Friday, April 15, 2011

Choko, Coriander, Saffron Sativus, Chives, Thai Basil, Poppy, EChinaea (Cornflower) & Strawberry Delight

I planted some flower seeds last Friday outside the garage where there is a strip of soil. Cornflower (Echinaea), Poppy and Foxglove. It rained and rained almost the whole of this week. So far I have not seen the seeds germinated. I also planted some Mustard seeds (Biomulch) and Clover seeds in Patch F. The patch is empty now and the mustard and clover when grown, will be dug into the soil as nutrients for the soil.
My bittermelon plants are crawling up the trellis and have flowers but no fruit yet. I doubt I would ever get one this seaon since they only started growing December.
All 11 strawberry delight plants have done well and growing! They are all in styrofoam boxes which leak which is great because the boxes will not collect rainwater and drown the plants. Yeah more strawberries next season!!!
My thai basil are doing very well even with the cold rains. I hope I would be able to keep them alive through the coming cold winter months.
Chives (Asian type) have survived the dividing and re-planting. All I need is some support as the long leaves are falling all over the place.
The planter of saffron sativus crocus are growing. So far those 12 under my peach tree havent sprouted yet and I am beginning to wonder if I have planted them too dig. :(
Surprise find! Lots of coriander seeds have sprouted where the old coriander plants were. Very happy gardener here!
I decided to invest in a choko few days ago. I love to grow perenial fruiting plants, vegetables and flowers because I dont have to pay money to keep planting new plants. So I thought choko would be a good idea. It has gorgeous leaves, is perenial and bears fruits for dishes. This morning I found the base looking a bit different. Something is sprouting. I guess it could be the root. Many websites talk about choko planting but they never ever mention properly how to plant it. So I chose to place it in a bowl and see it sprout instead of planting it straight into the ground.

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Snapshots Around the Garden

I have propagated a few pots of aoenium, the green and the black. They are all in pots at the moment. I am not sure where to place them or if I should plant them in the ground. Still planning and designing my flower patch in front of the living room windows and in front of the garage.
Love the beautiful architectural look.
My passionfruit panama red right out of our garage has survived attacks by slugs. It is now very green and growing. Got to figure out the supports soon because it is starting to climb.
The other passionfruit panama red is looking dreadful. The one above used to look like this after planting, so I am hopeful that this one will make it too. It is next to my front patio where lavender avon view used to be.
New artichoke green globe plants growing where the original plant is. Yeah!
I have protected my precious eggplant florianda with plastic. Feel so good after doing this job because I dont want my frost-tender plants to die!
Ermm...due to the mad weather, the jonquils under the plum tree emerged. Wonder what the result would be...
I have got calendulas growing here, along the fence behind the plum tree, next to the water tank. This is a very shady area and the soil is bad. Even though there is a layer of old weed mat underneath, the seeds germinated and are growing. I dont mind having calendula growing here to add some bright yellow colours. It has been a boring area and weeds easily grow here. Might as well have calendulas!
Bought a pot of galangal ginger from the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show.
I have divided and planted it in our back garden. :)
"All that mankind needs for good health and healing is provided by God in nature...the challenge of Science is to find it." - Paracelcus, the father of Pharmcology, 1493 - 1541