Tag: plants

Categories
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

 

Save

Categories
Annuals Barbie's garden Gardening Home page features Perenniels

October clean up

It is always a good idea to have a family visit to motivate you to get the garden looking great! This got me energized and I have enjoyed the manual labour! Got all the muscle groups working! I ordered bags and bags of compost and bark for mulch and got my act together! It might not look like much from the photos but the whole garden was tackled!

I also have some really beautiful blooms to show you!

My roses are finally blooming!

Apple blossoms all over. I can’t wait for these to become golden delicious apples this year!

Love my Irises – the white are my favourite!

My little broody Tara – I can’t snap her out of this! There are NO eggs and she sits and sits on the nest! So I have closed the door – but this makes me more sad! She sits on the balcony! What to do!?

[one_half]Apple blossoms![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Fuchsias are looking so pretty[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Rose bush full of roses! Fab![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Buckets of Lavnder[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Wild corn flowers[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Chamomile are in bloom-Tea anyone?[/one_half_last]

Tea Tree bush is also in bloom

[one_half]Love the mix of peas with nasturtium flowers[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Chives in bloom[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Blueberries en masse[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Peaches growing! Yum![/one_half_last]

Angel’s fishing rods! Dierama – I love them!

[one_third][/one_third]

[one_third][/one_third]

[one_third_last][/one_third_last]

Favourite Figs for summer!

[one_third][/one_third]

[one_third][/one_third]

[one_third_last][/one_third_last]

[one_half]Everything composted and mulched![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Cut and cleared! lots of work[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Attention shows its colours![/one_half]

[one_half_last]First rose in the rose patch[/one_half_last]

What I see is so many more flowers than I planned for when I originally started my vegetable garden. However, they are all linked. Every bloom gives a treasure or a pleasure – they are all welcome now in my part of the world!

Happy spring gardening xxxx

 

Categories
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]

[one_third][/one_third]

[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
Barbie's garden Gardening Home page features Miscellaneous

Rainy day blues

I am staring out of my windows today, watching the rain pouring down. A peaceful and unhurried calm always comes over me when I watch the rain fall. It can be so gentle and nourishing, yet have a nasty streak by flooding and destroying! The world is experiencing devastating floods and I am on the otherside of the coin. I am very thankful.

We have been having alot of rain this winter and the farmers are happy! I am happy to know I don’t have to rush anywhere – so my heart goes out to all that have to travel in this weather – be safe!

 

[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_half]Front garden[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Back garden[/one_half_last]

My winter is the time to think about designing for the spring – grab a hot cup of tea and a good gardening magazine and a warm blanket…… need I say more!

Happy gardening xxxx

 

 

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]

[one_third][/one_third]

[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

Categories
Annuals Barbie's garden Gardening Home page features Perenniels

What’s growing in my backyard

After a week of work committments, my head has hardly moved away from the computer. This has left me with the feeling of “cabin fever”! I was so pleased that we had a holiday on Wednesday – International Workers Day (Labour Day) – and I was NOT going to spend another moment sitting! I was in the garden, playing with the newbie chickens and Skollie (who has calmed down quite abit!) and filling holes and racking leaves. Just your normal “getting-back-the-garden-feel” activity! All was looking quite alive and still a few flowers around. There was some new growth too!! Here are some photos of the back garden activity!

Dietes Grandiflora is blooming

Here, the Dietes is amongst flowering Stevia. Now stevia is used as a natural sweetner. I add the leaves to my herbal tea. It has a distinct taste, but the benefit of a non-sugar sweet is always a bonus!

The busy bees are still harvesting the nectar! Hey – leave some for me!

I love the Mexican Petunia in this patch of the garden. I think it prefers the cooler months in my neck of the woods!

One of my favourite favourites! Borage is growing again. This is a self-seeded plant!

I like Tansy alot – it is soft and gentle and the bees also love it. I can cut it down and within a week or two it is back! The leaves are the best in making a natural pesticide. I make a tea with Tansy and Artemesia! Works really well! I also add some soapy water!

I was worried the Ice cream bush would not last the hot days of summer, but here it is!! Bushy and beautiful. I love the colours and these change as the seasons move on.

As you can see under the Ice Cream bush I have a patch of re-planted thyme and my new solar light. I have 2 dozen of these in the garden and they light the way when I need last minute herbs for dinner!

Oh wow! My Chasmanthe is growing!!  Can’t wait for these to flower! This is their first grown since I planted them last season. They are bulbs that grow every year.

My grasses are in their autumn colours now – I really like this yellow look!

I hope you have lots growing in your garden.

Happy gardening xxxx

Categories
Annuals Barbie's garden Gardening Home page features Perenniels

Earth Day clean up

I normally miss all these important dates – like “Earth Day” and “Water Week” and read about them in the news paper I lay in the chickens bedding weeks later. So I decided that Earth Day (wednesday, 20 March) was my day in the garden. I spent time cleaning up and looking at ways to help the Earth in my own backyard. We have been thinking of adding a greywater system for the fruit trees and the non-edible garden and to harvest rain water for the veggie patches. More and more we are seeing water as a precious commodity that one day will be too expensive to use in the garden. So that is the plan for this year and to go solar as well will make a big difference to our electricity bill. I already have solar garden lights lighting the paths and creating glowing fairies in my trees.

So much to research and plan, but all good and necessary if we want to contribute to healing mother Earth.

Ok, back to the garden clean up.

The Back Garden

[one_half]Before[/one_half]

[one_half_last]After[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Before[/one_half]

[one_half_last]After[/one_half_last]

[one_half]The area is looking all neat now[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Cleared the walk area[/one_half_last]

Here I added indigenous shrubs – Confetti Bush (Coleonema Album) the lime green bush in the centre of the photo and Salt Bush (Rhagodia Hastata) the silver round leafed bush behind the Irises. Both can be trimmed to create round balls – kinda cute.

[one_half]Need a bench in this area now[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Such a nice part of the garden[/one_half_last]

[one_third][/one_third]

[one_third][/one_third]

[one_third_last][/one_third_last]

[one_half]Cleared and neat with new stones in the back[/one_half]

[one_half_last]The Grenadilla vine is now happy here[/one_half_last]

[one_half]This bed needed lots of clearing[/one_half]

[one_half_last]The Tea Tree filling this area[/one_half_last]

The Front Garden

[one_half]New Dietes-mulched and fed to conserve water[/one_half]

[one_half_last]New Carex grasses to replace dried ones[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Waterwise and indigenous Dierama[/one_half]

[one_half_last]New feature for this cleared area-still deciding[/one_half_last]

[one_third][/one_third]

[one_third][/one_third]

[one_third_last][/one_third_last]

Well, everything looks great now – fed the garden with Neutrog BOUNCE BACK and mulched all the beds with bark to conserve water and to neaten up the area. I am ready to have the family over for the BIG Easter Egg Hunt this coming weekend!

Have a great week and happy gardening xxxx

 

 

Categories
Annuals Barbie's garden Gardening Home page features Perenniels

Garden Colour

I have been in a gloomy mood of late, with my favourite chicken not doing well. Buffy has been suffering from Bumblefoot and had a major operation in December on both her feet. But alas, it is back – regardless of all the medication and the scrupulous cleaning of her feet and her New Hen House and the daily wrapping of her feet. The Vet warned of this and that it could possibly go systemic. Well, I fear this could be the case. Difficult in walking and she has pretty much stopped eating – I can manage to get soft food in – she likes porridge and yoghurt and blueberries. Shame – so I have been dismal these past two weeks and my garden has not given me joy – but wait……… what is all this interesting colour.

This is the lovely Ice cream Bush – given to me by my sister-in-law. I have always admired her garden and this bush in particular.

[one_half]Such beautiful foliage[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Pink, cream, green-what a combo[/one_half_last]

Love this little helper Lady Bug. They always make me smile when I see them.

[one_half]My Gerbera still delighting[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Tansy is bright yellow-colour of sunshine[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Love my garden art[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Hearts from my friend Christine![/one_half_last]

[one_half]Yarrow has such delightful foliage[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Happiness in my veggie patch[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Sweet and juicy summer figs[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Fur on the quince-so peachy![/one_half_last]

[one_half]The sign of new things to come[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Fennel has charmed me this year[/one_half_last]

My poor, sweet Buffy. Never a moan and always trying to keep a brave face! Wish I could do more!! Let’s see how she improves!

 

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

Bugs alive

I guess with the sunshine and the great goodies the garden has to offer, it is not surprizing that I will be seeing more and more critters taking advantage of the flowers! But, I have seen less bugs, so far, than last year. The ladybird beetle is back and she loves the celery and coriander bushes. Aphids are still my archrivals. They are in the roses, lemon tree, brassicas and now I see them in the Artemisia Powis Castle. This is unusual because I thought that bugs don’t like the Artemesia plants. Well, that is where the Ladybird beetle comes in – go fetch!!!

My Calendula is something new to my garden. I read about the great benefits of this wonder plant – Calendula is has been used throughout history in skin preparations. Calendula is beneficial for dry or damaged skin and also promotes the fast healing and regeneration of the skin because of its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Applying calendula topically is effective for decreasing inflammation and promoting the healing of wounds, burns, eczema and other inflammatory skin conditions. But the beetles swarm the flowers and the caterpillars are making a feast of it!

[one_half]Munch munch[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Little black beetles everywhere[/one_half_last]

I seem to think that the bugs like the YELLOW!! This is the first spring that I have so many ‘daisy-like’ flowers – this is Chrysanthemum.

 

My hero – the Ladybird beetle!! Go get em!!

Oops! sorry! I see you guys are busy!

A Dandelion in the meadow does not escape the jaws of these little critters!!

I am happy to see that my home-made bug spray is working wonders. I always start with a soapy solution for the Aphids, but this doesn’t seem to last long. I have to apply it frequently, so I tried a new solution. I take Tansy leaves and Artemesia Wormwood and make a tea of this. I have read in Margaret Roberts’ book of 1000 herbs that these two are excellent bug repellants. I fill a bucket half way with the leaves, pour boiling water until it covers the leaves. Leave to cool. Strain the tea and place in a spray bottle with a teaspoon on Sunlight liquid (dishwasher liquid).

I sprayed my Roses last thursday and the Aphids are still gone. However, the new shoots need treating, so I will give it another splash of Bug Spray! This is the only plant that I spray – the rest I leave for nature to enjoy. I have so much to be thankful for, I can let it slide for now!

Happy Gardening xxxx

Categories
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!

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.