Winter Wednesday – The Joy of Germinating Tomatoes

I really enjoy gardening in winter.  This hasn’t always been the case, in London it was bloody miserable, freezing earth, cold hands, drizzle, not much daylight and frankly not nearly enough reward.  But Melbourne is different, kitchen gardening in Melbourne in winter is a joy.  A slow growing joy but a joy nonetheless.  The garden remains fairly orderly, the pests go away, the weeds aren’t nearly as rampant, and slowly but surely things get bigger and bigger.

Towards the end of winter hibernating plants begin to reappear like this tarragon.

Those leeks will all of a sudden be big enough to eat.

The garlic will eventually mature.

The herbs green and lush, will be eaten.

But best of all there is the anticipation of what is to come:  Broad beans which will ripen, cabbages will form hearts, and these tomatoes, which I sowed in late July and are just starting to get their true leaves, will become breakfast, lunch, dinner, sauce and chutney.

Or at least I hope they will provided we get the right summer……

For other joys of winter visit Hazel Dene by clicking here.