AT LAST... A PRACTICAL POSTThe broccoli crop didn't disappoint altogether, but I learned some irrefutable truths about growing them along the way. The crop itself was far shorter than expected.The heads began to bolt (also known as flowering) and I was hastened to harvest. They tasted marvellous. I just wish the heads had produced more. A few lessons on broccoli, from a mix of success and shortcoming:
plant early- February is not too early. I'd even dare to say end of January is not too early. Those transplants will be ready late March/early April. transplant at the right time- in retrospect, I put them out a wee bit early, but making sure they're out before it's too warm is essential spacing- hard lesson here: broccoli don't play well with each other. They will hog water and nutrients from each other resulting in no one having a nice big crown. In my case, the broccoli still grew decent crowns, but I wonder if their growth was shortened by the mutual struggle of all the plants to get what they needed. light- they're happy in shade, which is great for a balcony with limited sun exposure. Too much heat will result in bolting soil- in containers, it's easier to get a good grip on what is in the soil you're using. The thing I'm working to understand is when to apply more nutrients after growing and how much. I became bold and used coffee grounds to try to support the broccoli with extra nitrogen, however the reading I have done on this presents mixed information. Too much nitrogen, in some cases, has been said to grow hollow stems. Another source said "you can't overdo nitrogen". I'm still puzzled but the good news is I'm still working with such a small patch of growing area it's not going to be a huge mystery if things stop growing well. The large raised beds are not nearly entirely bare. I have a few very small dill plants and a bunch of onions in far corners, and recently planted kale still preparing to fully emerge. It's a rest period. As tempted as I am to resow more things immediately, I made up an illustrated plan of the garden for spring and fall sowings for that very reason: knowing I'd be hard pressed to be still while there was bare dirt. The brussels sprouts carefully planted out in May have begun to mature beautifully, and I will plant them in early August (ok, let's be honest, August 1st) and there will be other plantings that month as well. New scallion bunches have been sown indoors for transplanting later in the summer and though it will be tempting to sow very early, I have to wait until as late as October to sow some things which I plan to overwinter (broccoli, fennel, yarrow, carrots, to be harvested between November 2020 and March of next year). The summer plantings have been slow and a little mischievous. The tomato plants have been dropping their blossoms before they fully open and thus before I can hand pollinate them. Research pointed to two possibilities: too much Nitrogen (big gorgeous branches, sad flowers and thus no fruit) or too little water (the more likely, I think, because they are in smaller containers and need more frequent watering to keep the soil moistened through) .he cucumbers have yet to sprout, but even being indoors, under a lamp for a time and now in a sunny window where the soil can heat up, they insist on being tortoise like in their potential progress. I planted two less common varieties: lemon cucumber and crystal apple. I have grown and eaten lemon cucumbers before and they are my favourite cucumber in the world. Crisp, lightly sweet (in a cucumber way) and, in fact, lemon shaped and sized. Incredible for snacking or salads, as they have one of the prettiest interiors of a cut cucumber I've ever seen. There are small grooves along the outside of the fruit that make the cut cucumber look like a very softened clover shape, and the pale yellow interior and seeds look like a beautifully crafted brooch or pendant. But you can eat it. Crystal Apple is unfamiliar to me, but when I read "Granny Smith like in flavour" I was beyond curious and ready to plant. I hope to deliver good news about cucumbers this summer. Last summer my plants all became subject to too much rain and formed powdery mildew. I had to pull the plants not too long after. I am keeping them sheltered this year, and with hope and some gardening skills, maybe I will have cucumber treasure to share in August and early September... the Nasturtiums are beginning to bloom, which can be checked off as a success for soil preparation and giving them soil that was not too nutritious so they could put their efforts into blooms, not just leaves. The chamomile is beginning to develop blossoms, and the black eyed susans aren't far behind... The sunflowers, though seemingly suffering from some necrosis in their leaves, are coming along. I did some research and it is likely a fungus in the soil that is creeping into the plant through the roots and stem. The internet advises me to pull these plants and toss or super heat the soil to rid it of the fungus, but I am curious and have that benefit of contained soil.. I kinda want to see what happens. I discovered this potential problem after planting more sunflowers in the same spot (more is more it comes to sunflowers I say) so I feel attached to these seedlings... Five happy apple tree seedlings still thrive. Another win. A hummingbird has been feeding on the snapdragons and chamomile. Win win win. The garden feels and looks a little more lived in. There are tiny little unidentified bugs making trails in the leaves of many of my plants. My feelings aren't hurt. Insect activity, even if it's undesired, feels like a badge of honour and a proof of life in my garden in the sky. Wind continues to be something I watch with caution. Winter will prove to be interesting, and I am still devising a plan to cover the beds. Felicity is now a sweet bubblegum pink and the blooms are fully blossomed in their frilly elegance. Lupin petals and the recently excavated broccoli plants litter the patio. For now I like the way it looks. The process, the progress...
1 Comment
6/24/2020 01:38:51 pm
Everything looks good! There will always be challenges, that's gardening for you. I began to wonder if my pumpkins were being shy or just lazy...then I dug up a few seeds and found they had been eaten and only the shells were left.. hmmm.. ? Here's a success story : First crop of potatoes, harvested, delicious! I planted them in pots starting in February, there were about 30 in the pot. The sweet potato look nice, Chris puts them under a plastic cover at night to keep them warm ! P. S. Do you think nasturtiums should be deadheaded ?
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NinaNoot- Christina (Nina) Wonglong time illustrator of whimsical things and a woman with a green thumb. Compassion and a desire to do something helpful compels me to write and share about gardening in hopes it may bring healing and delight to the souls of others as it has to mine. Check in every week on Tuesday for the unfolding story of my own garden alongside small growing project ideas, my successes and failures, and a sincere dose of hope in this moment of covid-19. Archives
August 2020
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