Today is May 13th 2024, exactly a year after we arrived with the van and moved in proper. The vegetable garden started from scratch with not a single bed, just overgrown jungle. We've come a long way, but keeping the weeds in check will take a few more years yet.
I abandoned an attempt to match 2023 pictures with some 1 year on pictures.
Instead, the pictures from May/June 2023 are at the bottom and similar angle picture from mid May 2024 are at the top..
Bottom left - looking due North May 2024
With the band of milk thistle, standing upwards of 6ft tall, dock and cow parsley, with a thousand other weeds, the left hand side has returned to the wild! The weeds are relentless. The bed in the foreground has peas, broad beans, lentils, runner beans, lettuce and radishes. The bed was extended from last year (northwards, down the slope).
Mid way down on right side May 2024
The area between last year's bed and the walnut is currently being cleared. Will probably plant a few melons/squashes/courgettes which will help suppress the weeds until next year. Just behind the walnut are celeriac, cucumbers, liquorice, aubergines and one potato plant grown from a microscopic seed. In the background are a row of chillies, peppers and tomatoes.
Looking SW May 2024
Bed on the left has a sandwich of collards at the top and bottom (sprouts, cauli, broccoli), with comfrey and artichoke, with a filling of red and white onions, bordered by leeks, transplanted from last year, the leeks are now nearly 3ft high!
Looking SW May 2024
10ft further up the garden, same direction!
Due West(ish) May 2024
Leeks from last year remain now with the addition of savoy cabbage and curly kale plus 16 tomatoes on the drip. The greens have been surprisingly pest free so far. They're in a more sun sheltered spot, so hopefully won't roast and bolt when the weather gets warmer.
NNW ish 2024
Collards, onions and leek bed on right. Have reused most of the holes dug last year for the squashes et al, now hosting potatoes, garlic, horse radish and a pomegranate. And did I tell you about the weeds, they do very well, everywhere.
Grapes of Wrath 2024
Pruned the grapes a while back and have sprayed for spider mites, which are a common issue. The Bulgarians love to spray for everything, trying to resist this and keep an eye out for problems and nip them in the bud.
Looking north, from further up the garden May 2024
The figs have dozens of developing figs, not sure if this batch will ripen. To be honest, I'm a bit confused at the lifecycle of these figs!. The grass on the right was left to grow as it contained dozens of self seeded poppies, which are now putting on a magnificent show
Onions collards and artichoke May 2024
Taken from the most southerly bed, looking north. This bed is shaded for half the day by our giant Linden Tree, so suitable for collards etc. (The leeks are thriving too).
Bottom left - looking due North June 2023
Had just finished clearing the Milk Thistle and Cow Parsley, some of each had grown to 10 feet tall. They self seed effortlessly, so will take years to get them under control. Two walnuts on the left, and two in the garden on the right.
Mid way down on right side 2023
Batch 2 of tomatoes and chillies [2024 edit - note the "meadow" behind, this is now largely cleared and ploughed with my 13 horse power tiller!]
Water Melon / Squash / Cucumber and maybe another melon 2023
Didn't have time to dig beds big enough for these plants, experimenting with the plastic vs no plastic to see which way to go next year. [2024 edit, although the plastic supressed the weeds, it stopped the plants from sending down roots, which probably limited their size and productiveness].
First Toms 2023
[2024 Edit Had a few tasty tomatoes, inconsistent watering, too closely planted and a lack of nitrogen in the soil were limiting factors]
Celery / Cabbage 2023
[2024 Edit. Abject failure, the celery needed much more water, the cabbages failed to thrive, probably planted too late, plus the lack of regular watering]
Mid Right 2023
The six corn are doing ok, the rest of the open planting not overly impressive [2024 Edit. The corn failed to thrive, everything else died, 2024 looking better as have much more growth (as we started earlier, obviously, now have well water and the ground is shaded by the plant's leaves].
The two fig bushes 2023
You might spot a tree stump just infront of the figs, and also note the branches in the foreground. This was a large Acacia Tree, with the most vicious spikes. Seems an attempt had been made to kill it, So it became the first tree I've ever felled with an Axe! Remarkably, the tree fell exactly where I planned, Has taken me many hours dethorning the branches (elf and safety and all that mallarky) but now have four sacks of kindling, wood for the fire and even some garden stakes.
Figured it out
Well, I haven't actually, there seems to be no figs growing, I've seen other trees around and most have small figs developing. Fingers crossed they will fruit next year. I love freshly picked perfectly ripe figs, and also love the aroma of the tree, a sensuous sweet heaven
Mid right looking to bottom left
The young Pear Tree mid left of the picture. [2024 Edit. The pear tree is in fact a quince tree! Easy mistake to make, especially when your neighbour tells you it's a pear and he helped plant it!]
Seems so long ago
Second batch of Tomatoes and chillies had just been planted and I'd started preparing the holes for the squashes et al [2024 Edit. Harvested a few more tomatoes from this bed and a few chillies. Less is better.]
The Acacia when standing
Considered it too dangerous for the garden. Some of the thorns were over six inches long and are apparently poisonous to boot. There are plently of the thorns still on the ground - an accident waiting to happen, Hopefully will evict all soon
White Sweet Grapes 2023
Apparently these are delicious when ready. I've been following Dimo's (Canada) instructions for cleaning the vine and looking after them (cleaning in this context means removing the unwanted non fruiting shoots and thinning the leaves to open the canopy to more sun and ventilation). Planning to take cuttings during the winter as vines don't last forever and if it's as good as we've been told, best get some back up vines
