Today Post::coming soon

This is a reminder to myself to post the following: an update on my compost tumbler, update on my Botanical Interests seeds, and a list of FACS (with things like “what kind of camera do you use?”, “how do you format your blog?”).

Today Post::I've got compost!

When I was last here two years ago, I found the garden in much the same state as it is now - overrun with grass borage and nettles - and spent a month clearing it up then too. The weeds and the grass and the clippings from everything I cut back more than filled the Council’s garden waste wheelie bin, so I revived the compost heap at the bottom of the garden. The borage and other weeds went into the wheelie, and anything which didn’t have seeds or tap roots attached went into the compost heap - or the “dump” as we used to call it when we were kids.

Two years later and, despite it not having been looked after at all, I have the most gorgeous rich crumbly compost. There are still some woody bits that haven’t broken down properly, but they’re easy enough to sieve out and once that’s done it looks almost edible. Pity I can’t take some home with me - but I don’t think it would fit into RyanAir’s 15kg allowance-

I’m gradually digging it out and transferring it into bags at the moment. Gradually because I’m terrified of overdoing things and putting my back out - when you’re gardening on a balcony you don’t get much practice at digging. So I intersperse short bursts of heavy work with the more gentile aspects of gardening - deadheading the roses and spraying the black spot, you know the sort of thing - in the hope that I can con my muscles into staying the course.

Before I leave it will be dug into the garden, but there’s a way to go before I get to that stage. However, I need the compost heap empty again for the new stuff, which is already piling up. Hence the transfer into bags.

This year though, the composting is going to be done a bit more scientifically. Last time things were just chucked on the heap in desperation. This time I’m planning first - I shall be chopping and shredding, layering my greens and browns, sprinkling old compost on each layer to introduce the microorganisms, and watering in.

I can almost hear the borage licking its lips in anticipation …

Today Post::first tomatoes

My first tomatoes of the year are two pretty little Sungold cherries.

Today Post::today's harvest

Amazing how fast things are growing in the hot weather we FINALLY have this week. The garden is awesome. Overrun with squash vines. Fantastic cabbage heads. Corn is taller by the minute. I could sit and watch all day!

Today I harvested lettuce, dill, patty pan and zucchini squash, a giant Chiogga beet, a couple small onions, a green Thai hot pepper, and a handful of broccoli. Oh, and I almost forget, another cherry tomato.

Today Post::mom and dad's harvest

My dad sent me this photo of the vegetables they picked from their garden this week. Looks like they are eating well. Many of these are plants I grew from seed this spring. My parents’ garden always produces super broccoli. And they are ahead of me on the summer squash and cucumbers. I’m wondering if that is a garlic head in there? I’ll have to ask them.