September Journal 2005

2^nd September

Miracle plants of the year are the purple cauliflowers (Cavolfiore di Sicilia Violetto) sown in February 2004. I pricked the plants out into 3 inch pots in March 2004, placed them under the eucalyptus tree to harden off in April and forgot about until April 2005. When I found them again they were still only about two inches high and very poorly looking. Curious to see what would happen I planted three out. They shot away. Last night I cut and cooked a large head. It was more like Romanesco than cauliflower, with plenty of bite even when well cooked, and a fresh taste. I see I have some seed left. I will try to remember to plant some next year. I hope the seed will still be viable two years after the packet was opened.

15^th September

Here is the back garden. I am disappointed that the hebes are in full bloom. Last year their main flowering period was September after the frost when I needed the colour. I wish I could remember when I cut them back last year. The surfinia has gone straggly and the leaves are off-colour. The six month feed doesn't last six months!

23^rd September

Nothing has grown well in the left hand side of the vegetable bed at the bottom of the garden for about two years so this morning I asked Chris to dig out a door-sized rectangle to about 18 inches and fill it with compost. I will grow my early potatoes there next year and hope they do better. I dug out a bean trench too at the back of the bed and am filling it with kitchen waste.