I suspect that after the seed has spent it's energy getting everything in place, that the next thing for it to do is to develop a root system that will support further growth.
Ones I planted a week earlier have developed a good set of first true leaves so by next week I'm hopeful to show more signs of progress.
Clicking on the photo opens up a larger photo which shows more detail.
'Sow', until next week it's good night from me and it's goodnight from him.
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Here's a cool web site (The Queensland Gardening Pages ) with a cool link to a veggie garden in Toowoomba.
Below is a bit of blurb from their Vegetable page where you'll find that really cool link.
Vegetables
You'll find plenty of general information about growing veggies on the internet and in books and gardening magazines. There can be problems, however, applying it to Qld conditions. Many beginners have surely been discouraged after relying on such information. This page will concentrate on issues likely to be particular interest to Qld gardeners, particularly those in the tropical and subtropical areas. Techniques for growing veggies in small spaces, pots and containers will also be of interest to many gardeners in this state.
Some of the big problems most Queenslanders to face when trying to grow fruit and vegetables: - Extreme heat and sunlight intensity throughout warmer months - Lack of well-defined seasons and lack of intense chilling in winter - Drought and watering restrictions. Reliance by some on bore water. - Poor native soils
There are two main approaches for Qld vegetable gardeners working towards a productive garden: - Cultural techniques (e.g. winter cultivation instead of summer, provision of shade etc) - Selection of suitable varieties, including species originating from tropical regions
I went out to get 5 chooks and came back with 1 rooster 4 chooks and a bantam.
The bantam came about because the lady I bought them from didn't want to charge $10.00 for this girl.
She didn't like the markings on her so offered her to me for $5.00 which was OK with me, but I only had a $50.00 note and she had no change so she offered me the bantam for the remaining $5.00, which, again, was OK with me.
Two cute.
You talking to me? So far no noise from the Rooster, but he is giving the Bantam a hard time.
Naughty Rooster and bloody ugly too.
Maybe it's an inferior complex because the Bantam is a pretty looking chook.
Beautiful plumage the Norweigen Blue er I mean the Light Sussex.
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The end of week one or the beginning of week two, take your pick.
As you can see the Broccoli, 'Romanesco' and Cauliflower, 'Violet Sicilian' have well and truly sprouted (fifth day after planting).
I have since pinched out the smaller or weaker seedlings where more than one seed sprouted and have given them there weekly dose of Fish emulsion.
All is looking good and I'll report again next week on their progress.
In the meantime here is what Green Harvest has to say about Broccoli, 'Romanesco' and Cauliflower, 'Violet Sicilian'.
Cauliflower, 'Violet Sicilian' Brassica oleracea Botrytis Group
Syn. Cavolfiore di Sicilia Violetto; this Italian cauliflower is a vigorous plant with broad, green - grey leaves and a beautiful violet, compact 1-1.3 kg head. The head turns green when cooked and has a sweet mild taste both raw and cooked. A higher mineral content is responsible for the colour.
Broccoli, 'Romanesco' Brassica oleracea Botrytis Group
Romanesco broccoli is an Italian heirloom regarded as one of the world's most visually attractive vegetables. The lime green head illustrates a fractal pattern, with spiral conical florets within a larger spiral. It can be eaten raw or lightly cooked, and has a nutty, slightly spicy broccoli flavour.
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Here I'll be presenting weekly updates about the growing, from their very beginning (seed), to their delicious end, of my two (hopefully) 'STAR', performers.
Presenting to you for the first time, from the mild temperate climes of suburban Toowoomba, Cauliflower, 'Violet Sicilian', and Broccoli ,'Romanesco'.
I've grown Caulies and Brocs before but not these varieties, but I've had Cosmic Garden give them the big thumbs up
As you can see in the photo it all started on the 8th of Feb 2009.
I planted them in 50mm tubestock pots using a local organic potting mix.
I find this (local organic potting mix) a little low in nutrients therefore I'll also be watering them weekly with a half strength fish emulsion solution.
Soil preparation has already begun with lime, copious amounts of compost and fresh stable horse manure being added and turned into the soil. We've just had 25mm of rain on this so it should turn up really nice come planting time in 3 or 4 weeks time.
I'll be back out this coming Monday to record their progress.
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April from her Digging in the Dirt blog has a great post about her, 'Home grown Tomatoes', as well as putting me onto a song from John Denver. Hope you enjoy it.
There ain't nothin' in the world that I like better Than bacon 'n lettuce 'n homegrown tomatoes Up in the mornin', out in the garden Get you a ripe one, don't pick a hard 'un All winter without 'em is a culinary bummer I forgot all about the sweatin' and the diggin' Every time I go out and pick me a big 'un
Homegrown tomatoes, homegrown tomatoes What would life be without homegrown tomatoes? Only two things that money can't buy That's true love and homegrown tomatoes.
You can go out to eat and that's for sure But there's nothin' a homegrown tomato won't cure Put 'em in a salad, put 'em in a stew You can make your own tomato juice You can eat 'em with eggs, eat 'em with gravy You can eat 'em with beans, pinto or navy Put 'em on the side, put 'em in the middle Homegrown tomatoes on a hot cake griddle.
Homegrown tomatoes, homegrown tomatoes What would like be without homegrown tomatoes? Only two things that money can't buy That's true love and homegrown tomatoes.
If I's to change this life I lead You could call me Johnny Tomatoseed Cause I know what this country needs Homegrown tomatoes in every yard you see
When I die don't bury me In a box in a cold dark cemetery Out in the garden would be much better 'Cause I could be pushin' up a homegrown tomato.
Homegrown tomatoes, homegrown tomatoes What would like be without homegrown tomatoes? Only two things that money can't buy That's true love and homegrown tomatoes.
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My wife asked me the other day, 'Can we go to Brisbane on Monday', and me knowing this is always possible and afore mentioned wife never leads with a reason I did ask, 'Why'. Her response was, 'to visit a cake shop'. Apparently there was a article on TV about Jocelyn's Provisions one of Brisbane's premium patisseries that she was impressed with.
Gallery of 164 photos of the devastation in Victoria.
As much as I'd like to put up a "normal" post, I just can't bring myself to while all this is happening. It's fairly taken the wind out of my sails atm.
There up to about 7000 signatures, your signatures and comments will be the massive wake up call our government needs!
State by state tally
ACT - 176 New South Wales - 1592 Northern Territory - 55 Queensland - 1118 South Australia - 390 Tasmania - 177 Victoria - 2592 Western Australia - 710
I saw this done on another site, although differently, so I had a go myself. It's the same bunch of Tomatoes ripening from 18/1/09 to 3/2/09. I hope you enjoy.
Big thanks to Crafty Gardener and her Sow then Grow blog for showing me the way on the slide show thingy.
I've been curious about growing and drying beans for a while and seeing as I want to cook a lot of soups, stews and casseroles, I'm also keen to make my own Baked Beans, in the up coming winter, Diggers Magic Bean Mix looked like the ideal way to start. The photo on the left is the result of my harvest from the seed that arrived from Diggers.
Not enough for a meal I'm sure you'll agree.
So, what to do? Easy, plant more, this time a whole bed of Borlotti (if you have a spare hour Wikipedia have a lot of bean info) beans. But where?
Easy again, in the old Potato bed. But why the old potato bed? Read on I'll let you know.
Now I planted them in this bed for a few reasons. First being the old Potato bed there would probably be some good fertility left in the soil without it being too rich for beans. Secondly this will be my Onion bed come winter there by giving me enough time to get the beans in and out before it is time to plant my Onions.
The other advantage will be the added nitrogen that the beans will fix to the soil to help the Onions get started.
So there you have it. No great mystery just a man with a plan and a curiosity about beans.
Fwiw, I was really taken with the Yin Yang bean (see photo below) from the Diggers Magic Bean Mix. It was easy to grow (as most beans are) and has a semi climbing habit. I don't know what they taste like but I plan to plant as many as I can next spring and see what they are like from there. I'll keep you posted on their and my progress.
While I'm at it has anyone cooked and eaten these beans and what do they taste like?
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I've finally managed to get all the bits and tools I required and I'm pleased to announce that Scotty is go. Still needs a good tune up (not to mention a wash and a polish) and a bit of tweaking here and there. There seems to be a problem with the #1 carby which isn't unexpected, but for now it's all good.
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