Andrew has an aversion to pruning – well specifically fruit tree pruning. So the way I look at it is this, when the cat’s away, the mice will play. And as he has gone away with some good buddies on a surfing jaunt OS, I have had a nice time in the orchard pruning!
Yes, I finally pruned those pear, apples and quince trees and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience too! Sorry AB. But rest assured, it was a tiny trim.
Pruning now done and dusted … on to important things.
We had a stunning spring day yesterday – heaven sent. But today, there is more of the same Auckland weather, overcast with intermittent drizzle.
Grumbling aside, today I have decided to poke some cucurbit seeds into their own pots. As these are good sized seeds, I shan’t bother sieving the planting mix. These seedlings won’t have a problem shoving aside the dirt when they germinate. I have selected some nice heirloom varieties …
Zucchini – Cocozelle and Black Beauty
Cucumber – Long White Wonder, Tendergreen and Crystal Apple
Melon – Sweet Granite
Pumpkins – Turban, crown and Jack be Little
So as can be imagined, I’m excited. Obviously doesn’t take much to make me happy! LOL
Plus those seedlings indoors are coming along nicely too – and why wouldn’t they be?
Almond blossom
Peach blossom
Tibouchina …
It’s so nice seeing the garden come to life again. Trees are budding up, blossoms are showing off in the orchard and the bumbles and bees are out en masse.
My garlic is growing nicely … green stalk to the left of frame!
This mad jumble of greenery are the Egyptian walking onions.
As I like changing my mind, I even cleared a bed last week and threw in buckwheat seed. A top cover crop or green manure which the bugs will relish and so will the soil when it gets dug back in prior to planting summer crops.
Meet Sally an Australorp … cute ha?
Happy gardening
Wonderful pictures! Wonderful colours! Spring looks like it is taking hold. I could almost hear those gulls and I liked the photo of the calendulas sharing the space with the garlic. Strange bedfellows! I have grown Black Beauty before. They are delightfully photogenic and delicious. However, as with all zucchini, they often produce more than can be consumed, even by friends and neighbours. So be careful! All the best!
Hey Bob .. thank you! I should have mentioned, those gulls are gannets. We have a colony of them at Muriwai beach – people come from far and wide to see them. Glad you liked the pic of the calendulas – I blew it though, they are sharing the bed with the red onions. Oh dear me! I love zucchini – but they are machines! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
My you are industrious.. But someone has to do it..lol! Such wonderful photos from your corner of the world..Thank you for sharing!
Hi Roberta .. thank you glad you like the pics. Industrious sounds good 🙂
It is all looking gorgeous, looks like spring, well maybe intermittently.
Thank you Leanne! Gosh I am so pleased you stopped by .. yes another fine spring day, I should be outdoors with my camera 🙂
I love the pictures! You seem to have had a blast.
I, by the way, have a very scientific way of naming flowers – pink flower, blue flower, red flower…. You get the drift!
Ha ha ha … pink, blue, red – I totally get the drift Rajiv. I used to be exactly the same. Glad you like those pics! 🙂
Julie,
Your pics are just great. Love the tree blossoms! What fun it will be to watch your garden as we slip into winter here. All best Firefox
Oh thank you! Nice of you to stop by Firefox. Yes the blossoms are divine .. I shall miss your beautiful summer garden, but will love sharing mine with you 🙂
Oh I’d love to visit you in your beautiful garden.
Good on you girl… Glad you had a lovely Springy day!
Sun was shining here today… Yahooooo!!! ..and the August winds are here :/
Silly weather 🙂
You are welcome here anytime! I had a wonderful spring day Robyn, today’s not too darn bad either, except I have to take the cat to the eye specialist! Ah, August winds? We get hammered in spring by the Southwest .. never a dull moment.
Cheers Miss! 🙂
If I ever get there Jules, I’ll pop in for a cuppa and garden wander. Thank you!
Same to you 🙂
Enjoy your Springy day. We’re still getting hammered…lol
What about a glass of wine and a garden wander? LOL
Ahhh… perfecto! 🙂
Beautiful flowers, very amazing pictures! 🙂
Hi Miss … so pleased that you like the pics! Spring time here is amazing 🙂
I see, it´s very nice! We have a golden autumn here, it´s warm. The roses in my garden are still blooming, I love it! 🙂
Ah purple roses 🙂
Haha, at the moment I have roses in pink, yellow and white. 🙂
Sally is lovely! Those purple beauties in your last photo – lavender? Beautiful, Julie! Always enjoy your posts and fantastic photographs. 🙂
Ah thanks Julie. She is such a great chook and has just started laying. I got the tiniest egg yesterday. Yes that is lavender, I have it growing around a rather small grapefruit tree. Thanks for you comments … glad you like the pics and post! 🙂
Beautiful spring flowers you have there – I didn’t realise peach blossom was so pink and pretty. I could do with your fruit tree pruning expertise over here. It’s one gardening job that really worries me because getting it wrong might mean losing out on fruit to eat later in the year.
Hi Sarah .. I’m always so conscious of over pruning that if anything I probably don’t take enough off. Plus hubby doesn’t like me doing it 🙂 But we have a turkey and possum problem they adore our orchard .. So I’m very used now to losing fruit one way or another. Best of luck with your pruning 🙂
Happy Gardening to you too. 🙂 Looks like a great year is commencing at your amazing farm. Gonna be fun to watch…. Love the almond and peach blossoms.
Hello Jim! Ah nice to know that you enjoy our garden. I just love this blogging world .. The blossoms are a hint of whats to come 🙂 just hope those trees can handle the spring winds ..
Andrew and I have something in common…wish I’d have some angel come along and do the pruning for me. Maybe if I wish hard enough? 😉 Your pics are lovely as always!
Hey Annette .. If I lived closer, I would love to give you a hand! 🙂
Julie we love your blog so many useful tips for the veg plot. More video’s please
Hey guys .. Nice to hear from you! Glad you enjoy the blog. Love to do more videos .. Might surprise you 😉
What beautiful pictures. Thank you.
Hey Cynthia .. Thank you. Really enjoyed stopping by your blog! 🙂
Reblogged this on 2me4art and commented:
Julie’s blog is AMAZING! ~amy
Oh Amy I’m speechless (well nearly) :). Thank you so much for the reblog. No one has ever done that before. I feel so flattered. I woke this morning to a load of likes, new followers and wonderful comments! Thank you …
I looked at this because it was re-blogged by a blogger I follow and admire. I’m glad I did. It’s brought fresh air and good living into my study on a grey afternoon. Thank you.
Hi what a lovely thing to say. Thank you very much. I’m so pleased that you stopped by. I admire her too! 🙂
I love your pictures
Thank you so much …
Wonderful pictures! That hen is majestic!! 😉 And the lavender…I could almost smell it from here.
Hey Benjamin … welcome back! She is divine … my favourite ‘Sally’. And yes, that lavender is so beautiful. The bees think so too! 🙂
Your photos re so beautiful that they are art!
Oh thank you very much! So pleased that you enjoy them ..