Next weeks weather (from the Elders site Here) looks like being HOT again...but it will be interesting if that "chance of rain" brings anything on Thursday and Friday!!
I am growing very weary of watering during this excessive heat that never seems to end...
Seeds Sown:
Feb 6:
*Cabbage Tokyo Bekana Brassica rapa var. chinensis Green Harvest
Cauliflower Mini Brassica oleracea Diggers Seeds
Kale Lacinato Brassica oleracea The Lost Seed
Lettuce Lactuca sativa
Canasta The Lost Seed (Chosen because it's "slow to bolt"???)
Darwin The Lost Seed ( chosen because it "survives well in hot conditions"???)
*Gourmet Mix seed tape Goodman Seeds
Red and Green Salad Mix DT Brown (a tough "all rounder" selection)
*Mizuna Purple Brassica rapa Japonica Group Southern Harvest Seeds
*Pak Choi White Petiole Brassica rapa var. chinensis Mr Fothergill's Seed Tape
Perpetual Spinach Beta vulgaris Cicla Group Home saved seeds
Spinach Galilee Spinacia oleracea Green Harvest (chosen because it "has a higher degree of heat tolerance"???)
*Spinach Viking Spinacia oleracea Mr Fothergill's seed tape
*these seeds were sown directly into a large plastic tub under the back pergola, the rest went into punnets kept under the back pergola for ease of watering.
Potting On:
Silverbeet (Swiss Chard) Bright Lights
Silverbeet (Swiss Chard) Erbette
Lettuce Red and Green Salad Mix
Lettuce Gold Rush
Broccoli Albert
Cabbage Verona Purple
I am slowly potting on all the greens seedlings that have germinated. Early in the morning and later in the evening is the time to get any work done during this heat.One job I didn't mind doing was washing out some pots to take the seedlings. It was quite pleasant to be outside splashing around in some water.
As most of the seedlings are Brassicas I have re-purposed the small hot house shelf by bringing to the back pergola and covering it with Vege Net to keep the cabbage moths away. This link shows another structure we built a few years ago for the protection of new seedlingsThe next lot of propagation will be Seeds of Fruiting crops which can be sown on the 11th and 12th of February. When I should (not in a heatwave though) be sowing some (pre-soaked) Snow or Sugarsnap Pea seeds into loo roll holders. If the weather is favourable (cooler and maybe some rain??) and I can find some room.
I could also look at sowing some seeds of Beans for a quick crop as well.
If you are in an area that has milder winters than I do you might get a late sowing of spring veg (from seedlings) in but you would need to pick varieties that will tolerate the cooler conditions that will come in Autumn (we hope!!).
General Seed Raising Information Here on this link
For Moon Planting information please see the 2014 Astrological Calendar and Moon Planting Guide by Thomas Zimmer available for purchase from sites online including:
Greenpatch Organic Seeds
The New Oracle
Warm Earth Magazine
I recently noticed Vege Net for sale Here at Greenpatch Organic Seeds as the price includes postage I found it quite reasonable.
