Glittertrash's Nunnery Vegetable garden garden

Created on Sunday, 16 Mar 08

Food-growing is my favourite gardening activity, the one that consumes almost all of my gardening time (plus a good deal of daydreaming time). I’ve only been doing it for about eight months at time of this writing, and have already had to move from the location of my first vegetable garden to this new house. Fortunately many of my food plants were in pots, and I’m not too afraid of starting again.

The very shady nature of this garden makes veggie gardening a challenge, and I’m constantly improvising to take advantage of what little sun we have available.

Updated 19 August 2008 *

The Nunnery Vegetable Garden currently consists of two cinder-block raised beds built against the fence, two patches of dirt against the fence, and an assortment of seed-starting punnets. The first cinder-block bed is full of mostly ‘green things’ (silverbeet, tatsoi, lettuce etc) and the second is becoming the ‘potato bed’. I plant small crops like radishes and herbs in the gaps of the cinder-blocks, with pretty decent success.

I’ve been working on improving the soil in the ‘two patches of dirt against the fence’, by layering manure, compost and mulch, and it seems to have been working as this previously compacted, unfriendly soil now seems quite alive and so far things planted in it have been doing reasonably well.

Veggie garden expansion plans are in the works: I hope to build two more raised beds in the middle of the garden to capture some of our very, very limited sunlight.

Organic Garden

Garden Type: Vegetable | Sun: Dappled Sun | Soil: Don't Know

2 faves

Day 47

Tomato 'Lemon Drop'

Solanum lycopersicum

I was all done with tomatoes, I was absolutely no-way-no-how in the...

Planted on 23 Nov 08
- 2 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
- Happy
Day 70

Snake Bean

Vigna unguiculata sesquipedalis

Planted in two spots- around the base of a bamboo teepee at one end...

Planted on 31 Oct 08
- 2 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
- Neutral
Day 70

Sex Without Strings beans

Phaseolus vulgaris

I thought these were pole beans, and planted them around the base o...

Planted on 31 Oct 08
- 1 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
Day 70

Purple Congo potato

Solanum tuberosum

I ordered these potatoes ages ago, and they arrived probably 6 week...

Planted on 31 Oct 08
- 2 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
- Neutral
Day 70

King Edward Potato

Solanum tuberosum

See the Purple Congo potatoes for the story of planting them out. ...

Planted on 31 Oct 08
- 1 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
- Neutral
Day 70

Nicola potatoes

Solanum tuberosum

See the "Purple Congo potatoes":http://myfolia.com/plantings/35392 ...

Planted on 31 Oct 08
- 2 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
Day 70

Sapphire potato

Solanum tuberosum

See the "Purple Congo potatoes":http://myfolia.com/plantings/35392 ...

Planted on 31 Oct 08
- 2 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
- Neutral
Day 81

Strawberry "Delight"

Fragaria x ananassa

Gave in. Bought strawberry plants.

Planted on 20 Oct 08
- 3 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
Day 81

Strawberry "Supreme"

Fragaria x ananassa

For long rant about why I gave in and bought strawberry plants, see...

Planted on 20 Oct 08
- 4 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
- Happy
Day 81

Tomato: Generic determinate

Solanum lycopersicum

Since my "Silvery Fir Tree" tomato seedlings have been limping alon...

Planted on 20 Oct 08
- 2 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
- Happy
Day 99

Tomato 'Cherokee Purple'

Solanum lycopersicum

Planted on 02 Oct 08
- 5 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
- Happy
Day 99

Tomato 'Black Cherry'

Solanum lycopersicum

Planted on 02 Oct 08
- 3 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
Day 101

Squash 'Early White Bush'

Cucurbita pepo var. clypeata

Sowed 3 seeds into potting mix and seed-raising mix.

Planted on 30 Sep 08
- 4 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
- Neutral
Day 101

Zucchini 'Golden'

Cucurbita pepo L. var. cylindrica Paris

Sown into potting mix with seed-raising mix over the seeds

Planted on 30 Sep 08
- 3 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
- Happy
Day 101

Kale 'Red Russian'

Brassica oleracea var. acephala

Growing this because none of my other kale ever amounted to anythin...

Planted on 30 Sep 08
- 3 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
- Happy
Day 101

Tomato 'Silvery Fir Tree'

Solanum lycopersicum

Growing to hopefully go into hanging baskets with water reservoirs....

Planted on 30 Sep 08
- 3 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
- Neutral
Day 101

Cucumber 'Lemon'

Cucumis sativus

Second variety of cucumber I'm planning on growing. This one looks ...

Planted on 30 Sep 08
- 2 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
- Neutral
Day 103

Tomato 'Cherry Mix'

Solanum lycopersicum

Purchased the same mix of cherry tomatoes I had last year as I had ...

Planted on 28 Sep 08
- 3 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
- Happy
Day 105

Tomato 'Rouge de Marmande'

Solanum lycopersicum

I found it sitting on the 'live herbs' table at the greengrocer. I ...

Planted on 26 Sep 08
- 3 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
- Happy
Day 109

Beetroot 'Chioggia'

Beta vulgaris

Planted on 22 Sep 08
- 2 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
Day 109

Beetroot 'Crimson Globe'

Beta vulgaris

Planted on 22 Sep 08
- 2 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
Day 109

Bush bean "Windsor Long Pod"

Phaseolus vulgaris

25th birthday seeds

Planted on 22 Sep 08
- 6 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
Day 110

Purple King pole beans in greens bed

Phaseolus vulgaris

Planted on 21 Sep 08
- 6 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
- Happy
Day 110

Blue Lake pole beans in greens bed

Phaseolus vulgaris

Planted on 21 Sep 08
- 2 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
- Happy
Day 115

Turnip 'Early Purple'

Brassica rapa var. rapa

Sown into the nightshade bed to see if they'll grow up for a quick ...

Planted on 16 Sep 08
- 3 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
- Neutral
Day 116

Casper eggplant

Solanum melongena

Inspired by cmagnus's fabulous success with what looks to be this v...

Planted on 15 Sep 08
- 7 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
- Happy
Day 116

Yellow Capsicum

Capsicum annuum

I liked the picture on the punnet, and I like the idea of trying to...

Planted on 15 Sep 08
- 3 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
- Happy
Day 116

Long purple eggplant

Solanum melongena

Bought a 6-punnet cell from the nursery. Figure I should give this ...

Planted on 15 Sep 08
- 3 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
- Happy
Day 116

Thai chili

Capsicum annuum

Purchased to soothe the ache of my thai chili plant that was HEARTL...

Planted on 15 Sep 08
- 3 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
- Happy
Day 116

Capsicum "Sweet Mix"

Capsicum annuum

I presume this is a mix of fairly generic red and yellow ripening v...

Planted on 15 Sep 08
- 3 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
- Happy
Day 116

Mizuna in a window box

Brassica rapa var. nipposinica

My over-wintered mizuna is forming seed-heads so I figured it was t...

Planted on 15 Sep 08
- 3 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
- Neutral
Day 116

Tatsoi in a window box

Brassica narinosa

Getting seeds started in a window-box to transplant into beds once ...

Planted on 15 Sep 08
- 2 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
- Neutral
Day 116

Rocket in a window box

Eruca sativa

Sowed into a window-box so I can plant the seedlings out when I've ...

Planted on 15 Sep 08
- 1 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
- Neutral
Day 116

Gwenda White lettuce in a window box

Lactuca sativa

This is a good warm-weather lettuce so I figure it's probably one I...

Planted on 15 Sep 08
- 2 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
- Neutral
Day 116

Chicory in a window box

Cichorium intybus

I know nothing about chicory but it was recommended as a salad gree...

Planted on 15 Sep 08
- 2 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
- Neutral
Day 123

Lebanese Cucumber

Cucumis sativus

Planted four seeds into seedling pots to pre-sprout. I would've sow...

Planted on 08 Sep 08
- 5 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
- Neutral
Day 123

Zucchini Greenskin

Cucurbita pepo L. var. cylindrica Paris

Planted so that I'll have some 'normal-looking' zucchinis in amongs...

Planted on 08 Sep 08
- 4 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
- Neutral
Day 123

Lebanese Zucchini

Cucurbita pepo L. var. cylindrica Paris

This variety did really well for me last summer, and grew into quit...

Planted on 08 Sep 08
- 8 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
- Neutral
Day 123

Squash 'Yellow Crookneck'

Cucurbita pepo var. torticollia

I tried to grow this last year but it didn't go anywhere- I sowed i...

Planted on 08 Sep 08
- 5 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
- Neutral
Day 123

Squash 'Golden Scallopini'

Cucurbita pepo var. clypeata

I grew this last year and it did really well, I really loved the fr...

Planted on 08 Sep 08
- 4 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
Day 124

Lost compost potato seedling #2

Solanum tuberosum

I am such a sucker for a volunteer plant. This little dude appeared...

Planted on 07 Sep 08
- 1 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
- Neutral
Day 130

Grocery store spring onions

Allium fistulosum

Last year I grew a window-box full of green onions by cutting the b...

Planted on 01 Sep 08
- 3 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
- Neutral
Day 142

Beetroot 'Crimson Globe'

Beta vulgaris

Sowed a few rows of seed in between some silverbeet and lettuce. I ...

Planted on 20 Aug 08
- 2 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
- Happy
Day 142

Purple Capsicum

Capsicum annuum

Second go at growing this- the first attempt germinated but was kil...

Planted on 20 Aug 08
- 2 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
Day 142

Hanging basket snow peas

Pisum sativum var. macrocarpon

Jackie French, whose garden writing is superb, suggested planting s...

Planted on 20 Aug 08
- 2 journals
- 0 faves
- 2 comments
Day 143

Carrot 'All Seasons'

Daucus carota subsp. sativus

Planted on 19 Aug 08
- 2 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
Day 143

Scarlet Globe radishes

Raphanus sativus

Planted four seeds in each of four cinder-block gaps on one wall of...

Planted on 19 Aug 08
- 3 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
Day 143

Lettuce "Lollo Rosa"

Lactuca sativa

A curly, red-leafed variety of lettuce. Sowed into raised window-bo...

Planted on 19 Aug 08
- 2 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
- Happy
Day 143

Lettuce "Frilly Pink"

Lactuca sativa

Haven't grown this one before, although I've had the seeds for a wh...

Planted on 19 Aug 08
- 2 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
- Happy
Day 143

Tomato 'Mortgage Lifter'

Solanum lycopersicum

Planted four seeds into a seedling tray. Sown even though I just bo...

Planted on 19 Aug 08
- 4 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
Day 143

Tomato 'Moneymaker'

Solanum lycopersicum

Four seeds sown into a seed-raising tray. No confidence at all in m...

Planted on 19 Aug 08
- 3 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
Day 143

Tomato 'Cherry Yellow Pear'

Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme

Planted on 19 Aug 08
- 3 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
Day 143

Radish 'French Breakfast' Sowing #5

Raphanus sativus

25th birthday seeds

Planted on 19 Aug 08
- 2 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
Day 143

Lettuce "Purple Oak Leaf"

Lactuca sativa

Planted on 19 Aug 08
- 4 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
Day 143

Lettuce "Gwenda White"

Lactuca sativa

Planted on 19 Aug 08
- 3 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
Day 143

Eggplant 'Rosa Bianca'

Solanum melongena

Planted on 19 Aug 08
- 5 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
Day 143

Eggplant 'Little Finger'

Solanum melongena

Planted on 19 Aug 08
- 1 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
Day 144

Black Russian tomato

Solanum lycopersicum

Came in a tub of 4 mixed heirloom seedlings. There were actually 3 ...

Planted on 18 Aug 08
- 5 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
- Neutral
Day 144

Mortgage Lifter

Solanum lycopersicum

One of a punnet of four in an "Heirloom Varieties" pack.

Planted on 18 Aug 08
- 5 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
Day 144

Tigerella

Solanum lycopersicum

One in a four-pack of "Heirloom Varieties". Tigerella's the only va...

Planted on 18 Aug 08
- 4 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
Day 144

Green Zebra

Solanum lycopersicum

One of four in an "Heirloom Variety" punnet pack. I've been mea...

Planted on 18 Aug 08
- 5 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
Day 144

Kipfler potatoes

Solanum tuberosum

These have been sitting above the fridge sprouting in a tub for a f...

Planted on 18 Aug 08
- 3 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
Day 179

Radish 'French Breakfast'- Sowing #4

Raphanus sativus

Planted seeds into 10 cinder-block gaps.

Planted on 14 Jul 08
- 4 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
Day 262

Swiss Chard 'Vulcan Red'

Beta vulgaris var. cicla

My one surviving Vulcan Red plant is so lovely-looking I have decid...

Planted on 22 Apr 08
- 2 journals
- 0 faves
- 1 comments
Day 262

Pea 'Sugar Sprint'

Pisum sativum var. macrocarpon

I've never much liked peas but the sugarsnap type sound promising, ...

Planted on 22 Apr 08
- 1 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
Day 277

Calabrese 'Green Sprouting'

Brassica oleracea var. italica

Eight seeds sown into a seed flat (ordinary, non-premium potting mi...

Planted on 07 Apr 08
- 5 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
Day 277

Kailann

Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra

I've grown this before in summer but it went woody & tough in the ...

Planted on 07 Apr 08
- 2 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
Day 277

Romanesco Broccoli

Brassica oleracea

I'm growing this because one of my housemates had an intense acid e...

Planted on 07 Apr 08
- 2 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
Day 277

Kale 'Lacinato'

Brassica oleracea var. acephala

I've never eaten kale, or seen a kale plant aside from the ornament...

Planted on 07 Apr 08
- 2 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
Day 279

Radish sowing #2

Raphanus sativus

Second lot of radish seeds for this garden, planted into the remain...

Planted on 05 Apr 08
- 3 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
Day 279

Mizuna

Brassica rapa var. nipposinica

Planted into a corner of the veggie bed where no kale or rapini see...

Planted on 05 Apr 08
- 4 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
- Happy
Day 291

Snow Pea "Melting Mammoth"

Pisum sativum var. macrocarpon

In my new garden the best sunny spots are all against fences & wall...

Planted on 24 Mar 08
- 10 journals
- 0 faves
- 1 comments
- Happy
Day 306

Swiss Chard 'Bright Lights'

Beta vulgaris var. cicla

These seeds were a birthday gift which excited me mightily as I'd b...

Planted on 09 Mar 08
- 7 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
Day 306

Kale

Brassica oleracea var. acephala

Seeds sown into first sharehouse raised bed.

Planted on 09 Mar 08
- 2 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
Day 306

Radish 'French Breakfast'- Sowing #1

Raphanus sativus

Sowed radish seeds in between carrot seeds in the bed itself, and a...

Planted on 09 Mar 08
- 6 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
Day 306

Rapini

Brassica rapa ruvo

Last time I planted these they shot up, fast & hardy. Thought it'd ...

Planted on 09 Mar 08
- 3 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
Day 306

Broad Bean

Vicia faba

One of my winter legume crops, planted against a sunny fence in the...

Planted on 09 Mar 08
- 12 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
Day 306

Tatsoi sowing #2

Brassica narinosa

Seeds scattered into the same styrofoam veg container as the first ...

Planted on 09 Mar 08
- 3 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
Day 306

Carrot

Daucus carota subsp. sativus

Sowed in rows between the radishes

Planted on 09 Mar 08
- 3 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
Day 355

Tatsoi sowing #1

Brassica narinosa

Seed bought after being very impressed with tatsoi in my friend's g...

Planted on 20 Jan 08
- 10 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
Day 355

Rocket Sowing #1

Eruca sativa

Planted into a styrofoam fruit & veg box with a mix of fresh & re-u...

Planted on 20 Jan 08
- 6 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
Day 374

Chili Hot Mix

Capsicum annuum

A 6-cell punnet with a variety of chili. According to the label, Bi...
- 1 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
- Happy
Strawberries

Fragaria x ananassa

These are my first attempt at strawberries, growing in a long self-...

Planted on 20 Oct 07
- 13 journals
- 1 faves
- 2 comments
Bell Pepper 'Sweet Mama'

Capsicum annuum

Growing in a large pot in the front garden, watered regularly with ...

Planted on 10 Oct 07
- 15 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
Silverbeet 'Vulcan Red'

Beta vulgaris var. cicla

I haven't for the life of me been able to find packets of "Bright L...

Planted on 01 Oct 07
- 4 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
Perpetual spinach

Beta vulgaris var. cicla

This was a complete impulse-purchase. I know I already have plenty ...
- 1 journals
- 0 faves
- 0 comments
- Happy