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A Day in the Garden: Tending, Planting, and Crafting

As the sun rises, I dive into a busy day in the garden, camera in tow to capture the journey. Here’s a rundown of the tasks I tackled, from fertilizing to crafting a soothing plantain salve, all while nurturing my green haven.

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Morning Fertilization

The day kicked off with a morning spent nourishing the garden beds. I applied liquid fertilizer to give the plants a nutrient boost, setting the stage for vibrant growth.

Greenhouse Chili Care

Next, I headed to the greenhouse to tend to my chili plants. Their lush green leaves signaled they were thriving in their new spot. I topped up their pots with Vasil’s potting mix, ensuring a steady supply of nutrients to keep them flourishing.

Sweet Potato Propagation

The sweet potato vines were next on the list. I had cut and rooted some slips, which were ready to be potted. Using a pot with large drainage holes, I layered straw at the bottom, added Vasil’s planting mix, and gave them a thorough watering. The slips, now showing roots on all sides, were an exciting first attempt at this propagation method. One orange sweet potato slip was lagging, but I’m hopeful it’ll catch up.

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Autumn Leaves and Compost

Earlier in the week, I collected bags of fallen autumn leaves from the estate entrance—gardening gold! I mowed them down and added them to the compost pile. With plenty still available, I grabbed another bag to ensure I didn’t miss out on this seasonal treasure.

Romanesco and Chundulas

A highlight was spotting my first Romanesco forming, its lime-green spirals a stunning sight. I also potted up two varieties of chundula—Pink Surprise and Buff Sunset—using autumn leaves as a base to reduce soil use. The orange chundulas, known for their medicinal properties, prompted me to consider adding a true orange variety to the mix.

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Revamping the Front Yard

In the front yard, I had recently pruned a massive diosma hedge to open up space. I enriched the bed with my first batch of tumbler-made compost and planted cold-stratified Daganski garlic bulbs. Just days later, their green tips were already emerging, despite the partial shade from a nearby planter. Nearby, my onions seemed content, and a plump winter asparagus was begging to be harvested.

Daffodil Transplant

I noticed some daffodil bulbs in a shady spot that hadn’t flowered in years, likely due to insufficient sunlight. I transplanted them to a sunny veggie patch, hoping they’ll bloom next season and add a cheerful pop of color.

Potato Chitting Prep

With a batch of potatoes—Otway Red, Pink Eye, Sebago, and Dutch Cream—I checked their sprouting progress. The Sebago and Dutch Cream were ready, while the others needed more time. Using egg cartons and a lid for the oversized Otway Reds, I set them up in a warm, bright spot for chitting, aiming for planting in mid-August per my temperate climate’s schedule.

Crafting Plantain Salve

Inspired by my Love Your Weeds series, I decided to make a plantain salve for skin irritations. I strained olive oil infused with dehydrated plantain leaves for four weeks, yielding just 50 grams—enough for half the recipe. Adding 7.9 grams of beeswax, I melted the mixture and poured it into tins. The transformation from liquid to creamy salve was mesmerizing, despite a slight mess. The result? A gorgeous, soothing product.

Wrapping Up

As the day closed, I reflected on the progress made—from nurturing chilies and sweet potatoes to transplanting daffodils and crafting a salve. Each task brought me closer to my garden’s potential. Thanks for joining me on this green adventure—until next time, happy gardening!

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