Saturday 9 January 2010

Sprouting!

Just after I wrote my last post my seeds arrived in the mail!

So I planted:

Eggplant
Wong Bok
Pak Choi
Zucchini
Parsley - curled
Thyme
Oregano
Lemon Basil

and more:
Sweet Corn
Purple Beans
Squash

because I decided I needed more.



I was so surprised that the marigold sprung up only days after planting, and the squash is going great:



The thyme is popping up, the wong bok and pak choi is up, the rocket is up and one lone cucumber is trying it's best to push through the soil.


Every morning I can't wait to go out and check the seedlings to see what has popped through!

Wednesday 6 January 2010

Happy New Year!

It has been a while since I blogged! I took on three units for the second semester of uni and combined with my 'mum duties' I didn't have time to do anything else! I didn't think I would make it through, but passed all the units with good marks. Over summer I have been doing a unit called Learning Technologies, which has been challenging but interesting.

And so, 2010 is upon us already!

We didn't have a great Christmas, as we all were very sick - what a way to end the year! But 2010 has started well.

I bought six chicks to give to my broody hen who managed to hatch 0 out of 18 eggs!! However, she didn't want the chicks so I put her in a pen by herself for almost a week, to de-brood her and that has worked. I had the chicks under a heat lamp at nights for the first two weeks but now they don't need it on. In the days I have been putting the chicks down in their own pen. Next week they should be right to stay down there full time.



I ordered some seeds in December, but they still haven't arrived. So I dug out our old seeds, saved from past crops, and some we had bought before, and have been busy planting them in egg cartons. We have dug up the old veggie garden and have prepared it for a new season.

So far I have planted (in the egg cartons):

Marigold
Italian Parsley
Coriander
Squash
Nasturtium
Rocket
Mixed Lettuce
Purple Beans
Tomatoes
Chives
Watermelon
Cucumber
Corn

And in a large 30 x 70cm clay pot I have planted some potato, and in the other some beetroot and sage.

I hope my seeds come soon though, as I would like to get the other stuff planted!

I was going to plant corn and beans together, and then heard about a 'three sisters garden' which includes squash also, so have decided to add squash to the combination.