Here we are in December. Since September we have measured a meagre 12mm of rain.
Our property is dry and I just know my vegetables would get such a boost from a decent drop of rain. We will continue to wait patiently. Thankfully we have a reasonable supply of water in our house dam and plenty of that water is being pumped onto my garden.
The only vegetables I am planting out now are a few lettuce seedlings. My summer vegetables are mostly established and growing steadily.
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| tiny quinces |
Harvesting now
My first tiny crop of apricots
Asparagus
Basil
Capsicum
Celery
Celery
Garlic
Kale
Lettuce
Mint
Kale
Lettuce
Mint
Potatoes
Summer squash
Thyme
Summer squash
Thyme
Zucchini
Almost harvesting
Cucumbers
Tomatoes
Tomatoes
Watching, growing
and waiting
Beans
Pumpkin
and waiting
Beans
Pumpkin
Rockmelon
Watermelon
Ongoing tasks
Mulching with straw.
Cleaning irrigation filters and
drippers.
drippers.
All vegetables are receiving a fortnightly dose of liquid
seaweed fertiliser.
seaweed fertiliser.
A regular dose of worm tea and castings on my
tomatoes.
Keeping my worm farm cool and damp.
tomatoes.
Keeping my worm farm cool and damp.
 |
| rockmelon, Minnesota Midget |
 |
| Kipfler potatoes |
 |
| summer squash starting to tangle with the asparagus and celery |
Each summer I make plans to devise a way of trellising and supporting my tomato plants that is neat, functional and attractive. Somehow I always seem to end up with a jumble of wire, posts, netting, shade cloth, ties and even a few old steel beds from our shearer’s quarters. Luckily, productivity is not always linked to aesthetics.
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| watermelon, Moon and Stars |
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| zucchini, Long Florence |
Do you have a neat, tidy tomato trellis system?
What is happening in your patch?
Linking up with Lizzie at Strayed from the Table. Call in and take a tour of other productive gardens from many different parts of the world.
Chookyblue......
your garden looks very healthy……….
Jane S
Thank you!
Nathalia Lindvall
Your garden looks amazing! Very jealous, and very determined to make mine look a little bit like that one day!
Jane S
Thank you Nathalia, you are very kind!
Anonymous
looks wonderful Jane .. I made the decision not to plant vegies this summer,house tank receding, and with
not much precipitation, it may be a good move! love the idea of your tomatoes growing thru the old beds, my brother does that ! 🙂
Jane S
Thanks for calling in Trish x
Kate @ Kate Writes
I have everything crossed for rain Jane. Your garden is looking very productive despite the dry.
Jane S
Thank you Kate, the rain feels so close but it is just not delivering yet!
frogpondfarm
Wonderful post. Love your pics .. The trellis is superb! 🙂
Jane S
You are very kind, my trellis really is a tangle!
Katie @ Life With The Crew
Always so interesting to see what is growing and green on the other side of the world when we have ice and snow here and are digging into the root veggies.
Jane S
Thanks Katie, the differences are amazing aren't they?
tea with hazel
your garden looks so healthy jane..it's obviously a testament to your hard work and dedication..x
Jane S
Thank you Jane, it does require a bit of work doesn't it?
Bizzy Lizzy's Good Things
Jane, I can't really imagine what it's like to have a large property and be reliant on the rain… we in the city take water so much for granted, I know. Your garden looks amazing… those tiny quinces, wow! And your kipflers look plump and quite delicious! I've got a few things going in my little patch… pumpkin, zucchini, tomatoes, lemongrass, baby cos lettuce, strawberries, tarragon, parsley, coriander, thyme, eggplant, cucumbers etc… all growing nicely, albeit a little slowly, as we are still having quite cool temperatures overnight. Loved your post, thanks for sharing.
Jane S
Thank you Lizzy, your patch sounds so productive and interesting!
Kyrstie Barcak
I hope you get some rain soon Jane. That little Rockmelon is gorgeous! My tomatoes stay reasonably neat I just stake them and take out the laterals. I am hoping my mother-in-law has some planted at her new house when visit at Christmas as her plants are a work of art! They are tall and laden with fruit hung on a thin string. Happy Christmas to you and your family. xx
Jane S
Thank you Kyrstie, I am yet to master the art of taking out the laterals, I might need a tutorial from you one of these days!
Kylie
Hi Jane, we do not have a single vegie growing in our garden. Not even a tomato (for the first time in a very long time) My herb garden is looking good and the lemon trees are bowed down with the promise of lots of lemons so it's not all doom and gloom here in the burbs.
I love the name of that watermelon – gorgeous.
It has been verge collection time here – lots of rusty bed frames on the streets, I was thinking what lovely trellises they'd make, but didn't bring any home _ I'm trying to be good 😉
x
Jane S
You must have a great lemon tree Kylie. I am sure you could do something creative with those rusty bed frames!
e / dig in
i too wish for neatness in the garden – i start out that way – but it's never attainable!
reading your harvest list is like my dream shopping list right now. you are truly blessed with a wonderful variety i can imagine such delicious and healthy meals! and the leaves of the watermelon – so pretty.
i hope you get rain soon too. while i am in the suburbs, i try to be water conscious, and rely on rainfall and my two small tanks; but i am lucky if it's truly dry i can turn on the taps. we're havign rain later in the wek so i'll wish for some to go your way.
Jane S
Thank you e, I am pleased I am not the only one to start out with plans for neatness!
liz @ strayed table
Moon and stars! I will have to do a seed swap with you once you get a few of the vine. I want to plant some of those, they are so pretty. Still am I yet to taste them but I am sure in time I will.
Sending some rain your way, hope you get it soon.
Jane S
Thanks Liz, the watermelon has not set fruit yet but it is covered in flowers.
cityhippyfarmgirl
Jane look at all those wonderful things that you are now harvesting, despite so little rain.
I'm harvesting mint and um, chilli's and that's about it…and the odd blueberry when some little fingers haven't got there first.
Hope there are some soggy grey clouds headed your way.
Jane S
Thanks Brydie, fresh blueberries sound like heaven to me!
Becs :: Think Big. Live Simply
So much going on out there – I hope there is rain heading your way (and mine too!)
Jane S
Thanks Becs, it seems many of us need rain!
Melanie Y
It amazes me that you can grow anything (vegetable or animal) out where you live – so so dry. I'll pray to "whoever is up there" to send some rain your way…we've sure had plenty here and I'm more than happy to share.
Jane S
It amazes me sometimes too Mel, sometimes I think there must be easier places to grow things!
Marian @Watching My Garden Grow
Hi Jane, I have just discovered your wonderful blog! I'm in awe of your amazing garden despite your water issues! Here's hoping a December thunderstorm or two is coming your way soon!
Jane S
Lovely to meet you Marian, thank you for calling in.
celia
See Jane, when you're organised, you have a lovely varied list of vegetables to harvest and cook! Ours is so random by comparison, and quite limited. Our apricot tree is still a few years off fruiting, but we have found our very first avocado!
Jane S
Thanks Celia, I would very excited if I had found an avocado!
muppy
Just amazing, our garden has a couple of bits and pieces here and there but you take it too a whole other level. Can I come visit??? 🙂
Jane S
Hello Muppy, please come to visit anytime!
Mama Smith
Oh as usual, just what I needed to lift my spirits on this chilly winter day. Your garden looks wonderful! I am longing for summer even more now 🙂
xox Lilly
Jane S
Thanks Lilly, lovely to hear from you. Stay warm.