New Raised No Dig Garden - Completed

I think I may have over-planted this garden in my enthusiasm to get it started! We moved the frame that we collected off the verge last week into the garden so that we can use it as a frame for the peas and beans that I planted. Also planted, squash, lettuce, capsicum and coriander. I guess it is one way of finding out which plants will like this spot.

 I also added compost and mulch before planting and then watered them in.I needed to use some of the old mulch from the front and was really pleased to see how many worms there were in it and how much the chips had broken down into soil. That does demonstrate that for it to work well it needs to be deep, which is not the case everywhere in the garden as yet.

Our Garden Today

 This corner of the garden had always struggled to be productive, but after putting in herbs and the pine chip paths  the herbs are flourishing and so are lots of self seeded lettuces.

This is another corner that has struggled so I am hoping that the improvements we are making will assist the artichokes, lemongrass, beetroot and cauliflower that have now been planted.

This is our first, and only, pomegranate on the tree, fingers crossed it is the first of many.

This is some of our harvest today, the choko vine has struggled a little with the wild weather but luckily for us the food hedge protected the capsicum plants.

Now the compost bin has been moved into the new garden I have planted lemon balm and marjoram beside the capers bush.

Update 1st August 2010 Mulberries and the rest

Here is our lovely Mulberry tree covered in new buds on a lovely sunny day.

And the new garden now has seeds in it, Rockmelon, Beetroot, Lettuce, Tomatoes, Capsicums and Italian Parsley.

And the new garden in the back yard is now finished and today we planted a Lillypilly, a Brazilian Cherry and a Ginko Berry shrub, as well some Peas, Lettuce, Tomatoes and Capsicum

 

And  we moved the Lemongrass from beside the pool and added some Geraniums.

And to finish here is one of the newly blooming Everlasting Dasies, beautiful.

36 kilos of Produce and Purple Dragon Carrots

Just a few of the items that we are growing, here you can see Purple Dragon Carrots, Tomatoes, Chives, Spinach,  Capsicums and Spring Onions. 

Could not resist taking a photo from another angle, the carrots are interesting as they are an heirloom variety with a purple skin and are orange on the inside.

Upload Monday 21st June 2010

Yesterday we traveled out into the countryside to visit the property of a colleague who is growing Jujube/Chinese Date trees. There are not many growers of these trees yet in Australia, but they are described as being perfect for our conditions. We had a lovely time learning about the trees and also got lots of tips on pruning deciduous trees and had a very relaxing walk around the property. Above is a picture of fungus nestled in the fallen leaves in the bushland area.

 

The Pomegranate Tree has also now been planted, and soon we will plant the Jujube and Persimmon Trees that we bought yesterday. These tress will be grown in quite a small space, hopefully will provide fruit and summer shade, but will be kept compact so that they stay manageable.

We are now also extending the front No Dig garden and using sand from the tree holes and recycled pavers, there will be a central path to make access easier. You can see the Perpetual Spinach, Dwarf Kale, Japanese Turnips, Carrots and Capsicums to the right. In the back ground are the Pineapple Fejoas, and a very small Almond tree,  which one day will be a hedge.

In the front of this garden you can also see the volunteer Rocket plants, we love volunteers.

New Fridge No Dig Garden November 2009

Once filled up Andy planted a Capsicum, Red Mizuna, Tomato, Lettuce, Basil, Orange Thyme, Rocket and a sprouting Ginger. On either side you can see the Globe Artichoke and the Blackberry Bush. For lunch we had salad stuff that was almost entirely from the garden.

More Potted Food

We are really keen to have as much food in our small space as we can get. Lots of reasons, the environment, the convenience, the cost and of course the plants are beautiful and useful. Here you can see that we have made some progress, from left to right, a Loquat Tree, Capsicum, Nectarine and Pansies, Tomato, Fig tree. Also there is a ginger plant growing from a ginger plant that grew a root on it in the food pantry and the Basil is a propagated plant from one that i had cut and placed in a vase. In the wheelbarrow you can see Pansies, Strawberries, Spinach and Marigolds, out of sight is a tiny volunteer Lettuce.