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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

January Harvest

The year started with so many projects on the “TO DO” list, that we saw January come and go. We have successfully completed our Solar Geyser project and even though it is not a real gardening project, I really want to share the experience with you!! So I will make my next post a project post!

But January still managed to delight me with lots of wonderful flavour and colour! See what my garden harvest was this January…….

Kale, Spinach, figs, lemons, grenadillas, and yellow sweet peppers!

Even though we are experiencing water restrictions, the fig tree managed to gives us super sweet and unusually creamy fruit!

Bursting with sweetness!

Grenadillas are falling off the vine every day!! I have to give them away!

The Kale is so crunchy and very edible. I was not a fan but if you sprinkle with olive oil and lemon juice and rub it in…..very yummy and wonderfully nutritious salad addition!

Lemons are always used and welcome in my kitchen. If not for cooking then for cleaning. GREAT TIP: I take a used lemon slice and rub my cutting boards to clean it and remove stains and when rinsed they come out washed and fresh!

My Sweet Yellow Pepper – did you know that your green pepper will either turn red or yellow – depending on the type!

[one_half]My January Harvest[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Tons of figs[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Grenadilla or Passion Fruit[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Love all the flavours[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Lots of kale for juicing as well[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Need to make Fig Jam[/one_half_last]

 

Thanks for sharing and enjoy your garden this 2016!

Happy Gardening xxxx

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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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Barbie's garden Bloggers Harvest Day Gardening Home page features

Harvest Day

This is the best day of the week! The day I go out with my basket and harvest all the ripe and ready vegetables!! Yum!! Happy Days! The photos tell the story…….

[one_half]My new yellow heirloom plum tomatoes[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Roma tomatoes always the best![/one_half_last]

[one_half]Amish Heirloom tomatoes[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Sweet basil in abundance![/one_half_last]

[one_half]Basil with tomatoes-great companion plants[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Swiss chard, Kale and lettuce[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Wild Rocket – great in salads[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Curly Kale[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Egg plant – Heirloom Black Beauty[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Swiss chard[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Baby cabbage and beetroot[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Baby cabbage[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Broccoli looking beautiful[/one_half]

[one_half_last]What an amazing head of Broccoli[/one_half_last]

Love all the veggies and such great variety!! Will cook some and juice the rest!

 

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]

[one_third][/one_third]

[one_third][/one_third]

[one_third_last][/one_third_last]

[one_third][/one_third]

[one_third][/one_third]

[one_third_last][/one_third_last]

[one_third][/one_third]

[one_third][/one_third]

[one_third_last][/one_third_last]

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 Bloggers Harvest Day Home page features Recipes

Iris Delight

I have missed my garden and I have missed my gardening friends and I have missed my best friend – all because of too much work and bad weather, in that order! I can never have too much work, because this means there is a positive feeling out there in the market! The bad weather isn’t really BAD – just when too much rain takes over the garden, I don’t feel like playing outside!

Well, I have been missing all the action!!!

My Louisiana Irises have been having a party without me! These flowers are always such a special treat because my best friend gave them to me (tons of rhizomes have grown since) and with the blooming I celebrate my friendship!! So, my buddy! Happy Iris Day! I miss you and wait patiently until we can garden together again! So I send these loving delights so you can see how beautiful they always are!

How beautiful!! What a great start to the sunny weekend ahead! So much to look forward to!

Happy gardening my friends xxxx

 

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Barbie's garden Bloggers Harvest Day Gardening Home page features

Garden Bloggers Harvest Day in May

This post is late in coming, but I wanted to save face and let you know that there is something I can harvest from my modest veggie patch. I have not put any effort into the garden this month and yet it still produces happily. I know I promised last month that I would toil and sow seeds, but alas! I might as well have gone fishing!! That’s how much I did in the garden, but I am quite surprised what I can collect. Let me share with you my May Harvest!

My lemon tree is a wonder and the priceless fruit is always welcome in my kitchen. I have made tons of lemon cordial and the salad dressings are never with out freshly squeezed lemons.

Fresh Lemons – love them!

My broad beans are starting – I use the tips in my salads. Super delicious!

My main veggie crop is lettuce. It seems to do really well in my patch!

I have sweet basil all over – in purple too! Makes for  a very pretty garden fill!

My tomatoes are not ripe yet. They are now going out of season, but we still have a few warm days left. Lets hope we can harvest them soon!

Something different in my garden. We don’t really eat Eggplant, but I am loving them in my garden!

I am just loving wild rocket in my dishes! It brings any meal to life! AND they are easy to grow.

Hey!! I found a cucumber !! I did not know it was sill alive! Guess what I had for lunch today!

And last but not least…. my multitude of herbs. I have lemon balm, mint and thyme I use regularly.

I hope all my harvesting friends have a bigger basket of goodies than I have!!

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Barbie's garden Bloggers Harvest Day Home page features

Garden Bloggers non-Harvest Day in April

Sorry my Harvest Friends!! I have been so preoccupied with other things taking up my time that I have neglected the veggie patch. I spent no time with my seed bank preparing new seedlings and to my sadness now have little to show. Here are the meagre non-harvestable edibles in my garden. I am going to spend alot more time sowing seeds and seedlings this month to try and have a harvest worthy of last years bounty.
Sorry to let the team down!!!
Next Garden Bloggers Harvest Day will be better!!

Baby butter lettuce

Baby Curly lettuce

Baby Oak Leaf Lettuce

Baby Crispy Lettuce

Lemon Balm looking lush – love it in herbal teas

Hey guy! You are supposed to sow the seeds – not eat them!!

Happy Harvesting – I hope you have better luck than I do! What are you picking from your garden?

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

Garden Bloggers Harvest Day in February

What a delight to have news for The Garden Bloggers Harvest Day this February and the veggie patches of  Two Gardens will thrill any gardener. The summer’s warm temperatures and the busy helpers have kept their side of the deal. All we have to do is pick the fruit and eat it!!!!

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

I am so excited to bring in my basket of goodies from the veggie patch. The photos will be the proof of all the love that has gone into this years harvest. So much on my plate – we have to have a huge dinner party to go through all the fresh vegetables!

Love my tomatoes!! My favourite is the Roma! I also have the small yellow Blondekopf! Very sweet and delicious!

[one_half]Roma tomatoes are plentiful[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Tomatoes in various stages of ripeness[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Salad Days!! With green and red basil[/one_half]

[one_half_last]I have all sorts of lettuces![/one_half_last]

[one_half]Sweet Basil is a favourite in the house[/one_half]

[one_half_last]I love the colour of red cabbage[/one_half_last]

I have all kinds of squashes – butternut, hubbard and gem squash

[one_half]This hubbard squash is an heirloom[/one_half]

[one_half_last]And the butternut squash is delicious![/one_half_last]

I kept my fennel plant to harvest the seeds! I just love them!

[one_half]Here they are drying out! So pretty[/one_half]

[one_half_last]These are Peppadew chillies-lovely and sweet[/one_half_last]

[one_half]The Peppadew plant is just lush this year[/one_half]

[one_half_last]A new addition – Eggplant! Almost ready![/one_half_last]

[one_half]And the Figs! So amazing![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Can’t get enough of them![/one_half_last]

 

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

Garden Bloggers Harvest Day in January

The Garden Bloggers Harvest Day that  Two Gardens have initiated is showing a generous following and we appreciate all those who enjoy getting their hands dirty and digging up delicious wholesome vegetables and picking scrumptious fruit. The new year has brought hot and windy weather to our southern shores, so summer hats and blockout is part of the gardening arsenal this month.

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

The year has started and I have very little to show in my harvest basket! Oh dear! Nothing seems ready for the picking quite yet – come on you lazy tomatoes!!  I have lots of herbs ready and I am pleased that I can finally pick my own sweet basil. I look back on last years’ harvest, and I have to say that I have refined my vegetable choices quite a bit to what works and what I enjoy eating and growing. A good deal less to harvest, but eaten all the same! The lazy holiday feeling has not helped either! Let me show you what I can harvest now and probably harvest soon, but not quite yet ….

[one_half]Sweet Basil galore![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Chillies too![/one_half_last]

[one_half]Fried Green Tomatoes anyone?[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Still harvesting Broccoli[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Lemon balm, Thyme, Oreganum,Mint[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Baby butternut squash[/one_half_last]

What’s in store …

[one_half]A variety of squashes[/one_half]

[one_half_last]New quince[/one_half_last]

I have lots of potential lemons and figs, but these I will keep for next months Harvest Day when I can eat them!

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!
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.