On rough count I think I’ve established 7 vegetable gardens from scratch over the last decade. Each time I’ve moved house I’ve selected a patch, turned the soil and planted veg. Some gardens have been substantial and some have been more of a hobby to keep that itching desire to grow food at bay. Now at the school house I’ve been able to go nuts. I’ve popped in veg into the existing patch and established two new little parcels of soil that I’ve enriched with stable muck and organic material.
We’ve planted out everything we can for this time of year. Garlic, onion, leek, parsnip, kale, peas, broad beans, lettuce, spinach, beets, broccoli, carrots, rocket, celery and all the herbs that are applicable for this time of year.
We’re biting our lips with anticipation of what will come for our plates by early spring. Each time I plant I know what will eventuate from my efforts. By planting seedlings I’m future grocery shopping. I’m literally planting my meals in the ground. I can see a broccoli quiche, onion soup, broad bean tapas, roast veg, parsnip dips, tortilla….the veg meals are endless. I love that so much of my daily efforts involve me working for me meals. I love the physical effort that has the potential to transform something like a bunch of seeds into something that will excite my tastebuds and satisfy my man hunger.
I’m grateful for the help I get working the patch. It’s nice to see other people getting soil under their fingernails.
And the dogs are exhausted from all the hard work!
Beautiful photos as ever! I left my planting a bit late this year, so kale, parsnip, spinach, broccoli and collard greens are languishing in the garden and not really doing much. The trick will be to harvest them early spring before they bolt to seed!
That hound dog of yours is so adorable – I bet he’s going to be a good rabbiter!
Michelle, moving has really thrown a spanner in the works this season. I missed my purple broccoli planting, but I’ve been madly preparing for spring planting. Should be a great spread of veg diversity this summer!!!
Yum! So great to read things like this after the crazy supermarket stories dominating news coverage all day. There is an alternative way people!!! Grow your own, boycott the big guys!
There is dirt under my finger nails, just picked salad in a bowl on the table, freshly weeded beds outside and trays filled with compost and ready to plant out in the morning. There is no feeling quite like it in the whole world. I am happy. I am happy for you guys too. xx
OHHHH I just love you guys Kate!!!!!
I really think after reading some 6 or so of your blogs on the advice of a blogger friend that I might be a little bit in love with you! In a non-stalker, healthy way, of course!
he he….I get that often ;-)
Oh how I long for some dirt. Such long wait lists on community gardens in Melbourne. Looking forward to seeing what comes out of the kitchen when these are grown. You have already inspired some mushroom/chorizo consumption in the quiet hedonist’s household.
I hear about those waiting lists. Maybe I should set aside some soil for Melbourne people!!!
Put me on the list ;) I was touring through your parts (and further north) this weekend and daydreaming about a weekender with some dirt…
Living in a suburban house in Dublin, Ireland, I just love the stuff that you reveal in your posts. I see a lot of what I ‘would if I could’ in your posts. Maybe I am too busy doing other stuff, maybe I lack commitment. I need to think about that.
Best,
Conor
btw: Got a flash for my 5D today. Excited!
I could do with one of those……
I planted garlic a few weeks ago. I’ve never really grown anything before. My mother grows all sorts of things and she lives in a retirement village!! A mate of mine inspired me as well. He’s growing beans next to my garlic. It’s awesome watching this process. The stalks are already eight inches out of the ground, the beans have gone mad. I can’t wait to share them around…..
Growing garlic is one of the most rewarding of all. It’s so dang easy. No maintenance required. Plant bulb and wait. That’s all I’ve ever done.
When they’re ready to pull out their stalks get dull and often collapse, then I pull them out and place them in the sun on stones of bricks to dry them out, turning them around each day for even drying. This will ‘cure’ them for winter storage.
Good luck and super well done for starting to plant your own food!!!
Your garden sounds delicious! I’ve just pulled out my yellow pear cherry tomatoes (they just kept on fruiting!) which have finally been killed by the frost here. So I’ll have a bit more space to plant. I’ve got purple sprouting broccoli (never grown it before but sounded interesting), peas, celery, garlic, mini cabbage, silverbeet, pak choi and strawberries. I’ve got to get some beets going, forgot about them!
The purple sprouting is delish. It’s great in winter/spring salads and lightly blanched with grated reggiano and olive oil.
I missed out this year with moving house and starting a new patch. Devastated.