Here in New Zealand on FoodTV there was a long running show called "The Next Great Baker," in which contestants vied for a job with Cake Boss Buddy Velastro and cash prizes. When it was time for the next challenge to begin, Buddy would shout "GO TIME!"
Well, at Struan Farm we have "GROW TIME." Our raised veggie beds are now planted with lettuces, beets, purple carrots, spring onions, beans (including edamame, Dali beans from Mr. V. and dwarf yellow beans), purple snow peas thanks to Country Trading, zucchini, kale, red chiles and various herbs. Oh, almost forgot quinoa from Running Brook Seeds at Clevedon Market. Last year I tried cucumbers and fennel, but since neither was a raging success I've decided to bag those for this year.
I'm finishing up the crop of broad beans and the garlic will be harvested on the longest day of the year, after which I'll plant something else in this space. The tomatoes (okay, yes, too many tomatoes), pumpkins, corn, potatoes and watermelon are planted in the ground in several improvised patches. I've rotated what I plant in particular troughs to help the soil, which is loaded up with heaps of compost, manure, blood and bone, mulched leaves, etc.
I will be watering and weeding, with a little seaweed spray from time to time, but from here on out it's in Mother Nature's hands.
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