The short answer is…slowly! It’s been about 5 weeks since we planted carrots, parsnips, leeks, beets, peas and beans from seed. As of today, the carrot tops are just starting to look more leafy than grassy. The biggest beet tops are maybe 5 cm tall. Only 4 of the 9 scarlet runner bean seeds sprouted (most likely due to the cool and rainy weather we’ve had for almost all of June). But the good news is that all 5 tomato plants have survived and are loaded with blossoms, the pepper plant has a few miniscule peppers on it, the cabbage is starting to form a tiny head at the center and the zucchini plants are sprouting a few new leaves. One of the new raspberry plants is in tough shape but the other seven are doing well and it looks like we’ll even get a couple of handfuls of berries this summer.
I took advantage of a break in the rain today to thin the apples.
Assuming the weather cooperates this weekend, I think I’ll conscript the GeoKids’ to help weed all the raised beds (and flower beds).
In terms of harvesting anything, so far it’s just herbs and rhubarb. Since Mr. GeoK doesn’t really like rhubarb, I disguised it!
Italian Soda Syrup:
1 c sugar
2 1/2 cups fruit (I coarsely chopped the rhubarb and topped it off with some frozen raspberries from last year’s harvest)
1/2 cup water
Bring ingredients to a full boil, stirring occasionally. Cool completely and then strain using a fine-meshed sieve. Add a couple tbsp to a tall glass of sparkling water. Enjoy!
What about you…did you plant a vegetable garden this year? And if you did, how is it growing?
Looking good. We’re in winter season and the veggies are going slow. Broccoli is doing well as is the lettuce, but the carrot and beets are slow. Just planted some mini cabbage, leek and onion. Fingers crossed.
I haven’t tried growing broccoli. Do you plant from seed? Or start indoors and transplant once it’s established? Lettuce is a great choice, especially when the kids are young. You can practically see it growing while you watch!
I saw your posts about constructing your raised boxes for gardening. Despite a few tool problems, the end results look like a good payoff for the trouble and effort. For us, the raised beds also help keep the neighbourhood jackrabbits away.
The broccoli is from seedling. I haven’t tried seed yet. We’re quite excited as you can see the floretes forming (about the size of a small finger). One thing we’re on the look out for a small green grubs, the larvae stage of the cabbage moth. We’re trying fish emulsion liquid fertiliser (they apparently hate it) and eggs shells (they’re half blind and think the shells are another moth).