Tag: garden

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Annuals Barbie's garden Gardening Home page features Perenniels

Another rainy day

Oh well, the spring sun was covered with clouds today and the rain came tumbling down – again. But Spring is all about the warmth and the rain – the flowers and the showers, right? So here is my garden today – wet and warm. The Spring feeling is in the air and the blues have melted and the spirits are high. I’ve been in the garden all day yesterday – pulling, clearing, weeding, cutting……..

I wonder what colour this Iris will be??

[one_half]I have groups of Irises all over the garden[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Going to be a glorious Spring!![/one_half_last]

[one_half]Sparaxis in bloom[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Festuca Glauca a strong favourite[/one_half_last]

[one_half]The Blue Bed – all the flowers blue or purple![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Azaleas loving the rain![/one_half_last]

[one_half]More Sparaxis, heavy with rain[/one_half]

[one_half_last]My Raspberry Lavender, lovely colour[/one_half_last]

A single Freeshia – what a delight!

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[one_half]Veggie patch all wet – again![/one_half]

[one_half_last]View from the front porch[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Newly cut grasses – waiting for the spring growth[/one_half]

[one_half_last]View from the back porch[/one_half_last]

[one_third]Front lawn needs mowing[/one_third]

[one_third]Rose bed clipped[/one_third]

[one_third_last]Erigeron creeping furiously[/one_third_last]

[one_half]Getting my seeds planted, while weather poor[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Took Thyme clippings – growing very well[/one_half_last]

I am quite surprised how much I managed to get done this weekend, despite the rainy weather! My garden is budding and growing in leaps and bounds. The rain is always welcome in my neck of the woods – only not days of it!

I hope my next post is on my Irises blooming!! 🙂

Happy gardening xxxxxx

 

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Annuals Barbie's garden Gardening Home page features Perenniels

Something stirring in my garden

I have not been getting the “spring is a coming” feeling! I have been so preoccupied with work and family birthdays and just feeling cold these past weeks in August that my poor garden has been so neglected. I have to admit that the “feeling has not been there”. I gave my favourite hobby a break. But the blooms are happily awaiting spring, regardless of the absent gardener. I have seen new colour and flowers and new shoots and buds today…… something is stirring in my garden…. wow, look!!!

[one_half]Azaleas are taking[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Love the flowers[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Lavender is blooming-Yipee![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Purple and raspberry colour[/one_half_last]

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[one_half]Broad bean flowers in my veggie patch[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Borage blossom buds[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Lobelia, lavender, dietes & borage[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Gerbera still blooming[/one_half_last]

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[one_half]Blueberry bush starting to bloom[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Meadow still a good show[/one_half_last]

[one_third]Mint bush[/one_third]

[one_third]Lemon tree in the meadow[/one_third]

[one_third_last]Veggie patch looking bushy[/one_third_last]

I am so excited to see that the garden is about to explode with colour!!! Bring on Spring!!! I’m definitely going in the garden this weekend!

Happy Gardening xxxxx

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Annuals Barbie's garden Gardening Home page features Miscellaneous Recipes

Garden on a plate

Wow – that was some storm we experienced over the weekend. I was so worried that the hail storm was going to ruin my veggie patch and when it rained cats and dogs, it was going to wash everything away! Glad to report that there are only small pools of water and the garden has survived. So much so, that I could pick an amazing lunch salad from the greens all around my garden. Take a look at the colourful plate of goodies – even edible flowers.

This collection of greens makes for the most delicious salad. I have experimented with edible flowers and include the peppery nasturtium flowers and the cucumber tasting borage flower. I have also added chamomile fronds and these are so delicate and have their own unique flavour. This is why I garden – to create beautiful plates of food. All it needed was a drizzle of olive oil and a squeeze of lemon (from my lemon tree!) – nothing more! The flavours speak for themself.

The beautiful borage flower is also packed with healthy goodness.  This is called the happy plant, historically known to bring comfort and joy! It is said to be mildly antidepressant. It has anti-inflammatory properties and used by the pharmaceutical industry for its oil (this contains gamma-linolenic acid). Borage is used for its leaves, flowers and seeds. What a marvelous plant – also used in the garden as a green fertilizer! Multi-tasking at its finest!

Did you know that Nasturtiums is known as “Mother Nature’s Antibiotic” because it is packed with Vitamin C? It is great in assisting fighting colds and flus by assisting the immune system. The leaves, flowers and seeds are all edible! It has a fresh peppery flavour so a big must in any salad! And the colours are eye catching, brings a simple salad to Master Chef level!!

The salad greens are a variety of seedlings I bought – oak leaf, curly red, cos and butter lettuce. The rest were sown from seed, such as the english spinach, broad been shoots, fennel  shoots, tender celery tips and new swiss chard leaves.

My first ever attempt at growing Baby Chinese Greens – tatsoi (a spinach mustard), Mizuna (a lettuce), Arugula (we know it as rocket) and Bok Choy (also known as Pak Choi – a chinese cabbage). What you see here (above) in Bok Choy. It is the tender new growths that I use. I am busy thinning, so it is a great way to use these in salads.

This is, for me, the the joy of gardening! My edible garden! What makes you happy about your garden??

Enjoy xxxx

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Annuals Barbie's garden Bloggers Harvest Day Gardening Home page features

Garden Bloggers Harvest Day in August

There is snow in them thar hills!! The evenings are still bitterly cold as we kick off on our eighth Garden Bloggers Harvest Day this 5th day of August 2012 in the southern hemisphere, and the gardeners of Two Gardens are weary of the wet and cold. We are preparing for the sunshine and the warmer days. The hint of spring is here, but we are still wrapped in winter woollies! The seed banks are full and a few nursery visits have us keen and ready for action! Roll on spring!

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

Joy of joys! I’m harvesting my salad vegetables daily and even a few edible flowers. The rain has been plentiful and we have had a few lovely warm days. The evenings are cold, but we eagerly await the spring warmth. The soil is not quite warm enough for spring sowing, so my seed bank is full and I will be planting my assortment of potatoes this month. Let me show you what I can harvest so far ….

In the raised beds …

[one_half]Bok Choi[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Rocket or Arugula[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Mizuah[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Tat soi[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Carrots, beetroot, potato, mint & strawberries[/one_half]

[one_half_last]A raised bed waiting for potato planting[/one_half_last]

In the veggie patch …

[one_half]English spinach[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Broad beans not ready yet[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Lettuce varieties[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Swiss chard – yellow and red stems[/one_half_last]

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I have a few rogue potatoes growing from last season that were left in the ground, so they can stay. I am experimenting this year on 3 – 5 varieties of potatoes, from Nicola to Valour! Some are organic potatoes (left to sprout) from the grocery store and others are from heirloom seed suppliers. I will have to do a special post on this result. But you will have to wait for summer!

Well, I know this is not a great harvest post, but I am eating from my garden and this is aways a great thrill for me!

That’s all for this month – What’s growing in your Veggie Patch this month?

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!

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Barbie's garden Gardening Home page features Miscellaneous Perenniels Reviews

Biodiversity showcase garden

Cape Town is internationally known as a biodiversity hotspot with many species occurring nowhere else in the world. The Biodiversity Garden in Green Point, Cape Town was built around the World Cup Stadium in time for the Soccer World Cup (2010). I took my sister (the one visiting from Australia) to this Showcase Garden last week where we learnt about all the elements making up biodiversity through a series of themed gardens. Instead of learning by being bombarded with wordy information boards,  the design of these gardens incorporates appropriate planting schemes and visual displays that highlight the different elements of biodiversity through a combination of interpretive signage and public art which has been provided by local artists.

Enjoy with us as we took the various “trails” through the garden.

[one_half]The most amazing wire works[/one_half]

[one_half_last]The art was all over the gardens[/one_half_last]

[one_half]The indigenous grasses were spectacular[/one_half]

[one_half_last]The city lies behind this tranquil place[/one_half_last]

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[one_half]The world cup stadium in the background[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Play park for the older children[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Best mind the signs![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Bushman element also portrayed[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Trails lead you to endless vegetation[/one_half]

[one_half_last]My favourite Chasmanthe is a sunbird magnet[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Can you see the dragonflies?[/one_half]

[one_half_last]The threat to biodiversity through art[/one_half_last]

The Biodiversity Showcase Garden in the Park is at once educational and entertaining. The Garden will showcase a variety of indigenous plants that display the region’s unique biodiversity, as well as demonstrate environmentally responsible gardening and horticultural techniques.

To learn more about this splendid Biodiversity Garden – click here, and if you need a place to stay when in the Cape visit Cape-Venues Accommodation in Cape Town.

The entrance is free, and in summer the garden is open from 7am to 7pm.

Hope this inspiring garden gets your garden gloves out and your gum boots on! Happy Gardening xxxx

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Barbie's garden Gardening Home page features Miscellaneous

Wander about the neighbourhood

The weather was so beautiful on Monday that my hubby and I took a meander about the neighbourhood. We live in a quaint village that is surrounded by wheat, canola, cows, sheep and even pigs! I love this time of year, when the fields are green and the canola is bright yellow – hey, wait! It’s not spring yet! The canola is early! Oh well, looks like the patterns are changing and we will be seeing more of this as the seasons come and go. There was snow on the nearby mountain range, but not close enough for me to show you a spectacular photo. But here are the pics I did take!

Love the pigs xx

What’s happening in your neighbourhood?

Happy Gardening xxx

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Annuals Barbie's garden Gardening Home page features Miscellaneous

Edible flowers in my garden

I came across an article on edible flowers some time ago and while I was thinking of something to blog about, I remembered this and I was quite surprised that I have quite a few of them that grow in my garden (some from Spring to Summer). Of the 35 or so flowers mentioned, I have 21 of them!! These blossoms are used in teas or salads. The borage flower has a light cucumber flavour, the chamomile has a honey flavour and it great as a tea, The marigold is spicy and bitter,  and the lemon blossom is good for making citrus water. The jasmine has a delicate sweet flavour and the lemon verbena is perfect for a lemony tea. If you want something spicy or peppery, use Nasturtiums or carnations.

Personally, I would make teas out of the sweet blossoms, like Verbena, Borage, Jasmine and Chamomile and know that they are health giving and delicious to drink. The others I can add to any plate or table for decoration – whether I will actually eat them is another thing!

[one_half]Lemon (Citrus) blossom[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Chamomile[/one_half_last]

[one_third]Fuchsia[/one_third]

[one_third]Mint[/one_third]

[one_third_last]Rosemary[/one_third_last]

[one_half]Thyme[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Lavender[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Pansy[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Lemon Verbena[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Coriander[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Squash flower[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Borage[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Chive[/one_half_last]

The corn flower

[one_half]Sweet Basil[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Dandelion[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Sunflower[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Viola[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Carnation[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Marigolds[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Nasturtiums[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Jasmine[/one_half_last]

Well, not all beautiful flowers are edible – some are actually poisonous!!  Can you believe that the Azalea, Clematis, Daffodil, Deadly Nightshade (Belladonna), Delphinium, Nandina, Iris, Lobelia, Potato flower, Sweta Pea, Yesterday-Today-Tomorrow are ALL in the POISONOUS CATEGORY?

Well, be careful and Happy Gardening xxxxx

 

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Annuals Barbie's garden Gardening Home page features Miscellaneous

Gardening in July

These wet and rainy winter days are enjoyed by some and not by others. I, on the one hand, like the cool and the wet because our summers are intense and the hard clay ground is unworkable. The winter ground is soft and yielding and I can now spend time digging beds and preparing them for the new season, plan the design of new paths, and any new constructions can be actioned! I have been hoping the walls can go up this winter so I can expand the back garden. Let’s see if my helpful hubby is in the mood to get his hands dirty! 🙂

But, in the mean time, I will continue with the re-planting and the ‘soft’ designing. The photos I have taken this weekend will give you an idea of what happens in my garden in July!

The re-potting of old and tired plants. The Rooibos Mulch is a HIT!! Christine – we must definitely get our next order in for spring! (My hubby took this photo of course!)

[one_half]Preparing potato seeds for planting in August[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Tea tree cuttings – hope they take![/one_half_last]

[one_half]My work table with new cuttings[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Sweet potatoes prepared for sprouting[/one_half_last]

Most of the cuttings are experimental. I have never done this before, but on doing my research it seems quite a straight forward process. Take cuttings and trim the bottom 2/3 of leaves. Dip the stem into a growth preparation (you can buy these hormonal powders at any nursery) and stick them into prepared potting soil and water well. I have rose, apple tree, rosemary, and tea tree and I am trying the Powiss Castle Artemesia again – maybe it will work! The sweet potato, I found, is done this way. Cut the sweet potato and make sure the base is always in a bed of water, suspended by toothpicks. It should sprout. All new to me!

[one_half]Weed or flower in my meadow?[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Rainy day in my meadow[/one_half_last]

[one_half]This describes my garden in July[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Green and wet – I take pleasure in these days[/one_half_last]

Something about a wet garden gives me hope for new things to come. There is a calmness and peace that goes with it – an untroubled earth. She seems happy and content. I can feel this and I guess this is why I love the rain. It washes us clean!

 [one_half]Artemesia loves the wet weather[/one_half]

[one_half_last]The Fig Tree never seems to sleep![/one_half_last]

[one_half]Its wet but a ray of sun shines through[/one_half]

[one_half_last]These crates wait for something new[/one_half_last]

On the other hand, I look forward to sun, sun & more sun! My garden and I will be patient and wait for spring. In the meanwhile, let me think what I can put in those crates……..

Happy Gardening xxxx

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Annuals Barbie's garden Gardening Home page features Miscellaneous

Meadow in colour

Hi Chris – the meadow patch is blooming!! There are delicate flowers every where and more to come….. I know there are weeds in between the flowers, but thats a meadow, right? I know there are alyssums, nasturtiums, cosmos but no real flowers yet, there are phlox and marigolds and others I need help with. Take a look at how nice it looks now! It needs some sort of styling, but at the moment I’m just going to enjoy looking beyond the veggie patch and instead of seeing the usual bare ground, I’m looking into a fields of flowers.

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I am not sure what flower this is – but it is everywhere and stands tall and has various colours – really pretty.

 

[one_half]Phlox in various colours[/one_half]

[one_half_last]So pretty[/one_half_last]

[one_half]New flower – what can it be?[/one_half]

[one_half_last]There needs to be a path to the guava tree[/one_half_last]

I am like a child when I see all the flowers and have to stop myself from running through them. It needs a bit of “cleaning” and styling so that I can walk through this to the fruit trees without flattening the delicate plants. I’ll see what I can do this weekend – I was thinking of adding a small “path” through this with stepping stones or something like this and maybe a feature somewhere…… birdbath? or a bench?

I’ll hope to have some time this weekend, but it could be put on hold because of the weather or because my sister is here from Australia and we need to catch up on lost time! I’ll keep you posted!

Happy Gardening xxxxxx

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Annuals Barbie's garden Gardening Home page features

Winter in my garden

I have to say that I was dreading winter – but there have been some really warm days and the rainy days have been spent indoors with a warm fire and always some seeds to plant on the back deck. I want to show you what’s been going on in my garden, especially in the back where the new meadow is growing so beautifully. I am really enjoying my garden and the chickens have been kept under lock and key…. well, they have “play time” which is well supervised! They have areas where they are allowed and we stand guard while they scratch and dig!

Here are some photos of the raised beds – now prepared with seeds sown.

[one_half]Strawberries doing well[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Beds are all neat-grass brown though[/one_half_last]

The Irises are looking healthy and I can’t wait for the first blooms!

[one_half]Lobelias are looking pretty[/one_half]

[one_half_last]One of the bulbs in bloom-Gladiolas?[/one_half_last]

[one_half]New seedlings in the veggie patch[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Wow! Look at the meadow blooming[/one_half_last]

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New beginnings – these last two photos are of the new bed I have created at the back of the garden to hide the bare wall. I hope that it springs to life this summer! Well, I hope your gardening days are bringing you joy! What’s happening in your garden?

Happy Gardening xxxx