Garden Archives

japan vegetable garden

My progress in turning an unworked patch of the garden it into an organic mini-farm. Encounters with bugs, typhoons etc.

Being somewhat constrained in the middle of a city, the garden offers a decent start on the road to being self-sufficient. Whilst I’m no expert on gardening, I’m keen as mustard. Over the past two years, a variety of vegetables has grown without the use of chemical feeds, sprays, and potions.

Peppers

Written by: adekun on 28 August, 2009 6:44 pm - Filed under: foodNo Comments »

Red pepper

パプリカ a red pepper

The ubiquitous ピーマン (p-man) can be found in every veg growers garden over the summer. パプリカ (papurika), another species of Capsicum annuum is less common. As there are so many of the former about over harvest time, there doesn’t seem much point in growing them. It seems worthwhile tending the unusual and watching fab colours develop.

Compost Bin Mk III

Written by: adekun on 7 August, 2009 9:45 am - Filed under: blog, garden2 Comments »

Compost Bin Mk III

Compost Bin Mk III

Two years have passed since the last incarnation of the compost bin. As expected the sides did not hold up. However, the latest rebuild was due to a forced relocation. Held back by the sodden mass, the posts put up a bit too much protest as they were yanked free. Despite the humidity, it was the time to use some of the rescued scrap wood. Continue reading

Amaizing

Written by: adekun on 25 July, 2009 4:21 pm - Filed under: garden2 Comments »

Sweet corn

Sweet corn

A corny title but there’s plenty to be said about just picked sweet corn. Even so, I’m not quite decided on what or rather how to express what is so pleasing about it. It is certainly very satisfying just to twist off a couple of cobs. Akin to asparagus, unlike anything you’ll ever buy from the supermarket it barely needs cooking if at all. Not being an American? Robinson Crusoe?
Anyway, no crows this year.

Half price herbs

Written by: adekun on 22 July, 2009 3:16 pm - Filed under: gardenNo Comments »

Thompson & Morgan - half price, plus free seeds for every two packs purchased.

Thompson & Morgan - half price, plus free seeds for every two packs purchased.

It’s way past the recommended sowing date for the herbs I got cheap recently. However, I had to open some of the packets. The four that got tested, germinated two days after being sown, rather than the noted two to three weeks. Unfortunately, with exception to the borage, the shoots haven’t come on any further. Perhaps it’s just the current dullness and they will spring into action once there’s some sun.

Welcome to the Jungle

Written by: adekun on 7 July, 2009 6:54 pm - Filed under: gardenNo Comments »

Upon our return, the view of the garden did bewilder. It was great to see how much things had come on in the short time we were away. Kabocha had climbed up the sweet corn and over the tomatoes, many of which were ripe. It’s warmer than it was in England and horribly humid. The coming weeks weeding is unlikely to be pleasant.

No rain, no mulch.

No rain, no mulch. There's still the bicycle somebody dumped.

Japan vegetable garden

Two weeks later, overflowing with weeds and pumpkin leaves,

No rain, rainy season

Written by: adekun on 18 June, 2009 8:05 pm - Filed under: gardenNo Comments »

There’s plenty of pictures on the TV of the rain further south in the country. Up here the rainy season has already arrived, yet there is no rain. I was quite excited last night to hear the pitter-patter of rain. However, it turned out to be just a shower and the ground looked dry as a bone this morning.
We are going back to England tomorrow for two weeks. Continue reading

Another early garlic harvest

Written by: adekun on 14 June, 2009 9:50 pm - Filed under: garden2 Comments »

Not particuly swell garlic.

Not particularly swell, but more than ample.

Not wanting to take a gamble on the weather, the garlic got pulled yesterday. The end of the month would have been better, especially for the larger, apple sized Aomori. Still, rust set in at the start and can’t expect the heads to miraculously swell. The Elephant garlic didn’t come to anything. :(