Garden Update September 2015
Cullen Biodynamic Spiral Garden.
What is happening in the garden…
The change of season into spring brings the onset of new growth with the vines, figs, pomegranate, and quince pushing out their new shoots to capture the energy of our glorious Sun. Cover crops of grains and legumes fill the vineyard with their flowers as their reproductive cycle is triggered by the increase of daylight. Our Citrus trees are in full flower and their scent fills the air along the entrance gardens. Peppermint trees begin their blossoming act dropping their tiny snowflake white petals, oh the joys of spring.
Biodynamic preparation sprays of BD500 and BD501 are being applied across the farm and gardens when the Moon is opposite Saturn which brings the organizational forces of calcium and silica into balance. New information boards have been added to our Biodynamic spiral garden along with edible chrysanthemum, strawberry, beans, salad mix and radish. Pea pods, shoots and flowers are being handpicked for the kitchen from the vineyard inter-row. Broad beans have reached waist height and are starting to set fruit as daylight hours equal the night with flowers and leaves also being harvested for use.
Bush beans have burst out of the soil along with radish and beetroot for summer harvest. Mixed salad are being transplanted from the greenhouse into the garden beds on leaf days while the moon is in a descending phase. Tomatoes and capsicum are getting some protection in the greenhouse and will be transplanted into the soil on the next descending moon phase on a fruit day. Asparagus are beginning to push their spears out through the straw mulch and will receive a seaweed and fish emulsion feed to assist their production.
It is a good time to apply horn manure, make compost, transplant seedlings, pruning, wine racking and harvesting for storage from the1st -10th, 24th-26 and the 30th September. This is a descending or waning period and is influenced by the earth and water signs. From the 11th and 15th-22nd 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… Capsicum, kale, rocket, chard, salad greens, water cress, broad bean leaf, pea shoots, herbs, edible flowers, fennel bulbs, horse radish, lemons.
If anyone has any queries in regards to the garden, please feel welcome to ask… Cheers, Jaimie