today i harvested my little potato patch. I have never grown spuds before but the plants thrived. kipffler is a small potato at the best of times and i think i may have jumped the gun harvesting, but the heat has set in and its humid, with flowers on them i was uncertain if the tubers would continue to develop so i bit the bullet.
i did a little research on crop rotation, my garden is minute, and i need to tend to my soil's health with vigilance, that being said a lot of that can be achieved with research and planning.
i was going to put pumpkins in here, because they did well in that site in summer 2009 but i read today that alliums should follow solanums which are tomatoes, capsicums, egglants in all their varieties as well as potatoes. I grow a lot of tomatoes for the space i have, so adding potatoes to the mix may be difficult but i think id like to give it a go. so i am following the convention and putting in spring onions, which i bought on a whim..i get excited by the prospect of growing everything in the universe and sometimes i misjudge what i can actually fit into a few square metres of garden. anyway I can use them so in they will go, plus i have an alternate spot for some late pumpkins, so i can try yet again.
i havent had a good rate from the pumpkin seed this year but i do use pumpkin in winter, its great in soups, so even a tiny late crop would be fun ..and besides their mad giant leaves and climbing habit just rock my aesthetics lever..if i get some nice ones this year i might take my inskstone and brushes out there....anyway.
I was not brought up to garden, its is not in the culture from which i come. I do however have the blessing of an outstanding man as a teacher, his grandmother grew more food than you can imagine until she was over 90, his father was a fine gentle man who also gardened and learned the skills of australian soils and conditions. Pete is also an outstanding gardener, he gardens with patience and great skill and knowledge.....when we get out into his magnificent crazy garden we share a little secret of contemplation and patience. My contribution is mainly harvesting and viewing, whilst listening and watching very very carefully because this man teaches me at least 10 things an hour and it is to him, and his gardening antecedents, i owe an awful lot of the knowledge i already have. also teaching by example is never to be underestimated. So i am able to do some things but im a such a beginner at this it almost hurts..but learning as just the best fun..so my mad experiments in an unsuitable space are a joy and i get to eat it too! im going to add some links etc below because accessing information is very handy when u dont have a solution , and then i amm putting on my chefs hat to cook up this brilliant harvest
i posted this on facebook but i dont want it to disappear so im linking it here. a handy page of clear info on crop rotation http://www.growveg.com/growguides.aspx
this link is a nifty little site with a basic drop down menu and one can find individual plants requirements for a fair number of varieties. the information is clear and very informative http://www.thevegetablepatch.com
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