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The year is rolling along so quickly, it’s hard to believe Christmas will be upon us next month. It’s been a strange year (for me) as far as gardening goes, with the kitchen garden being so new there hasn’t been much going on in the way of planting. Soft fruit bushes, rhubarb and herbs have been the main stars up until this point, but now I’m preparing to plant the very first vegetable seeds in our new kitchen garden. Autumn sow broad beans and garlic.
I’ve spent a good deal of time improving and clearing the soil in order to have areas ready for autumn sowing. Digging and sifting out large rocks and stones along with other debris such as rusty old nails, pieces of broken glass and other odd items is not my idea of fun, but a necessary and strangely satisfying job just the same. By adding plenty of nutrient-rich compost from the compost bins and vegetable-growing compost, I now have beds ready to plant. The chickens helped of course, their scratching action (and regular dust bathing) really helps to improve soil structure.
I’m looking forward to seeing the first green shoots appearing through the soil in the brand new veg beds.
Exciting stuff, I wonder if they’ll appear Christmas morning?
How exciting! For the first year we’re unready for autumn vegetables due to heavy weeding in the vines. We’re going to miss them.
Our garlic and onions are sprouting, but we don’t plant broad beans until spring. It never seems to work for us to plant them and overwinter
Sue, thanks for your comment. Great to hear your garlic and onions are sprouting. I haven’t had any luck with autumn sow broad beans either, usually I stick to spring planting, but I’m going to give them another try. Fingers crossed.
It’s been so wet here this year I’m not sure Autumn planing is going to happen. The ground is completely waterlogged.
That’s a shame Marie, it has been a tad on the wet side recently. Raised beds filled with well draining soil really help with these situations. I’d love a polytunnel, maybe one day *sigh*.
I still get excited over new seeds and little sproutlings. Anticipation is a wonderful part of gardening.