Autumn Veggie Patch Update

It was my first day of honest labour in nearly three weeks and I spent it in my veggie patch clearing beds and planting seedlings.

I’ve recovered enough from my chest infection to get a little bit more active, so I thought you might like an autumn veggie patch update.

I picked up a bargain at my local nursery as they were selling punnets of seedlings for 50 cents each.  I grabbed some mizuna, red mizuna, rainbow chard, spinach, Red Russian Kale, and Leeks.  All up the seedlings cost me $15, which I thought was a bargain.  Seeing that I have been unwell and unable to plant anything this season, it was a big bonus.

So I prepared three garden beds and planted them all in.  I added lots of well-rotted chook manure (thanks girls), and a couple of handfuls of blood and bone so they the seedling get a decent start.

The soil was fairly moist, so it only needed a light watering.

We love our greens so rainbow chard and spinach are perfect in hot meals and as salads.  The rainbow chard will keep producing for at least 8 months before it goes to seed.  The spinach should be gone in about 4 months.

I put in 6 kale seedlings, because Kale Chips are one of our all time favourite snacks. They should grow to a massive size if last years crop is anything to go by.  In the remaining space I planted the green and red mizuna for salads during the winter months.  We still like some lettuce like green in sandwiches even though it is now cooler.

The beds with greens were mulched to keep the moisture in.  Next time I clean out the chook house, I will mulch the leeks and broad beans.

That’s about all I managed to get done, because my chest started to hurt so I took it as an indication that I shouldn’t over do it.

I have another bed on this side of the garden that I am going to plant Broad Beans.  It is all prepared, fertilized and ready to go on Wednesday which is my downshift day.  I am going to spend most of it in the garden and plant out snow peas and garlic in the front yard veg patch.   I might also see what other seeds I have lying around and throw in some other veg as well.  It will be a bit of a surprise.  I like surprises!

It felt so good to be out there actually doing something, anything, around the yard.  I felt very grounded and happy.

What a great way to spend the day.

Did any of you spend time in your veggie patch?  What did you plant?