Autumn Seedlings & New Plant Discoveries - Beginner Gardener's memoirs

It’s been about a week since I planted out our autumn seedlings. I know that most of you who are growing your own veggies have probably already planted your first batch of autumn seedlings, but my journey has been a bit bumpier. After restarting my seedlings three times and dealing with some uninvited guests who decided to drop by for a feed (cough check out my previous beginner gardener's memoir), I finally felt ready to plant them out.

I waited as long as I could before planting them in our little side beds, offering words of encouragement and crossing my fingers that we would have something to eat in the coming months. It’s always a bit nerve-wracking, but there's also a sense of excitement and hope every time I plant something new.

Beyond our immediate garden, I’ve been learning about some fascinating new plants that I’ve added to our ‘to grow’ list. The first is Etrog, one of the four species of plants used during the Jewish celebration of Sukkot. This festival is a time of gratitude to God for the bounty of the earth and is celebrated in autumn at the end of the harvest festival.

The second addition is the Aji Dulce pepper, a sweet pepper popular in the Caribbean, including Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic. It offers the same fruity flavour as habaneros but without the intense heat, making it a perfect choice for those who love flavour but prefer a milder spice.

The third is Huacatay, a herb that could be described as the Andean equivalent of coriander but with a more complex flavour profile. It’s a blend of basil, spearmint, and citrus, with hints of tarragon. I’m particularly excited to see how I can use it in our cooking, I already have some ideas.

For now, that’s all from our little garden patch. I’d love to hear what you are growing or looking forward to in the upcoming seasons. Sharing tips and experiences makes the gardening journey even more rewarding, so feel free to drop a comment!

Much love,