Hi from melbourne

Hello!

I’m a newby gardener here. I’ve been watching Mark’s videos for 12 months now and last year had my first semi successful winter garden of:
Spinach (very successful, and 5 months worth)
Carrots (not thinned enough but otherwise successful
Beetroot (also not thinned enough)
Snow peas- very successful.

My summer garden was:
Capsicum, zucchini, tomatoes, beans, pumpkin, cucumbers.
Mostly successful although not as plentiful as I’d like.

I’ve sjust planted my winter garden of:
Kale, peas, spinach, garlic and I’m trialling “overwintering” my largest capsicum.

Wish me luck. I’ve got the bug, just need to find the space and sunshine in my tree laden suburbian garden.

 

Welcome Kate, I had the same problem with my carrots & beetroot. I just struggle to bring myself to pull them out when they seem to be doing so well & transplanting them doesn't seem to be successful very often.

Icicle radish are another quick & easy one that you can plant year round.

Which varieties of Spinach are you growing?

 

Hi Kate & Family & welcome.

Here's an idea I heard of regarding not having enough access to day long sunshine is to grow in moveable containers.

That could be an old clothes trolley (re-enforced a little to cope with the greater weight).
A stroller makes a great moveable garden. Just fold down the shade top. Best to leave it intact if possible as it can be used to shade plants from the harsh sun in summer or too much rain.
Fit the seat part with a bright plastic $3 container from Bunnings, fill with a 50/50 mix of good potting mix & moistened coir. Throw in a handful of chook manure pellets & some good vegetable fertilizer & away you go.

These can be moved to take advantage of the sun during the day or just seasonally.

I'm sure you'll come up with many other fantastic wheelable items that you can upcycle into fantastic little garden beds!

I use those bright plastic containers sitting on lengths of fence palings on the arm rests of old garden chairs (all for free of course) that I can move to get more sun through the seasons. So each time I change what is growing in the container I can move the chair as well (while it is only half full & a bit dry therefore lighter), before replenishing the potting mix & setting the new plants. Another advantage to me is the chairs put my garden at waist height, saving my back.

 

G’day Kate and welcome here. You’ve done well to follow Mark’s tips to grow these veggies. Most of us here struggle with having to keep them growing and keep pests away. Hope you enjoy the forum.

 

I thought of another really good moveable thing that would take a fair bit of weight but provide a reasonable space to grow a few veg........ supermarket trolley!

No......I wasn't suggesting you thieve them from the supermarket carpark or walk/drive some home with the weekly shop in them!
You can actually buy very cheaply, damaged trolleys just like you can buy old or slightly damaged garbage bins. Sorry I can't provide a link but might be worth a google search if you are keen to go down that road (no pun intended!).

 

I’m not sure what variety of spinach. It’s not a baby spinach but it is still a smaller leaf

 

Welcome Kate, from another Kate

I don't bother thinning my carrots or beetroot. They seem to go ok.

 

Welcome Kate

 

Welcome from me also. I grew up in Melbourne Surburbs on the Frankston Line born in Black Rock.

Trying pot gardening is a good way to go also anything from carrots to Spinach. Follows the sun. My biggest veg garden is the front yard.

 

Yes our raised beds were moved from the backyard to the front yard when my parents built their unit. I told my Mum that garden beds may not make her front yard pretty buttheyd provide food! It’s provided more than in the back yard so far!!

 

I'm the same...I just hate thinning them after they've germinated. I try to thin them and then use them like microgreens in a salad so it doesn't feel as wasteful (as carrot and beet leaves are edible). (My Mum's catholic, so I got a good dose of catholic guilt!!)
Welcome Kate