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,

Summer veg planting

Written by: adekun on 11 May, 2009 7:22 pm - Filed under: gardenNo Comments »

Mulch me

Mulch me

A week ago the bulk of the summer veg were planted. The patch they now occupy isn’t the best. Only a year ago it was full of flowers, weeds, and camellia trees. It would really benefit from the ridiculously deep digging the initial beds got. In the back corner next to the potatoes, there are some sweetcorn mounds. Between the stakes: tomatoes, poorly aubergines, cucumbers and peppers. There’s still some pumpkin plants to plant; is it too late to sow a couple of seeds? The chilli pepper seedlings need to get transplanted along with whatever herbs come good.

Summer veg shopping

Written by: adekun on 4 May, 2009 1:14 pm - Filed under: garden4 Comments »

After battling against holiday season traffic and hordes of old people, the bulk of the summer vegetables for planting have been purchased.

  • 3 桃太郎 (momotaro) tomatoes
  • 3 サターン (sata?n) tomatoes
  • 7 アイコ (aiko) tomatoes
  • 3 other mini tomatoes
  • 3 aubergines
  • 5 ピーマン (p-man) peppers

End of the summer 08 veg

Written by: adekun on 22 August, 2008 8:32 am - Filed under: garden2 Comments »

Goodbye tomatoes

Goodbye tomatoes

Towards the end of the weekend I thought I’d follow the crow’s lead and take advantage of the damp ground. A heap of weeds were brought together, rather like one of those Eastern European hay stacks fondly remembered. Elsewhere, more potatoes were planted; about half the amount of the previous lot. Once the tomatoes and cucumbers were removed, everywhere was dug over before a scattering of red clover seeds. There’s still a few pepper and chilli pepper plants that are good and the aubergines should last a bit longer.

Bum Tomato

Written by: adekun on 17 August, 2008 7:05 am - Filed under: garden4 Comments »

Bum shaped tomato

Bum shaped tomato

On Friday we had a heavy downpour which is worth noting for my own benefit. With the ground being damp the crows returned to dig up more peanuts. Not much going on elsewhere in the garden. The unruly sweet potato vines should be clipped; there’s a chance they will turn out all vine and no tuber. I did spot a tomato (maybe it’s two) that looks arse shaped. Holding it in my hand it really looks like two tomatoes stuck together.

High summer garden

Written by: adekun on 7 August, 2008 2:12 pm - Filed under: gardenNo Comments »

  • Along the back from the left:
  • Empty space where the spuds were
  • Asparagus
  • Basil
  • Peanuts
  • Middle and front:
  • Sweet Potatoes
  • Tomatoes
  • Cucumbers
  • Peppers & aubergines
  • Soy Beans
  • Okra
  • Recently vacated kabocha and watermelon

It really looks dry out there. I’ve barely been out with either the hose or watering can. The sweet potatoes are thriving nonetheless. Expect the cucumber to have finished. Perhaps earlier with a bit more watering and mulch they may have lasted a bit longer. :?

Tomato Sauce

Written by: adekun on 1 August, 2008 8:53 pm - Filed under: recipesNo Comments »

  • six or more big tomatoes
  • a few small onions
  • half a carrot
  • one clove of garlic
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • two vegetable stock cubes
  • good pinch of salt
  • pepper
  • rosemary
  • basil

Sweat the diced onions and garlic in the oil. Continue reading