Sunday, May 18, 2008

Gardening in May


The weather is getting colder and the grass is getting browner but the gardens still look good.

I am starting my herb garden again. Sadly I lost almost all of my 174 varieties due to drought and lack of care. My husband has been the gardener for a year - with no help. Keeping an acre of garden going when you have a job as well is not easy!

We now have a new gardener and already there is a difference - so the herb garden can go ahead!

What to plant? I already have a lot of the basics - a rosemary bush that has had to be pruned, parsley of course, oregano, lavender, green marjoram, rosella, black alexanders or lovage as some call it. My rocket and basil are still going strong but my sage needs replacing. I have lost all my thyme so that will have to go in. I have wild herbs as well - my favourite is wilde alse - good for flu, colds and fevers.

I will plant a half circle garden - in the middle there is already a tamerind tree and an elder tree.

There will be three rings - one for medicinal herbs, one for culinary plants and another for aromatics.

What else to plant now - well May is the month for beans, beetroot, cabbage, carrots, cress, endive, kale, kohl rabi, lettuce, mustard, onions, peas, potatoes, radishes, spinach and turnips.

Wish we could get all the seed. I have tried to obtain seed from South Africa but cannot find many South African companies that can provide the more exotic herb or vegetable seeds. Any ideas?

Hope to be able to post again soon - have had a month of 16 hour a day power cuts!