I haven’t done a post in such a long time .. does it matter? Well not really I guess.
The question is, are you good people still out there waiting for more news from Frog Pond Farm?
Autumn has abruptly become winter .. it’s funny how one season disappears into another. Swallowed up. Nature is good at doing that isn’t it?
I planted my garlic a few weeks back. I know, I know I said I wouldn’t plant it this year especially after rust devastated my crop last year .. in fact, it still makes my eyes moist thinking about it. Anyway, truth is, I couldn’t help myself, I’m a gardener and I love home grown garlic. So yours truly prepped a bed with loads of organic matter, composted horse poo and seaweed pellets then lovingly poked about 50 Kakanui and Southern softneck garlic (two heirloom varieties) into the dirt. Green shafts have shoved aside the soil already and are skyward bound. Perfect, so far so good.
We have fennel, lettuces and beetroot that are ready to eat. I have an array of herbs that are doing famously including coriander which is notorious at bolting. There is basil that is basically dead, sage which absolutely isn’t, brassicas sharing their space with pesky nasturtium and a lupin cover crop that is slowly but surely growing.
You won’t be surprised to hear that the fruit tree pruning at Frog Pond hasn’t been completed. I still haven’t touched the casimiroa or fig trees, there are feijoas in dire need of a haircut as they have been planted way to close to a lemon tree and are smothering it (I wonder who did that Andrew B?), and a couple of peach trees that have been missed completely. Oh dear they are so unruly.
I need some sunny days with a light breeze and I’ll be out with my sterilised secateurs, I shall be wearing my gloves and a smile .. pruning is a favourite pastime.
Sorry I’m devoid of garden shots, but I have loads of our local beach – funny about that!
Happy gardening
Love the shot of the valley!
Thanks Helen! 🙂
Hi Julie.
Well will I be able to use the said garlic! Never mind Faro do a very good line in garlic! Anyway photos up to usual standard in fact very good. The feigous might also be down to me as I used to water them many years ago with a very long hose from the house. It’s only about three weeks before you arrive. The weather at the moment is very hot. Hope it stays that way for your visit. Looking forward to seeing you. Lots of love to you both. Bill.
Ah Mr Bonner … still surprised that I planted the garlic, I just couldn’t help myself. Rest assured, you won’t be allowed to use any! LOL Not long to go and we will be enjoying some warmer weather (yay) … Looking forward to annoying you! 😀
By the way I’ve been pruning the brambles and saving the cuttings for your bed!
Wonderful post . . . and long overdue! 🙂 Looks like you are settling into the start of winter. Your pictures capture the season and mood perfectly. I have been in the city to welcome my new Granddaughter Scarlett. She was born yesterday and is absolutely perfect! Always enjoy reading your posts! Take care. Bob PS While pruning your trees I would recommend wearing more than just gloves and a smile . . . it is winter after all!
Oh how exciting … a granddaughter! Love the name too .. I bet she is beautiful! Laughed when I read about gloves and a smile … it sort of does read like that doesn’t it 😉
I just LOVE where you live! Your world is so full of rich earth, lusty vibrant green and misty hues of gray…not to mention that BEACH!!! Your winter’s are our springs. I could handle living there!
Thanks so much Linda! I reckon I could handle you living here too! Don’t know if Boomer would like it much. Hugs
Beautiful photos as usual Jules, keep up the good work, love hearing all about your patch of paradise xx
Hey Sue … so nice to hear from you. Glad you enjoyed the pics. Sun is shining today .. does resemble paradise me thinks 😀
Such a beautiful area, even in winter. Already I want to go back to New Zealand. I have to visit this region. Glad to hear you’re keeping busy, Julie.
Hey Mr Draco … today the sun is shining bright and everything looks amazing. Busting to get outdoors … You must head up to the north island next visit 🙂 Always busy. Heading off on holiday soon though. And I can’t wait!
The misty shots are great. We are getting heaps of fog this year which is nice, of course I haven’t been out to photograph it at all, but still nice to see. Good luck with your garlic.
Hey Leanne … so nice to see you at Frog Pond. We have had loads of mist too .. I love the way it shrouds the land and the animals. Magic! I have my fingers crossed with the garlic too. I must be bonkers planting it again after last years crop 😀
Missed your posts Ms Frog Pond!🐸 Love hearing about your days on your beautiful whenua and always enjoy your gorgeous photo’s!
Hey Lizzie … thank you. Glad to know I was missed 😀 Promise the next post won’t take so long …
Wow! Wow! Wow! Julie. I am so impressed. You have posted a spectacular and fantastic set of photos. They are simply wonderful with superb compositions, perfect lighting and engaging content. Your photographic sensibility is phenomenal.
Mr Price .. oh what at lovely comment and thank you so much. I’m nearly stuck for words my friend. You have made my day 😀
We all did notice your absence from bloglandia. Have you been busy on the grape harvest Julie? Lovely photos as usual – my fave this time is that misty horse shot, juts like a painting. Fingers crossed about this year’s garlic. Mine is also shooting up- might have time to shove a few more cloves in. Happy gardening Miss.
Hello Francesca .. I’ve been bad haven’t I? Been too busy doing work stuff. Nearly time to stop and smell the roses. Just wish there was some in the garden LOL I really love that horse shot too – so does hubby. I have fingers and toes crossed for the garlic .. although I really think I’m nuts planting it again this year. Aren’t they wonderful when they shove the dirt aside? Coming over at Christmas .. will you be about? Happy gardening right back at you
Yes Julie, I will be about, recovering ( and gardening) after a 5 month trip. We are heading off in a few weeks. Mostly France and Italy. Let”s catch up then. xx
Happy to see another post from you – always enjoy your pictures and your commentary.
Thank you so much Joyce .. lovely to hear from you 😃
Great shots, Julie, and wonderful to see the lovely gardener back again! 😃
Hey Iris ..oh thank you! Hugs
Ah, I could never be a farmer but I’d love to have had a kitchen garden. Living in an apartment however means that I can only try to keep a few pots. You are lucky! (Ok I know it’s not a walk in the park to maintain all this). 🙂
Nothing wrong with potted plants 😃 I’m sure you could easily be a farmer! Trust me I used to be an account manager in advertising ..you can do anything! Couldn’t wait to sit ditch those heals .. thanks so much for stopping by!
I too quit practice to join another field and now am trying to enter into online writing as a career. It’s just that I have the un-greenest thumb you could think of! 😀
The valley shot is just magical, and the one following is almost as enchanting. How beautiful!
I love both those shots .. it was that sort of magical day! Thank you 😃
You do have a lot to maintain, hope you have some nice weather to get it done. Enjoy your holiday! You have truly captured the essence of the season.
Hey Miss .. yes we are going on holiday very soon, I can’t wait! Today is a beauty, I’ve been out in the garden weeding . Yay!
Have to make the most of nice days!
Im the same Julie no blogging for awhile but always find the time to stop by an admire your lifestyle and garden. Spring will be here before we know it. I do love the stillness of winter but not the cold so much. Loving all the photo’s as always you have such a keen eye for a beautiful composition.
Kath
What a stunning post, Julie. Always interesting news and the images are amazing. I have a favorite. The misty shot with horse and tree is so cool. Beautiful composition. Such a quite image. I like winter. We have a pretty dull summer over here. Green, green, green and rain, rain, rain… I am always fascinated of the area you live in. Smiles and Happy Days! Reinhold
Hey Reinhold .. I love your visit. Thank you so much! And yes that is my fav shot too .. Hope your weather improves .. smiles and happy days right back at you 😃
I ever like and wait the news of frog pond farm 🙂 It’s a so nice place, it’s a pleasure to see 🙂
Thank you .. always lovely to see you at Frog Pond Farm 😃
Wonderfully atmospheric shots. Good to catch up with what’s happening at Frog Pond Farm and very happy to see photos of the beach 🙂
Thanks Anne.. winter mornings are magic. Especially when it is misty .. Beautiful day. Perfect for a beach walk 😃
Always pleased to read your latest blog. 🙂
Thank you so much .. always great to see you here 😀
Dear Julie, of course I wish to see/to hear you more 🙂 I miss to read you, to hear the news from your lovely farm. The photographs are so beautiful, and seem that winter is going well… I love to plant something and to wait for their growing… should be amazing. But still I should learn more about gardening. Thank you dear Julie, t was great time for me to be here, have a nice day and weekend, Love, nia
Hello lovely Nia .. how nice to hear from you. And thank you for your kind words. Always wonderful to see you at Frog Pond Farm .. have a lovely weekend 😃
now these looks amazing 🙂
Cheers Joshi thank you 😃
So beautiful where you are 😊
I think so too Nomzi 😃
We are still here and waiting for news from Frog Pond Farm! Beautiful photos, Julie. It still looks lush and green, even in winter.
It sure is lush and green .. glad you are still there waiting lovely! Thanks Lavinia ..😃
Ah.. your photos are stunning and I too love your subjects and compositions..and always enjoy seeing/hearing what you’re up to at FPF 😀😀
Hey Robyn thanks Miss! How are you enjoying your blog free time? I miss you!
Always a pleasure Jules 😀
Truthfully, Ive got itchy fingers. I miss blogging, as Ive blogged for over 10 years…lol
Time out is good though. I’m needed off screen for a while and its good to stand back for a bit 😀❤🦄
Gorgeous misty landscapes as I sit here in the unbearable summer heat! And beautiful seascapes 🙂
Thanks Andrea … I wouldn’t mind some of the summer heat! LOL .. Never happy are we 🙂
Hello my dear, how absolutely lovely to see what’s going on down there. Your misty photos are fabulous, especially the horses. It’s good to see a seagull eating what looks like something it should eat, over here they just raid bins and there are almost as many in towns as at the sea 🙁
It’s good to see you back again and thanks for all your lovely visits to me, I do appreciate it even though I rarely get time to respond. Have a great week Julie 🙂
Hello lovely Gilly … so nice to hear from you. I too love the pic of the horses. And as for that gull, he was loving the dead fish! Much more his kind of tucker. Thanks so much for your lovely comment, it’s good to be back. Have a wonderful week Miss!
Stunning, stunning!!! I was just thinking about you the other day, how our seasons are opposite each other’s. Some fabulous photography here Julie and while I struggled to understand (and often, to pronounce!) some of what you’ve described here for us, I enjoyed your post nonetheless! 🙂
Ah shucks, thanks Julie! So good to see you here .. and very pleased to know that you enjoyed my post! Yay!
beautiful shots Julie!
Cybele .. thank you. That means a great deal! 🙂
you are most deservedly welcome!! 🙂
Love the shots..
Thank you! 🙂
Love the pics – for some reason I wasn’t shown as a follower – so have now fixed that!!!! 🙂
Brenda .. now you have made my day! So pleased to know that you are following .. and commenting! Great to know we can and will stay in touch. Hugs
Hi Julie, I really missed your posts. What stunning misty shots and I love the beach photos! 🙂
Hello Josephine … always great to hear from you! So pleased you enjoyed the misty shots .. oh and the beach too of course 😉
The mist has made for some great atmospheric shots – particularly like the one with the horse 🍀
Hey MM .. that’s my fav too. We were dashing off to the beach and heading down our driveway. Couldn’t resist the shot!
Julie, the ambience of your photos is intoxicating, so soft and so lovely. How I enjoyed scrolling through each image giving me glimpses of a world so far away from me. Exceptional shots, dear friend, and all the very best with your garlic. I honestly don’t know how you keep up with all you have because I know the gardens that I do have keep me ever busy. Happy weekend! 🌼💞
Hi Amy .. thank you so much! Your comments are always so appreciated 😀 I have my fingers firmly crossed and check that garlic regularly! Love my garden … hope you had a wonderful weekend!
Wow. Nice… You have indeed been missing
Hey Rajiv … thank you! 🙂
So strange to think of you in winter now, when it seems we were there just the other day.
Hey Steve .. I know, it really doesn’t seem that long ago that you were here 🙂 Always nice to see you at Frog Pond Farm
Since our visit we’ve told people what a great place you have there.
I really thought I had commented on this post but only see a “like”. And while a “like” is nice, it doesn’t really express anything much more than…, well…, niceness. An overall likability. And the photos of your farm and the countryside go way beyond nice. That fog rolling in- or burning off, the horses milling around, all are just magical! Beautiful.
Hey Emilio .. thank you so much! A great comment. I’m so pleased you enjoyed the images 😀
One look at your pics and I’m ready to move to NZ and do some organic gardening:). Nicely done!
Ha ha wonderful! NZ sure is a great place! Thumbs up on organic gardening 😃 Thank you
The valley in the mist seems amazing, I loved your photographs, dear Julie. Thank you, have a nice new month, Love, nia
Wonderful post . . . Always enjoy reading your posts!
Thank you! 😃
Hey Nia .. as always thank you! Enjoy your month too lovely
Beautiful mornings!! I love the mist
Wonderful post . . .Love the shot of the valley!
Thank you so much .. the valley shot is a fav of mine too 😄
And to think that you’ve escaped winter and are roasting in beautiful Najac right now! Love your pictures as always and can’t wait to see your holiday pics which you’ll hopefully share with us. Keep cool and until tomorrow xx
Hey Annette it was divine escaping our winter and Najac was hot and lovely! Way behind with my next post … I might surprise us both yet. Take care 😀
looking forward to that…the surprise that is 😉 x love to you both
I know it couldn’t be done but something about fogs that makes me want to wrap myself with it. 😀 Always beautiful and easy on the eyes pictures.
I’m with you! There is something about fog … We were driving to the beach only yesterday and the valley had a layer of fog and the sun was streaming – it was one of those classic shots, except that I had left my camera at home! Typical. 🙂 Great to see you here!
we always love visiting Frog Pond whenever we have a chance! And Jack Henry has his eye on that pony! 😉 So does Hubble!
Hey Meg … nice to know that you stopped by 😀 Give those dogs a big pat form me!
Beautiful photos. Garden tasks are never completed.
Such beautiful photos!! Love them!! 💕
That beach! If we ever make it to NZ can we come visit? I too will take a stab at garlic after a sad year of rust- I’ve already pre-ordered new seed for Oct planting. w
You would have to come and visit! I would live that 😃 My garlic this year so far is looking good, ok great! Lol
Your winter is heavenly . . . ahh, New Zealand you are lovely.
How wonderful to hear from you .. has been ages. Yes I agree, NZ is so lovely 😊
What a beautiful part of the world you live in!
Hi … I think so too! 😀