While this is always mainly going to be a photography blog I also want to be able to discuss other things and therefore my garden is going to be part of those discussions.
This is the second summer that I have attempted to grow vegetables. Now I say attempted because I don’t always have a lot of luck with it all. I’m still learning a lot and still failing at many things. I am assuming that with time I will get a lot better with it all and be more successful.
Recently we have been getting a lot of really hot days. The last 8 days have been over 30C (86F), with 5 of those being over 35C (95F). Today is forecast to be 35C (95F) with the temperature dipping to the 20’s tomorrow. The hot weather isn’t usually that horrible, but it is the humidity that has come with it that I find really bad. We usually have a dry heat here, but each summer now seems to bring more and more humid days. I hate it.
What all this heat has meant is that it has been a struggle to keep it going. I don’t think I lost anything in the heat, but it might be a while before I find out.
The greenhouse
One thing that I really thought would struggle with the heat, but hasn’t so much is the greenhouse.
Most things in it have been thriving.
I thought with the heat it would be too hot in there and I have been doing things like watering down the floor to put more moisture in the air. I read somewhere that you shouldn’t let the greenhouse get about 32C, but if the plants go outside they have to put up with a lot hotter than that, so I decided around 40C would be better. So far it is working.
The backyard
I can’t remember the last time I showed you the backyard, but it is full of things now.
There isn’t much room for much more anymore. I have 6 raised garden beds and they are mostly full or will be soon.
I am learning a lot with them all and I’ve made mistakes that I will need to change for next summer. I think my biggest problem is not planning. I have just been planting stuff and hoping for the best. Then I realise that I have got beds that I should net, but I can’t because I have planted something else in the bed that needs bees or has things that are too tall.
I will need to set up a plan for next summer so I know exactly where I am going to plant everything. Planning is not something I’ve been very good at.
Tomatoes
I have about 16 tomato plants in the garden. Not all doing well, but a lot and more to come. Last year I made this tomato relish and it was so good, but I only made 5 jars of it. It went way too quickly so I need to make sure I make far more this year. Hence all the plants.
However, they are not necessarily easy to grow. I mean who knew. If the rats aren’t getting them, then they have end rot. I’ve seen caterpillars climbing into them. I just don’t know what to do. I’m trying lots of things, but hopefully, with all the plants I will get some. Fingers crossed.
And other things
The ginger is growing nicely I hope. It is hard to tell because it is under the surface. It looks the same as last year and I got quite a bit then, so hopefully more this year.
The raspberries are going great guns and are full of fruit. I really want to make jam this year with them. I just have to make sure I don’t eat them all.
I am trying something new with the strawberries. I bought a walled garden so they are growing vertically. It is a grow bag sort of thing and it dries out quite quickly so I have to keep watering it. I am thinking of building a proper one next season so this is a trial.
My zucchini plant is just going mad. Who knew one plant could grow so many zucchinis. I don’t really like them, but it seems my family likes them pickled, so pickling I have been doing.
I am also trying to grow eggplants. Not sure how I will go with those, but they are flowering so there is hope.
There are some thornless blackberries. Lots of fruit on them, but then they just dry out before they fully ripen. I will have to do some research on why that is happening.
Lastly, I’m trying to grow corn. The first lot didn’t do too well and now I’m trying with the next lot. I guess we will see what happens.
I think that is about it. There is such a learning curve with vegetables. I wish it were easier. It does make me wonder how people used to succeed. I will keep going and hopefully, in a few years, I will get it all figured out.
Take care and if you have any tips I’m all ears, as they say.
Hey Leanne …veg growing for me is all about planning. That’s for sure! Makes growing so much easier and timings for plantings too 🙂 Yep, tomatoes sure can cop it. Last year was awful for our toms, this year is amazing!! Great news on your green house. Love your garden updates, I’m way behind …
That is good to hear Julie, I need to get more on board with that. Maybe next season after I have had a couple of years of growing I will be able to plan better. I’m struggling with the tomatoes, not sure why, and then when they start to ripen the bloody rats get them. Can’t win. The greenhouse is so good, can’t wait for next winter. Thank you so much Julie.
Sounds amazing all the things you are growing. Do you know other people you can talk to about all this? I imagine different plants will do better in different climates and of course an exceptionally hot or cold or dry or wet season will make a difference to how well any particular crop does. Here’s hoping everything does well.
Thank you RJ, it is fun being able to eat what I grow. I don’t know a lot of others who are growing vegetables and unfortunately a lot of stuff on YouTube and other places are more for other parts of the world. I am learning and I’m sure with time I will work it out.
You’ve been very busy, Leanne, great job!
Thank you John, it has been hard work, but hopefully worth it.
Your garden is looking absolutely great! So much healthy growth.
Thank you, it is growing a lot which is nice, now it just needs to start producing.