Become NEARLY self sufficient

.... rhubarb stalks and field mushrooms..

I guess I know what is on the menu tonight ;-)

.... more plantings :

• different varieties of tomatoes
• capsicums, plus a mini chocolate one
• spinach seeds
• basil
• aubergine
• artichoke
• kale
• sprouts
• earth chestnut
• wild strawberry

.... still to plant :

• corn seeds
• lettuce seeds
• salad mixes
• silverbeet
• leeks
• peas
• beans

A very exciting week, as I purchased a Tamarillo tree. I didn’t think I would be able to grow this so far south, but I have been assured that as long as I can keep the frost off it during the winter months, it should be very happy – yay..!

... very, very, challenging weather, I have managed to plant up my spring/summer crops.

All my potatoes, raspberries and strawberries have been placed into apple crates above very water logged ground.

• tomatoes
• basil
• capsicums
• varieties of beans
• parsnips
• beetroot
• zucchini
• pumpkin
• broccoli

for now that will do until I get some more bins into place. Fingers crossed that these all survive this crazy weather!

... I decided to stay in today and catch up with some baking and use up a basketful of limes that a lovely friend provided -

• 10 pots of lime marmalade
• cape gooseberry and apple jam
• muesli
• choc-citrus cookies
• huge pot of vegetable soup
• pasta sauce
• potato gnocchi

_{I’ve been busy..!}

... and I can’t get enough of it.

I have dug up vegetable plots, moved compost, cleaned up the herb wheel and made way for more produce space.

We have had amazing rains this winter and apparently still more to come. I am so tempted to plant seeds, but I know I have to be patient ~ the ground is so sodden and it would just be futile.

So meanwhile, I am preparing more beds and clearing up. We also are making raised beds in old apple bins that a kindly neighbour donated to counteract a really poorly drained area of the property.

The sunny days have made me feel so good :)

... with my new starter was a huge success.

the broccoli leaves nearly to skeletons, but we got 2 more flowerets yesterday. Also yesterday, I made “fried salad” that is, stirfried greens and stuff. Most of my lettuce is starting to bolt, between 2 weeks of not being picked and almost continual rain.

The resulting forest required a large amount of weeding yesterday and I also picked enough greens to make a “mess ‘o greens” for dinner with 1/2 a tomato, a red bell pepper, and some onion. Not the most imaginative dinner I’ve ever made, but it was pretty cheap as the main component came out of the garden.

Also this year’s leeks have budded and the garlic has proud green shoots. Soon, I’ll harvest one of the leeks and let the other go to seed. When the garlic has bloomed and kneed over I’ll dig it up too.

I’m out of commercial garlic, all I have left is the end of last year’s harvest, 3 or 4 (?) heads. I need to use ‘em up before I get THIS year’s harvest!

Tonight’s dinner (DH’s birthday) is lasagna w/homemade marinara, fresh peas, salad (greens from the garden, tomato, pepper and a balsamic vinegarette). The birthday cake is going to wait until Thursday probably and that will be carrot muffins or carrot cake w/ricotta icing (instead of cream cheese).

I hope the ricotta icing works, it will make it fat free, something we try for these days!

jkd

... I’m trying a new recipe I found. This will be ready to use by Thursday.

Looking forward to seeing how the first loaf turns out..!

... for a while this morning before the rain started.

Managed to dig up potatoes, pick broccolini, check on new seedlings and tidy up some errant plants.

Pruning will have to start soon. I need a couple of drier days to get this all done.

... I found a largish handful of cape gooseberries that have defied the cold, mixed in a whole lemon and a few apples and voila ~ this beautiful creation..!