If you have a verandah or patio, do use it for growing edibles. I've crammed in some parsley, basil, mint, spring onion, Mexican coriander, lettuce, celeriac, dill, and nasturtiums, along with some volunteer tomatoes, I transplanted from the garden. I seriously don't think I'll ever be rid of volunteer tomatoes, even if I wanted to be rid of them - which I don't.
I've used a mixture of styrafoam boxes, and clay pots. The green saucer is an old butter plate that got chipped. I can't use it for serving food on any more, but it makes a great water catcher, to prevent staining the concrete. Don't mind the pantyhose in the corner either - I chopped some for staking the tomatoes with. I'll need the extras, as the plants get taller.
I hope to add some more clay pots soon. I have empty ones sitting around the place, and can't bare the thought of nothing growing in them!
As it's on the western side of the house, I also need to erect some shade cloth. Especially since I want to grow lettuce here, without them bolting to seed. I also plan to utilise the chicken manure to make a tea from. There's one already on the brew, because potted, edible plants, really need the extra fertiliser.
At this rate, I think I'm going to run out of things to do in the garden soon.
Is that even possible?
I love that. We have a space near the house that someone had previously boxed out with railroad ties, and I imagine planted lots of ornamentals. Not it is badly overgrown with nuisance grasses and other weeds. It's been too shady for much because of two very old oak trees. We had to take the first down a couple of years ago, and the second needs to come down too. I hate cutting those old trees, but neither do I want them falling onto the house or the critter sheds! I've begun considering what to do with the area once the second tree is down. It will get good sun and is near water. I hadn't thought of containers, but maybe I should consider it, because the grasses there will be the dickens to get rid of unless I cover the whole thing with cardboard for a very long awhile!
ReplyDeleteThat area you describe, sounds exciting. Full of potential, and all those railroad ties. What to turn them into next? Potentially, if you weren't too sentimental about them, you could lay some on the ground to kill your troublesome grass, and place the growing containers on top.
DeleteI've found, having removable shade a very flexible arrangement. It's great for summer to protect plants, but as you need the sun more in the cooler months, you can remove it. I've been debating how I'm going to do this myself. I think I've come up with a plan, using the resources I have. It may not be as pretty, but it should hopefully do the job. ;)
I have to keep an eye out for similar boxes because I would like to grow more in containers to let the land lie fallow for a season. Do you have a water pump percolating your compost tea?
ReplyDeleteNo water pump mixing the tea. I've seen it being done, but don't do it here. No particular reason, other than its easier to just let it leach the nutrient into the water. :)
DeleteLetting your land be fallow, sounds like a good reason to start planting edibles in containers. And you'll probably find it easier to pick if located close to your kitchen.
I am trying to rethink alot of my habits when it comes to the land. Garry is going into commercial production on the back paddocks which means we will likely not have time to do alot of personal gardening but I can't see not growing some things-at least greens and herbs. Of course what we plan in autumn doesn't always come to pass in spring:)
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