The 1st day of this month started cold and it rained all morning, then stopped around noon and the sun tried to push past the clouds. Work in the garden is now limited because of the shorter days and change in weather, but there are still things to do. Elephant garlic and onion sets need to be planted. In the greenhouse winter lettuce, kale, and a few of the cauliflowers will be planted, the rest potted on and planted out early spring for an early crop. Well that's the plan anyway, we'll see now if the weather cooperates too.
These days late autumn and winter months not much to do in the garden, but it's perfect time to take stock of your own seeds, order more if you need to, plan the garden, order fruit trees and roses. This is the perfect time to plant such, when they go dormant.
4th of November
Today started with rain but cleared up around 2 pm, even the sun granted me with its warm rays. Temps in the greenhouses measures 20 C. Not bad at all, so started planting winter lettuce, kale, spinach, and a few winter caulis went in for an early crop. Also put in some red and yellow onion sets.
The lettuce was sown last month and grew in the kitchen windowsill, oh and I also sowed a row of radishes as trial. And all this was done after a hearty breakfast of scrambled eggs and home made brown bread. Of course kitty had to be where I was, not impressed with the rain either as she was seeking shelter in the greenhouse. Since I've got this garden, I always wanted a pond, didn't get a pond, but I've gotten a tank with 3 goldfish. Also had water beetle find home in there and a few snails that came with the water plants I bought.
My greenhouse is home not only for my lovely vegetables and fruit, but also for 3 goldfish I have purchased in May. They are doing well so far, and hopefully they will successfully over winter in there.
I have a battery/solar panel operated oxygenator for them and lots of oxygenator plants. I was told to feed them once week during winter and only a small amount. I also have snails that will take care of any scraps of food. The pennyroyal (which is water mint and cress) will take care of the ammonia levels. I also was advised to change water every fortnight, just to reduce the ammonia levels. I'm using rain water which is the best, not tap water.
12th of November
Today I planted a tree in my greenhouse, a peach tree. I always wanted a peach tree. I had one growing from a seed that germinated in one of my own home made compost, and came with me when we moved from the rental, but it got sick and died. I hope I'll have a better luck with this one.
16th of November
Today was wet and cold. We survived storm Debbie, no major damage in my garden.
Actually these pics were taken yesterday, we had to do some work on the lamps outside and holding the ladder for my hubby I've noticed that little tortoiseshell butterfly in the corner of one of the rungs. This made me smile, and wished the lil thing good luck hibernating through winter. Don't worry no harm came to the butterfly, it hang very securely to the wood and we were careful getting the ladder in and out the workshop.
And that handful raspberries were the last crop of the autumn cropping raspberries 😊😁
24th of November
25th of November
Last night was frosty and very cold, we woke up to a white landscape. Everything was covered with frost, my outside tanks with only plants in them had a light sheet of ice on the top. The tank that's in my big greenhouse was OK, no ice, my fish were happily swimming around. They slowed down a bit, but still active and fine.
The last raspberries on my autumn cropping raspberry canes were covered with frost and frozen solid. The grass and other greenery also covered in thick frost. I saw a few green finches on my sunflowers I left in the ground for that purpose. This was the 2nd heavy frost since the 15th of October, but I guess from now on there will be more frosty nights.
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