Tag: plants

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Annuals Barbie's garden Gardening Home page features Perenniels

Meadow update

Hi Chris, remember my back garden meadow I want to create? I spread the seeds at the beginning of April and the last two weeks I have taken photos of the progress. I am still not sure what flowers will come out so it will be fun to see how the whole area will develop. I can recognise marigolds and that’s about it! Oh yes – I also see clover and a few weeds, but thats all in the nature of a wild meadow. I really want to see some dandelion and milk thistle. These are great medicinal plants … and it would be nice to have a meadow of useful and beneficial flowers. Right now, I don’t know the difference between the grass, flowers and weeds. The first two weeks they just shot up, but week 2 there was little change.

The Day I Started

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Week 2 – 14 April

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Week 3 – 21 April

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You can see patches of lawn that have always been there, so hopefully this will fill out and become a colourful carpet of flowers and new grass.

It is a kind of “wait and see” experiment that will be fun to watch grow.

Can you identify some of my seedings?

 

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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

 

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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

Categories
Barbie's garden Gardening Home page features Perenniels

Cleomes in bed

Hi Chris! I have been waiting patiently for a cool day in order to plant my Cleomes and TODAY WAS THE DAY! I had the perfect bed in my back garden where they will get the morning sun and some shade in the afternoon. My Three Sisters bed (which I called the “Pumpkin Patch”) had come to an end and the soil was rich and ready for new planting. They look really happy there and not a moment to soon. They have been waiting patiently on my front deck, so I am glad that they managed to hold on. They do look a little droopy, but I have just watered them and the wind was blowing quite a bit.

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Thanks again, my friend. These are going to grow into a beautiful display of colour when they establish themselves. If they look anything like yours then I would be so happy!

Happy Gardening xxx

 

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

Heat of the Summer

The heat of the summer days does take its toll on the garden. It is usually 2-3 degrees higher here than in the city of Cape Town. So if my friend, Christine, says its 30 degrees in her garden, than its usually 33 degrees here. A few of my plants are now dropping leaves and flowers – notably the fuchsia, but my neighbour was very surprised to see it still blooming, so it lasted well.

The crickets are out at night and I hear the lonely high-pitched sound of the mating frog. In the hot afternoon, you hear the cicadas and the grasshoppers stake their claim on large green leaves. The sun is high and the air is dry. The garden waits for its daily watering …

[one_half]This grasshopper lives on the corn-stalk[/one_half]

[one_half_last]An old skin shell of a grasshopper[/one_half_last]

[one_half]My grasses are doing well in the heat[/one_half]

[one_half_last]They are now growing and filling the spaces[/one_half_last]

But they do need watering regularly.

[one_half]My Miscanthus growing tall[/one_half]

[one_half_last]But some are feeling the heat[/one_half_last]

In this early morning shot (8am) – it was already 25 degrees

[one_half]The Leopard Trees are strong and resilient[/one_half]

[one_half_last]But everyone needs a drink of water[/one_half_last]

Summertime is for lazy days in the sun and swimming in the cool pool. I know most of our friends are in winter, but I hope that we can spread some sunshine your way.

Happy gardening xxxx

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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

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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!

[one_half]Lemon Balm[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Oreganum[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Thyme[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Mint[/one_half_last]

I’m sorry for the quickie post, but it’s late and I need to get some sleep!

Happy Gardening and I’ll be back xxxx

Categories
Annuals Barbie's garden Gardening Home page features Perenniels Trees

Backgarden joy

I am so enjoying my back garden and the velocity of growth I see every day! It is amazing how everything is springing to action and the veggies are actually looking like something you can eat!! A huge growth from 5 days ago! The herbs are creeping over the patchwork patio and everyday I can pick mint for my lemon tea and thyme for my midday meal. The peaches are  causing havoc on the small peach tree and the quince tree is happy to show off her new fruit! My grass patch is amazingly green and soft like a velvet carpet and my hubby and I fall onto it after a hard days work!

[one_half]Look at my lovely peaches – still small![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Quinces growing too[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Blueberries are budding![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Bees still abound in the borage flowers[/one_half_last]

 

The raised beds are growing nicely – potatoes, beetroot, cabbage, parsley and spinach are looking good. The tomatoes are sadly taking their time and the broccolli will be a while still.

[one_half]The potatoes are monstrous and looking healthy[/one_half]

[one_half_last]The beet root is growing nicely and the greens are delicious[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Assorted lettuces for summer salads[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Lush and bountiful – soon a plate full of home growns[/one_half_last]

 

Loving my garden right now and will post some more photos tomorrow.

 

Happy gardening xxxx

 

 


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Christine's garden Gardening Home page features Perenniels

Shopping + gardening = happiness

Miscanthus sinesis giant variegata

Gardening is supposed to be therapeutic and I sure know that shopping usually makes me feel better, so a visit to the local nursery was what my “inner-doctor” ordered for today. And what a joy it was to find something I’ve been looking for forever! Miscanthus sinesis giant variegata was waiting for me – three of them sitting there (I always buy in threes). So of course they came home with me, no hesitation, lovely healthy looking specimens. I couldn’t resist a few extra finds …

Now all I have to do is finish the “big clean-up“, dig some holes and in they’ll go.

My newest acquisitions

[one_half]Miscanthus sinesis giant variegataMiscanthus sinesis giant variegata[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Imperata Red Baron (Thank you Barbie!)Imperata Red Baron (Thank you Barbie!)[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Miscanthus sinesis Zebrinus – dittoMiscanthus sinesis Zebrinus[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Dusty Miller – I love thisDusty Miller - I love this[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Inspection of the new acquisitionsInspection of the new acquisitions[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Great! My purchases have been approved!Great! My purchases have been approved![/one_half_last]

Yes, I think I am actually starting to feel just a little bit better. Just goes to show … Shopping + gardening = happier.

Now, if the sun would just shine …

Happy gardening
xxx

Categories
Barbie's garden Design Do it yourself Gardening Home page features Miscellaneous

Before and after continued ..

Thank you all for the interest shown in the Before and After! of my front garden. As promised, I have taken the latest photos of the back garden today, so now I can show you the big changes!

The Back Garden

BEFORE:

It was a ruined area, the chickens had taken over the back garden and as any chicken owner knows – I’ve learnt – they scratch and peck until it is pretty much all gone! So now, they have their own area behind the shade cloth and I have taken back my garden! Hooray! Let’s see the process.

[one_half]The place is bleak and bare….shame![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Just a pool of mud in May[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Only an idea at this stage[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Still a long way to go![/one_half_last]

[one_half]The great gardening project starts![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Cleaning and digging and composting![/one_half_last]

Now that I look back at what I have accomplished, I am amazed where all that energy came from! But man oh man – It was so worth it! I enjoy my garden so much now and I love sharing it with you, my garden friends! It will be wonderful to enjoy it this summer! My hubby takes care of the pool, so we are all ready for the summer sunshine!

AFTER:

[one_half]The back garden as it is now![/one_half]

[one_half_last]This patch is looking so lush and full![/one_half_last]

[one_half]The patchwork patio works so well in the garden[/one_half]

[one_half_last]All my herbs I planted in the patchwork  patio[/one_half_last]

[one_half]The raised beds with vegetables[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Potatoes and beetroot growing well[/one_half_last]

 

The Chickens had the whole run of the garden to play, and now they have to be contained. Not happy campers, but still a large area for them to play! They have plenty of space and a new house – the three little pigs could not have built a better one ….with a huff and a puff …and …well at least it’s brick! It’s only temporary until we can build them a real nice place and fix the area up for them to play! Ok….I know ….. another BIG project. But something to blog about.

 

[one_half]The girls play area[/one_half]

[one_half_last]The rest area in some shade[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Lots of room for 3 chickens[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Love their new lapa[/one_half_last]

Thanks for sharing and Happy Gardening xxx