Although a bit later than hoped, I finally found the time to head out into the garden and give it a massive overhaul to prepare for the winter crops. I started by removing all the weeds and dead growth (mostly the remaining summer veggies). During this process I also found a group of parsnips that I’d completely forgotten I’d planted! Hidden harvests – always good….
I then turned over the soil using a fork and spade. For those of you who have clay soil you can sympathise with me for this part (for those who don’t – well it felt like the equivalent of digging up concrete…) I then added gypsum and mixed it in, followed by compost and mixed that in as well. Suddenly my soil had a new lease on life amd was ready for the next round of veggies.
I planted an initial round of advanced winter seedlings including broccoli, red cabbage, wombok and celery (in random order – I don’t like to plant things in straight rows). I’ll be keeping them protected from snails with plastic bottles and copper tape until they’re large enough to fend for themselves. I finished the whole thing off with a thick layer of lucerne mulch and also revamped the dog run which wasn’t looking the best…
Then all that was left was to head inside, bathe the blisters, massage the sore back and feet and collapse from exhaustion! A big weekend of work, but the finished garden is looking pretty great!
noice work penny never knew you were a green thumb 😉 i like your little seedling protectors! bower birds eat all my seedlings this time of year 😦 gotta sue bird netting which gives me the ….s!
Thanks! Good luck with the birds – get your cat out there!
Looking good Penny. I am also fighting birds which are digging up seedlings and throwing my sugar cane mulch all over the place. Have invested in bird netting for some parts of the garden. Next is to keep up the garlic spray to combat the caterpillars who love my cabbages and cauliflowers. Can’t find the copper tape down my way.
Yeah my local does’t have any either – I get it off eBay and if driving past a different nursery I’ll have a look. What me to get some for you if I see it?
Great looking compost! I’ve put PET bottles around my brocolli / kale family seedlings too. It seems to keep the warmth in and help them grow faster. (and prevent birds from digging for worms) Can’t wait to see this in mid-winter with mature vegies 🙂