Garden Update August 2014

What is happening in the garden…

The frosty mornings have arrived, followed by big blue sky and warm solar rays as the days lengthen. The vineyard team are nearing the end of the annual pruning and have been fortunate to have a marvellous mild winter on the farm. Cover crops are at knee height and pea, radish, sour sob and mustard flowers are being handpicked direct from paddock to plate.

The spiral garden is getting an extension with more raised beds to be installed at the end of the month. These will be filled with more herbs and a native collection of bush foods from all over Australia to be used to complement the existing produce we grow, which origins are from all over the globe. Nasturtiums have consumed the earth mounds providing multi coloured flowers and leaves with anti-bacterial qualities, great for sore throats. The silver foliage of the Globe artichokes contrast with the greens of the sunflowers and the poppies which are in flower and soon to be harvested for cut flowers.

Spring is around the corner and garden beds are prepared and ready for seeds to provide for the season of seaside sunshine fun, wining and dining. Tomatoes, capsicums, beans, aubergine, cucumbers, corn, watermelons, pumpkins and zucchini are all going in to provide gastronomical delights.

It is a good time to apply horn manure, make compost, transplant seedlings, pruning, wine racking and harvesting for storage from the 9th-21st of August. This is a descending or waning period and is influenced by the earth and water signs. From the 3rd-8th and the 25th-31st of August 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, tatsoi, rocket, beetroot, swiss chard, salad greens, herbs, edible flowers.

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