spring has sprung, well and truly, we had spring equinox winds in september, blowing away all of the old clutter to make way for new growth and buds. It was all very blustery for a while there, but has settled down a bit now and things are popping their little heads up. The garden is blossoming, borage (which I initially thought was pumpkin....) is just going crazy, attracting lots of bees, and going well in salads. There are plenty of salad greens, and yellows and reds and blues from the nasturtiums and borage. The nasturtiums are really spicy! they seem to be spicier than other ones I have tried in other locations, so maybe they like my soil, who knows. They certainly get a reaction though, people know when they have eaten them! there are a few other 'eater beware' plants too, such as a hot and tasty endive, and a powerful mint, and some good old garlic chives.
currently being planted, and awaited with eager eyes, are:
swan plant (to attract monarch butterflies)
eggplant
rockmelon
chilli peppers - doing well
gourmet basil - also doing well, some of the plants come up purple!
lots of lettuce, different varieties
poppies and sunflowers
more peas and beans
the planters at the front of the house have their own little plastic house, which is used to protect plants from the niggly wind, and also provide a bit more warmth in the cooler start of spring. They are now full of climbing peas, spinach, mizuna lettuce, some corn popping up, some endive again (beware!), tomatoes, and some green leafy coral lettuce too. Slugs are realising that, although my hair might look great, it's not so slug-friendly when it is brushed off my head, collected, and placed around little vulnerable plants, so that the slugs get all tangled up in it and can't move. hehehehe ;P
many thanks to the neighbours for another collection of horse poo and chook poo, that has all gone on the back garden, which now has a tyre wall, and keeps getting built up. Unfortunately the last wwoofers, who promised faithfully to get it all up and running by spring, broke their promise, and also gave quite a bit of unacceptable trouble, so were asked to leave. Firmly. They are not welcome back. So, the garden is not yet finished, but is looking good, the base has been well fed, and nourished (by Good Wwoofers!), and is looking ready for the next stage.
on on, I am being very cautious about future wwoofers, and will see how we go and who shows interest and willingness to put it into action. Thank God for plants!
ka kite ano
lou
