Garden Diary: June Vegetables – Survival of the Fittest

Yep, it’s time to take stock of what’s growing, or not. Water is scarce, and this week I’ve had to make some tough decisions. The water butts are empty and mains water is expensive. If you are on a water meter, you will understand. Last year, I saved every drop of grey water from the house and was always carrying buckets back and forth. This year, as much as I’d like to, thanks to a niggling bad hip, I can no longer do this and hence why I will be making ruthless decisions with all the plants that are not performing.

Red Onions

This week, I harvested the red onions. The tops were dead or dying off, so it was time to harvest, put them in a crate and let them dry off in the heat of the shed.

Carrots

These were long overdue to be pulled. Some were okay and were relegated to the freezer to be used in a soup or stew and the rest (most) were long past their harvesting date and had turned ‘woody’. The tops I added to my green composter.

Broccoli

I don’t know why I planted them. The cabbage white butterflies love them and the leaves were already infested with baby caterpillars. Life is too short to keep rubbing off the caterpillars in the hope I might actually get to enjoy one or two florets. They were not worth the effort or water.

Physalis

These need watering every day. I already have a large pot of physalis on the watering system. Bye. Added to the compost heap.

Squash and Zucchini

One tiny squash about an inch long was not worth the water. I have pulled them up and relegated to the garden trash.

The same applies to two of the zucchini plants, which, although their leaves looked healthier, have stopped producing flowers. I have four more plants in pots, which seem happier now and both squash and more zucchini in the main bed.

Battening Down the Hatches for Summer

I have covered areas not in use with black plastic, which not only prevents the soil from drying out but also (hopefully) suppresses the weeds. I have also cut black plastic circles for any pots not in use.

Finally, this week I harvested my first batch of liquid fertiliser. Read more about it

Garden Diary: How to Make Organic Liquid Fertilizer

That’s a wrap for this week, folks. It’s tough to accept that the body is not as cooperative as it once was. My mind and enthusiasm have the engine of a Lamborghini, but my body has the capability of a 50cc pop pop scooter.

Goal: I am gradually revisiting all areas of the garden to identify where we can make changes, not only to conserve water but also to review problematic plants that require constant attention.