Friday, September 30, 2011

August

August
Promise of joys and disappointments




Spring - The return of life from mineral to plant is starting to quicken.
The greens are changing hue. We spend more time outdoors.

Soil temp - It be better to weight a bit, till the soil warms to plant out
to sit comfortably with a bare bum on the soil , time for beans tomato corn.

The Ornamental Garden

Magnolia - Their shallow root system dislikes being planted over, roots need protection from summer sun, mulch.
Gladiolus corms - Treat with fungicide before planting, tiny bulbs will not flower this season.
Clematis - propagate by pushing stems just beneath ground to cover new shoot, mulch.
Snow in summer, Shaster Daisies, Stokesia,(perenial aster), Gazanias, gerbera, catmint, thyme etc.. divided and replanted or potted for Christmas gifts.
Delphinium - A sorry looking bunch of dead twigs, replant mulch water.
Foxglove - in the garden encourage plant growth and disease resistance.

Check for snails - they can climb and damage the stems and trunks of shrubs and small trees. Invest in some ducks.
Pest predator relationship - is complex. The pest population will rise before the predator population. if you let nature take its course you will notice a brief flush then a diminishing. Pest are food leave them alone if possible.
Cloches - sowing begins in the open or under cloches, placed out two weeks before planting will help soil warm.

Prune

Roses - prune in colder areas.
Climbing plants - trimmed of wayward growth, especially near paths and entrances.
Grape and Passion Fruit vines - will bear fruit on new growth, cut back to two or three buds.
Lemons Gardenia - remove dead wood, .
Rosemary - reliable plant for low hedges , shape before flowering.
flowering Shrubs -
shaped when flowering finishes.

lemon trees - remove dead diseased crossed wood, burn galls.

The kitchen Garden

Broad beans, Fava bean - Plant in garden, Harvest from December.
Cabbage - Start undercover in seed trays and plant out in 4-6 weeks, Harvest from November.
Kohlrabi - Plant in garden, Harvest from November.
Mustard green, gai choy - Plant in garden, Harvest from October.
Onion - Start undercover in seed trays and plant out in 4-6 weeks, Harvest from March.
Peas - Plant in garden, Harvest from November.
Radish - Plant in garden, Harvest from October.
Shallots, Eschalots - Plant in garden, Harvest from December.
Snow Peas, Sugar Peas, Mangetout, Chinese Peas - Plant in garden, Harvest from December.
Spinach, English spinach - Plant in garden, Harvest from October.
Swedes, Rutabagas - Plant in garden. Harvest from November.
Peppers, tomatoes -Start in trays, indoors.

Intergrating Water Weeding Feeding in the kitchen Garden

Weed & Feed

Out of the way, under a tree, centrally located.
What I get from permaculture is inspiration on integrating systems and behavior.
They say that one year seeding equals seven years weeding.
we remove the weeds and take to the compost heap seed and all.
We cart it back to mulch
We water with dead water.
we buy feed and mix to fertilize.
We then spend most of our garden time weeding  ?

- Simple solution -
Weed Tea
The garden waste stream is processed as to type and effects. All plants Material that I want to encourage seed and all go onto the compost,
Grass weeds go directly onto the lawn.  
Weedy plants that I want to inhibit go into the tea.
The seedy weeds from the garden go in large bucket, a handful of blood and bone, ferment, water the plants from watering can. the hose is only rarely needed.
200l fresh water, float valve connects to house tank, siphons into weed bucket, always full.
Makes it easy to water and feed.
Plus a rich pulp for mulch, worms or compost.

Careful management will minimize weeding
Systems can always be improved