I’m sitting at our kitchen table. The doors are wide open – it’s been a hot summer’s day. Birds are cheeping away merrily outdoors, the sprinkler is on and jets of water can be seen splashing over the lawn and flower beds. Blog time … tap, tap, tap on the keyboard.
I zoomed around our veg garden on Saturday with the 60-litre spray pump sloshing in the back full of seaweed fertiliser. The garden stood to attention as I liberally sprayed the tonic about, stopping every now and again to squash a green shield beetle spotted sun baking (shame on them). Our backyard citrus and feijoa trees also received a good dousing. One of our lemon trees is dying which is such as shame as it has been so prolific – but those citrus borer are alive and well within.
Chamomile – the plant Doctor
My brother John, is back in town which is magic as he also has a rather large green thumb, and let’s face it, there is nothing like some good company and an extra pair of hands.
We netted some of our peaches and plums last week, which given that some of the trees are on the ‘large’ size was a great feat. As we don’t have enough netting to cover the entire tree, we could only net from the ground up, so our orchard now resembles a line-up of trees with petticoats! Glamorous protection … The birds might still have access but those marauding possums will not! Nice to beat nature every now and again isn’t it?
Who says weeds can’t look good!
Busy, busy, busy! There is nothing like hauling out the chipper and poking a pile of phoenix palm fronds into the void, listening as the machine grunts and groans as it chops and grinds. We were going great guns until the machine ground to a halt in protest – a chunk of wood jammed in the mechanics. While this wasn’t the planned exit for the day, we ambled dusty and dirty back up the driveway, patting each other on the back. As I’m a mulching fiend, I’m in heaven.
At last the Egyptian walking onions have been hauled from their bed and are drying on our concrete driveway. Garlic has been dried and trimmed and is now sitting in storage. Empty beds have been mulched to protect the occupants (microorganisms and worms) from the weather.
My carrots are still jostling about in their bed – I haven’t thinned them yet .. surprise, surprise. Plus I’ve been carting water to our pumpkins, and giving them pep talks – I suspect they aren’t listening!
Chook conference
Sally is finally off the cluck, her crazy antics have ceased although she is immensely enjoying ‘scaring’ the young chickens. And speaking of those five teenage chooks, it is looking much like we have five hens. Wow, I can’t believe it! Not a rooster in sight 🙂
Deep in thought
I have come to the conclusion that I might have planted too many flowers in my veg garden … LOL
We are munching on runner beans, zucchini, cucumbers, spuds and herbs the odd tomato and beetroot. Nothing like growing your own!
Happy gardening …