Are there any backyard veggie gardeners here?

[achookwoman]

We are cold climate gardeners.   live in Macedon Ranges.  also members of Diggers.  Their seeds are so fresh that they grow like mad.  Plants,  not so good.  We can't plant out until after Cup Day.   At the moment we have piles of Silver Beet,  parsley, mint, Cabbages , lettuce and broccoli.  We try to eat something from the garden every day.   Also have mustard greens which are great in salads and soups.
the garden is a bit of a mess at the moment because it is too cold and wet to do much.  oodles of lemons.  We have been trying to grow lemons for about 20 year.  We had a large stone wall built and planted several citrus trees near it.  They love it and the chook poo and coffee grounds.
I have posted a photo of last years veggie garden on my blog.
Will plant up with Asian veggies and lots of lettuce, potatoes and garlic, peas and beans.
We also have berries under netting.  Can't grow corn or big tomatoes,
Love the garden ,  but don't spend enough time in it.

for people with a small space,  I would recommend,  ONE MAGIC SQUARE by Lolo Houbein.

[deedub]

I'd love to grow more veggies but time, space & possums seem to defeat me! I've got kale, thyme, parsley, oregano, mint, sage & vietnamese mint growing ATM. I've got a bay tree & 3 huge rosemary bushes so I'm right for herbs. Have planted peas & snow peas but the aphids have almost eaten the lot! I noticed a few carrots are coming up - planted the seeds 2 years ago 😉. Would love to grow cucumbers in summer - anyone tried this?

[dede]

I have grown cucumbers, just a warning don't plant to many plants as the produce so many cucumbers you will be giving them away to everyone who will take them. I would recommend probably only 2 plants

[astarra]

I have grown cucumbers, just a warning don't plant to many plants as the produce so many cucumbers you will be giving them away to everyone who will take them. I would recommend probably only 2 plants

Yeah, my SIL grew cucumbers last summer and she got enough for her, me, mil, and oodles more - I think she pickled something like 27 big jars! 

[mcmich]

Just regular cucumbers? I've only grown apple cucumbers and had an average crop.

[cookie1]

We don't really have a veggie garden. When we built this house it was built with minimum gardening planned. We have roses and lawn out the front with a few roses out the side and lots of paving. We travel so much that it is ideal. I have a few herbs under the roses but they will have to be removed as next door has scale and it has got to the mint, parsley, sage and oregano.
I will replant new herbs out the side in a raised garden.

[deedub]

I have grown cucumbers, just a warning don't plant to many plants as the produce so many cucumbers you will be giving them away to everyone who will take them. I would recommend probably only 2 plants

Yeah, my SIL grew cucumbers last summer and she got enough for her, me, mil, and oodles more - I think she pickled something like 27 big jars! 

Hmmm might have to rethink the cucumber idea then lol.

[Jude59]

We had two cucumber plants last summer climbing at the end of the patch and they had stacks of fruit on them.  Found some really nice cucumber salsa recipes, which also used our mint and chilli.

[Delightful Den]

I try and have a veggie garden but I am not dedicated enough and it usually gets away from me. I currently have some rainbo chard left over from summer still growing, I planted brussel sprouts but the chooks keep eating the leaves. I also have some rhubarb growing but the chooks are eating it at the moment too.

I like the idea of growing my own veggies, herbs etc but the reality of it is never as good as the plans.

[droverjess]

We r in process of digging up some lawn and today got leek plugs and winter brassica plugs. Also got some seed for late sowing carrots.
It's a start.
Funny that we're the opposite of you all.

[Emme]

We are using carrots, parsnips, cauliflower and broccoli and silver beet from the garden at the moment.  Have planted out broad beans, peas, onions and garlic.  We are also using limes, oranges, and the seville oranges are almost ready for marmalade.
We used to have trouble growing carrots, but was told to use a little derris dust over the seed when planting.  Apparently there are insects in the soil that eat the carrot seed before it can germinate. 

Marie   

[knittercook]

Knittercook you are lucky!  Just had a look at your blog and wow such great things there and your knitting tension looks very professional.  My knitting is all over the place.  See you have an etsy shop too.  You haven't got a red beret have you?  Have to dress up French for a dinner party next weekend. Have my long elegant cigarette holder (sans cigarette of course) and was thinking about a beret.

Jude59, most of my items are made to order and the only berets that I have ready to go are these:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/68987403/crocheted-beret-hat-ginger-ready-to-ship
and one in brown.

Sharon

[Jude59]

Your garden sounds wonderful Emme! Great hint about the carrots too.  We have nothing but trouble with root crops in the home veggie patch.

Thanks Knittercook - I think I have got a red one on ebay   hope it arrives in time.

[Halex]

My goal this week is to clear our veggie patch. Just spent 30mins outside & covered about 1 metre.

We have a large eggplant bush. We planted it 2 1/2 years ago, we have had 2 eggplants from it. It takes up a lot of room, I am thinking of pulling it out. Does anyone know how long it takes to get a good crop?

I have given up with carrots, mine always grow curly

Our andscaper planted a large lavender bsh in the patch. I am also thinking of pulling this out unless it is there for a good reason. It too takes up a lot of space.

 

[knittercook]

Yes our carrots are always either curly or too spindly