New Buk Choy, Snow Pea & Spinach Seedlings...Daffodil Bulbs.

Recently after my Tassie trip, I planted two purple buk choy seeds. They have since germinated but growing really really at snail-pace. Same goes for my chilli padi seedlings. After the 'demise' of my first set of snow pea seedlings at the vege patch, I decided to grow them in pots for the first part of their life till they are well-established to be planted at the patch. And this round, I planted Digger's seeds instead, which are resistant to mildew. I learn that snow peas pods as well as the leaves can be eaten. Markets are selling at $11 per kg, not mentioning the supermarkets, so I am really keen to grow some, especially when my family does love them. The 3 new ones germinated after ten days in the pot and the pot is usually in the mini greenhouse except during the day.

I have also sown two spinach seeds in a green planter but only one germinated.

One of the few plants left at the vege patch - mint and the avocado below.

I have worked the soil on the left side of the vege patch and added aged cow manure. Planted daffodil bulbs, watered and covered with a layer of water-saving mulch.

Swelling Capsicums, Glossy-leafed Avocado Plant.

I have had a really busy and tiring week. I had a back-breaking 5.5 hours hoeing up dandelions and lamb's tongue at the new property over two days. My heart practically broke at the sight of the weed patch on the front and left side of the house. Dandelions and lamb's tongue were everywhere!!!

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Armed with a low stool, a mini hoe, a pair of gardening gloves and unyielding determination (well, there were moments of 'despair'), I finally cleared about 200m2 of weeds. Just before the rain came. Yes, I hope that the rain will drench the dry hard earth and soften it enough for me to sow lawn seeds successfully. If grass can grow and fill up the empty patches, then it would make it difficult for the weeds to grow. However for the time being, regular inspection and weeding are essential jobs!

The pots here on the rental property have been relocated to another area along the fence. As it is mid-autumn, the sun's position has changed and they no longer get enough sun. Hence, the relocation to receive maximum sunlight. The beautiful avocado plant at the vege patch. I hope that I would be able to pot it onto a large pot for ornamental purpose but I am really not sure if it will do well in potting mix, compared to the soil.

One of the two capsicum plants at the vege patch putting out three capsicums all at once.

Another plant giving a large capsicum here, after I prematurely harvested a smaller one some weeks back.

The capsicum in the pot has fruits or irregular shape and developing at a slower pace.

Really Is An Avocado Plant!

I cleared up the mighty red tomato bush this morning. With only two tiny fruits on it (some looted by possums, some eaten by my dogs), it's not worth keeping it. I have been rather curious with a plant growing in the midst of the tomato bush and after cutting the bush down, I was able to dig a little to check if this was an avocado plant. Right instinct! It certainly was. I think I must have buried one last winter or spring with all the vege scraps from the kitchen. It is already 15cm tall. The large seed was still in the soil. I know avocado trees take donkey years to grow and fruit, say at least 10 years. And I will be fortunate if it ever fruit! So I have shelfed the idea of growing avocados after doing some research and reading forums on it. However, recently I read something by Jackie French, who says an avocado tree can be trained to be in a large pot in-house, where it serves as an ornamental tree due to its beautiful green glossy leaves and expensive look. That is quite tempting, though I always wanted useful trees that produce edible fruits. Pots and pots...Notice the fly screen barricading the vege patch behind the pots? I had resorted to that because recently Marco has decided to venture into the patch due to boredom. Upset is an understatement. He uprooted one of my flowering capsicum, snipped some tomato branches off, knocked over the laundry hamper covering the fruiting capsicum and stomped on my oriental radish seedlings. I only managed to salvage my seedlings. It was a distressing moment given I have put in so much effort.

The avocado plant with seed still in tact. The tomato bush cut down, the avocado plant growing just close by.

Seedlings of oriental radishes growing fine, saved by me after being stomped down by Marco.

My little experiment of growing avocado from seed here on the window ledge. Been waiting for a long time.

Vietnamese Mint roots super fast, within a few days of standing in water.