Posts Tagged ‘rain’

BlackJack Zucchini Update

Gardening, Herb, Fruit and Vegetables | Posted by Dean
Feb 19 2008

Well I thought it is time to give you all an update on how the latest BlackJack Zucchini’s are progressing. As many of you would recall this plant is my nemesis and I at one stage swore not to grow any more. Needless to say I buckled and bought some hardy looking seedlings on 20th January and decided upon Another Attempt.

These seedlings remained in their seedling tray during the move as I did not want to torture them with a replanting before they journeyed to Wollongong. They were though replanted into good sized containers upon arrival in 5 containers. One container has 3 plants, the other 3 received individual pots. I then put them in two locations within the garden. Both locations share a similar sunny disposition.

All but one of the plants are thriving in Wollongong. They are getting sufficient water thanks to the mild and wet summer we are having. I have though lost 1 seedling, that though looks to have been the work of a bird with it going from healthy to vanished in the space of 24 hours.

So although still early I am relatively confident that the hex of the BlackJack Zucchini may be broken.


Theres Not Enough Holes in the Bucket, Dear Henry, Dear Henry

Gardening, Herb, Fruit and Vegetables | Posted by Dean
Jan 22 2008

I am not going to bore you with a song for children, nor will I throw in the odd “Dear Liza” or “Dear Henry”, but I will tell you about the impending disaster in the garden. As I have mentioned in recent posts it has been rather wet in Sydney. The garden initially loved this, and much of it still does, however the cucumbers do not.

Basically the issue is that the soil has become water logged due to not enough holes in the tub. This was the first of the recycling tubs converted to sizeable planters. It has exposed a problem with the design. Basically I need to double the number of drainage holes in the tub to allow sufficient run off of excessive water.

The soil is now a rather wet sludge and if I was to attempt to pour the excess water out I am fearful that the entire soil structure will also float out. Now that would not be an issue given there is a spare, though rain water filled, crate that could be used to replace it once converted in the now proven design. However, I do not want to cause the plants even more shock by transplanting the cucumbers given they will also be suffering relocation stress due to their impending move to Wollongong.

Thus, I am in a pickle as to which way to jump. Do I transplant and take my chances? Or do I wait it out? I will be taking a look tomorrow when hopefully work pressures will be relieved. If there is still a pool I think my decision will be made for me and an emergency transplant will have to ensue. I will keep you posted.