Tag: organic vegetables

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Barbie's garden Bloggers Harvest Day Gardening Home page features

May garden walkabout

Today I did a walk-about! I had a look at what was happening in my garden last winter….well I have to pull up my boots – that’s all I have to say!! The garden looks untidy but there are a few “Ahhh!” areas I had to snap. And to be fair, I took photos of the untidy areas as well, because there are some new developments and first-time vegetables!

But first we had a bumper quince crop !! The least tended tree and no attention at all!! But the fruits are plentiful, small and sweet!! I can smell them from here!! I have taken what we need but set up a Free Food Garden Harvest at our front gate – so I hope visitors will be able to make lovely quince preserves and jams!! Enjoy xxx If this takes off then I was thinking of doing a garden harvest swop or just a “take what you need” basket of any surplus I harvest for that week!! I will keep you posted!

[one_half]A wet corner of the garden with Comfrey[/one_half][one_half_last]My Wilde Als (Artemesia) flourishing[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Huh! Where’s my barrow?? Heehee needs a mow[/one_half][one_half_last]An old Lavender bush recharged![/one_half_last]

[one_half]Thyme and Oregano as ground cover[/one_half][one_half_last]
Front garden Ahhh! moment[/one_half_last][one_half]First try at Sweet potatoes-taking forever[/one_half][one_half_last]Fennel in front of Sweet Potatoes[/one_half_last][one_half]

Kale is big in my garden this year[/one_half][one_half_last]

My newbies-Broccolli, Kale, Cauliflower[/one_half_last]

And now for my trees…..

[one_half]Guava is a winter fruit-yipee![/one_half][one_half_last]Awesome lemon tree this year![/one_half_last]

[one_half]Self-seeded Borage – everywhere![/one_half][one_half_last]
Awesome tomatoes still[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Lettuces a must-Red Butter and Cos lettuce[/one_half][one_half_last]Herbs close by says Jamie Oliver[/one_half_last]

[one_half]This is my composting area[/one_half][one_half_last]Cabbage-see the greywater still working[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Going to plant these next week[/one_half][one_half_last]My Fig tree is having babies[/one_half_last]

Well, I have to say that eventhough it does not beat last year, at least my garden does not disappoint and my spirits are not dampened. It gives me a new strength to get my boots on!!

Until my next post xxx

Happy gardening xxx

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

Food Garden

If I had to add up all the time spent in my garden, the vegetable patch would win, hands down!! It takes so much time and love – in all kinds of weather! But the rewards are, for me, so worth it! The incredible bounty I collect makes my heart glow! It brings the best knowledge and experience every new season and the veggies are getting better and sweeter!! Even my family are feeling the love! They too have veggie gardens of their own now! Getting their hands in the soil and gathering their own harvests!! Makes me smile!!

The Peas were a great crop this season – they were all so sweet and they were all from heirloom seeds bought from Livingseeds.co.za!

Strawberries in hanging baskets – they seem to be doing really well. Last time I tried growing them, they were eaten up before we saw one!! Maybe the position off the grown could be the reason!

[one_half]Lush and full of greens!![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Herbs and vegetables grow side-by-side[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Peas, lettuces, Brussel Sprouts & Calendulas[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Glorious peas this year – super sweet![/one_half_last]

[one_half]Pyrethrum flowers growing as a natural repellent![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Swiss chard abundant with broad beans[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Celery[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Cilantro – Coriander was a great harvest[/one_half_last]

Brassicas (sprouting broccoli) with Spring Onions, Chamomile in the foreground and Pyrethrum in the background. Everything carefully positioned so each one helping the other. Did you know that Chamomile is a helper plant so you can plant them next to a weak plant that needs support. Pyrethrum is a natural pesticide, so no bug sprays were ever needed here!

I always love to have lots of variety with herbs and flowers growing next to all my vegetables. There seems to be a symbiosis and each plant seems that much stronger.

My next post will showcase all the beautiful blooms!!

Happy gardening xxxx

 

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

What’s Hot and What’s Not

At every turn, you can find a gem of a flower or you can hit a gremlin!! Today was my day! I stuck my head out on this cold day and to my surprise found lots to photograph! So my post today was suitably named “What’s Hot and What’s Not!” Let me show you what I found …..

WHAT’S HOT: Lemon season!! Love them for salad dressing and for Lemon Cordial!

[one_half]WHAT’S HOT: Lots of lemon blossoms!![/one_half]

[one_half_last]WHAT’S NOT: Lemon tree leaves are yellow![/one_half_last]

WHAT’S HOT: MY first peas are coming out!! I have sweet peas and mange tout!

[one_half]WHAT’S HOT: Beautiful Spinach[/one_half]

[one_half_last]WHAT’S HOT: Delicious Broccoli[/one_half_last]

[one_half]WHAT’S HOT: More peas – mange tout![/one_half]

[one_half_last]WHAT’S HOT: My first potato!![/one_half_last]

WHAT’S NOT: Argh!!! Ahipds!! Tons of them! They seem to be just sitting on my Artemesia! I thought that this plant was a pest repellant! Perhaps it is acting as a trap crop – is this possible??

[one_half]WHAT’S HOT: Blue berry blossoms![/one_half]

[one_half_last]WHAT’S HOT: Borage about to bloom.Growing wild![/one_half_last]

[one_half]WHAT’S HOT: Almond blossom! This year a crop?[/one_half]

[one_half_last]WHAT’S HOT: Bees!!![/one_half_last]

[one_half]WHAT’S HOT: More blossoms with a lil’ visitor![/one_half]

[one_half_last]WHAT’S HOT:More bees!![/one_half_last]

[one_half]WHAT’S HOT:Love my lavender! Bee friendly![/one_half]

[one_half_last]WHAT’S HOT: Calendula-great medicinal flower![/one_half_last]

WHAT’S HOT: My JoJo Tanks are FULL!! So I am happy that I have enough for my summer!!

[one_half]WHAT’S NOT: Totally overgrown! Needs a trim![/one_half]

[one_half_last]WHAT’S NOT: My Leopard Tree is not looking its best![/one_half_last]

So my garden is as active as ever before. So much happening! Love to see the bees!!

PLANT A BEE-FRIENDLY PLANT THIS SPRING!

Happy Gardening xxx

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

Essence of my Winter Garden

I love the softness and the coolness of a winter garden. After a harsh summer, it is a pleasure to see so much green. The mist envelopes the mornings and everything looks magical – the spiders webs look like jewellery. I hope you enjoy the walk through my June garden……..

Lets see whats happening in the front garden

[one_half]The front grass bed[/one_half]

[one_half_last]The front of the house[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Chasmanthas in my raised bed[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Raised beds very textured[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Cleaned rose bed[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Overworked wheel barrow[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Grasses with spider jewellery[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Tanks filling up[/one_half_last]

My beautiful Leopard Tree!

[one_half]My Artemesia – Powis Castle[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Such a fragrant and beautiful bush![/one_half_last]

[one_half]Always a bucket to catch more rain water[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Always fun things welcoming you to the garden[/one_half_last]

Lets see whats growing in the winter veggie garden

[one_half]Tamsin’s (my grand-daughter) Garden Peas[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Red Butter Lettuce! A new variety![/one_half_last]

[one_half]Italian flat and curly parsley-snail deterrent[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Broccoli with chives-companion plants[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Kale-well used in all green juices![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Thyme-natural bug repellent near brassicas[/one_half_last]

[one_half]A flourishing Yellow plum tomato[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Self-seeded tomato-clay pot for frogs[/one_half_last]

Another home in the Grenadilla Vines – a spider?? It looks like she strung up glass beads around her front door! Nice styling there!!

The old chicken coup is now a garden shed!

What’s happening in the back garden??

[one_half]Winter colours setting in[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Quince tree turning golden[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Back deck is well lived on[/one_half]

[one_half_last]New cosy couches to relax on[/one_half_last]

[one_half]New seedlings for the veggie garden[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Summer deck not in use![/one_half_last]

[one_half]Pepper Tree hanging over[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Coup area still a feature-sans chickens[/one_half_last]

Thanks for taking a walk with me around my garden………

Happy gardening xxx

 

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Barbie's garden Bloggers Harvest Day Gardening Home page features

Garden revival

You know that feeling when you go away on a holiday and come back to your home – it feels like you are a stranger! It takes awhile to become familiar again with your garden. That’s how I felt!

I felt as if I had been away or hibernating – I had to spend at least a day just greeting everything that was actively growing or peeping out of the soil. So many plants that have re-seeded and started to take over. And the bulbs I was hoping would survive have not disappointed! The Chasmanthe and the Louisiana Irises just make me brighten with pride! I had to chop and carry away all the overgrown borage and nasturtiums – they were like monsters. I should have taken photos….. but I did take a lot of photos of what is happening in my garden revival…..

My first Louisiana Iris this spring!!

[one_half]Quince blossom[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Peach Blossom[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Love the blossoms[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Almond Blossoms[/one_half_last]

[one_half]New Almonds – can’t wait[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Blueberry blossom[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Borage[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Fuchsias just starting[/one_half_last]

[one_half]This is a spekboom[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Lovely lavender[/one_half_last]

[one_half]New rose leaves-patience![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Confetti bush-indigenous[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Angels’ fishing rods-Dierama[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Leopard tree is in seed[/one_half_last]

[one_half]My grasses are coming through-Pennesetum[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Chasmanthe and Iris in raised bed[/one_half_last]

And what’s happening in the vegetable garden?

[one_half]My edible greens-salads, rocket & spinach[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Coriander[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Chives and Pyrethrum – bug busters[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Flowers, fruit and herbs together[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Empty chicken coup[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Fig tree budding[/one_half_last]

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From sunny calendula to the sweet peas – the blossoms and the blooms, I am so enjoying my garden again!!

If I can get this everyday, I am rewarded and grateful.

Happy gardening xxxx

 

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Barbie's garden Gardening Home page features Miscellaneous

Mandela Day honoured

Today is International Mandela Day and Madiba’s 95th Birthday! We have all been called to GIVE BACK on this day! The objective of Mandela Day is to inspire individuals to take action to help change the world for the better, and in doing so build a global movement for good. Ultimately it seeks to empower communities everywhere.

“Take Action; Inspire Change; Make Every Day a Mandela Day.”

My sister, Marion, and I took this opportunity to visit the newly created Oranjezicht City Farm in the center of Cape Town with shovels, rakes and gumboots in hand to volunteer our time. There was hot coffee and beautiful cakes and sandwiches waiting for us and a great, big smile from those who had the inspiration to transform a bowling green to bowls of green! The call to all South Africans to give up 67 minutes of  their time to make the world a better place was our cue to help green the city.

Everything has been donated – the local restaurants bring kitchen refuse for composting, organic compost was delivered by the truckloads – for free! – dedicated gardeners volunteer their time to dig, plant, weed, mulch….. , seeds and plants donated and all done by the community members. Experts give of their time to teach and there is always a grateful smile when another volunteer arrives! No matter the weather! This is what community is all about!

[one_half]Beautifully spaced rows of seedlings[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Sand Stones donated to make paving[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Large composting area[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Funny Scarecrow[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Kept clean by volunteers[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Well irrigated and labelled plants[/one_half_last]

[one_third][/one_third]

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[one_third_last][/one_third_last]

If you want to know more about this City Farm visit – http://www.ozcf.co.za

What a Happy Mandela Day xxxxx

Categories
Annuals Barbie's garden Gardening Home page features Perenniels

Dull garden?

All seems bleak and colourless when you are forced to stay in bed with a bad flu. It has gripped all I know here in the Western Cape and with the weather as miserable as it has been, I did not have a hint of guilt. But the garden has taken a beating and after the hail storm, I though I would have nothing left. I though all would be dull and lifeless but to my surprise, not all was lost (to the weather and the chickens!) I have been able to pick something from the garden and there were some happy blooms longing for someone to take notice ……. !

my new feverfew

Using quince sticks to hold up the granadilla plant – or the other way around! Chasmanthe and Powis Castle surrounds.

[one_half]Tree bursting with lemons![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Guavas on the way – lots this year[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Tomatoes still growing[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Chillies always available[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Violas love the cool and the rain[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Love the broad beans from last year[/one_half_last]

Tansy always a useful plant to have in the garden – best pesticide!

[one_half]Gerbera never fails! Happy flowers![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Fully at home here! That’s Tara.[/one_half_last]

[one_half]The winter lilly is coming back[/one_half]

[one_half_last]My blonde tomatoes producing still[/one_half_last]

[one_third][/one_third]

[one_third][/one_third]

[one_third_last][/one_third_last]

[one_half]Swiss chard always welcome[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Veggie patch abit damaged, but producing[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Have new beginnings on the way[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Ripening on the sunny back deck[/one_half_last]

[one_third][/one_third]

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[one_third_last][/one_third_last]

So you see, through all the dull rainy and wintery weather, the garden still has a lot of magic!!

 

Happy gardening xxx

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Barbie's garden Bloggers Harvest Day Gardening Home page features

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!

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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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[one_third_last][/one_third_last]

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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This preview will disappear when the widget is displayed on your site.
For best results, use HTML mode to edit this section of the post.