Yesterday, I added sticks and rope supports for some climbing plants. Once they become established, they’ll grow up toward the nearby tree, creating a beautiful natural display. The white rope may stand out now, but before long it will disappear beneath healthy green vines.
The vegetable garden continues to produce well. The lettuce is thriving, and I’m especially pleased with my radishes. I currently have two buckets full of them, although I’ve been harvesting regularly, so it’s time to sow another batch soon. I’m also thinking about planting more turnips alongside the next crop. My Chinese broccoli and spinach are both growing beautifully, and after spending time tidying the beds, everything is looking much healthier.
Another exciting project is my attempt at growing warm white oyster mushrooms. I found a shady corner behind the house that seems perfect for them. Initially, I used regular mulch with the mushroom spawn on top, but after doing some research I decided to add sugar cane mulch instead. Hopefully, this provides a better environment and gives the mushrooms a strong start.
Not everything has gone perfectly, though. My broad beans have been a challenge this season. Many of the leaves have become shrivelled, while plants growing in another part of the garden are healthy and vibrant. A few weeks ago I was sick, and during that time the weeds quickly took over. As a result, some of the broad beans were neglected. My current focus is tying them securely to stakes in the hope they’ll recover and continue growing.
I’m certainly no gardening expert, and gardening often involves learning through trial and error. Sometimes all you can do is give the plants the best support possible and see how they respond over time. Some of the broad beans are already showing signs of improvement, while others still have a long way to go.
The brassica patch has been another rewarding area. Earlier in the season I protected my broccoli and cauliflower with insect netting, which made a huge difference compared to last year. Previously, aphids caused major problems, but this year the netting has kept many pests away. I still have to watch for caterpillars and snails, removing damaged leaves and improving airflow around the plants, but overall the crops are much healthier.
Now that winter is well underway, the broccoli is beginning to form beautiful heads, and the cauliflower is bulking up nicely too. Watching them develop after months of care is one of the most satisfying parts of gardening.
The beetroot is also looking fantastic, with vibrant green leaves and rich red veins. I’ve been harvesting silverbeet regularly for stir-fries and soups, and it’s become one of my favourite vegetables to grow because it’s so productive. Meanwhile, several radishes have been left to flower and set seed. They’ve grown into enormous plants, far larger than I expected, and I’m hoping to collect plenty of seed for future plantings.
Elsewhere in the garden, perennial greens such as sorrel are establishing well, and my garlic continues to grow steadily. Every season teaches something new, and despite a few setbacks, the garden continues to improve with each passing month.
Gardening is always a balance of successes and challenges. There are thriving vegetables ready to harvest, experiments like mushroom cultivation underway, and a few struggling plants that still need attention. But that’s part of the journey. Every week brings new growth, new lessons, and another opportunity to make the garden even better.
Overall, I’m incredibly happy with how the backyard is progressing. It’s becoming greener, healthier, and more productive, and I look forward to sharing more updates as everything continues to grow.
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