Tag: garden

New Back garden area

I am so amazed at how we, my hubby and I, have been able to get this new area as part of our garden again. It was the chicken run for so long and now we are going to take it back!! We erected a new wall and now in the sequence of photos you will see the taking down of the temporary (was up for at least 4 years) shade cloth.

[one_half]Shade cloth coming down![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Looking from back garden[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Another angle[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Reclaiming a big area[/one_half_last]

[one_half]The chickens will get a new run[/one_half]

[one_half_last]So much stuff going to the dump[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Hannes taking out poles[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Starting to look like something[/one_half_last]

The new area is now cleared and cleaned and ready to be merged with the back garden. We want to keep this area clean and zen-like. Can’t wait to relax in this area. We have kept 2 poles that we will use to span a grass roof for shade. This will be nice. Now to order the stones !! We still need to get the ground a bit more level first. Can’t wait to show you the new area.

Happy Gardening xxx

Tags DIY project, garden

Barbie's garden Bugs & Pests Gardening Home page features

Bugs galore

Not only is my garden overgrowing, the good, the bad and the ugly have also arrived! The bugs are having a party in the veggie patch and the rose bushes, but the army of ladybugs have taken control. I have left the aphids alone in the Artemesia – Powis Castle. I think it acts as a trap for them as they seem to do no harm to the bush. Within a week the ladybugs and the larvae have devoured them – the good and the ugly. This is the first time I have really seen the beneficial bugs taking over.

Have a look whats crawling in my garden …. the good ….

The ugly – Newborn larvae look sort of like tiny alligators. After only a few days, the larvae will be large enough to begin to molt (shed their skin), and they keep molting for as long as they are growing. You can find the molted skins on leaves if you look very hard. Here you can see the larvae and the pupa it came out of. They are voracious eaters, I believe. Looks like mommy ladybug has chosen the perfect bush – tons of aphids.

On the roses too.

The Aphids -they are the bad …..

What bugs are in your garden – friend or foe?

Happy Gardening xxxxxx

Tags aphids, Bugs & Pests, flowers, garden

Barbie's garden Christine's garden Gardening Home page features

End-Spring in Two Gardens for Garden Bloggers Bloom Day

Post author By Barbara
Post date November 16, 2012
11 Comments on End-Spring in Two Gardens for Garden Bloggers Bloom Day

It is not easy to say that our Spring in coming to an end. It has been a favourite time with tons of flowers and colours. It is the season we all know well for “Spring Cleaning” and we both know what that feels like. Busy keeping the growth under control and watching for the next surprise!

Here’s what’s blooming in Christine’s garden in November 2012

It’s not been as “florific” a Spring as I’d hoped for, mainly because I’ve been away and not had much time to spend planning and planting in the garden. Taking photos for this post has been a great exercise as I can see where I need to cut back and where I still have ‘colour gaps’ to fill. The star of my garden in November is Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides). It is in full flower and charmingly tumbling off walls, climbing up trees and creeping along the ground … and the scent is just amazing!

Here’s whats flowering in my garden right now …

[one_half]The Agapanthus have started to flower[/one_half]

[one_half_last]I’m loving all the Salvia – I have lots[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Last of the Lilies …[/one_half]

[one_half_last]and last flush of the Crabapple[/one_half_last]

[one_third]Cute daisies and Heliotropium[/one_third]

[one_third]Dietes bicolor in the same bed[/one_third]

[one_third_last]They are very pretty[/one_third_last]

[one_third]Lovely Gaura lindheimeri[/one_third]

[one_third]The gorgeous Fuchsia[/one_third]

[one_third_last]Time to Dream …[/one_third_last]

[one_third]The interesting flowers of …[/one_third]

[one_third]Acanthus mollis …[/one_third]

[one_third_last]aka Bear’s Breeches[/one_third_last]

[one_half]Pretty Chamomile blooms (thank you Barbie!)[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Dietes grandiflora are in bloom[/one_half]

[one_half_last]as is the cute Dietes bicolor[/one_half_last]

[one_half]The lovely Dahlias are huge[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Abutilon seems to flower all year[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Petunias: The big picture …[/one_half]

[one_half_last]and Up close and personal[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Star Jasmine climbing up a tree[/one_half]

[one_half_last]and Up close and personal[/one_half_last]

[one_half]My gorgeous fur-kid, Dexter[/one_half]

[one_half_last]The reddest flower in my garden[/one_half_last]

That’s it from Claremont in Cape Town, lets see whats happening in Barbie’s garden in Philly …

Here’s what’s blooming in Barbie’s garden in October 2012

So much is happening in my garden, I can’t keep up! I swear that my lawn grows 3cm every day! There are so many flowers I wanted to try in my garden this spring, that I have over done it! There are the roses that are at their best now, and the Irises that have given me a splendid show and the daisy-type flowers are all over the garden. The Salvias and the Babianas and the Calendula are all so colourful. Have a look and see what’s exploding in my garden …..

Angels Fishing Rods – Dierama

[one_half]Dietes in full bloom[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Roses are looking their best[/one_half_last]

[one_third][/one_third]

[one_third_last][/one_third_last]

[one_half]Daisy flowers-not sure of name[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Carnations still blooming[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Babianas are so pretty![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Orange Babiana too![/one_half_last]

[one_half]White Gaura – still a favourite[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Oh, more Babiana behind the daisy[/one_half_last]

These roses are so soft and delicate – I call them Auntie Henna Roses.

[one_half]Last remaining Meadow flowers[/one_half]

[one_half_last]And the corn flowers[/one_half_last]

[one_third][/one_third]

[one_third_last][/one_third_last]

[one_half]Chrysanthemum in the Veggie patch[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Calendula, Chamomile and Iris here[/one_half_last]

[one_half]California poppy re-seeded[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Tea Tree in bloom-so pretty![/one_half_last]

[one_half]Fuchsia in full bloom[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Hot Lips Salvia[/one_half_last]

[one_third][/one_third]

[one_third_last][/one_third_last]

About Garden Bloggers Bloom Day

Join Carol and friends over at May Dreams Gardens to see what other gardeners around the world have blooming in November! And if you haven’t joined yet and have some blooms you’d like to show off, please join in the fun of showcasing your blooms! We’d love to see what YOU have blooming in your garden right now!

Thank you for joining us!

PS: Please join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter – we’ll be so happy if you do!

Happy gardening xxx

Tags flowers, garden, garden bloggers bloom day, roses

Annuals Barbie's garden Bugs & Pests Gardening Home page features Perenniels

Bugs alive

I guess with the sunshine and the great goodies the garden has to offer, it is not surprizing that I will be seeing more and more critters taking advantage of the flowers! But, I have seen less bugs, so far, than last year. The ladybird beetle is back and she loves the celery and coriander bushes. Aphids are still my archrivals. They are in the roses, lemon tree, brassicas and now I see them in the Artemisia Powis Castle. This is unusual because I thought that bugs don’t like the Artemesia plants. Well, that is where the Ladybird beetle comes in – go fetch!!!

My Calendula is something new to my garden. I read about the great benefits of this wonder plant – Calendula is has been used throughout history in skin preparations. Calendula is beneficial for dry or damaged skin and also promotes the fast healing and regeneration of the skin because of its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Applying calendula topically is effective for decreasing inflammation and promoting the healing of wounds, burns, eczema and other inflammatory skin conditions. But the beetles swarm the flowers and the caterpillars are making a feast of it!

[one_half]Munch munch[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Little black beetles everywhere[/one_half_last]

I seem to think that the bugs like the YELLOW!! This is the first spring that I have so many ‘daisy-like’ flowers – this is Chrysanthemum.

My hero – the Ladybird beetle!! Go get em!!

Oops! sorry! I see you guys are busy!

A Dandelion in the meadow does not escape the jaws of these little critters!!

I am happy to see that my home-made bug spray is working wonders. I always start with a soapy solution for the Aphids, but this doesn’t seem to last long. I have to apply it frequently, so I tried a new solution. I take Tansy leaves and Artemesia Wormwood and make a tea of this. I have read in Margaret Roberts’ book of 1000 herbs that these two are excellent bug repellants. I fill a bucket half way with the leaves, pour boiling water until it covers the leaves. Leave to cool. Strain the tea and place in a spray bottle with a teaspoon on Sunlight liquid (dishwasher liquid).

I sprayed my Roses last thursday and the Aphids are still gone. However, the new shoots need treating, so I will give it another splash of Bug Spray! This is the only plant that I spray – the rest I leave for nature to enjoy. I have so much to be thankful for, I can let it slide for now!

Happy Gardening xxxx

Tags aphids, Bugs & Pests, flowers, garden, plants, roses

Barbie's garden Bloggers Harvest Day Gardening Home page features

Garden Bloggers Harvest Day in November

Post author By Barbara
Post date November 6, 2012
11 Comments on Garden Bloggers Harvest Day in November

Sorry to have missed posting yesterday, but I got carried away in my garden … Warm and sunny days are becoming the norm on our eleventh Garden Bloggers Harvest Day in Spring in the Southern Hemisphere. Two Gardens are going to make it a habit of spending time in the garden! With last month’s rain and the sun’s happy rays washing over the plants, all our plants are stretching heavenward.

Let’s see what can be harvested from Barbie’s Garden this month

Wow! So much growth is evident in my garden since my last post – it almost looks like it is not the same plants. The harvesting of delicious vegetables and herbs and salad greens is now a daily task. The potatoes are not quite ready for harvest, but you have to see the growth! Everything else has tripled in size! Let me show you what I can harvest so far ….

[one_half]Celery is now in all my dishes[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Swiss Chard – beautiful on the plate[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Oak leaf lettuce[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Curly Lettuce[/one_half_last]

[one_half]New assorted lettuce on the go[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Yeay! Strawberries![/one_half_last]

So much happening in this raised bed – Carrots, beetroot, Broccoli, baby lettuces, a strawberry plant and my new Apple tree in the middle. I can also see a stray Spearmint popping out – hmmmm. You can see Sweet Rocket in the background going to seed.

[one_half]Broccoli Sprouts[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Celery and Swiss Chard-great companions I see[/one_half_last]

[one_third]Broccoli[/one_third]

[one_third]Chives in flower[/one_third]

[one_third_last]Red Onions[/one_third_last]

[one_half]Loquats are ripe now[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Look at the potatoes![/one_half_last]

So much variety and so delicious. I can’t help nibble my way through the veggie patch. AND I still have not Tomatoes or Sweet Basil – this will be a treat in time to come!

Happy Harvesting xxxx

About Garden Bloggers Harvest Day

Please join us on the 5th of every month and show us what you’ve harvested. Whether you have a massive vegetable garden or grow a few herbs in pots or just pick a few peaches from a tree … we’d love to see! It’s all about sharing our experiences, photographs, successes and failures as we “learn to grow”.

So prepare a post on your blog about what you harvested this past month, link up to us at The Gardening Blog and then, add your link to the Mr. Linky below so we can all visit your blog and “share in your harvest”. And leave us a comment! We LOVE hearing from you!

Mister Linky’s Magical Widgets — Thumb-Linky widget will appear right here!
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For best results, use HTML mode to edit this section of the post.

Tags garden, garden bloggers harvest day, organic vegetables, plants, vegetables, veggie garden, veggies

Annuals Barbie's garden Gardening Home page features Perenniels

Last October Days

After the heat of yesterday and the windy morning, I finally ventured out into the garden to see what needed tending. Besides the blown-over trellis and the build-up of weed, I was amazed to see lots of new growth and happy flowers. I am amazed at how much a garden can really give you when you offer some love and care. I treasure the surprises and the jump-for-joy moments, like the new Louisiana Iris in the front garden, the first new Rose or the Broccoli sprout and the sweet carrots.

My first rose bud. It is so sweet and gloriously scented!

[one_half]Dianthus in full bloom next to the Tea Tree[/one_half]

[one_half_last]New rose bushes with Powis Castle[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Salvia Hot Lips in the rose patch[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Some rose buds, Fuchsia growing tall[/one_half_last]

[one_half]What a beautiful colour-Louisiana Iris[/one_half]

[one_half_last]A single perfect flower-just lovely![/one_half_last]

[one_third]Artemesia[/one_third]

[one_third]My Auntie Henna Rose[/one_third]

[one_third_last]Fuchsia lush and green[/one_third_last]

The Grass Feature is coming alive. The grasses are in their 3rd Season, so this is the year for them to shine!

[one_half]The grass feature is amazing[/one_half]

[one_half_last]All grasses are in full growth[/one_half_last]

[one_half]The riverbed still looking good[/one_half]

[one_half_last]This will be so nice in summer[/one_half_last]

Well, the front garden is in full display. The Leopard trees are about to bud and within a few weeks will be rich and green with new leaves. Now let’s see what the back garden is doing …..

The Carnations are still blooming – together with the Yarrow. Both are new to my garden and seem to be happy in the new bed.

[one_half]Chamomile- great tea[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Sage – Salvia[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Calendula – my first ever from seeds[/one_half]

[one_half_last]A favourite medicinal flower[/one_half_last]

My first Fennel plant with flowers – from this one I will collect the seeds.

[one_half]Babiana are so pretty[/one_half]

[one_half_last]My first carnations that didn’t die on me[/one_half_last]

[one_third]Sweetpea up the ladder[/one_third]

[one_third]The new bed[/one_third]

[one_third_last]Buffy hiding from me[/one_third_last]

[one_half]My new apple trees in bloom[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Quinces are now starting[/one_half_last]

[one_half]New strawberries – I love spring![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Blueberry bush also producing[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Watering hole next to the Tansy[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Another watering hole[/one_half_last]

[one_half]My first Lily-behind the pineapple sage[/one_half]

[one_half_last]A dove in her new nest in the potato bush[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Blue Cornflowers in the meadow[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Don’t know what this is-but pretty[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Another unknown flower in the meadow[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Another non-name flower[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Wild growing Nasturtiums[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Meadow flowers coming to an end[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Best Lemons ever![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Loquats are nearly ripe![/one_half_last]

I have so many more photos,but I think I will post them on another day. There is so much happening in my garden right now and I haven’t even touched on the veggie patch.

Til next post – Happy Gardening xxxxxx

Tags dove, flowers, garden, gardening, grass feature, grasses, lemon tree, plants, roses, spring

Annuals Barbie's garden Gardening Home page features Perenniels

Wet October day

Well, the sun is hiding behind dark, ominous clouds and the rain is coming down. I know my garden loves it and after a few warm days, I am quite happy sitting indoors. Just survived a bout of nasty flu and a quiet weekend inside with a great book sounds like a good idea. I did, however, take a quick walk around to see what needed my attention, but my plants all waved me inside. They are all happy. The Gardener can rest! xxx

[one_half]My Potato Sacks are looking great[/one_half]

[one_half_last]The raised veggie bed looking full[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Beautiful apple blossoms-how lovely![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Rose patch is filling out nicely[/one_half_last]

[one_half]The rain is being enjoyed by all[/one_half]

[one_half_last]The potato bush is heavy with blooms[/one_half_last]

The sage has re-grown from the old plant in the veggie bed. I am enjoying the flowers. The Chrysanthemums are also thriving.

[one_half]Beautiful sage[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Buds closed on this cold day[/one_half_last]

[one_half]The Grass patch is looking amazing[/one_half]

[one_half_last]All grasses are in growth-mode[/one_half_last]

[one_third][/one_third]

[one_third_last][/one_third_last]

Well, I thought I could pack away my fuzzy blankets – 🙂 The cold is still creeping in this October month. Well, I’m gonna wrap up warm now and will see you all in the week.

Happy Gardening xxxx

Tags flowers, garden, gardening, grass feature, grasses, organic garden, plants, vegetables

Barbie's garden Gardening Home page features Perenniels

Spring Splendour

Never have I been so enamored with a flower as I have with my Louisiana Irises. I think that the first specimen has been so magnificent that I have placed this flower on top of my Most Have To Have list. It is so tall and is so perfect that any other Iris will have to bend in its shadow. I wake up in the morning and open my back door and there she is!

[one_half]These are so tall!![/one_half]

[one_half_last]and so perfect![/one_half_last]

I have another 4 patches where I have buried the Iris rhizomes and they are all looking close to blooming.

[one_half]These are in the Blueberry patch[/one_half]

[one_half_last]All the flowers here are purple/blue[/one_half_last]

[one_third][/one_third]

[one_third_last][/one_third_last]

The first 2 photos are the Irises in the front garden rose patch. I am not certain what the colours are, so this will be a surprise!

Thanks again, my friend, for this special, special gift!

Happy gardening xxxxx

Tags flowers, garden, iris, louisiana irises

Barbie's garden Gardening Home page features Perenniels

Front garden cleanup

It has been an eventful week in my garden – with my first Louisiana Iris bloom and with the warm sunny days we have had all week, the energy is there to get the garden looking spiffy! Out came the lawnmower and the big job to cut the knee-high grass! Oh boy! What a job.

[one_half]This took ages to cut! Whew![/one_half]

[one_half_last]But it was worth it-looks great[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Rose bushes with their new leaves[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Healthy growth[/one_half_last]

[one_third][/one_third]

[one_third_last][/one_third_last]

As the sun sets on a productive day, I look out over my front garden and am happy! I will be able to see the new expanding plants, grasses, trees, flowers and veggies.

Now I need to plant all my seeds … my job is far from over, but I am smiling!

Happy Gardening xxx

Tags garden, lawn, spring

Barbie's garden Gardening Home page features

What beauties

I am jumping with glee!! It is so amazing to see my Irises going from buds to blooms. I was like a child waiting for Christmas to arrive!! And it was so worth it! They are magnificent. I was never a real flower garden person, but to have these extraordinary flowers all over my organic vegetable garden has been a great delight!! I will say no more! Just look at the photos! They will show you the anticipation I felt!

[one_half][/one_half]

[one_half_last][/one_half_last]

They stand so tall, almost shoulder height. Is this normal?

They are the Springtime Winners for me! Even my hubby is taken with them. Yup – he has taken his camera out….. yes, the Iris will be photographed again …. and again…..

Happy Gardening xxxx

Tags bulbs, dutch irises, flowers, garden, irises