Well, after all that effort getting ready, we of course had no seedlings to plant. As a result, we have had a couple of weeks off. Now of course there is plenty to get back into. Mind you, if you'll check out Mummies in Pinnies, you'll see we did get up to some other types of mischief.
We had made rows and put beetroot, carrot and radish in. So far the radish is doing well - even some rogue ones that have popped up from last years patch. The interesting thing is that the beetroot seeds on the right hand side are doing well whereas the beetroot on the left side is not as advanced.
Now, right at the beginning, we decided to spray glysophate on some kikuyu grass that was coming in through the side of the greenhouse. It is supposed to be rendered useless upon contact with dirt, BUT, given the problem with the beetroot and no apparent issues with the water supply, we wonder if this is really true.
At first I thought the carrots had done nothing, but now I can see that the seeds have washed off the tops of the mounds and are growing up in the middles. V suggested teatowels on top to keep them moist, and our friend Sarah the Gardener has suggested making a type of seed tape using toilet paper.
The same day as planting beetroot seeds, we also threw in a pile of potatoes and a few yams. So far 13 potato seeds have done their job. Yams will take their time.
As for the seedlings, we had some trouble with the first batch we had sown. Perhaps we should not have used the seeds we had stashed away at the back of the laundry cupboards - well past their used by date. Having said that the silverbeet seeds that frankly looked sick and were well past their use by date worked perfectly well... so you never know.
Anyway, we replanted beans, more peas, onions and pak choi. After only 10 days ago and they are poking their heads out nicely, so at least we don't have to go out and buy 60 bean seedlings etc to cover our five families. Imagine the expense...
Photos to come - once Tania gets here :)
No comments:
Post a Comment