Up until now the garden hasn’t exactly brought me a lot of joy this season, more a sense of overwhelming, never ending impossibilities. It has been a huge struggle to negotiate the storms and troubles, and shout down the thoughts of running behind. Finally I have reached a place in the garden where I feel in control and things are where they should be, and most of the weeds are also where they should be – in the compost, and things are growing. I can finally relax. I have reached that magical moment where all that is required from the garden is some gentle pottering. A reward from the efforts of the spring and a respite before the onslaught of the harvest in the heat of the summer days.
On my desk in my office in the garden I have some things to encourage me. The sign says ‘Sometimes your only available transportation is a leap of Faith, Margaret Shepard’. The plant is a Fittonia – a nerve plant to remind me to be brave and have courage and the fluffy buddy is the real Gardening Kiwi! Hopefully we will see more of her next year in the garden.
Each morning when I go into the garden to look about and check on things I no longer see what needs to be done, I notice new growth, new colours and things that make my heart burst with joy. I have made it. In spite of the enormous journey this season, there is a garden to be thankful for.
Here is a selection of some of the things I see each day. I hope they bring you joy too. If you click on the images you can find out more about them.
I love this gladioli. It seems to glow with a vibrancy that can be seen all across the garden as their spikes proudly stand tall. I really do hope we have seen the last of the wind as I would hate to seem them bent and bashed about, lying on the ground with their dignity in tatters.
I’m loving watching the onions swell – it seems to happen before your very eyes – one moment they just look like fat leeks and the next the base balloons out. These Hunter River White onions are almost ready for harvest – the tops have begun to flop over.
You can’t miss the pop of yellow calling out to you across the garden. Zucchini are such show offs – from their bright flowers to their ability to become marrows overnight as they call to you ‘look at me, look at me!’
The sight of lush and healthy corn is such a blessing. I have an optimistic plan to grow 4 varieties this season – separated by time – about 3 – 4 weeks apart so they don’t cross pollinate. But priority is for the sweetcorn, that I freeze and it lasts all year. I am hoping for a long hot summer so I can fulfill my plan.
Their leaves may be pock scarred from the hail we had, but the red onions glow and sparkle in the morning sun. To be honest this image really doesn’t do it justice. I almost don’t want to harvest them!
The label on the seed packet calls this Kimchi cabbage. I’m guessing it isn’t authentic but I’m willing to give it a go – last time I made kimchi it was actually really nice, although I didn’t realise it at the time because I’d never had kimchi before, it just seemed like a fun thing to do!
To finally have an abundant harvest of peas is really great. I had a few attempts to get some growing this season. The storms were not kind to my peas. I had to abandon my favourite tall peas and try some new varieties and these peas seem to fit the bill nicely.
This is for a secret project I have been working on. There will be more about this later. But isn’t this a beautiful sight?!
It is nice to feel like this again. I really do love my garden, but like a petulant child, sometimes we have our differences.
Come again soon – this really does feel like the beginning of something amazing.
My garden is also looking fabulous at the moment, but I have to go away for a week and I’m worried what’s going to happen to it while I’m gone. Unfortunately there is no rain forecast and I don’t have anyone I can call on to water it for me. Do you have any tips on preparing a garden for an absence? I think this year is the best my garden’s ever been, and I don’t want to come back to a heap of wilted nothings 🙁
That is so frustrating. I went away about a month ago and didn’t expect it wouldn’t rain so I didn’t ask anyone to water the garden and almost lost my strawberries. I would suggest a really good watering before you go. You can also get water timers at an affordable price and set up a dripper hose around the garden and cover your wet garden with a thick layer of mulch. This can help. I hope your garden survives in your absence. : o)
Thanks Sarah. I have also seen a hack online that uses plastic lemonade bottles buried in the soil, with the bottom cut off, and filled with water. The idea is that the water only drains out at the rate the soil needs it, but I have no idea if it works or not!
Thanks Julie. I really need to sit back and appreciate what I have done and what others would see. It is very easy to see the garden as a list of chores still to be done. : o)
Ah, a gladioli just a bit more than a week from winter. I won’t be seeing one of those for a while. It is such a pretty color too. You know, seeing other people’s flowers is a different kind of joy, because they are the sorts of colors that I would not grow.
Love the water lily – I’m looking forward to seeing the end result!
The waterlily was such an indulgent luxury, but I’m so glad I decided to get it! : o)
Mine in SE Qld. so barren and arid by comparison.
I am so sorry to hear this. I have heard it is hard work gardening in your area. I hope you get the right amount of rain some time soon. : o) xxx
My garden is also looking fabulous at the moment, but I have to go away for a week and I’m worried what’s going to happen to it while I’m gone. Unfortunately there is no rain forecast and I don’t have anyone I can call on to water it for me. Do you have any tips on preparing a garden for an absence? I think this year is the best my garden’s ever been, and I don’t want to come back to a heap of wilted nothings 🙁
That is so frustrating. I went away about a month ago and didn’t expect it wouldn’t rain so I didn’t ask anyone to water the garden and almost lost my strawberries. I would suggest a really good watering before you go. You can also get water timers at an affordable price and set up a dripper hose around the garden and cover your wet garden with a thick layer of mulch. This can help. I hope your garden survives in your absence. : o)
Thanks Sarah. I have also seen a hack online that uses plastic lemonade bottles buried in the soil, with the bottom cut off, and filled with water. The idea is that the water only drains out at the rate the soil needs it, but I have no idea if it works or not!
This should work if you aren’t gone for long. I would maybe give it a go before you go – to see how well it works. : o)
I have serious onion envy! Your garden looks great …
Thanks Julie. I really need to sit back and appreciate what I have done and what others would see. It is very easy to see the garden as a list of chores still to be done. : o)
Ah, a gladioli just a bit more than a week from winter. I won’t be seeing one of those for a while. It is such a pretty color too. You know, seeing other people’s flowers is a different kind of joy, because they are the sorts of colors that I would not grow.
I am liking the deep purples and all the contrasting and complimentary colours right now. It makes the garden pop with colour. : o)