Doing the 'Crop Rotation' tango!

Left: Truss tomatoes ... Right: Grape tomatoes

Two examples lead on to the 'issues' that I am trying to cope with in this first foray into veggie gardening since 1959-1960. First example, is one I have mentioned before. I stuffed both carrots and peas. The carrots were all twisted and gnarled, whereas the peas did not bear more than about three examples of fruit. Second example, is that my tomato vines have turned into a dense, twisted jungle which I despair will ever ripen any fruit.

So, what are the broader issues? First, the soil must be tilled adequately, 'friable' I believe is the term'. No sticks, no stones, but lots of organic matter. And the tilling must be much more than surface deep, one foot in depth even! Second, Not all plants make good neighbours. Some will happily coexist, while others must either precede or follow.

So, I need a rotation plan. 'Gardening Australia' recommends FOUR BEDS X FOUR YEARS. So, this I will incorporate into my forward planning. Requires much thought, as my choice of vegetables - the ones the family is happy to consume - are so at variance to that which GA has chosen.

Left: What is the mongrel eating my raspberries? ... Right: When do I harvest this bounteous supply of capsicum?

Left & Right: This cucumber is looking a treat with about 8 cuwies nearing harvest.

And finally, a rockmelon. I have never grown them before, but think the fruit is just below, but separate from, the flower. Shall be interested to see if I am anywhere close!

Here comes the sun ...

That lazy old sun is back to rollin' round heaven all day, and isn't the veggie patch lovin' it! I was out today weeding, trimming and 'whispering'. Also engaging in a smidge of wishful thinking. This, for instance. I read that you can 'see' next year's figs immediately beneath the bark of the spindley branches. From the top, that is a new shoot. the little round button is the incipient fruit, and on the bottom is the scar of a removed branch. This is my new 'Brown Turkey' variety.

I had already planted three cloves of garlic, and today I dug five more into the mulch/soil in the orchard, Stephanie Alexander maintaining they are good companion plants for citrus trees. Given that we might use a knob of garlic per week, I am way behind the eight ball, but need to stagger the plantings steadily. Can't wait to see a clove turn into a knob, and to see the beauty of the garlic flower.

The silverbeet is due to be mature next week, seven weeks from planting. They are looking good, young and fresh. I think Kirsten mentioned a pie that she had in mind. Personally, I am partial to spinach (??) and parmesan risotto, but pie would go down a treat, too. I have ideas for a greenhouse and work bench sited in the back garden alongside the worm farm and the first compost bin, which will be joined by a second bin next weekend.