Last week I took the first vege bed that we built and extended it. The first one was fairly square and probably too wide. So as we had some more rock logs I thought we would take the opportunity to remove the side wall and extend. As you can see it is still wide at the top, but that is where I have planted another 5 broad beans, so once they come out I will narrow it. This bed is going to become the herb bed – just sorting out now what to go in.
Well it has been a week between posts but here is a bit of a catch up, Lee Ann and I built vege patch #3 last week. It was constructed using a combination of sleepers (had a few left) and rock logs. This patch will be used for our garlic which I purchased from http://www.garlicfarmsales.com.au.
The garlic purchased was
So I am planning to have them in the ground this coming weekend.
On vege patch 2 everything has sprouted except the cabbage, does this take longer to sprout? I will give it another week to see how it goes. with vege patch one MORE zucchini and it looks like we will get some corn before it gets too cold, some corn heads are developing – woohoo. The other big event this weekend is of course the Yass Show, we went last year so expect an update with photos after we go to it this weekend.
So last week I planted in veg Patch number 2 (The 1st of the rock log vege patches)
I will sneak in there some more parsley as well.
Well the weekend just gone was a busy one with yard cleaning and vege patch number 2
Friday was a big day for us as we took deliveries from all over the place. First thou was someone to cut down our weeds which had grown to approx a foot high (all over the one acre), anyway a few weeks ago I was talking to a neighbour and commented that I was looking for someone to cut the weeds down to size, then during the last week an old guy came over and introduced himself as the “slasher” guy and so Lee Ann booked him for Friday.
Friday came and Brian the “slashing guy” turned up nice and early at 8.30am after a few minutes of instructions he off loaded his small tractor and slasher (sorry no picture) and two hours later he was completed and the place looks so much nicer – the kids can walk to the back fence again!
While the weeds were being slashed out first delivery arrived. This is lesson #1.
We ordered some recycled rock from a place in Canberra and while the delivery price was high the price of the rocks only $22/t. When calling them we specified the rock size of approx 10-15 cm and the image on the web supported that. What turned up were massive boulders which I can use but not right now – and when I do require them I will need approx 6 – 8 tonne of them not 2. Lesson learned, visit and inspect prior.
So as they were not what I required I thought that maybe rail ballast would do instead so I paid a visit to out local landscaping yard and and they had some so I placed an order for 3 cubic metres and 2 of soil. Later that day they delivered this.
So what did I need all this for? To make my second vege patch. The idea was to create the sides not out of railway sleepers like before but rock, wrapped in wire – I got the idea from the RTA. So getting a length of chicken wire (60cm x 90cm) wrap in into a tube overlapping. Then with some short pieces of wire lock tie the tube together.
Push one end together and fill with rocks, at approx 45 cm push the other end together.
Completed rock log
The reason for creating a rock log is that I can control how long the vege patch is and hopefully it won’t rot. The downside being you are moving a lot of rock and it is hard work (that is hard work for me and Lee-Ann), but towards the end we had a good process down pat. Anyway we created 28 rock logs.
So by the end of the weekend we had a new vege patch – Next weekend we start planting with, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, broad beans.
Last weekend we got out first produce, a couple of coral lettuce, salad and lettuce for hamburgers. Behind there you can see the 3 zucchini plants that are doing really well, Also and not in this shot some corn, hopefully we will get some before it gets to cold. There is also some minuette lettuce that you cannot see that we also picked a few leaves from.
Next weekend start vege patch #2. Also the thing that surprised me is that the bloddy rabbits that live in the vacant block next door have not discovered the patch, I think it is hidden thru all the Patersons Curse.
Also just to share our sunsets.
Well with all the rain, the crab grass and patersons curse are raging. Anyway I’ll deal with that over time. So on the 3rd Jan I ordered some sleepers and soil from the local landscaping shop Robinson’s in Yass. So they rocked up the day I called them and delivered everything.
So grabbing my trusty hoe I cleared a 3×3 metre patch. Layed some cardboard on the ground followed by sleepers and sugar cane mulch. Now to move the sleepers, of course they were no where near where I needed them. After trying to carry them (lasted about 50cm) I pulled an old dog chain out of the car and dragged them to where they were required. I stacked the sleepers two one top of each other. Then I used my wheelbarrow (Christmas present – thanx Santa) to place soil in the newly formed vege patch. And to finish it off a few bags of pea straw and blood and bone.
Here is where I cleared away the Patterson’s Curse
And here it is with soil and mulch
On the 6th Jan 08 I planted in my 2.4×2.4 metre patch. The seeds were nothing unusual just Mr Fothergill’s
Sweet Corn 12
Zucchini 4
Lettuce 6
Lettuce 6
Spring Onions 3 rows
Also in some containers I planted
Parsely
Broccoli 4
Cauliflower 4
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