Gardeb Update September 2014

What is happening in the garden…

Spring has sprung and signs of the changing of the season are all to be seen, ducklings have hatched and following mother duck through the vines, bees are in work mode collecting pollen and nectar restocking the hives after a beautiful harvest of golden honey. All through the farm grasses and broad leaf plants are setting multi-coloured flowers and preparing to set seed. Figs, Oak, Almonds, Mulberry and the grape vines have awoken from their winter rest as the solar rhythm has begun another cycle.

The Spiral garden has grown and sown with salads, beans, carrots, leeks, strawberry, sunflower, edible natives and an array of herbs for the kitchen to create delicious dishes. The plants will be feeding from our nutrient rich and sticky humus Biodynamic compost prepared earlier in the year made from the grape pressings, straw, woodchip and cow manure all sourced from the farm, and inoculated with compost teas to feed and add to the biology to help digest the organic materials and minerals.

In between the vines the nitrogen fixing broad beans have begun to be harvested. Tomatoes, aubergine, cucumber and zucchini have been transplanted into the rich soil. Watermelon, pumpkins, corn, beetroot, carrots have been seeded.

It is a good time to apply horn manure, make compost, transplant seedlings, pruning, wine racking and harvesting for storage from the 6th-18th of September. This is a descending or waning period and is influenced by the earth and water signs. From the 1st-5th and the 22nd-30th of September it will be a good time to apply horn silica, plant seeds, graft and harvest for early consumption. This is an ascending or waxing period and is influenced by air or fire signs.

WE ARE CURRENTLY HARVESTING…
Broccoli, carrots, fennel bulbs, broad beans, rocket, beetroot, swiss chard, salad greens, mustard, watercress, herbs, edible flowers.

If anyone has any queries in regards to the garden, please feel welcome to ask… Cheers, Jaimie