Pages

September 01, 2008

Spring!

What a lovely day it was to welcome in Spring.

I spent most of it just pottering around. I'd sit down to read some more of my How to Grow More Vegetable book and come across an idea that just had-to-be-done right there and then, so I'd get up and wander off to do that. The whole day went like that.

Simon took the kids out for a couple of bike rides - I need to find my own bike-love, but garden-love is there right now. Especially since the time is right to get things going in the garden. Although I get quite a bit of time during the week with the kids to pop down to do things in the garden, I try not to spend ALL my time down there since it's not the kids most favourite thing to be doing (although they do love being outside I am mindful of their needs too!). And as the days warm up, we will have plenty of time between 10am-3pm out of the sun to do other stuff, so better try and get in as much work now while I can.

It's amazing how much time can be lost just looking at chickens lol. I love watching them pottering and scratching. Both the little ones had a dust bath today which was neat to watch. Moon decided to come and join them and just plonked herself in the tub of sandy soil with Peach and rolled around with her and on top of her.

I planted out some Maori seed potatoes I'd been given (I forget which variety, but they are purple skinned and yellowy inside) into an empty patch of garden trying out an alternating pattern from the How to Grow book. I popped 5 tomato seedlings into tubs up on my deck. I will move them all around to my front porch where they get more shelter and all day sun though. I then popped 5 tomato seedlings into my front garden amongst my daffodils and sunflowers. They will also get great sun and complete shelter - only issue is they will need constant watering since the soil is still quite sandy despite the heap of compost in there and the rain doesn't drive in on that side.

Tomorrow afternoon after playcentre I intend on dividing some of my herbs up and putting them into spaces within the herb garden as suggested in one of my other gardening books I was reading today. It will keep the herbs going and help keep the weeds at bay by filling in any spare spaces!

I need to get some beans and pumpkins started soon so when I pop the corn seeds directly into the group in October they can all work together to form the Three Sisters.

6 comments:

Nancy said...

I have been reading some of your older posts and came upon your Dec 2007 post about flies...With chickens, this can be a problem, especially in the warmer months.

I use Diatomaceous Earth (DE)and deep litter in my coop. When I clean the house out, I sprinkle a layer of DE on the floor before the woodchips, then sprinkle it again on top..This is usually enough till I clean the next time. Since you only have a few chickens this should take care of your fly problem quite nicely as well as other insect pests like tics, lice or mites. Just remember to wear a dust mask when you apply the DE. The DE keeps the area dry and dries the droppings removing the smell as well. Using the DE also keeps the flies out of the composting area where I put the discarded cedar shavings. I use a simple wire kitchen strainer to sprinkle. The DE clumps like fine flour so you can scoop with the strainer and it doesn't actually come out untill you shake it...You may already know about the DE, but if not... I hope this helps you have a more pleasant summer...*: )

Johanna Knox said...

Hi Nikki - what are the three sisters?

Sorry about your chook Mouse. :(

Nik said...

Thanks for that Nancy. I have heard of DE but don't own any. Will look into it further.

Johanna, it is a way of intercropping (companion planting) traditionally done by Native American's. The beans climb up the corn and also nitrogen fix, the corn provides shade and keeps moisture in the ground, and the space between the plants is well utilized by having the pumpkins creep between them (last year I had pumpkin vines gowing up the corn as they grew and had hanging pumpkins - very cool!). So an all round good use of space!

Johanna Knox said...

Brilliant.

Anonymous said...

Hi
Just came across your blog, as one does when up early in am playing GRIN.

Are you in NZ or Aus - I had a quick look but couldn't work it out - however saw you were planting Maori spuds so wondered if you were a kiwi also.

Nice to meet you!

Love Leanne

Nik said...

Hi Leanne, yep a fellow Kiwi. Thanks for visiting.