Garden Update July 2014

What is happening in the garden…

It’s a stormy month with high winds, horizontal rain and a splashing of rainbows to keep us smiling. Fresh faces from around the world have arrived to join the Vineyard team as pruning gets underway in the vineyard. This is a vital part of the grape production as it will set up next year’s Fruit and the following years cane selection.

The last tomatoes and capsicum have been picked and some plants transplanted to a sheltered north facing wall, to see if we can extend their growing period. Eggplants and capsicum can get through the winter by removing all fruit, flowers and a light trim to allow for next year’s growth. Swiss chard, broccoli and cauliflower leaves are all being used to make the base of our yummy warming soups.

With the cold snap, the greenhouse has become the nursery to young seedlings with leeks, carrots, turnips, lettuce, kohl rabi, and amaranth loving the warmth and protection of the shelter. A few trays of sunflower and peas have been generously seeded for sprouts to add to the garden salads. Borage, rocket, fennel, dill, pea, broad bean, nasturtium, calendula, viola flowers are all edible and have unique flavours, colours and textures to add to the cullenary delight.

It is a good time to apply horn manure, make compost, transplant seedlings, pruning, wine racking and harvesting for storage from the 13th – 28th of July. This is a descending or waning period of the moon. From the 1st-12th it will be good time to apply horn silica, plant seeds, graft and harvest for early consumption. This is an ascending or waxing period of the moon.

WE ARE CURRENTLY HARVESTING…
Broccoli, Carrots, Fennel bulbs, Sugar snap peas, Jerusalem Artichoke, Tatsoi, Mizuna, Rocket, Beetroot, salad greens, herbs, edible flowers, Radish

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