Gardening
We harvested our first self seeded watermelon this week; it had grown from the non hybrid seed of an organic watermelon that had probably been eaten there the previous season. It received no fertilizer, special soil or treatment except the occasional bucket of bath water. The harvesting was a family affair as we were all just as excited about the melon that we had been watching grow for months by the shed door. It was surprisingly tasty and full of juice, the main problem was after everyone had had their fill it still wouldn’t fit in the fridge!
I love the cycling process that growing food brings; eat the food, save the seed, plant out nurture and then harvest again. I am still amazed at what can be produced from one small seed.
Last week I planted seeds of peas, silverbeet, coriander, spinach and broccoli. However I am not holding on to their success as we have since had 7 days straight over 35c. I accept it as a cheap loss; a packet of seeds, even organic ones cost no more than $2-3. To make myself feel better I have collecting spent sunflower heads and lettuce heads which I will add to my seed collection once they are dry.I order online all my seeds; even for a few packets it is worthwhile and so easy. It doesn’t involve having to drive or queuing at the shop, or arriving to find something is out of stock. It also opened me to the whole world of different varieties of herbs and vegetables that you cannot buy at the average garden shop. The best part is that they have not been chemically treated nor bred for only one generation like commercially available seeds. For more information on non hybrid seeds or organic seeds; see
www.diggers.com.au
www.edenseeds.com.au
www.selectorganic.com.au
www.greenpatchseeds.com.au
Gardening tip: Growing carrots
Mix carrot seeds with spring onion seeds and sand for good results (onions protect the carrots from pests) and spread out thinly in rows in the garden or deep styrofoam boxes. Sprinkle compost finely over the top, a sieve works well. Keep moist until germination.
Until next time
Rachel Furbank, Sustainable living eco mum
