This past week I got cracking in the glasshouse here at Struan Farm and planted out seed trays of heirloom tomatoes, along with chiles, apple cucumber, Musquee de Provence pumpkin, Black Coral and Florence Ribbed zucchini and Chieftain butternut squash. It's a bit early yet for basil and parsley, but they're standing by. These are just the veggies that I start early inside and plant out into the garden Labour Weekend in October, once the risk of frost is past. Some types of seeds do better being planted directly into the ground (beans, lettuces/mesclun, corn to name a few).
On the tomato front I've planted trays of "Oxheart," "Black Oxheart," "Black Cherry," "Black from Tula," "Big Red" (a Struan Farm heirloom, seeds I've saved from last season), "Purple Cherokee," and "Marmande." Coincidentally, later that day I received a nice note from "Mr. V," my tomato mentor from Dargaville, and the person who got me started saving heirloom tomato seeds. Enclosed was a packet of purple heirloom tomatoes he grew to major acclaim last year. So of course those went into another seed tray asap. I'm thinking I'm going to have just a few tomato plants and tomatoes to share with the Piopio Community Fruit & Veg Stand if all goes according to plan.
It was also sunny and dry enough to get the raised concrete troughs dug up and fertilised. This is where we plant a fair portion of our veggies, although my veggie beds elsewhere do seem to be expanding....In one trough I've planted out a fresh batch of coriander seed, spring onion, and two types of radishes. Don't think it's too early for these, they should germinate and grow.
The rest will have to wait. You will know patience isn't my strong suit! Maybe I should plant some trays of flower seeds next to bide my time....
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