Oh goodness, the vegie beds are bare!

Yes truth be told our vegie beds are not a pretty site at the moment. Between working so hard on our home renovation and learning to live with a new baby, our vegie beds have been totally neglected for months.

Everything has gone to seed.

And at times the poor beds have even been used as a work station for building. 

We miss our abundant vegie beds dearly. After years of growing virtually all of our own veg, it’s a real shock to our systems to be back buying all our fresh produce. Our cooking used to revolve around what came from our daily harvest basket. It was a lovely, rewarding way of growing, harvesting and eating in tune with the seasons.

This time away from vegie gardening has solidified our commitment to growing organic veg at home. Yes it takes time, yes it’s constant work, but food from the shops just isn’t anywhere near as fresh and healthy. We’re passionate about buying organic produce, but the availability of organic produce locally is certainly limited. Although in our region has a few places that sell fresh organic produce (check out our Illawarra Green Directory for details), we’re finding it a challenge to travel to these places regularly with a baby in tow.

Within a couple of months we should be through the last of the hard yards with the renovation and able to revitalise the vegie beds. Vegie beds are forgiving. They’ll welcome us back with welcoming arms. We can’t wait.

Comments

[Fay]

This happens to all of us. After a very sad 2012 we are putting lots of work into the gardens this year. I am sure in no time you will have everything back in line :) and just think of all those volunteer plants you will have from all those seeds!

[Dani]

Just had the same journey, and my harvest this year is ditto. I'm looking forward to next August / September, when I can start over :)

[Michele]

I have found plants that will grow through different times of the year -and therefore self seed at different times too- to be most helpful, since they can provide several harvests. Food stores are valuable, so any nut trees or fruits and veg stored and dried become those treasures that get you through lean times. This is how it once was...:)

[Kristy @ See My Footprints]

It happens. for now, it's okay because there are shops to rely on. I think it's also okay to see just how quick some things succumb, and how some things hold on. And I reckon all those seeds that have gone in will go nutso when the garden gets some TLC again :)

You probably already have one, but I used a back carry Ergo from 6months for #3 and from 4months for #5 baby. Brilliant. Anyway, you'll find your new rythym and balance soon enough, enjoy in the meantime and even if you have to shop buy for now, remember all the garden food you HAVE eaten ;) and know you're supporting local growers in the meantime.

[Dane]

Maybe a good time to build your organic matter with a couple of successive crops of green manure?

[mumma_ox]

Ours too are looking sad. We have been flogged with wind, heat and then finally rain! Not a wonder most of our plants have given up!

[Sheila]

Hi Rich and Alison, it is sad, but, yet again, your garden will thank you for having a rest. I think when you see a garden at it's worst....it makes its best, even better :) Love Sheila oxoxo

[Liesel]

In the same boat here after a feral season of too-busy in our household. I'm keeping a couple of large pots with basil and cucumber on the back verandah as a salve to the inner hobbit who would rather be gardening :) Sure your renovations will be a thing of beauty worth it in the long run.

[susan]

its a good opportunity to rethink and replan, our veggie garden became a tomato and pumpkin patch while we re-thought our strategies for sharing the patch with bandicoots. We now have a veggie garden that is bandicoot proof and have started replanting - i am so excited :-) The bandicoots are probably not as happy tho :(