Oh dear me, I’m getting worse. Seems that my blog will become a monthly issue (just kidding). Frog Pond Farm has been so busy lately and what’s worse is, I just can’t seem to get any ordinance happening in those beds. There are …
- Leeks the size of legs – I think chewing on a slab of wood might be easier
- Egyptian walking onions which are taking their time to fill out but are looking so healthy
- Garlic in 2 beds that needs to be removed, it’s getting that spent look
- Beans which are looking anaemic (watch out comfrey tea is on the way)
- Cucumbers which are piddly, I just can’t imagine them producing anything
- Same with the zuccs (will teach me for late planting)
- A Black Krim tomato which is falling all over the place – laterals seem to be producing laterals
- Parsley which is smothering oregano
- Borage which is just so damn bossy and shoulders everything else out of the way
- Runner beans which haven’t sprouted thus there are gaps in front of the trellis
- My oat / pea straw which I use as mulch, has sprouted and is growing particularly well in the salad gardens (oh great)
- Thornless raspberries are looking red and delicious but taste terrible (ha ha)
- Strawberries which need urgent netting
New life
That’s the garden.
The orchard appears to be much better behaved although I need to …
- Spray the trees with seaweed brew
- Don’t spray the olives as they are already out of control
- Throw around Rok solid and some good cheer – Chrissy is on the way
- Stop being bothered about the leaf curl the peaches won’t die
- Consider opening a shop for our feijoas our trees are laden with flowers
The chooks are all good thanks, including my favourite Dolly. Tony our rooster is pushing his luck and being bolshie with some of my old girls.
I’m great, so is hubby, Dan has arthritis and has decided that he isn’t enjoying his tucker much but would prefer ours (he doesn’t realise he is a dog).
Albert keeps telling him he really is a ‘dog’
See we do have frogs at our place!
Lastly, I made some loquat jam over the weekend and it is absolutely delicious.
Hope you enjoy the rather odd collection of photos …
Happy gardening!
My garden is still out of control from the summer, even though we are in the throughs of early winter…..I’ll get it something done before spring!
I bet you will! It just happens doesn’t it? Thanks for stopping by …
Oh a fantastic collection if images – just beautiful – I miss feijoas!! c
Hey Celi .. so pleased you like the pics. Aren’t feijoas the best .. mind you, when they are in season, you can’t give them away! LOL
You could give them away to me – have you tried feijoa ice-cream? it is wonderful.
Ha ha j was eating some last night .. Whoops sorry 😄
I’d never heard of feijoas till I visited New Zealand in February, even though the species is native to South America. I see from one dictionary that the plant is named after João da Silva Feijó (1760-1824), a Brazilian soldier and naturalist.
Hey Steve … nice to know you popped in! I love feijoas they make the best crumble dessert .. interesting to know who they were named after. Thank you!
Thanks, Julie. Sharing these wonderful images of your life and the chronicle of your work despite the busy of the season, that makes it special ☺
Hi Francis … it has been so busy lately – phew! And I’m really pleased you enjoyed the pics. Isn’t it great being able to share? 😀
Totally agree ^^
Great photos showing us a beautiful place in this world.
Thank you Gerlinde, what a lovely comment. I think it is pretty special too
Great frog shot , new logo ?..
Ha, more work! LOL … Hmm could be. Was a very handsome frog who didn’t mind his photo being taken …
Just beautiful photos, Julie. Sounds like you’ve been pretty busy.
Hey Miss … oh I’m so pleased you enjoyed them. Too busy, but all good. It is so rewarding to stand back and go ‘wow’. 😀
I’m not posting much lately either – yours are worth waiting for though! Lovely photos of a beautiful and busy life.
I’ve missed your posts! Busy times .. So pleased you like the photos 😃
Love your photos! Always. Hello 😃
Sounds like you are busy. Tis the season!
Glad to hear you’re all doing well and Dan sounds normal to me – not knowing he is a dog 😜
My cakes have marked it. Not warm enough for them here. The toms are doing fairly well and producing lots of warmers toms. I’ll take it 😃
Lovely to hear from you Jules.. and yum..jam!
My cakes have marked it too! Hilarious .. I couldn’t stop laughing when I got your follow up comment. So pleased you stepped me through it. .loved hearing from you Robyn. Ah so you know the dog thinks it is a human routine! Looking forward to sharing my zuccs with you over summer! Lol hugs
I have to ask .. What are warmer toms? Ha ha ha
He he… Bet you didn’t know what that meant 😜 It was meant to say… My cukes have karked it 😋
Your comment taught me an Australianism:
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/cark
Hi Steve – he he 🙂
Yes the verb was my wordy intention although I have had crows carking around here this morning too!
Thanks so much for your comment 🙂
Ha ha .. Love that you did some research 😄
Great photos, Julie. Given the size of your garden and orchard, I’m surprised you have the time to do anything else; I’m impressed. 🙂 The frogs are a great sign about the health of your garden. I must book to take a tour of your garden some day. Have a great Christmas. At least one of us will be disappearing soon. 🙂
Anytime you are in town you have to call in! You are right about frogs too .. A great sign. Glad you enjoyed the post Mr D .. I always enjoy stopping at your blog! 😃
You have been busy. You title reminded me of the Todd Rundgren song of the same name. I love all the photos, but I especially love the frog photo.
Hi Tim .. Have been so busy. But always fun. I like the frog pic too. He was sun baking in the garden the other day, not camera shy at all! Great to see you here ..
Don’t talk to me about borage…. good to read true to life posts!
Ha ha ha … so you know borage too then? Wonderful stuff, but it takes over and smothers its garden buddies! Good to see you Nexi
Freebie from local farmers crops in this case….
I did enjoy them very much. I’m pleased you included some beach shots -the last one is especially inviting
Good! I liked that one too .. Beach, bird and red ..
Hopefully the courgettes will pick up – mine did a massive sprint towards the finish line once they realised summer was closing.
My runner beans were also hard to get going. Must be something about 2015!
Hey Helen .. I’m really hoping they will. Not looking good at the mo though. I’m sure with some homemade brews and some TLC they will lift their game. Cheers!
Fingers crossed!
Hi to you both. Well oversize veg it looks like a trip to my favourite store on the north shore is going to be in order! Good shot of the frog yes it could be a new logo.well finally got in the garden and did a bit of clearing up before I start packing .looking foreword to seeing the place again, and cooking my special Pork belly dish and cranking the oven right up full!
Lots love to you both Bill xxx.
Ha is that right Mr B! Shall I drive you there? LOL Glad you like the frog, he was a handsome chap. Pork belly? Didn’t I tell you that we aren’t eating pork anymore!!! ha ha
What a delicious first shot, it looks like enchanted-ville! Beautiful photos of Dan and Albert!….. and of course every one! (I can’t get rid of borage either!) xx
Hey Gill … glad you think it delicious! The green is so vibrant at this time of year. Oh that is so funny about borage. Once you have it …
I love your collection of photos! A short colorful burst of life on the Island!
Linda
Hi Linda … glad you liked the collection 😀 Sure is colourful life on the island
Great pics! Our year has just been weird, too warm, too dull, too dry, too cold and now too wet! Happy growing! 😀
Thanks Miss … the weather is still a tad unsettled here too. Summer one day, autumn temps the next. I’ll tell my garden to get growing! 😀
Was seduced into peacefulness by that first picture, then heard your list of gardener task! A gardener’s job is never done…. Good to hear from you, my blogger-friend. Cute doggy pix, too.
Hey lovely … ah, I like that – seduced into peacefulness, what a delightful thing to say. Yes that list is a tad ominous – but we always get through it. A gardener’s work is never done. Good to hear from you too my blogging friend
Hi Julie, wonderful photos and write-up as usual! Dan looks like he is doing what dogs do best in summer. Albert sure has a big smile! The photo of the seagull is sensational! Beautiful colour, texture and composition! The lawns around your pond are lovely – during the spring you must have found your old high heels and walked around aerating the grass! 🙂 Hope you and Andrew are well. Take care. Bob
You are hilarious! Ha high heels indeed 😄 so pleased you enjoyed the pics Bob. Sitting at the dentist and had to respond .. Hugs Mr E
Beautiful photos and Albert looks very like one of my hairy dogs…Molly….is he a bearded collie?
Hey Miss … thank you! Albert is a Tibetan terrier (I think) handsome, energetic fellow who drives our pooch nuts! LOL
He’s lovely and I’ve met Tibetan Terriers before….bred for very similar conditions as bearded collies….high up cold and windy hills driving cattle or goats!!
Hi Julie, your post are always with the wait. Always. It’s terrific to follow the progress of your garden. The photos are just spectacular! That first one is absolute magic! So soft and lush…..and ideal – I expect that if we could look very close we’d see the faeries dancing under a tree. Or something else, equally fantastic. Keep up the good work!
Hi Janet .. I’m glad you think they are worth the wait. The garden is slow to start but I know it will gather momentum. So pleased you enjoyed the pics. Soft and lush indeed :D. Imagine fairies under the trees … (I bet there are 😉 ) Hugs
It’s the photo with the pond in …. Love it!
Whew. Sounds like you need to stop for a moment to let your spirit catch up. But gee it all sounds like life is overflowing in a good way. =)
Life is overflowing .. sure is in a good way Miss! Always good seeing you in my neck of the woods 😀
so colorful and excellent 🙂
Hey Joshi … thank you. Love seeing all your pics on instagram!
Brilliant and even more brilliant! Your garden is brimming with goodness…and possibility. Oh, funny story, the day I leave for England…for a month…the digger crew next door decide to dig up the ancient grape vine I wanted to save, and plonk it over the fence, where Chloe has to dig it into the garden! There, and odd story to reply to your odd assortment of brilliant photos. I love Dan and Albert! What beautiful animals. Oh, another odd story, Robert has taught our 21wk old kitten how to chase, catch and retrieve and 2 pence coin!
Ha ha .. oh I bet you can’t wait to meet that kitten. Gorgeous! Love hearing from you V. Your comments are always full of fun and energy … The garden is slowly brimming (I’m out there giving it pep talks). Not good news about the grapevine .. that will keep Chloe busy. So pleased you enjoyed the pics. Have a wonderful stay in the UK .. when do you leave?
Oh I always enjoy your photos and the last one is just awesome. You have captures an eerie sort of feeling – I can almost hear the waves, and feel the foggy air. I ahve decided that December and January will be the months I break from blogging. Too hot and humid and there is nothing much going on gardening wise anyway.
Thank you! So pleased you like that last shot – so do I. It was one of those days .. hazy. Ah I have been so bad with my posting lately that I don’t deserve any time off! LOL Ah, I bet it will be hot and humid for you. It gets really humid here too. I can’t believe that the black spot is already alive and well in my garden. Thanks for stopping by
Our garden seems to do the same thing as yours. One year everything is fabulous and the next has gone to the dogs as we say. This is the reason I can and freeze so much when we have a good one. My cellar seems to love being very full! Your pictures are glorious and everything looks so well maintained and should explain to anyone why you can’t blog every day. It’s the excuse I use anyway. Have a wonderful day!
Rita/USA/Virginia
Isn’t it funny the way gardens do that! My fault I suspect as I planted later this year. I’m pleased you enjoyed the pics Rita .. so nice being able to share our place. A wonderful day to you too! 😀
Hi Julie….your photos are beautiful, but I’m totally in love with that frog image. I never saw a photo of a frog with such a expressive frog face. I wonder what he has in mind….:-)
Hey Josephine .. a very handsome frog indeed, who didn’t mind having his photo taken. So pleased you enjoyed the pics 😀
Hi Julie,
Your garden sounds a bit like mine at the moment – some things are doing so well they are taking over and others just aren’t working at all! Such is life 🙂
I love the shot of the frog too !
Have a good weekend,
Sarah x
Hi Sarah .. nice to know that you stopped by. I agree totally – funny how gardening can vary so much. Glad you like our resident frog 😀 A lovely weekend back at you
I hear you!!! Leeks the size of legs ha ha! Yes borage is a bossy old boot. I’ve banished borage to the wildflower meadow…..
Ha ha .. Another borage fan! Have a super weekend Sarah ..😃
Dear heavens, Julie!! Oh how I know how much work a garden takes but what you just described …. HOLY MOLY!!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE your first image so much so I just wanted to fall in it. What a glorious collection of eclectic images … at least IMO they are. Great post, and I am so happy that you live where you do so that I can enjoy New Life while here Life is going to sleep. Best of luck with everything. I honestly do NOT know how you do it. (((HUGS))) Amy <3
Hey Amy .. love that expression Holy Moly! Ha ha .. you can fall into that image anytime. It is lush isn’t it? I’m so pleased you enjoyed the images .. You know how much I enjoy sharing Frog Pond with you. Loads of luck back at you and countless hugs 😀
You are such a joy, Julie! You bring laughter into my life. Thank you!
your garden lists exhaust me, Frogpond – but then probably because i’m exhausted thinking about mine, too! it’s never ending at this time of year, isn’t it!
You’re funny! It is never ending that’s for sure . What has it about lists! 😃 thank you for stopping by …
Such a beautiful garden, Julie! So much work to keep it this beautiful. Love the first photo, and the frog is so cute! 🙂
Hello Miss always loads of work, but so worth it. I’m busting to get outdoors and get some more pics. The garden is slowly starting to look like a veg garden 😀 Yes that first pic is so lush .. I find myself standing and staring at the pond on a regular basis. Thanks for stopping by …
Oh yes I did like your collection of photos…life might be a little busy and the gardens a little challenging but it also sounds good. 😀
It sure is good .. 😄
Hello You, it’s Me, who is also struggling to get out a blog post with regularity. Since borage is as bossy as you say, I shall blame the borage for my situation. It’s everywhere, which means happiness for birds and bees, but general mess otherwise. Your garden and your pooches still look beautiful. Looking forward to seeing your flourishing feijoas, and beautiful peaches in the New Year, and maybe some beans?!
Hello you! So nice to hear from your neck of the woods. And you are so right, comfrey can be bossy too! Enjoy your garden .. Hugs
Julie loving your photos that frog is pretty awesome. It is amazing how quick a garden can get out of hand. We have enjoyed our crops of beans, lettuce and herbs, now waiting on corn and tomatoes. My husband is the gardener I don’t have a green thumb so he does not let me near it. But I am happy to share in the fresh produce, nothing better.
Kath
What a lovely comment and thank you! Oh yes it is so easy for garden’s to get out of control. I’m still eagerly waiting for our tomatoes and have been enjoying dwarf beans (the runners are yet to produce). Ah a hubby with a green thumb! Lucky you 😀
Such a lovely spot there. It’s no wonder your Albert smiles and your leeks– ha! Thanks for sharing.
Hello Miss .. Always so nice to know that you stopped by! Nothing like a happy dog on the beach 😊
Awesome!
Thank you Rajiv! Great to know you stopped by …
Yeah.. I never see you on my reader, so I go to your site from time to time!