Fifteen minutes north of Launceston, Kate and Roy's garden is surrounded by Tamar Valley vineyards and views of blackwoods, wattles and eucalypts from every angle of their 1 hectare block. After some very welcome early morning rain of 10mls, the rain clouds cleared and we enjoyed a balmy morning in an interesting and productive garden.
The main food garden sits at the rear of the house in a 15m x 8m enclosure. Raised beds form the basis of the garden due to the heavy clay soil. The peaches have all been harvested and the raspberries are developing autumn fruit after a bumper summer crop. Tomatoes are slowly ripening and the eggplants and capsicum are not far off being ready to pick. Newly planted lettuce and carrots are progressing well.
Many plants are growing in bags as an alternative to fixed raised beds
A good crop of tomatoes waiting to ripen
Melons planted from seed were developing nicely, along with pumpkins trailing all over the garden. Some pumpkins and tomatoes have self seeded from compost and they are developing with little or no attention.
Nasturtiums, roses and anemones are planted throughout the garden to attract pollinators and the bees have been plentiful this year.
Kate was concerned about her corn crop but one of the knowledgeable visitors was able to reassure her that the corn was self fertilising and that the seed developing on the tassel can be saved once dried to replant next year.
Fruit trees have been planted on the western edge of the block and after several years of netting the trees without success, a wire cage was constructed to house 2 apples, a lemon, nectarine and an apricot tree. The chooks also live in this space and provide weeding and fertilising assistance.
There are 4 olive trees growing on the north west edge of the house block and Kate has tied CD's to the trees to see if that helps deter the green rosellas that feast on the ripening olives.
The olive trees have a good crop this year
Kate is especially grateful for her 4m x 4m polycarbonate greenhouse. Most of the garden is propagated from seed and the greenhouse provides additional protection until the garden soil is warm enough to plant into.
The garden is watered with both rain water and mains water, dependent on how much time is available for watering!
Water is collected in the vegetable patch from a shed roof
Despite building what they thought would be a secure garden, Kate and Roy's place is surrounded by bush and the pesky visitors have been slowly encroaching on the garden over the past few years. Rabbits have eaten the tops of most of the mature carrots and gnawed the overhanging spinach. Rodents have picked off the ripening tomatoes, birds have nibbled the apples and nectarines and white cabbage caterpillars have decimated the newly planted kale. Next year Roy will build exclusion cages that can be moved around the raised beds to provide better protection for the produce.
Heartbreaking to see the carrot crop looking like this
Young pumpkins have been enjoyed by unwanted pests
Kale that has seen better days
A large delicious looking nectarine left untouched on the tree waiting for Kate and Roy to enjoy
Lots of chatter and great advice was shared by all, along with delicious treats and produce to swap. The visit was a splendid way to spend 2 hours with like minded gardeners with many ideas to take away to our own gardens.
A colourful produce table with an assortment of summer produce
Delicious morning tea
Thank you Kate and Roy for kindly hosting this month's visit.
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