Are there any backyard veggie gardeners here?

[astarra]

Astarra, may I ask a question.  My DH loves chillies, whilst he likes the heat he really loves the taste of fresh chilli as well but no one seems able to suggest a chilli that is both tasty and has some heat - every chilli we check out refers to the heat, but none seem to refer to taste.  As you sound like you may be a knowledgeable chilli lover, do you have any suggestions or ideas on what we should look for to keep my man happy?

We use heaps of different chillis here..... I'll go and do a taste test in the garden and come back to you!!!! ......
(must say the home grown ones are always much tastier than supermarket ones)

[Cornish Cream]

I'm growing radish for the first time and the seedlings need thinning out.I was wandering whether I could eat the leaves rather than throw them away?

[achookwoman]

Yes you can eat the leaves. CC , they are very peppery. I would spread them and add to a green salad.

[Cornish Cream]

Thanks Chookie.

[obbie]

Yes, you can eat the leaves, we do in salads. I have heaps in my vege garden at the moment.

[achookwoman]

It is so cold here that I am starting the lettuce seedlings inside. We have a heated box and I may have to use this. Last spring I had great success with Little Gem lettuce. They are small and make 2 meals or if left to grow become tall and leaves can be removed as needed.

[mcmich]

Will have to look into gem lettuce.
Is it time to plant them now Chookie? Our weather has been beautiful the last few days but still chilly early morning.

[achookwoman]

Michele they are a cold weather veggie. Probably great for now in your climate.

[achookwoman]

Yesterday spent most of the day in the veggie garden. First day for ages that it hasn't rained.
I Now have growing broad beans, snow peas, silverbeet, kale, 2 cabbages, celery, Celeriac, green onions, chives and garlic chives, mint, French tarragon
I also have 4 sad looking citrus trees. 1 each of blue berry and black currant and raspberry canes.
I have a very healthy Fennel bush, ( don't like the bulb very much). 4 artichoke bushes, which I grow for green feed for the chooks.
Had to take the hedge clippers to the parsley.
Too cold to plant beans and tomatoes, these will have to wait another 2 months as we are still getting frosts and will be until mid November.

[judydawn]

It sounds as if you will become totally self-sufficient in your veggie garden Chookie, you're going great guns there.

[cookie1]

That sounds wonderful Chookie.

[Cornish Cream]

You are growing wonderful produce Chookie.

[achookwoman]

Although it. was windy today, I was able to spend time in the garden.
We brought over from Cherokee all the garden furniture. Mostly pots. We have been taking our time in deciding where to place them. Ral spent the day building the base for the big antique fountain that will go in from of the house. I planted 9 cabbage seedlings that I bought for a dollar at the Creswick Farmers Market.

[astarra]

Started my seeds indoors 11 days ago..... now looking like this:

[Cornish Cream]

My goodness your seeds germinated quickly Astarra.