to help add nutrients to the compost and garden beds.

Some people think that Winter is a time to catch up on some of the maintenance jobs, but I'm finding that it can also be a busy time getting things started for Spring and Summer. There's still lots to do, like finishing pruning the Grape Vines that haven't been pruned in years.

And I haven't mentioned the weeds that are growing centimetres each day!!! Well I have now! But that won't help get rid of them.