Tag: organic garden

Fleeing Fugitives

This week started off with a hint of “Police File” investigations. Familiar sounds – usually heard in prison, I mean cages! – emanating from the tree tops surrounding our house. Well, what do you know!?? Two fleeing fugitives caught in my camera sights…. Barney Blue and Yam Yam Yellow! Don’t know where they escaped from, but are now having either long soliloquy cheep-chats with bored pigeons or flitting at high speed from one tree to another and using our bird sanctuary as their devious hideout. Extra bonus – free lunch with the eeps!

Well, I saw Barney Blue first and he was alone. Yam Yam Yellow (she??) mysteriously joined him today, so I have a feeling that Barney Blue went back to release Yam Yam Yellow from the slammer.

Good on ye, Barney! Two happy boids and a blank cheque of FREEDOM!! Don’t worry – you are in good hands here with us!

Weird… our regular Sunbird is acting suspiciously like Columbo at the mo’! Checking out these shifty rapscallions on his beat!

Well, happy gardening xxxx

Tags birds, budgerigars, budgies, organic garden, parakeets

Barbie's garden Gardening Home page features Miscellaneous

A wet winter garden

The weather man has predicted rain and more rain and cold temperatures, so for this weekend we made soup and collected firewood for the fireplace and the only thing missing is a good book. I did take some time during the week to take note of the chores still needing my attention. The chicken run needs a landscape artist – sigh! …. and the next lot of seedlings need sowing – ok! ….. and the lawn needs mowing …..argh! No, I’d rather take some photos! My garden is looking beautiful through the eyes of the camera – it does not see the chores that need my attention!! The rain has washed it all clean and it has a fresh face ….take a look at what I saw!

Fuchsia bush is blooming again – I love the rain drops on the leaves!

The sunbird is back! He is looking for a mate!

The Mighty Mugwood tree is collecting rainwater!

My second favourite tree in my garden – Tea Tree (still a young bush)

Protea bush in full bloom and loving the weather

My raised bed with brand new seedlings – all self-seeded from last summer. There is celery, chamomile, Sparaxis and comfrey. Love definitely grows here!

I have Nasturtiums all over my garden – self seeded as well!

Celery – so good for you and so easy to grow – they are popping up everywhere!

Love in my garden!

Cleomes still charming the camera lens!

[one_half]Cleomes and the meadow in the background[/one_half]

[one_half_last]The guava tree and wet meadow[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Bulbs growing in between Soapwort[/one_half]

[one_half_last]My Leopard tree soaked and loving it[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Roses getting a cleansing shower[/one_half]

[one_half_last]The grass feature with its birdbath-full![/one_half_last]

[one_half]My grasses looking divine in winter colour[/one_half]

[one_half_last]More grasses after rain[/one_half_last]

My Artemesia Powiss Castle is just stunning when it rains.

The aphids on this wet rose bud don’t look to happy!

This rose got a real good soaking. But looks happy!

Are you also having a wet weekend? What’s happening in your garden?

Happy gardening xxxx

Tags flowers, foliage, organic garden, plants

Barbie's garden Gardening Home page features Miscellaneous Perenniels

Miscanthus probe

Well, Alan – this post has finally been uploaded. You have been patiently asking me to get a closer view of this big question mark – my bold grass and centre piece of my grass feature. I have done a close up inspection of my Miscanthus Sinensis Gracillimus (it was labelled and sold to me as this!). I know that the last post I did of my Grass Feature update you did question this, so here we are! A up close and personal – and I also found more than I bargained for … check it out!

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Oh, what have we here? Lots of hidden treasures …

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On closer inspection…. Buffy, what are you doing under there??

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Well, Buffy is as proud as punch and was happy to pose for me with her egg stash, but don’t tell her that they won’t hatch – she is a real mother hen. At a ripe age (for a chicken, I guess) of 5 years old she can still lay a beautiful egg! Oh, but she is standing in my dry river bed – not an egg clutch!! 🙂

Ok, but getting back to the mystery grass – is it a Miscanthus or not? Maybe we will get it right! Should I get closer photos of the blades? Let me know…

Thanks Alan, for your constant interest in all we do in our Two Gardens – we are both better gardeners for it!

Happy Gardening xxx

Tags Design, grass feature, grasses, Miscanthus sinensis Gracillimus, organic garden

Barbie's garden Gardening Home page features Miscellaneous Perenniels

Grass Feature Patch preview

Post author By Barbara
Post date March 26, 2012
15 Comments on Grass Feature Patch preview

Hi Chris! I have been off the radar this past week with sinus troubles! I am certain they are spraying the fields around us with chemicals. Argh! Not good! The wheat farmers now grow grapes in the area, and I know that they spray these! I have had to go on antihistamines and nasal sprays and it has knocked me a bit sideways! I will have to investigate this further!

But in the meanwhile – I want to send you a little note and a photo that I will be doing a post on my Grass Feature Patch soon! This is just a sneak preview! It has really over-grown and my Panicum Virgatum is looking so amazing!

[one_half]BEFORE- June 2011[/one_half]

[one_half_last]AFTER- March 2012[/one_half_last]

I did a Grass feature revisited post in September – so it’s good to see what’s been happening.

What I will do is what you suggested, do a close up on each grass in the patch. I will label each one on the main photograph and then do a close up!

Happy Gardening xxxxx

Tags gardening, grasses, organic garden

Barbie's garden Gardening Home page features Perenniels

Lush green for March

I am looking forward to cooler breezes and that crisp morning air in March. Christine shared her garden lovelies in Autumn in Cape Town and I have to say, just taking a walk around my garden today I can see that the lushness of green is predominant in my garden at the moment. The last of the great harvests are behind me and the preparation for the March sowing will begin this week – if work allows me to.

[one_half]This patch brings a cool corner to the back deck[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Patchwork patio is brimming with herbs[/one_half_last]

[one_half]This patch is a work in progress[/one_half]

[one_half_last]The great rosemary bush offers cool shade[/one_half_last]

There are now empty areas and beds that need a compost top up and care for the next seasons plants and edibles. Shady patches and sunny areas have been earmarked for the appropriate sun worshipers and shade lovers. It also seems to get easier which plants to select. Hmmmm….. sounds like I am no longer a beginner at this.

[one_half]Beyond the fig tree is the guava tree[/one_half]

[one_half_last]My tree is full of small guavas-a bumper crop?[/one_half_last]

Not much colour, but it doesn’t matter. I am glad my garden came through the heat of the summer and recovered well. I now know which areas get the most intense heat and where I can plant hardier and heat-tolerant plants for the next summer season.

Happy gardening xxxx

Tags foliage, gardening, organic garden, plants, trees, veggie garden

Barbie's garden Gardening Home page features Miscellaneous

Big clean up!

Today was a go go go day! I had my fabulous hubby as keen to get the garden in great shape. It has been looking shabby and dry and all the spent vegetable plants needed to go. I want to make way for my March planting and get the soil ready for this. I am totally exhausted but so happy that we managed to do the whole garden – every inch was checked and fixed!

[one_half]Here we start – bright and early[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Cleaning the protea bush – hard work![/one_half_last]

Ok – enough of the ugly stuff. I didn’t bother to take photos of the before because it is really not a pretty sight! Let’s go straight to after shots! We’ll start with the front, move around the side and then to the back of the house. Then the chicken run!

[one_half]Front grass mowed and beds cleaned[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Grass patch needs little work – just some water[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Fuchsia cut right back so roses have room[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Roses deadheaded and fed with Sudden Impact[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Front garden neat – awaiting stones for path[/one_half]

[one_half_last]The protea bush cropped just before I mowed[/one_half_last]

Ok, now for the side garden – the veggie patch area.

[one_half]Weeding took forever but worth it[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Front view of veggie patch[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Looking back on the veggie patch[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Oops! Still need to plant these salvias[/one_half_last]

Ok, now we are coming around to the back garden where I have my fruit trees.

[one_half]Area raked and fruit trees mulched[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Fig tree got a real good haircut[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Potato (bush) tree bed all clean[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Looking through Potato bush bed into garden[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Beds cleaned and grass mowed[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Chicken run cleaned up too[/one_half_last]

Whew. Thats it! Gonna hit the sack now. Tomorrow i’m going to order the stones that we want to put around the house. Ok, that’s a whole new post.

Happy gardening xxxx

Tags blooms, garden, gardening, grasses, organic garden, plants, trees

Barbie's garden Gardening Home page features Perenniels

Strawberries for Elma

This is a special post for a dear friend of mine, Elma Cheeseman, whom I met through my publishing business. She is 93 years old and published a fabulous recipe book called “Gran’s Cookery Chat”. Well, needless to say, I have tried many of her tried and tested recipes and always a delight for the whole family! I told her about the Gardening Blog and she has been following my every move ever since. She wrote to me one day and suggested I try strawberries!

Well, Elma – I hope you are reading this! LOOK! I have planted strawberries!

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I have a special area where I’ve planted my peach tree and blueberry bush and now my strawberries! This is my Sugar Patch! I have borage blooming here too and this is a bee magnet! So all my fruits are well pollenated! I have seen some flowers on my strawberries already, so I will keep you up to date on when the lovely fruit appears! Strawberry and Cream anyone?

Thanks, Elma, for your advice and your support and your friendship!

Happy Gardening xxx

Tags flowers, garden, gardening, organic garden, plants, strawberry

Annuals Barbie's garden Gardening Home page features Miscellaneous

Green November

I love my early morning ritual with getting up – open up for the chickens – kisses and hugs, fresh seeds, greens and water – put the coffee on – empty the trash – pack the dishes from the night before – pour the coffee and my morning begins……

[one_half]My favourite morning spot on the back deck[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Everything is so green![/one_half_last]

I love sitting out on my deck in summer.The sun is way up there early in the morning and the birds and bees are busy gathering. Everything is so GREEN!! I love this! I take a walk between the veggies and fruit and see that all is good. The small damage from my little nasties are not punishable by death so they are allowed to stay. I see so many ladybirds that I won’t spray for aphids either. I will be gentle this season and share in my spoils!

[one_half]My Tea Tree Bush and Irises in the background[/one_half]

[one_half_last]My sunflowers are growing tall![/one_half_last]

[one_half]Rosemary as tall as me![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Festuca looking glam![/one_half_last]

[one_half]A stray tomato plant outside of the raised bed![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Delicious spinach…yum![/one_half_last]

[one_half]Ok, you can stay![/one_half]

[one_half_last]The local watering hole[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Taking a stop over on the local blommie![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Is this a hover fly?[/one_half_last]

Well, that was my morning today! I have plans to do absolutely nothing………

Happy gardening xxxx

Tags gardening, organic garden, rosemary, spinach, tomato

30 Day Challenge Christine's garden Gardening Home page features

The 30 Day Challenge – Day 12

Post author By Christine
Post date November 14, 2011
2 Comments on The 30 Day Challenge – Day 12

Today I am grateful for the fact that my garden has taught me to be environmentally aware. I never used to worry much about the planet or what I was potentially doing to it until I started gardening. The garden has taught me to care about what I put out into the world and what I take from it. I’ve stopped using any chemical pesticides preferring to let nature take its course and if I really need to use anything to get rid of pests I use organic methods. I compost, I use water sparingly, I only use organic fertilisers and natural pest control and I’m coming around to recycling things …

Photo: Lavender dentata – I have Lavender growing around one side of our swimming pool. I love the smell of Lavender and the way it grows with its lovely upright lavender flowers … whats not to like?

Lavandula dentata is a species of lavender, the main species known by the English common name French lavender. It is native to the Mediterranean region. It is commonly grown as an ornamental plant and its essential oil is used in perfumes. This aromatic shrub grows up to nearly a meter in height. The gray-green, linear or lance-shaped leaves have toothed edges and a lightly woolly texture.

About the 30 Day Challenge

Cat of The Whimsical Gardener, has invited Garden Bloggers the world over to join her in the 30 day challenge of posting a photograph and sentiment that you are thankful for – every day for 30 days. Find something you are thankful for every day, for 30 days, can’t be too difficult, can it? See all Barbie’s and my posts filed under “30 Day Challenge“.

Tags 30 day challenge, lavender, organic fertilizer, organic garden, organic gardening

Annuals Barbie's garden Design Gardening

Patchwork patio herbs

Hi there! Wanted to keep you updated on the growings in my back garden. The patchwork herbs are looking and tasting great! I have celery, thyme (assorted), mint, oreganum, and lemon balm. Look my thyme is flowering!