Truth be told the seasonal clean up of the veggie gardens at Struan Farm didn't start in the backyard, aka "Veggie World," but rather in the bed near the John's workshop at the front of the house, the area that was converted from a landscaping project yet-to-happen into our corn and tomato patch this past summer.
It turns out this "landscaping project yet-to-happen" is a good place to grow veggies. And since we still can't decide what else (if anything) to do with this space, I've planted broad beans, peas, winter lettuce, kale, and silver beet (swiss chard), along with some "green manure" seeds to help with nitrogen in the soil over winter. It's completely unsightly, with warped chicken wire supported by standards around the perimeter to stop Clifford from romping through, and to deter the rabbits. Which is why I still refer to it as a "landscaping project yet-to-happen."
I finally had a chance to take the chicken wire down briefly to do a complete weed, so it's looking better at this point in time.
Next I tackled the veggie troughs and beds in the backyard, which were cleaned out and weeded, at least those that don't have vegetables remaining. I do still have italian parsley, beets, Maori potatoes, lettuce, spinach and carrots growing, plus a chile plant that is like the Energizer Bunny. The troughs/beds were then refreshed with compost, sheep pellets, and blood and bone before their winter's nap. I planted green manure seeds where our potatoes grew to help that soil recharge a wee bit too, since I'm not going to plant quite so many potatoes next year.
Last but not least I tackled the glasshouse, where I removed and washed all of the racks, swept and tidied. I have yet to clean the glass properly, need to wait for fair weather to tackle the roof with the hose and a cleaner. But it's looking much better!
I'm realising that the "landscaping project yet-to-happen" needs to be welcomed into "Veggie World." It has found a purpose. Maybe it just needs a proper, low fence, and I could put grape vines in along one side to dress it up a little? Food for thought over winter (and well before next season's veggies...).
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