Gardening again

[Vanessa]

Well, I've been pretty much absent from my garden for quite some time. Working full time certainly doesn't help things! After a good few hours of weeding I think I may have started to get somewhere. I've planted some new carrot seeds and parsnip seeds so hopefully they will be growing soon. My zucchini is growing very well and with any luck I'll be getting some zucchinis soon. The cucumber is looking quite sorry for itself, it does have a small cucumber on it but most of the leaves have died off. There may still be hope with a growing tip looking like it might flower soon. Just have to keep up the water and hope for the best. It looks like the pumpkin vine has finally given out although I'm certain my partner is in no way sad about it - as it sprawls over the backyard he was quite happy to mow over it on his last day off. I still have waaaay too many pumpkins which should last me at least a year, I think it's time for a break.

I still haven't got around to putting edging on my vegie patch. I'm thinking of using the timber from an old gate. This will hopefully help with the weed situation as too.

My tomatoes have very nearly ended which I think is a good thing too - I now have quite a few plastic containers of tomatoe puree hogging space in my freezer. It's amazing how the rogue plants that pop up after rain always produce the best crops.

That's me done for now, hopefully I'll have success to report with parsnips and carrots soon.

[Sue]

Hi Vanessa,
I too had heaps of pumpkins left over from last years harvest and have heard if yo ustore them on their sides moisture cant build up in the divit on the top making them rot so store them on their sides as soon as they 'harden up'
the best way to get rid of weeds is to mulch them out I am a lazy gardener and usually just keep adding mulch to any weeds that dare show their heads.. works a treat , also good for your plants too and saves water...
I only planted one zucchini last year and it produced enough zucchini to feed half the neighbours as well as ourselves and have learnt unless you really like zucchini just buy the occassional one from the supermarket..
WIth your tomatoes there are heaps of drying and recipe books available Sundried tomatoes for salad.. pasta saues keep well in bottles if you follow the directions with hot jars etc so no need to freeze them all also bottled semi dried fruits and veg make wonderful pressies if put in a nice basket for chrissy..
WIll keep in touch to see how things progress..
Cheers Sue