Urban patch

It's tiny and in a fit of pessimism, highly, overplanted. I started a veggie patch in my tiny back yard about a month ago- not expecting much, but all the rain we've had has made everything sprout. I over-sowed and now have hundreds of little seedlings, that to me are indistinguishable from weeds. Plus, apart from Cos lettuce and some heritage tomatoes (including delicious stripey Tigerellas) and some carrots, I have no idea of what is what. I blithely scattered seed all over the place and now I'm too scared to pull weeds in case they're not.

I do remember somewhere there is some asparagus, peas, beetroot, cauliflower (which I think has died off. The bok choi is doing well, but something's been having a good nibble at the lettuce. I'm doing it all organically-so will make up some kind of chilli spray to keep the bugs off. It's all looking a bit bedraggled really- not at all cute and cottage garden, but if we get some good fresh veg eventually I'll be happy. I think come Spring I'll turn it into raised beds and be a bit more methodical. Here's a recipe I got from garden guru Annette McFarlane's web site (www.annettemcfarlane.com). It's kind of exxy for me, as I only have organic garlic and good olive oil but it's now soaking overnight so will see how it goes.

Garlic Spray

Three large cloves of crushed garlic
1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
One teaspoon of liquid soap
One litre of water
Combine the garlic and vegetable oil and leave to soak overnight. Strain and add to the litre of water along with the liquid soap. Spray regularly. Garlic in known for its antifungal and antibacterial properties, but it is its insect repellent qualities that most gardeners admire.