Transplanting lettuces
Today was our garden day, Tom wanted to plant our garlic and had to free up some beds in a lower garden section. In that area of the garden were a lot of self sown lettuces which were coming up. Especially frilly lettuce and wasabi lettuce seem to be coming up everywhere at the moment, even in the paths. We want to put edible greens in the top two garden areas closer to the house and the kitchen, as they are picked most often. Tom had re-made a garden bed in the top garden section a little while ago, perfect for me to transplant some lettuces into. First I carefully dug 5-10cm away from each plant to prevent any root damage. This also ensured the roots had some soil around them so the little ones would not be too shocked when moved.
Wasabi lettuce for transplanting
Then I took my little plants to the top garden section and made holes in the mulch on the garden bed. I got a bucket of fresh compost from our biodigester and chicken compost area, and dropped two handshovels worth into each hole.
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- Holes in the mulch
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- Adding compost to the holes
I then gently added the lettuce plant and put some more compost around the plant, gently pressing it down so the plant was stable. After I had filled all the holes I covered any exposed soil with the mulch I had pushed aside to make the holes.
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- Adding the plants and compost
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- All the plants are in!
I finished by watering the little plants in with a combination of water and worm liquid. Hopefully they will be happy in their new homes!
The transplanted lettuces, composted, mulched and watered!
Tom and I spent morning tea sorting out last year’s garlic harvest for planting. We had a nice harvest and hope to expand on our garlic production this year. See his blog post for today to learn more.
Garlic sorting over morning tea
Update on Bandit, he is doing well, still peeing blood but he managed to walk properly today, eat a bone and drink some broth and water. His tail has been wagging too, so he is getting better! He looks a bit depressed, it is hard for such an active dog to be sick I’m sure…
Bandit on day 4 after a red belly black snake bite, depressed but getting better!
©2016 Zaia; permeco.org, incorporating Permaculture Research Institute Sunshine Coast, simplicity, permaculture, self reliance, self sufficiency, sustainability, food, health and homesteading, Transplanting lettuce
Author: Zaia Kendall
Zaia grew up in a family of musicians in Holland, and has a background in top sport (snow skiing) and web development and design. She co-founded the PRI Luganville and PRI Sunshine Coast Inc (now PermEco Inc.) with Tom, and runs the “invisible structures”, like finances, business administration, website design and maintenance, writes articles and records and edits videos. She assists Tom in running the Kendall Permaculture Farm and supervising other volunteers. She is an active member of several musical projects and bands, involved in community music and runs percussion and marimba workshops, is the percussion leader for the Woodford Folk Festival People’s Orchestra and composes as well as plays music. She is passionate about community music and loves seeing people discover that they can play!
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I feel so sad for little Bandit, but I’m glad he’s getting better. Love our best friends! Keep up the great work you two!
Thanks Kim, he is doing much better! He had his first clear wee this morning and has been helping out in the cow yard the last two mornings. He is a little toughy!