Wednesday in the Garden

It was lovely to see so many gardeners out on a Wednesday morning. It was slightly cooler and there was a lovely breeze, making it much easier to work.  We were delighted to be joined by some new gardeners, and we hope they become regulars.

Some things we noticed today —

We now know it’s possible to transplant a citrus tree. Our Meiwa Kumquat was not producing much fruit in the forest garden so we moved it further up the hill where it receives some morning sun and a good bit of afternoon sun. It is now thriving and full of fruit, as is the Owari Satsuma, which still remains in the forest garden.

Meiwa Kumquats

Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis)

Owari Satsumas

The Bay Laurel shrub/tree is also thriving. There was a time when it looked straggly and pitiful and was covered with scale insects and mildew. The leaves today are pristine and would make enough Bay leaf seasoning to fill a swimming pool with soup.  We have no way to account for that other than we have many, many blooming companion plants and cover crops attracting good bugs which are no doubt helping to control pests.

Carole is growing pearl millet in her square foot plot.  Pearl millet is a good cover crop, and is tolerant of drought, heat, and poor soils.  It is not usually susceptible to pests and diseases.   It is also beautiful and is good food for birds and chickens. In other cultures it’s also eaten as porridge, as flour, and other culinary uses. It is high in protein and contains many vitamins and minerals. 

Pearl Millet
Pennisetum glaucum

‘Purple Majesty’

We were blessed last year with a donated Sweet Almond bush. (Thank you Kathy Rost) It was meant for the forest garden, but there was not enough sun there, so we planted it up the hill in front of the compost bins where it is very happy, even with no water in the heat, and has bloomed throughout the summer with a sweet almondy scent. It is not a native, but it is well suited for feeding pollinators. Read more about Sweet Almond Bush in the current issue of Gardening in the Panhandle.

https://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/hort/2024/09/04/florida-friendly-sweet-almond-bush/

We managed to catch some of the VegHeadz gardeners in action as we wandered through the garden. A number of the early arrivers had already gone home so we missed recording them.  Notice how happy they look.  Gardening is good for the soul.

The Edible Forest Garden is beginning to look like a real 
forest .  Pictured here in one small corner of the garden, on the left is
an olive tree backed by a native plum,
and farther back is a dwarf Cavendish banana.  On the right
is Turmeric next to a Loquat tree.