It’s been a while since I’ve shared a garden update, now seems like a good time because everything is stirring from the winter slumber (including me).This winter I all but turned my back on our garden, and despite the mistreatment, it still provided plenty.
One advantage of neglect is that there are always plenty of self sown seedlings popping up. It’s been a couple of years since I’ve brought a lettuce plant, but we always have an abundance of Marvel of four seasons (the reddish one) and Buttercrunch. Not to mention miners lettuce which grows all winter in almost weed like proportions.This artichoke made a delicious addition to our dinner last night, and was enjoyed by all, steamed and dipped in lemony butter. Don’t you agree that the first of the season always tastes best? We have three main beds, last week I dug one over with plenty of compost in preparation for planting early potatoes. I know, two spades, impressive huh?!These are ‘Rocket’ seed potatoes, I got them in yesterday and I’m hoping they will be ready by Christmas! I realise this might be a little ambitious. I chit them in egg cartons, this protects the delicate shoots and then makes transferring them to the garden easy.My best girl Mabel kept a watchful eye and snapped up any worms silly enough to linger near the surface. She’s a pretty bantam with a big personality, she will be five years old next month, so she’s really part of the family. Whenever I’m in the garden she’s always at my side (and sometimes, on my shoulder).Borage is such a wonderful companion plant in the early spring, it brings in lots of bees, and despite its prickliness I think it’s quite beautiful.I’m waiting in anticipation for the broad beans to pod up. Not only because I can’t wait to eat them, but also because I need this garden free so I can get my tomatoes in. I won’t plant so many this year, honest. I’ve been blown away by the huge response to my little giveaway! I’ve loved reading all the wonderful comments, they make me smile (and some even made me laugh). You still have time to enter if you haven’t already.
Enjoy your weekend, the school term finished on Friday so we are away for a few days in Whangamata staying at a friend’s beach bach. I don’t think it will be warm enough for swimming, but we should get in some nice long walks on the beach. xox J
Lovely to read your post. I am having a bit of tidy up in mine in the am. It was also nice to meet your sweet Bantam. 🙂
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I still have lot to do too. Best to do an hour or so here and there… Wouldn’t want to over do it 🙂
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Yeah, Mabel is a beautiful little chicken. Those feathers are gorgeous! Not to mention your lovely garden, well done Janette.
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Your harden is awesome! I want that artichoke. Looks awesome! I love your Bantom Mabel. She’s beautiful!!! Hugz Lisa and Bear
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Thanks Lisa, it was Really good!even the kids ate it (nothing to do with all that butter) xx
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I always like seeing your garden. Lucky you having self seeding lettuce. I have trouble protecting mine from the slugs even when I have planted them deliberately.
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I think volume helps, there are still slugs but there are so many seedlings they can’t eat them all!
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Mabel is so doggone cute! 🙂
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She is my favorite chicken… And very cute 🙂 xx
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Love chickens, but don’t have any now. Been doing a bit of weeding myself and HEAPS
more to do, but slowly is better lol.
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Im really having trouble getting on top of my weeding, I too have A LOT still to do (no photos of those bits ) 🙂
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We are just coming into our winter here, so the majority of growth is finished now – all but the grass, which challenged hubby to keep it down 🙂
Your garden is lovely – and I envy you the fresh veg just coming along for you 🙂
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Enjoy the rest from gardening! There’s a lot to do in my garden, but I cant wait for summer tomatoes, beans, zucchini….
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I hope you had a nice weekend at the beach, your garden is lovely. How I wish any thing could survive our winters. I am attempting to grow my greens in indoor window boxes because I really don’t want to have to buy the stuff in the store this winter.
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We did thanks you! I really wish I had a glass house so I could extend the growing season. Maybe one day…
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Right now I love crocheting shawls, I am on my third and loving every minute of it. My children want blankets and keep nagging me;). It is so nice to have crochet work appreciated. So I am going to split my crochet time so I get the blankets started. Your garden and your blog are lovely, they bring beauty in an uncertain world. Thank you.
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Thank you Frances. Shawls are probably my favourite to make too… so beautiful and practical, and don’t take as long as a blanket 🙂
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Love Mabel, if I knew how to keep chickens over the winter, I would have some, but don’t ever ask me to kill them or know they were killed.
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I love visiting!! Your garden looks good, I love fresh organic veggies too!! 🙂
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Thanks, I think homegrown, organic, tastes so much better too!!!! xox
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totally agree, i want a garden!!!
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