Thursday, January 7, 2010

2009 Tally

With the garden just completing it's first full year,it's time for a produce tally and evaluation.

I learnt a very important lesson this year and that is don't wait. It seemed that the weather went from too cold to too hot and vice verse and I missed some very productive growing time. I also waited on crops that were taking up space when I should have just pulled and replanted so that I could continue the cycle. There were many big gaps in my productivity but hey it's all about learning isn't it. With the addition of 6 more raised beds this year I should have both the space and the rotation required to keep vegies growing all year. I may even created some winter covers to go on the new beds to keep productivity up during the winter. With both chicken now laying we should get a nice little egg supply that may not cover all our needs but definitely help to support it.

So what did I manage to grow this year...
20kgs tomatoes
4.5kg pumpkins
1.4 kgs carrots
1kg peas (most eaten before they ever got to the kitchen)
1 kg zucchini (got a very bad case of powdery mildew but I am on that already this year)
5.2 kg Chinese Cabbage (these were a winner despite how much snail damage they endured)
1.5kg shelled broad beans
1 kg rhubard (impressive plant)
44 eggs

The following we grew but never got enough to actually weigh (just eat!!)
mulberries
strawberries
Cape gooseberries (did make some jam)
Perpetual Spinach
Herbs
2 Figs
1 guava
5 Pepinos

So not what I had dreamed for my first year.I had grand images of excess produce and jars of preserves but we all have to start somewhere and I have learnt lots of valuable lessons.

So a grand total of just over 35kgs last year. My aim is for 100kgs this year. I better get off here and back to the garden then.

Happy Gardening!!

2 comments:

  1. Gardening is an adventure! I know that the years we worked nonstop in the garden were often the leanest harvests. The next year, we'd leave things alone a bit more and plant less -- then experience bumper crops and massive harvest.

    I think you did VERY well!! Pat yourself on the back for growing your own food and not letting any of it go to waste!!! Kudos!

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  2. Well done!

    Six new raised garden beds. lucky you! What are they made out of? I've been using raised strawbale garden beds but am starting to think I need to invest in something more solid.

    Cheers,
    Tricia from Little eco footprints

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