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Gardening in July

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!)

[one_half]Preparing potato seeds for planting in August[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Tea tree cuttings – hope they take![/one_half_last]

[one_half]My work table with new cuttings[/one_half]

[one_half_last]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!

[one_half]Weed or flower in my meadow?[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Rainy day in my meadow[/one_half_last]

[one_half]This describes my garden in July[/one_half]

[one_half_last]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!

 [one_half]Artemesia loves the wet weather[/one_half]

[one_half_last]The Fig Tree never seems to sleep![/one_half_last]

[one_half]Its wet but a ray of sun shines through[/one_half]

[one_half_last]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

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Annuals Barbie's garden Gardening Home page features

Winter in my garden

I have to say that I was dreading winter – but there have been some really warm days and the rainy days have been spent indoors with a warm fire and always some seeds to plant on the back deck. I want to show you what’s been going on in my garden, especially in the back where the new meadow is growing so beautifully. I am really enjoying my garden and the chickens have been kept under lock and key…. well, they have “play time” which is well supervised! They have areas where they are allowed and we stand guard while they scratch and dig!

Here are some photos of the raised beds – now prepared with seeds sown.

[one_half]Strawberries doing well[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Beds are all neat-grass brown though[/one_half_last]

The Irises are looking healthy and I can’t wait for the first blooms!

[one_half]Lobelias are looking pretty[/one_half]

[one_half_last]One of the bulbs in bloom-Gladiolas?[/one_half_last]

[one_half]New seedlings in the veggie patch[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Wow! Look at the meadow blooming[/one_half_last]

[one_half][/one_half]

[one_half_last][/one_half_last]

New beginnings – these last two photos are of the new bed I have created at the back of the garden to hide the bare wall. I hope that it springs to life this summer! Well, I hope your gardening days are bringing you joy! What’s happening in your garden?

Happy Gardening xxxx