May it ain't sow

May already and it's starting to look like winter. The veggie patch is one big mess, time to dig the remains of the plants into the soil. Green beans are particularly good as the are a rich source of nitrogen, essential for healthy vegetable growth. Tomato plants will be disposed of in the green waste collection to minimise diseases breeding in the soil or compost.

Unfortunately the veggie patch sits in constant shade in the winter due to the position of the property, not very conducive to growing winter vegetables. At least the soil has a breather before spring planting.

My patio landscaping project is progressing nicely. I've been re-grading the surface to allow for proper run off. Heavy rain during the week has been a good test. I'll be installing a section of drain with a grate attached to a length of PVC pipe to divert water onto a lower section of garden bed.

Two Bougainvillea have been planted next to the trellis fence. I think they'll be fine in that spot. Bougainvillea is easy to care for provided they have good drainage and get sun. Another tip is to ensure fertiliser is not so nitrogen rich (no beans for the Bougainvillea then) as this tends to promote lots of green leaf growth and fewer 'blooms' from the bracts surrounding the insignificant flowers that gives the plant its brilliant colour.

I'll leave you with this Everyone's a Critic piece I found in the Sydney Morning Herald online from writer and broadcaster Helen Razer (on Twitter @HelenRazer) reviewing the current series of the ABC TV's Gardening Australia. After reading this I reckon Helen deserves a gardening column gig. When it comes to gardening, her head and her heart are in the right place.

First flower of a Strelitzia or Bird of Paradise planted in February.

Cheers