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!)
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Preparing potato seeds for planting in August[/one_half]
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Tea tree cuttings – hope they take![/one_half_last]
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My work table with new cuttings[/one_half]
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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!
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Weed or flower in my meadow?[/one_half]
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Rainy day in my meadow[/one_half_last]
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This describes my garden in July[/one_half]
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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!
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Artemesia loves the wet weather[/one_half]
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The Fig Tree never seems to sleep![/one_half_last]
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Its wet but a ray of sun shines through[/one_half]
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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
9 replies on “Gardening in July”
I can see why you love the cooler season…after this hot dry summer I appreciate the cooler weather…unfortunately we cannot do much but grow seedlings indoors in winter…but that is OK too…love all the experiments
I dont like the heat and I suspect we never get as hot as you but our never ending rain is stopping me moving on with a project. The turf was lifted over month ago and thats as fine as it has got.
Sweet potatoes are becoming more popular here but I think they can be a bit hit and miss so your sprouting technique is fascinating – might give it a go
The trouble with propagating cuttings, is it can get to be quite addictive! I have most of a greenhouse bench covered in various native sages at the moment that I took cuttings from a few months ago. They rooted so well, and grew so fast, I expect I’ll need to plant them out very soon! Good luck with your cuttings, I’ve never tried Artemesia. I grow it, but I’ve never tried to propagate it. I’ll be curious to see if your sweet potatoes sprout too. Most of the ones available commercially here have been treated to extend their shelf life, and subsequently, they don’t sprout! 🙁
Great post. You and your garden seem so serene. I like your plans to grow trees. I have redbud trees growing in the garden around the mature redbud tree. I’m trying to figure out the best time to transplant the seedlings to other places on the property.
I love the rain, too. It’s so refreshing. It looks like you’ve been very busy this winter! I always think of winter as a break, but for those of us in mild (or hot) climates, winter is better used as a time for working. Good luck with all your cuttings!
Your photos cooled me off, and your description calmed me. I know our winters are more severe (MUCH more), but we still have some of those calm, quiet days that you only get in winter.
Nice seeing you in a photo — I need to do that too sometime I think. 🙂
Finally, in my opinion it’s only a weed if you don’t want it in your garden.
Hi Alan! Missed you. I love your comment about it’s a weed if you don’t want it in your garden 🙂
I would like to see a photo of you in your garden
Barbie those crates look fabulous! Did you make or buy? What you going to put in there?
Oh I found these at the Cape Garden Centre – so I didn’t make them 🙂
I am still undecided. Not sure yet, any suggestions?