In my last post, I outlined my goals around the garden for 2019. The biggest one is to gradually phase out the use of non-organic methods and substances. Why the concern with being organic now, when I have been gardening for five years? It started rather innocently, using the odd fertiliser here and there. I always took pride in the fact that I didn’t use sprays on edibles, only the roses. I called myself a “spray-free” veggie gardener. Then when I added our mini orchard, I had to start using a fungicide to prevent brown rot and leaf curl on our stone fruit, as well as grease spots on the passionfruit. I chose Yates Liquid Copper. I had to start using it on our celery in order to prevent rust and it looks like I’ll have to spray the garlic with it too from now on, if this year’s rust on the crop is anything to go by. I know Liquid Copper is supposed to be organic, but all this does beg the question of what is the point of going to the effort of growing our own veggies if they have been sprayed, as I am using some non-organic sprays too, such as Success and Mavrik. I suppose at least I know what products I’m using on them. Homegrown veggies are also always fresher than store bought ones. Still, I need to re-think a lot of the products I am using around the garden. Even if I can’t meet the standard of being certified organic, it doesn’t mean I shouldn’t strive for this rather elusive and perhaps unrealistic goal. As I said in a previous post, sometimes you need to be happy with 90% if that’s the best you can do in the circumstances.
In order to achieve goals, you need to develop a strategy, that is, identify some concrete steps that you plan to take in order to get there. It’s helpful to break it down this way, otherwise it all becomes too daunting! Here are some specific measures I have identified I’d like to take around the garden next year:
Today’s photo is of another Christmas lily which is currently flowering in the garden. This one is Lily Regale, also from NZ Bulbs.
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