It started raining really hard last Sunday and got worse Monday and all my husband was doing was standing at the window looking sad….
I did think… if got any heavier, I’d have to let him in!
Yes, the monsoon season is upon us. The plants have all perked up and are growing upward. Gardeners have gained a little extra time in their day with watering not really necessary - but there is still plenty to do.
So, what am I growing now?
Well lettuce is not a tropical weather plant, but the open leafed varieties can still be grown even this time of year but not in the vegie patch. This is where my Vegepod is amazing.
I keep my Vegepod in the carport, in a semi shaded position with only two-to-three hours of morning sunlight. The cover keeps the grasshoppers at bay and offers protection from the harsh summer sun. I have more lettuce, basil and parsley growing in them today than the family can eat!
Have you ever tried growing micro greens?
To be honest until now I have not given them a lot of energy but you have to give the Indoor Kitchen Pod a go. They are easy to use even “fool proof”, great for the kids to watch things grow and you don’t need to go out into the weather to snip off what’s needed for dinner, it’s right there on the kitchen bench!
The Indoor Kitchen Pod has self-watering wicking beds, LED growing lights and a built in water gauge. We have them for sale at Whitpro and you can check them out on the Vegepods website.
Between the wet days there is still plenty to do in the garden in preparation for Autumn.
Weeds are about to explode after all this rain, so keep on top of them. My best advice is mulch, mulch and add a little more mulch. Not only are you feeding your soil, you are protecting it from exposed, wet earth which is a weed’s playground.
Start preparing your soil for planting in March, if you don’t have one, start a worm farm. Worm castings grow great vegetables when mixed into your soil and if you are still throwing your kitchen scraps in the bin, what are you thinking! There are worms that need feeding and a local tip that does not want your scraps.
WORM FARM TIPS:
There are a few important things to know about worm farms:
1. We live in a warm climate, and you can bake worms, so make sure they are in a shady position. Soil temperatures over 26 degrees may see loss of worm life.
2. Worms, just like all plants and people - need water. Worms in a dry worm farm will die. So, keep your worm farm moist but not wet. Worms are not fish, they can drown.
3. Be careful not to over feed your worms. You only need to feed them once or twice a week. Only add more food once the last batch has been consumed.
Top Tip: Blend, chop finely or shred your scraps before giving them to your worms.
5 SHADES OF GREEN
Salad:
• 1 Granny Smith apple, chopped
• 1 avocado, chopped
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 continental cucumber, chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped pistachios
• 1/4 cup chopped raisins
• 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese (or your favourite cheese)
• 2 tablespoons chopped chives
1. Toss the apple and avocado in the lemon juice so they don't oxidize.
2. Mix everything together
Chive dressing:
• 1 small clove garlic
• 2 tablespoons Champagne vinegar
• 1 teaspoon crème fraîche
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon chopped chives
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt & lots of pepper
1. Blend everything aside from the olive oil in a blender
2. Then with the blender still on, through the top, slowly pour in the olive oil.
Create delicious leafy greens in any weather with a Vegepod
A simple yet sumptuous green salad
