My lawns still crap; my partner has decided to take over its care. I have a curious feeling of failure and relief.

I’ve impulsively sowed some Lebanese zucchini seeds into paper cups (no seed trays) and picked some large-ish pots up off the kerb for when they get bigger. I don’t have the stakes yet but this counts as doing something.

I’ve also collected some soil samples for testing and will be sending them off when I get a chance to get to the post office.

It’s unlikely I’ll be using these soil patches due to intruder cats and invasive couch grass that I don’t have the strength to dig out, but just wanted to know whether it theoretically could have been safe to grow in.

This service is free via the EPA - apply through GardenSafe in Victoria and VegeSafe for the rest of Australia). The only cost is postage. You may choose to donate but it’s not compulsory.

I planted the whole packet of 25 zucchini seeds (~3 in each paper cup) to avoid waste by letting them get old and non-viable, also in case of few actually germinating. Well it looks like so far 14 have popped. I have 12 pots.

Some are getting first leaves, a few have a second pair and others are just sprouting. Guess I see which survive snails/pests or are the healthiest.

I also sowed more spinach and Paris market carrots in window boxes. The pot is not large enough to grow many carrots but I’ll just use the seeds before they get too old.

I’d share with a seed library but it’s not easy for me to get there

Hydrangea question

Mr P wants to know if he can move this 60yo hydrangea. It’s in a bad spot; it used to have the shade of an apple tree but that was removed years ago. It also has the outlet air from the split system blowing right at it. He wants to save it as his Nan originally planted it. Can he dig it up and move it without killing it?

The zucchini seeds are starting to sprout already.

I’ve also planted a few rows of sunflowers to attract pollinators. It’s in a spot where they might get vandalised but they’re inexpensive and are useful without being worried if they’re safe to eat

I think I have snail radar… I went outside to check on the seedlings and caught a giant snail in the act of eating the most developed plant, with an equally large buddy nearby.

It was growing secondary leaves but the little bugger ate half of the biggest secondary leaf…

I yeeted both the snails (non-injuriously) over the neighbours fence. They have so much invasive couch grass that it’s crept in and completely taken over my yard… so the snails can bloody well go eat some of that. The smaller slugs I was unable to scoop up with a leaf as they hung on like barnacles, so the seedlings have a temporary improvised cover.

I just put an upturned plastic storage container over them all for now. I had some plastic bottles to turn into cloches but did not get around to it and don’t really have enough if all sprout.

A plastic tub is actually a good idea for a mini hothouse if large enough and clear including the lid… but there might be issues with ventilation/mould and legginess, and then I’d have to harden them off… it’s a whole thing. Also the storage tubs don’t tend to be uv resistant. However size permitting I’ll keep it in mind for really hot or cold temperatures. In a pinch it’s better than nothing.

I’d love to plant some other stuff like mini pumpkins, potatoes, tomatoes, beans… one or two even. But my space and money is limited and also my energy. Especially with container gardening - they’d have to be something large enough for the plant but a size I could safely lift if need be.

I think I’m also sowing a little late in the season already