Everyone in lockdown is gushing it's Spring - in the southern hemisphere, it starts on September 1. I kinda think it's wierd to think that an arbitary date marks Spring, because a date doesn't tell me it's Spring, though it likes to think it's the authority on such things. Spring, says the bees, is quince blossom,, the nectar in the fresh banksia and purple rosemary. Spring, says the birds, is blue skies and dry twigs for nests, and heralding all the day. Spring, says the flowers, is insect tickles and human sneezes. We have been telling you it's Spring for weeks, the maggies say, strutting across the lawn. Weeks, say the rosellas, flashes of red amongst the wattle.
We've let the rootstock from the plums sprout up and grow, because we have too many plums and we'd rather give more flowers for bees than stress about pruning plum trees we struggle to look after anyway. I have soooo many seedlings coming through in the greenhouse - tomato jungle, here we come! I'm kinda running out of room and need more shelving.
Many of the native grevillea and banksia are coming into flower again - the bees and birds are just loving it. I adore the buttery colour of this grevilla, gifted by a friend who's really into natives. The photo of the purple and pink one isn't mine, but if you know your grevilleas, it's quite an unusual colour! When lockdown is over I hope to go for a tour of his garden in flower - or maybe I'll just sneak over there anyway. I owe him a jar of marmalade in exchange for the horseradish he gave me.
The purple broccoli didn't quite form the heads I would have liked, and I was wondering if any Hive gardeners know the secret to a good head? No, that's not a euphemism, don't be rude.
Lots of fennel this year - it always self seeds which is great. Less work for me! My garden is terribly haphazard on the vegetable gardening front but it works for me! The garlic is going great too. I can't wait to do more garlic fermented honey which is just insanely delicious - try mixing it with a splash of rice vinegar and tamari and a bit of srirarcha and it's the most incredible dressing for a noodle salad. Like, amazingly yummy - I'm freaking out because I'm running out. I also wish I'd planted more, as I wanted to do black garlic as well, but I ran out of space.
I finally put in another couple of beds in the extended garden we made. Jamie dug out the elder tree that was a bit of a pain, using the winch on the Landrover which is super handy for removing trees! I also planted another row of raspberries, used pine needles to mulch the blueberries and strawberries (which have a cover over them now to stop the birds eating them!) and remulched some of the paths. It's a lovely spot to sit in the Spring sunshine with the plum, quince, apple and nectarine blossoms surrounding us. In this photo you'lll also notice artichokes, rhubarb, oregano, blackcurrent bushes, wormwood, and olive trees - oh and mint as well. I think you could take a photo of any part of my garden and there would be all kinds of plants there!
There is so much going on in my garden that I'm going to have to do a couple of posts this week - I can't wait to read all of yours and if I'm slow to comment it's really because I'm in the garden and have so little time! But as you know, I'll get around to ALL of you!
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Wonderful colors and shapes. I find ecclectic gardens much more interesting than the carefully manicured ones.
We're entering the Fall season on this part of the world. Though it doesn't officially arrive until the autumnal equinox on Sept 22. The leafs will soon begin to turn and explode with the most amazing bright colors.
Here, it's wattles exploding! I must do a post solely on them to show you what I mean. I don't know if Spring or Autumn has more drama - Autumn, likely, with that amazing light...and the poignancy of endings.
Autumns are pretty intense in Canada, but I'd rather be in Spring 🌸
Yes, there's a real sense of hope and possibility in Spring...
You have such a nice garden and hens too, wow! I couldn't guess what garlic in there, I was excited to see the garlic plantations.
Oh yes, we are very lucky to be able to grow garlic, and it's very easy too!
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So strange how wide regulations vary depending what corner you're standing on and what direction you're facing.
2, Sept. 1100, Thursday morning restaurant parking in Knoxville, TN.
i'm not sure how to respond? Feeling stupid - what did I miss?
Here's one vaguely about regulations..
Your garden is looking really good for spring!
It is!!!! We've had lots of lovely rain this year. Second year of El Nina, methinks... and it's pouring at the moment. As we've been in lockdown heaps, we've had so much time to wokr on it !
Any post on how to do the garlic fermented honey ?
I think so, I will look or do an update @sanjeevm just for you!
That is one stunning set up riverflows. In regards to the purple stem.. Years ago I got some really good formations using calcium enrichment. Not over the top, but a little extra. Wonderful post as always. :)
Oh I wonder then if crushed eggshells might do it?
I heard your summer wasn't that great.. how did your garden go?
Who said my summer wasn't great? Lol. I'd say it's been about usual my friend. Ups, downs, all the stuff that comes with being alive in this crazy age. The garden went ok all things considered though. Could have been worse. Blight knocked out a lot of my taters and tomatoes. Everything else came up ok though. I've got my lambs lettuce and chard in the little green house atm and various bits and bobs to pull out of the ground and munch on through the winter. Not buying a lot of veg at the shops so it's a win I guess. I'm hoping for an indian summer in truth. How goes growing life over in your hemisphere?
Well now I'm hungry and have this strange urge to plant a garden.
Do it!!!! Plant some.coins, that tree might grow!
Good idea. I have plenty of spare change lying around :)
Broccoli is a tricky plant and depends on timing and the weather. If its too cold, the heads are teeny but if you plant them too late in the season, the heads turn to flowers too fast because it is warmer. ¯_(ツ)_/¯
The time I tried broccoli, the seeds didn't germinate and I suppose that saved me from later disappointment
I dunno why, but knowing that some people will now experience spring makes me feel super happy.
They can screw themselves with their lockdowns though, thanks Gladys!
I am nosy and curious, besides tomato seedlings, what's in the green house 😜?
To those that thinks it isn't a perfectly manicured garden, should come check the mess I have created here. I think your garden looks exactly like it's supposed to look.
Why did I jump a line between each sentences, no one knows...