Gardening, Life at No.22

Plot 11 – Springing into Life

Suzanne

It’s now November, and I started this blog post in early spring; similar to spring weather, life got somewhat unpredictable. Feeling emotionally drained had me wanting to appreciate all the good things about spring; like spending more time outdoors watching the lamby gangs racing along fence lines up on Mauao and marvelling at the blossoming trees, which are undoubtedly the number one sign spring is here. So today, with the winds howling a hoolie straight off the South East and throwing buckets of rain on the garden, I can catch up on some blog chatter.

Starting from early spring.

As winter drew to an end, with a few comebacks for added interest, you may be like me, hanging out for some spring gorgeousness, freshness as in more variety of crisp veggies and usually something pink, like blossoms, with the inclusion of an array of flowering bulbs. Well, we were satisfied on all accounts. Mother Nature delivered in abundance with assistance from other keen gardeners and us.

As usual, time seems to disappear relatively fast when we spend time at the gardens, and I still need to complete the jobs I promised to do. Like, why didn’t I do the such and such job? How long would it take to pull out that bolted spinach and pop in a new one? There are moments, but collectively, many things would take just moments. The Squire was far more efficient with his time and built a frame over our raised bed. He is still receiving praise from other gardeners and visitors alike. Me, I waited patiently, okay perhaps not so patiently, for him to finish so the planting could begin. Eventually, the building job was finished and my work began. The Squire then got to enjoy chatting with other gardeners and putting the world to right.

I’m sure putting the world to right occurs regularly at most community gardens. Every time I looked up, I could see the outline of the Squire or others chatting behind the broad beans. Well, talking behind the broadbeans is now a thing during this spring at our gardens, as it’s been regularly occurring, as is picking our beans, which we have enjoyed eating over the last month or so. Have you tried mashing or smashing peas and broadbeans together with a healthy dollop of butter and garlic? Try it, and you won’t regret it as it’s divine slathered on toast or a cracker.

This spring, we have kept our initial planting to more leafy greens, shallots, beetroot, peas, and beans, as opposed to capsicums or chillis, and have decided to plant more tomatoes as the season goes on, as who can have too many of those delectable fruits? Not us.

Enough words, and here are some images which in themselves share a longer story.

I was a bit late capturing the blossoms this year at the gardens
Though I managed to spy these beauties on one of my walks. Food for the soul.
If white flowers aren’t colourful enough for you be like our neighbour and plant some ‘Hughey’ variety which will give you a beautiful burst of crimson colour amongst your greenery.
Let the new plantings begin and the old framing put to use on a community bed which has been spread with seeds.
We enjoyed a few kohlrabi during late winter and early spring
The Squire and the finished frame. The rope at the end of the mesh helps to keep the mesh in place and makes it easier to clip it onto the screws that are placed evenly along the outside of the garden bed
A working bee wouldn’t be right without a chat over a cuppa
As with spring planting you can’t have too many blossom and tui images even if the tui looks peeved off with another human taking his photo.

Published by Suzanne

Travel and Life Musings from New Zealand and Beyond. . . . . . .

24 thoughts on “Plot 11 – Springing into Life”

  10. Both the garden and the Squire are looking well. We’re having a very wet and windy autumn, so I haven’t been able to get out and tidy up the garden. I need a couple of dry days before I can go and rake up the leaves and deal with all the weeds that have started growing again after an incredibly mild October.

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    1. Thanks very much, April, yes the Squire was having a good moment and was on steriods which gave him a boost. I hope you get into your garden very soon. We now have blue skies after a big thunderstorm and much rain overnight.

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    1. Thanks very much, Jo and enjoy your crazy November days filled with walks and people. Less busy in the garden now as we wait for more growth then harvest then replant.
      Garden and Art Festival next week unless we get the scheduled rain.

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  13. What a cool-looking bird! I loved the phrase “howling a hoolie” – a new one on me.

    That mesh cover looks marvelous – have the Squire send me instructions.🙂

    Enjoy the rest of spring. Oh yes, the pea and beans sounds a bit like a type of hummus. Yum!

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    1. The tui is a very cool bird even though a few of his relatives make us up at an ungodly hour. Now, Eilene do you have a spare 4 hours for the building instructions 🙂 If not see a previous post on the design of said structure.

      The pea and broadbean spread is out on its own. Though we are a hummus loving household. All very yummy.

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