The garden has exploded over the last month. We’ve had just enough rain (though we would love some more), and lovely sunny, warm days for perfect growing weather. So here is a run down of what’s been happening in the garden in September.
Harvesting
We picked our first ever artichokes and ate them with butter and lemon juice. At first I wasn’t convinced they were worth the hassle, but we soon discovered how to eat them, and boy are they tasty. Looking forward to many more of them!
The leeks are just ready to pick. I’m thinking Leek and Potato soup, but I’m on the hunt for some other ideas. Help me out?
Last year we didn’t have enough broad beans, so Country Boy has planted a heap more in stages. The early ones are already ripe for picking. The kids are picking them and eating them raw straight off the plant.
We continue to have heaps of kale, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, silver beet, and beetroot.
The rhubarb has been prolific, and was in need of thinning out. I’ve made some rhubarb chutney as well as some jam, and stewed a heap just to eat, because it is sooo yummy.
Planting
Country Boy has transplanted the tomato seedlings into individual pots, and they are now in our small poly tunnel waiting until we are sure that the last of the frosts have gone.
He has also planted more silver beet, which is just starting to poke the first leaves out, as well as parsley, rocket and beans. There are some strawberries to plant also, once a spot has been cleared for them in the garden.
To do
There is always lots of weeding and mulching to do. We got this big pile of old hay from a friend, and it is slowly being spread over the gardens.
The broad beans and peas also need training so we need to build trellises for them to grow up.
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What a truly beautiful garden. That artichoke and those leeks, how amazing! Beans are healthy and your tomato seedlings are coming along well. A lovely, colourful garden sight. I make leek tarte tatin with ready made puff pastry and sprinkle it with parmesan when it is fresh from the oven. Cock a leekie soup (chicken broth, leeks potato) but our family favourite is individual chicken and leek pies. Thank you for sharing your garden 😀
Your garden is looking so bright and cheery its wonderful. I love leeks and apart from soups I sometimes use them in a tart once they are nice and caramelised with just a little crumbly cheese sprinkled on top to balance the sweetness 🙂
I need to plant more artichoke as I love the look of them too much to cut them and eat them. Everything looks very productive and pretty too, which is always a bonus. Leeks are our mainstay veg through the winter – I slice and cook them in a little butter, cheese and leek quiche, topping for shepherds pie …
What a gorgeous garden! I love veggie patches that are both productive and pretty as well!
I still need convincing to grow artichoke but maybe once I have tried it fresh I will love it – who knows. Looks like you and Country Boy have been pretty busy in the garden this past month and have a lot going on again this month with the weather warming up. I like plain old leek soup, its simple and clean and detoxing.
Oh wow! What a productive little patch you have, puts my wee patch to shame. I planted my winter veg sooooo late this year so am still awaiting cabbages, silverbeet and artichokes 🙁 My Chinese cabbages seem to have bolted without so much as thinking about producing, the buggers. No rhubarb here and it's killing me, I so love it. Husband hates broad beans so won't be growing those… As far as leeks go, I make a mean leek chicken mushroom pie mmmmmm so good, oh and bacon leek minted pea risotto, yes!
Lovely pics Jo. Wait til next year and you will be totally in love with the artichoke. Mine is in its 2nd year now and has loads of flowers. It is divine. It does take up alot of space but I guess you have that 🙂
There are quite a few leek recipes over on my site from my crop last year. You can search the recipe page if you are interested. Have a great month.