tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55077188090060509932024-03-14T06:14:37.891-07:00at harvest endgardening thingsmiriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15084837364192001800noreply@blogger.comBlogger114125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5507718809006050993.post-21977907606942462562018-03-04T12:33:00.000-08:002018-03-04T12:33:27.065-08:00photo round-up complete<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A long overdue photo, Bill contemplates his chilled chocolate stout, his secret-simon-santa gift that was much appreciated. </span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfBUKQ2oTOYfoyvMIOeib_kTuNgWTCy32r_TPawFH_rRRr4iA_WYdXDHI5ExCJfea47JYxPnoefGRG1NSUrbncP6nVWpQOBl2WtfqACOv2H3dfLG8zMev1Zk-5tcFhFAbkTwAZtgrMFNCG/s1600/DSCF0100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfBUKQ2oTOYfoyvMIOeib_kTuNgWTCy32r_TPawFH_rRRr4iA_WYdXDHI5ExCJfea47JYxPnoefGRG1NSUrbncP6nVWpQOBl2WtfqACOv2H3dfLG8zMev1Zk-5tcFhFAbkTwAZtgrMFNCG/s320/DSCF0100.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is a 500g punnet of pesto. The playing card is for perspective. I had a great crop of basil and along with some self-sown dill and parsley, it has kept the whitefly away from the tomatoes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I pleased I froze quite a bit of pesto. The plants I left in are a darker green now and the pesto is not as good.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAb2dypl5QcoIfBUicYSrJhDidu5VAJ7QffdGphbHuRA6TdQFGsTJ31jKsGIAjj8QC5cmYE_QEQekHl6I5Ysoxixarg7hdNMqzs_EXwQ3XEHF5L0U4_f0GaksPAV4aKSyBwi_HaRP1sfa1/s1600/DSCF0104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAb2dypl5QcoIfBUicYSrJhDidu5VAJ7QffdGphbHuRA6TdQFGsTJ31jKsGIAjj8QC5cmYE_QEQekHl6I5Ysoxixarg7hdNMqzs_EXwQ3XEHF5L0U4_f0GaksPAV4aKSyBwi_HaRP1sfa1/s320/DSCF0104.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I forgot that the season this year is at least 2 weeks early and once again my pears ripened on the tree. They are okay but they don't have the same glistening juiciness as pears ripened off the tree. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will peel, slice, and freeze them this year for smoothies and pie. For really good bottling they need to be on the firmer side. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Pears unmistakably signal autumn, so the blog transitions in a swoop to the next season. </span></div>
miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15084837364192001800noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5507718809006050993.post-88971775403882938522018-03-04T11:55:00.000-08:002018-03-04T11:55:27.319-08:00Photo round-up part one <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's a partial glimpse of the surfeit of apple cucumbers. I had 3 plants, which was 2 too many, besides which the 3rd was a Triffid that put all its growth into a glasshouse takeover and only burst into fruit when I clipped it back harshly. They fruited early, the spring carrots confirm that for me.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbs5efWm3XixTuFFGgOm9VPvwwHUfu82WI3M7a7qKxOpC8i0yRImTGJ6Rjf5n23v2uq8dSAxBzBCEOKwGF74m3Xj5SmhDcu4K70FRCDpWfrU8NJVPd-U0wiCpq0F_NiP8RAJDymWVN03sw/s1600/DSCF0137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbs5efWm3XixTuFFGgOm9VPvwwHUfu82WI3M7a7qKxOpC8i0yRImTGJ6Rjf5n23v2uq8dSAxBzBCEOKwGF74m3Xj5SmhDcu4K70FRCDpWfrU8NJVPd-U0wiCpq0F_NiP8RAJDymWVN03sw/s320/DSCF0137.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have planted a packet of multi coloured carrots since which don't seem quite so vigourous. Will see what results. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3RoCpWeChIWS0poR3Sh4al1FLrzVv27_L4Vn2gqQ8QgDdBOrGlPPSr723x9mg1N6P4GTrl4BNFo-MqTT_g1aV7r588QGZkS49woiDHCPseSOFCsUS8zhVSU2hPGXVvonjyjKaiK562YN/s1600/DSCF0142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3RoCpWeChIWS0poR3Sh4al1FLrzVv27_L4Vn2gqQ8QgDdBOrGlPPSr723x9mg1N6P4GTrl4BNFo-MqTT_g1aV7r588QGZkS49woiDHCPseSOFCsUS8zhVSU2hPGXVvonjyjKaiK562YN/s320/DSCF0142.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We moved the wood out the back for the winter to clear the top of the garage for the workshop project up the back. It will require good access to bring all the materials for the foundation and the garage itself in, and good egress to wheelbarrow the excess clay out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">May need to drop a tarpaulin over the face of the wood to keep out rain. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjakHu7J9B2At-YQuMzjq87X35K4EhLLzZAnh1Pbk7oyGM4DJ_B6G53_lnAvPXMjLfnC1o8VC7_ngdMqavU4GGgs_GGk_5vH8zc_HXAOq2HfygdfrwA272vWClgKV10rquvgGFJNVT2Pcth/s1600/DSCF0168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjakHu7J9B2At-YQuMzjq87X35K4EhLLzZAnh1Pbk7oyGM4DJ_B6G53_lnAvPXMjLfnC1o8VC7_ngdMqavU4GGgs_GGk_5vH8zc_HXAOq2HfygdfrwA272vWClgKV10rquvgGFJNVT2Pcth/s320/DSCF0168.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have a flush of little kale seedlings come up on the compost heap, there's mustard amongst it. I have cleared a little spot (below) and planted them out intensively. We use the kale for smoothies and it is a good salad when it is little seedlings. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My ongoing goal is to repopulate the weed cover with the plants I prefer and I do leave something of most crops to self-sow. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_TynPpywQVCyFvi-0KqNqTVeZ1r_Z14ym74OmsCxRz_v6ifLt_7ByqFj1GytIBPRmFD2LJwR6MUJjglcpdw3Z_GLtPciBI3bGGgJqFBkG6-R_czhqzYqyFwmba3b89pbgu-BZfBIbbOz/s1600/DSCF0149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_TynPpywQVCyFvi-0KqNqTVeZ1r_Z14ym74OmsCxRz_v6ifLt_7ByqFj1GytIBPRmFD2LJwR6MUJjglcpdw3Z_GLtPciBI3bGGgJqFBkG6-R_czhqzYqyFwmba3b89pbgu-BZfBIbbOz/s320/DSCF0149.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxwQmmP6NgkEaylJICx-Pu3d0gjMxkgHYv0Lw-RJa1wNyRAZeBVfDqC8kKtXjd1Ok1V7h5Tw-KyvHFvzpJb3Zp8bbqGURJylbZrCen54Dwd7TkawZkmNCaG5GnpKmRHz5ExvSbl6YQ_YvS/s1600/DSCF0152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxwQmmP6NgkEaylJICx-Pu3d0gjMxkgHYv0Lw-RJa1wNyRAZeBVfDqC8kKtXjd1Ok1V7h5Tw-KyvHFvzpJb3Zp8bbqGURJylbZrCen54Dwd7TkawZkmNCaG5GnpKmRHz5ExvSbl6YQ_YvS/s320/DSCF0152.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm going to need to do one more post to get the remaining photos on...</span></div>
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miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15084837364192001800noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5507718809006050993.post-42666089119893385262018-03-01T00:54:00.002-08:002018-03-01T00:54:29.391-08:00you say tomato <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have got the camera going at last. Left it out one night in the garden and had to dry it, and the case, off. After that it was willing to download the photos again so perhaps it had just needed a gentle bit of warmth. Don't we all. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had an embarrassment of strawberries well before Christmas and got to the point of freezing them for smoothies, thus. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbWSLKBcB9_JvJwlE9BL4W8SGZmFETcc-rK0hxO8oHbh-9_DElzVVpFj_TMOmRHzUfoo1giy9DrqO7hty3U1vHa-BJLwMYrTL1ZRz__dAO1cTCYVNuhzcAq40V3XRdLBaz10WVrkVS8sKt/s1600/DSCF0076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbWSLKBcB9_JvJwlE9BL4W8SGZmFETcc-rK0hxO8oHbh-9_DElzVVpFj_TMOmRHzUfoo1giy9DrqO7hty3U1vHa-BJLwMYrTL1ZRz__dAO1cTCYVNuhzcAq40V3XRdLBaz10WVrkVS8sKt/s320/DSCF0076.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is a moment when the strawberry season overlaps with the emergent raspberries and blackcurrants. Something about the blackcurrants brings out the sweetness in the others, no sugar required, delicious with cream. I recommend. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYo8SY3YIOsByRTMAbATzGGFpXES71RntUKPQ5uCxCfoxZsAMDPUZWp491oyT9gs_zIazuO0M-ewl4NkMZzw2zIN9DV22yPv2QKFqkdwR0crj_my7agvHpI32pbjstXah87l9MSrpTo-i/s1600/DSCF0081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYo8SY3YIOsByRTMAbATzGGFpXES71RntUKPQ5uCxCfoxZsAMDPUZWp491oyT9gs_zIazuO0M-ewl4NkMZzw2zIN9DV22yPv2QKFqkdwR0crj_my7agvHpI32pbjstXah87l9MSrpTo-i/s320/DSCF0081.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The family are getting a bit weary of tomato salad by now but it can't be helped. I have 7 different types of tomato; grew the heirloom package from Koanga (that was 5 types) plus a black cherry self-sown from last year, and 'Gardener's Delight' (top pick from Monty Don, long sprays of smallish red tomatoes).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyqrCHn6J3iTqLTrsR5YMhipWpMTtE20tDjEhM5t6okDKoSNWRusdVr8hyphenhyphenw5xQoEOrxGpPJg3z46ypBkyjAglJ-n1Pk676_f0U7o0Ghd3J7wxRyMHHe0cpzzZdPWbpdO_RvvVhsDDmoIp/s1600/DSCF0145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyqrCHn6J3iTqLTrsR5YMhipWpMTtE20tDjEhM5t6okDKoSNWRusdVr8hyphenhyphenw5xQoEOrxGpPJg3z46ypBkyjAglJ-n1Pk676_f0U7o0Ghd3J7wxRyMHHe0cpzzZdPWbpdO_RvvVhsDDmoIp/s320/DSCF0145.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The yellows have great flavour, plants strong and productive. Colour not good for pasta sauce though... the 3 yellows below.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-cWrguZWyIgZazFkYDI0ulpzCoFx7DBHVvsven_wzPcFrU8tqIueXcDQyhPEJqUTTt0v8fow4yQ_lwdT07hFKUxJZ0v2nKTI6VkLfXUjc-dJDefdLcrz69_7GsxsSkHq_lAXaPK_U3te/s1600/DSCF0154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-cWrguZWyIgZazFkYDI0ulpzCoFx7DBHVvsven_wzPcFrU8tqIueXcDQyhPEJqUTTt0v8fow4yQ_lwdT07hFKUxJZ0v2nKTI6VkLfXUjc-dJDefdLcrz69_7GsxsSkHq_lAXaPK_U3te/s320/DSCF0154.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Reds, black cherry is the 2cnd left, far right has a green stripe on red. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gardener's delight is 2cnd right. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-suJI49lzzhT7-MWIpYynjtieiCBoDR3oWtN1aDcm-v1YAJEBU9_01Z92Sb5GwG9UKncWOJaFpKD6mrijfE9WwQaUkyqe6IIh66PwiBIjM9sOCAKhr8cotIggJ0yLbLfFJ34ONnREyaiP/s1600/DSCF0157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-suJI49lzzhT7-MWIpYynjtieiCBoDR3oWtN1aDcm-v1YAJEBU9_01Z92Sb5GwG9UKncWOJaFpKD6mrijfE9WwQaUkyqe6IIh66PwiBIjM9sOCAKhr8cotIggJ0yLbLfFJ34ONnREyaiP/s320/DSCF0157.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is my brag shot. Big yellow beside a black cherry tomato for scale. One slice covers a piece of toast. Louis was home sick so we all had tomatoes on toast for morning tea and there was still 1/2 a tomato left.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68vYkR1B7wZW5BeLA0zQQEdbhmlonK8nr4qDETz4KH673aeXvEzMcanN4gvFumK6J7LyP6ctufR9ejvC0zaa5JUCVCv5A49lynDR-oFEjpVxno1sr3RatzVq-8y5NZ0KgpYE9UlAZ9h6b/s1600/DSCF0162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68vYkR1B7wZW5BeLA0zQQEdbhmlonK8nr4qDETz4KH673aeXvEzMcanN4gvFumK6J7LyP6ctufR9ejvC0zaa5JUCVCv5A49lynDR-oFEjpVxno1sr3RatzVq-8y5NZ0KgpYE9UlAZ9h6b/s320/DSCF0162.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYEnaowMI7RItfwzFNHAi7G2QqO-LTiKdzVCCBSOaj5EShF-rtrCPy6I8GDbG8qiL_5VrUGGFrcGOKnbxPD6ObIjJNJ87dYUEkXlqtuNjyVwwcO3Ewhmy3sFvbNhTuuT3_RKCJpnTvketu/s1600/DSCF0166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYEnaowMI7RItfwzFNHAi7G2QqO-LTiKdzVCCBSOaj5EShF-rtrCPy6I8GDbG8qiL_5VrUGGFrcGOKnbxPD6ObIjJNJ87dYUEkXlqtuNjyVwwcO3Ewhmy3sFvbNhTuuT3_RKCJpnTvketu/s320/DSCF0166.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have saved seed and next year will probably grow about 5 of these. Top picks would be the yellow one with green stripes and the black cherry but why limit it to that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had a surfeit of apple cucumbers that nearly took over the glasshouse. I sensibly cut my losses early, not before harvesting about 50 of them, and pulled them out .</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Put Lebanese cucumber in their place. This is the best cucumber, crispy, crunchy, and about 1/2 the size of a telegraph; its perfect for a meal in its entirety. The seeds are not obtrusive, it isn't watery. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am having trouble adding that photo at the minute so will start with it next time; Its good just to get back on the page, adieu.</span></div>
miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15084837364192001800noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5507718809006050993.post-58103262114602059742017-12-06T01:57:00.000-08:002017-12-06T01:57:06.747-08:00The law of increase <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I remind myself from time to time that the most useful photos for me on any blog are the 'before' and 'after' or at least consecutive images of progress/growth. They give me so much visual information on what was done to get to the 'now'.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't normally think to take a photo of something I consider to be a mess; it's only when you have done something and think how good it looks that you remember the camera. Fortunately I have an example here of mess and redress. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9a5VmTloCWT3aE1VFYgeM5vr_h32s2LV0AmejYO0Qr3gFqz6Km1XuAHjRSrsauyAbOnIjlvdpu6Nhx8Ev_hMaiIoPUZmu4uedNuVQj2arhnOutxl5HTkp8V1xOasR8VM-_vYzdSd3IAlV/s1600/DSCF0047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9a5VmTloCWT3aE1VFYgeM5vr_h32s2LV0AmejYO0Qr3gFqz6Km1XuAHjRSrsauyAbOnIjlvdpu6Nhx8Ev_hMaiIoPUZmu4uedNuVQj2arhnOutxl5HTkp8V1xOasR8VM-_vYzdSd3IAlV/s320/DSCF0047.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The tunnel house has this concrete path down one side that doesn't need to get wet unless I am careless with the sprinkler. In the past I have used the space to grow extra things in pots but for the minute it is my potting area and tool shed.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBb7pBYQ8rfJeyCi1_cA_MsJcjlzAo-Fg-JKoReU_5Xqdj9mQUP-MyBaypvbDswCtAUOnkXPgeTsXDJB3ob0CO00pIjPqHe5UIk0pYgiePL_PhvPJZ3yA_OvHCt2NJ_RfnDDmHxLOmdbIR/s1600/DSCF0050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBb7pBYQ8rfJeyCi1_cA_MsJcjlzAo-Fg-JKoReU_5Xqdj9mQUP-MyBaypvbDswCtAUOnkXPgeTsXDJB3ob0CO00pIjPqHe5UIk0pYgiePL_PhvPJZ3yA_OvHCt2NJ_RfnDDmHxLOmdbIR/s320/DSCF0050.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the blue butt to the right is liquid seaweed; through virtue of being topped up a lot already it is now the requisite weak tea brew and I can ladle it straight onto my plants with an old saucepan.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is host to a cluster of hover-fly larvae, sausage shape with a thin tail swimming vigorously in a huddle. They are beneficial insects so I ignore them instead of being grossed out.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijmFpJTmLDW0Pj36PGExP3luCpXcXOrw2J9d-CtqBammvuH6ghHzWZBUZEa9FobSSjSi2UmP_8wwDTPJGnna_r_nJhCHO1_crJqjWY1eV1rdjo7BUQDI5BwYmcV50dTsPZxvfAKr6PKEfU/s1600/DSCF0054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijmFpJTmLDW0Pj36PGExP3luCpXcXOrw2J9d-CtqBammvuH6ghHzWZBUZEa9FobSSjSi2UmP_8wwDTPJGnna_r_nJhCHO1_crJqjWY1eV1rdjo7BUQDI5BwYmcV50dTsPZxvfAKr6PKEfU/s320/DSCF0054.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tomatoes have strong growth, not sure how productive they will be, but if I knew that they wouldn't be the great experiment that they are. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9TxCwUTeviI6hq9TRVu_QFnD0KXd7ANAwEz9ld-LRd2qDvqQxut8DuVThhbtLWLBZROONW53wvG2VLTlTwinUWR55JnwmvTmlVIHsFZLHEFmpONjP-TR2d9fWt09gW_6HfaXBk2WTXtAU/s1600/DSCF0056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9TxCwUTeviI6hq9TRVu_QFnD0KXd7ANAwEz9ld-LRd2qDvqQxut8DuVThhbtLWLBZROONW53wvG2VLTlTwinUWR55JnwmvTmlVIHsFZLHEFmpONjP-TR2d9fWt09gW_6HfaXBk2WTXtAU/s320/DSCF0056.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The bucket of comfrey drench I just leave outside the door to supplement the watering can now and again. I toss in the tomato laterals and outer leaves as I go; apparently tomatoes like their own and it is good for them. Another great experiment and a convenient way to deal with the debris immediately. I am a good housekeeper in my garden. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqjB6N9kF4IpFbu6s8AOuv_2NMlhjli_AsvVWXrLkH-P8yczCdxNbb-BhUX-O0lYAWfImtGHdFu__yxdXXYP6b6YIzssVqZxfUzodugOE-QWVzfPc1V2eT1SOBy9GB2wlfdEFpWfFne_gS/s1600/DSCF0057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqjB6N9kF4IpFbu6s8AOuv_2NMlhjli_AsvVWXrLkH-P8yczCdxNbb-BhUX-O0lYAWfImtGHdFu__yxdXXYP6b6YIzssVqZxfUzodugOE-QWVzfPc1V2eT1SOBy9GB2wlfdEFpWfFne_gS/s320/DSCF0057.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The birds are desperately hungry with all the dry conditions and finding ways to access any available food source. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is a stack of netting scaffold, 'whipped up' by B. Nothing is ever quite whipped up. First the appropriate extra long pallet had to be garnered, once spotted; at top speed as it happened, because there was a fuel leak nearby and the fire service were closing down the road as we sped in, picked it up, and took off back home. I was the noble assistant for this project supplying enthusiasm and gratitude, if not skills. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhr2otWOcUpQSw9v20PU_AGqu8UI88zyLC4T52qlXbwaQsI0mnXQDyrPxY12hHEBacBIFEU6gdPHKGASgXc5AIs7qvKEIPAX5w6mBUgWG1baPFYuL2yfB-iL_R-DREFxaIEpio8TP_CjyQ/s1600/DSCF0060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhr2otWOcUpQSw9v20PU_AGqu8UI88zyLC4T52qlXbwaQsI0mnXQDyrPxY12hHEBacBIFEU6gdPHKGASgXc5AIs7qvKEIPAX5w6mBUgWG1baPFYuL2yfB-iL_R-DREFxaIEpio8TP_CjyQ/s320/DSCF0060.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In place, needs a little refinement with hooking the netting on but works a treat and looks good too. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5qwTrW7HgmkKudCtuTsBlpJHSwYXOCLnZkWU3cCZ6STC3bQl_r2YlxyG2AY7rQm7EZH8qw3HGiQhgzHniXj0tcfim-85cPuk_LA7gAfeTvDoTsCEK9mq9pQ7rLy-4gm5Awc160SGrc1y/s1600/DSCF0066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5qwTrW7HgmkKudCtuTsBlpJHSwYXOCLnZkWU3cCZ6STC3bQl_r2YlxyG2AY7rQm7EZH8qw3HGiQhgzHniXj0tcfim-85cPuk_LA7gAfeTvDoTsCEK9mq9pQ7rLy-4gm5Awc160SGrc1y/s320/DSCF0066.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hate to admit how rough this compost is. However, it totally doesn't matter. I sort it through, pulling out the rubbish, bucket 1, putting aside the weeds and couch roots etc to drown, bucket 2, and then mixing through some aged sheep manure out of the plastic sack there. The manure is because it is destined for some lacklustre brassicas that are looking a bit yellow and are beginning to form heads; doubly desperate for growth. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCAEUh-9RuGbxYHWr3VfHtf6P0Bw4U1Yb2JkjBcx9HLM677kfF12MeavSUiUlGWpG7eWWEPGCQ_A-K8wgVT53-hONYokkdJfmuQL-vHEfNB8ry-rVKSv6AIwUU0fenLrYCsHfBigUj_ZEv/s1600/DSCF0068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCAEUh-9RuGbxYHWr3VfHtf6P0Bw4U1Yb2JkjBcx9HLM677kfF12MeavSUiUlGWpG7eWWEPGCQ_A-K8wgVT53-hONYokkdJfmuQL-vHEfNB8ry-rVKSv6AIwUU0fenLrYCsHfBigUj_ZEv/s320/DSCF0068.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh here's the photo of the strawberries that goes with that patch. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZOt2V25F5pZ6OPUv3GD4bxh9KOEKx1UDLXNDYEMHK2cBcQP04VRejs20ibYHanHGI20IgLZVKOrvDQ5ru3YO-j02_OsgwxpdgH4Vi2TSjIyuSQbymd3uCpZQDD08NbrTIQtAOzImVeRz/s1600/DSCF0072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZOt2V25F5pZ6OPUv3GD4bxh9KOEKx1UDLXNDYEMHK2cBcQP04VRejs20ibYHanHGI20IgLZVKOrvDQ5ru3YO-j02_OsgwxpdgH4Vi2TSjIyuSQbymd3uCpZQDD08NbrTIQtAOzImVeRz/s320/DSCF0072.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The little asparagus ferns are a sorry reality to my imaginings. I'm going to move the bed because the drainage isn't adequate (among other things) and in fact the little markers have become, in some part, little headstones marking where an asparagus once lived and died. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That's a job for next spring anyway but in the meantime I have already given them a little compost and a little breathing space with some pertinent weed </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">removal. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There's an unusual verse in Mark 4 to the gist of 'To the one who has, will be given more. To the one who doesn't have, even that will be taken away'. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With plants you can only give according to what they have and a big plant can take a lot more than a little one. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anyway, I'm reluctant to say what else they will get until I have done it. I've read too many recipe comments that say "I'm going to make this tonight" which seems such a crazy thing to say, compared to say the information you would get from, "I have made this and..."</span><br />
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miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15084837364192001800noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5507718809006050993.post-91824790529304463102017-10-31T00:45:00.001-07:002017-10-31T00:45:21.749-07:00Taking my time <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today I decided I wasn't going to be hurried. I don't like the feeling of always rushing. Today I didn't interrupt my own work most of the time, and I let things wait for me. I felt my job slip back into manageable boundaries which bodes well for the busiest months of the year ahead.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlxHkLjQeVX1hPTZ1XAaRdbBnU2bsVcgtE38z7MFeIWwfrF8CgWFJ0pW7BTcZ1yJDzAs1CaElMM4L9YP6qqMGSbJVSn8ssXR9B3aZ72el13nSRQQwJIZbtiBFaKDzNuNq8lpGo4f2M-EI/s1600/DSCF0027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlxHkLjQeVX1hPTZ1XAaRdbBnU2bsVcgtE38z7MFeIWwfrF8CgWFJ0pW7BTcZ1yJDzAs1CaElMM4L9YP6qqMGSbJVSn8ssXR9B3aZ72el13nSRQQwJIZbtiBFaKDzNuNq8lpGo4f2M-EI/s320/DSCF0027.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I guess I really have learnt something because when the kids were small I didn't have time for pots at the door, not to plant or maintain; Now, I know they're a priority because they deliver so much for so little and you see them all the time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This pot-full was just one little packet of freesia bulbs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The fragrance is another bonus. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2htqG9P4MLERBBvS8GhgRkAFW3Merv45AhE-cVZsOFu22GdK4VHwhFvFs4iEYJWawBhVSkvBfE1-TKJ2e_MEFJEKf21O4q_RY6rvA6_riXvZuccuD4CPmuBYcSzNn3WOUCHbIcr-nqPPm/s1600/DSCF0023+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2htqG9P4MLERBBvS8GhgRkAFW3Merv45AhE-cVZsOFu22GdK4VHwhFvFs4iEYJWawBhVSkvBfE1-TKJ2e_MEFJEKf21O4q_RY6rvA6_riXvZuccuD4CPmuBYcSzNn3WOUCHbIcr-nqPPm/s320/DSCF0023+%25281%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The brocolli above and same plants below, now a little older, are Koanga nutribud. This soil hosts clubroot and I buried a rhubarb leaf below each seedling as I planted them out. It actually seems to work. They're coming away well so my next job is to tickle out the weeds and sprinkle a little blood and bone bonus around each plant. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglG_OdC8CbTGnVE05t3veqz_dJUb2UqvF45sUBI3W1FpBE8W54TlHEyyaxvqFJJ87aD1bGYf5qNyQjr0e291EBWd2Vh1pGCyYfb_VVVj3sXCAGMtF7d1eD_0KDBn0_cpLwVl2zG0Ct5XUz/s1600/DSCF0030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglG_OdC8CbTGnVE05t3veqz_dJUb2UqvF45sUBI3W1FpBE8W54TlHEyyaxvqFJJ87aD1bGYf5qNyQjr0e291EBWd2Vh1pGCyYfb_VVVj3sXCAGMtF7d1eD_0KDBn0_cpLwVl2zG0Ct5XUz/s320/DSCF0030.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0JS_iRW4SRSR69i9PB88YQrlNKusYONTvJGYnuCmc3VfovHSrvaaJYDlHoiyQDtQ11GpFWCmWplPklyyeQ6UOMTQunysx7MYgJ54e-MLk8bLLzvpgyUrzeq0zTRGf2YzBJbAdneHMTs5/s1600/DSCF0031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0JS_iRW4SRSR69i9PB88YQrlNKusYONTvJGYnuCmc3VfovHSrvaaJYDlHoiyQDtQ11GpFWCmWplPklyyeQ6UOMTQunysx7MYgJ54e-MLk8bLLzvpgyUrzeq0zTRGf2YzBJbAdneHMTs5/s320/DSCF0031.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This strawberry produces a wealth of little fruits with so much flavour that I can't bear to grow those big ones anymore. It's more work picking and hulling them. Worth the time for me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Besides, they are sited beside the clothes-line and a fair bit of the picking and eating goes on while hanging out the washing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh685hD3neR3YLGVEPIbswUIDtrJ66aHU6AgZ61czEMmMJXi0jCtbd0AznAOcFF9_Ypz2WxeAjsKREMD_GuKBWqQRE2VRu4LWM3xtBmVomFWqVQNroCxatOasPTNs-8yPmXYsNidXwZJ0W/s1600/DSCF0033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh685hD3neR3YLGVEPIbswUIDtrJ66aHU6AgZ61czEMmMJXi0jCtbd0AznAOcFF9_Ypz2WxeAjsKREMD_GuKBWqQRE2VRu4LWM3xtBmVomFWqVQNroCxatOasPTNs-8yPmXYsNidXwZJ0W/s320/DSCF0033.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's one of my little brown shavers standing in the evening sun. They are 3 of a number, in their second year and laying fabulously. Following Koanga advice, I give them (for 5 birds) about 10g, slightly less than a tablespoon of poultry minerals a day in with their budget mash from Pac n Save. They also get 3mls every second day of stock primer in their water. It's easier that measuring out 1.5 mls a day (0.03 mls per bird).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I got them from Environmental Fertilisers here <a href="http://environmentalfertilisers.co.nz/price-lists/">environmentalfertilisers.co.nz/price-lists/</a>. They sell to farms but there is a price list for the home buyer. Buying the two together reduces the postage. I calculated they will last me over 9 months. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkAIyiIF1-rlLp0U4fJ6qNdKVqmg3rCpnN8flHDPt-dtXC3XWyXIrSia86tAD8qT4VqPWegznmR0IGC-ZGveDzgDeuH5BbeGu605s_xg44LK7JXr9jrpZ3UECNCmEomlwnl_L-uoOU5lmr/s1600/DSCF0036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkAIyiIF1-rlLp0U4fJ6qNdKVqmg3rCpnN8flHDPt-dtXC3XWyXIrSia86tAD8qT4VqPWegznmR0IGC-ZGveDzgDeuH5BbeGu605s_xg44LK7JXr9jrpZ3UECNCmEomlwnl_L-uoOU5lmr/s320/DSCF0036.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's the two loveable rogues, the Bardrocks, in their third year and laying modestly and sufficiently for their keep. I also give the chooks 1 C of sprouted wheat a day following Koanga instructions. The wheat is supposed to have 6x more protein when it is sprouted. Means I have 4 jars of wheat in various stages along the bench at all times. May manage it a little differently in time. </span></div>
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miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15084837364192001800noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5507718809006050993.post-62548098039151986372017-10-12T01:54:00.000-07:002017-10-12T14:23:32.386-07:00Grand Designs New Zealand<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> New extension on chickie house was possibly the only Grand Design that has ever come in under budget and without a time blow-out. So there will be no need for awkward squirming and prevarication when Chris asks the dreaded question, "How much did it cost?" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUSfv64QtQDEaAuoIUrKzDiQn3DTmCtd1hDEiotJVmRZzrXQjGX0a0_XoaarrxPN8XBai96rIl04NaCdOCCjN2VQdfcZb4lwr0LQDw_Bq0pCc32lS9V4O6j950BspcMBHbQERnziEmZdSg/s1600/DSCF0001+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUSfv64QtQDEaAuoIUrKzDiQn3DTmCtd1hDEiotJVmRZzrXQjGX0a0_XoaarrxPN8XBai96rIl04NaCdOCCjN2VQdfcZb4lwr0LQDw_Bq0pCc32lS9V4O6j950BspcMBHbQERnziEmZdSg/s320/DSCF0001+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Wood, sliding door, corrugated iron, all recycled, tick; old paint mixed together and used up, tick; splashed out on new screws and wire netting to keep the project quality right up there. Yip, top specifications all round. I need the height to be able to get in and out easily to add weeds, and ultimately, remove deep litter. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtl-8J6ZcqWsnZG2xaRAr372LXAQEa7TxaernUkpZrd0rd44n7bAbv7EVu5Am02fd_nmzJfw6U2qFXrUQ60vXHD-kZdyulKVJtxA82KLV1B66qunHo4F-RLH3-m0SWsi5W5ZuDI5uAwPBA/s1600/DSCF0007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtl-8J6ZcqWsnZG2xaRAr372LXAQEa7TxaernUkpZrd0rd44n7bAbv7EVu5Am02fd_nmzJfw6U2qFXrUQ60vXHD-kZdyulKVJtxA82KLV1B66qunHo4F-RLH3-m0SWsi5W5ZuDI5uAwPBA/s320/DSCF0007.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sorry about the fading light. We were assembling the pre-fabricated pieces one evening after work. This is the gap for the sliding door, (above) and the nesting box shot, below. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3a3LP_3fQm_u-qHvTakylvNt4CW6Xe85Xta_OD9MDk_FzzD_6ya67VBDrVeO6DyybLzO3wkXKZkqpVSBrFsxjShUu0m1lqn1dANG2ZlHM5k26yEsqPUb45iz4O0rua9C5vwTNLaSU0CoI/s1600/DSCF0008+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3a3LP_3fQm_u-qHvTakylvNt4CW6Xe85Xta_OD9MDk_FzzD_6ya67VBDrVeO6DyybLzO3wkXKZkqpVSBrFsxjShUu0m1lqn1dANG2ZlHM5k26yEsqPUb45iz4O0rua9C5vwTNLaSU0CoI/s320/DSCF0008+%25281%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The nesting box, without its little curtain for privacy in this photo, is mid-left. I can open it from the back to collect the eggs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YzOkULJldrMNCMWKYqdpjUbWhoIgdtX7ZINK1X0KZzwkLYPH0IGX7uQHJYZ8Mtu8TGmNyxbN3GNrjZcSEFCD1AN9tCqprsDLx1vt9K7TW3ezX_0Q68pmqtiPR_zAytNSXp64-mva9C-w/s1600/DSCF0009+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YzOkULJldrMNCMWKYqdpjUbWhoIgdtX7ZINK1X0KZzwkLYPH0IGX7uQHJYZ8Mtu8TGmNyxbN3GNrjZcSEFCD1AN9tCqprsDLx1vt9K7TW3ezX_0Q68pmqtiPR_zAytNSXp64-mva9C-w/s320/DSCF0009+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Here's an idea of how it meshes with the old one. Photos of completed house on next post. Need I say to anyone I didn't build it but I did give B some 'help' which was mostly moral support and ongoing, respectful, appreciation. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNPmJ07pCZ3UrLe7rhBOJqs_OeUVv0F7JZcmtNL-URhq3ApSrL19IeSqMv3GDrgiwspYf7UeVF4Sa02hUrw26bhjwns7bi5gDY0UOLMF2hn-eHDtbGtCceihggOiFq6qSsVGjSaVr0rvv/s1600/DSCF0021+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNPmJ07pCZ3UrLe7rhBOJqs_OeUVv0F7JZcmtNL-URhq3ApSrL19IeSqMv3GDrgiwspYf7UeVF4Sa02hUrw26bhjwns7bi5gDY0UOLMF2hn-eHDtbGtCceihggOiFq6qSsVGjSaVr0rvv/s320/DSCF0021+%25281%2529.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Let me mention the recycled sink amongst the new coop's accoutrements. That was $5 at the dump-shop with the whole bench-top to boot. Managed to angle fit it into the little car tippy-touching windscreen to back window. B has trimmed it and given it a solid base. It's a bath for the diatamaceous earth/sand </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">mix that the girls enjoy swishing around in.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Life is good. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi225lXlLcQDszo274kHDqPwl86GmA5QDTpqd36oyX8xVm96QnlphyKSU2M47vlBe5Agc10TXjj_g5uWzQoMghhLzDot6iGkh5VMKWuv3P2rSi3jvcdVnN2DbuxPHOF8aXEquxhJm9xw4gj/s1600/DSCF0011+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi225lXlLcQDszo274kHDqPwl86GmA5QDTpqd36oyX8xVm96QnlphyKSU2M47vlBe5Agc10TXjj_g5uWzQoMghhLzDot6iGkh5VMKWuv3P2rSi3jvcdVnN2DbuxPHOF8aXEquxhJm9xw4gj/s320/DSCF0011+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've forgotten what variety of new potato I ended up with this year. They promised to be ready in 90 days and the name reflected that, possibly 'Swift' </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIXVAA9BSXwtGdlF9HJypt9CShJZrGb42XcrCjwkPFuUNaNENaj3rZbTHDP1TDARaAZGxtbs5bz_pZSmAh8yKbxDA7jM1nwfUoWHHRN3-uvd6CzOl6A0WaRp2nXLsrNMGCFFCP1vA7M72W/s1600/DSCF0015+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIXVAA9BSXwtGdlF9HJypt9CShJZrGb42XcrCjwkPFuUNaNENaj3rZbTHDP1TDARaAZGxtbs5bz_pZSmAh8yKbxDA7jM1nwfUoWHHRN3-uvd6CzOl6A0WaRp2nXLsrNMGCFFCP1vA7M72W/s320/DSCF0015+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Here's a little before and after. Before, I had already cleared the beds of parsnip, carrots and cabbage. Clearly my crop rotation has not been a precision manouvre, rather a higgledy-piggledy re-direction of the troops. I have intentions to one day draw up a battle plan and marshall everything into its correct place; one day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiajgMx61Ch1txi0MGLrMRCnwDoeuTRK6FmLjGpGa5bLOJLvy7rKbWLo3u1MUxRYwZ2-j_DoDIhIL84uYv2J7YwmOVsIXWtk_VXbUnMKyzTq7642fOEYSksZo0LD_nVsIzZib349QoUt0rz/s1600/DSCF0019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiajgMx61Ch1txi0MGLrMRCnwDoeuTRK6FmLjGpGa5bLOJLvy7rKbWLo3u1MUxRYwZ2-j_DoDIhIL84uYv2J7YwmOVsIXWtk_VXbUnMKyzTq7642fOEYSksZo0LD_nVsIzZib349QoUt0rz/s320/DSCF0019.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And after, well i like to plant the potatoes amongst a little bed of pine-needles and to pile up my rows to cover the potato. The pine-needles have helped deter wire-worm to a degree, they are a good soil conditioner, and they give me nice clean skin potatoes. In fact the shoots are already up (photo taken after planting about a week ago). </span><br />
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miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15084837364192001800noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5507718809006050993.post-457898265627524312017-09-18T02:12:00.000-07:002017-09-18T02:12:56.335-07:00Wonderland<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm feeling a little bit like the white rabbit, "I'm late, I'm late for a very important date" except that I'm not late, not yet. It's just that I meant to post these photos before I went on holiday and now there are more banking up to report on; Spring does take off. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-HwPJR5Y5N98xIu08JIRmq2bU51VXWoqdafomw8rPEYDlWm_v8yVmJJJdBXdjki7bmvlA1WEykvnAbHfs2OroTHOB8IlUF8EENe9EhLkLL0MMm4RjYq0T1Mrm8v62hJCVavEfT_zZRYB/s1600/DSCF0005+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-HwPJR5Y5N98xIu08JIRmq2bU51VXWoqdafomw8rPEYDlWm_v8yVmJJJdBXdjki7bmvlA1WEykvnAbHfs2OroTHOB8IlUF8EENe9EhLkLL0MMm4RjYq0T1Mrm8v62hJCVavEfT_zZRYB/s320/DSCF0005+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I got in early and ordered my seeds, planted them at the end of August, that warm patch before the weather nose-dived and September heralded spring. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The heritage seeds are counted out in miniscule number, 25 seeds from 5 varieties for my tomatoes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This becomes a problem when only about 18 of them sprout. Six are spindly and two haven't the strength to burst those first two leaves and pop off the seed case. In my experience, if they can't do that, helping often doesn't help. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRY3Jcece5VonbUn8Tx9ixxc9-C9zjJHLuNB421Gxuaa9djkrSAjsJ0MNdNDcKlOFF41n06s3ptzxjs9SXioMQySFjlltWOfUri0XfUMJXhTGmUX8Ou_MQq0q47p6mZ3jsfw7bMqGTpac/s1600/DSCF0023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRY3Jcece5VonbUn8Tx9ixxc9-C9zjJHLuNB421Gxuaa9djkrSAjsJ0MNdNDcKlOFF41n06s3ptzxjs9SXioMQySFjlltWOfUri0XfUMJXhTGmUX8Ou_MQq0q47p6mZ3jsfw7bMqGTpac/s400/DSCF0023.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Will I get 5 varieties of tomato? Probably not. I may buy another packet because I want to save my own seed for next year and I'd love to make a salad with five different types of tomato.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sometimes a chicken likes to make its own private nest to lay in. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">B spotted a pile of eggs in a far, damp, corner of the old run. (There is a new Shangri-la under construction.) They look dreadful but they passed the float test with flying colours and you will be pleased to know, we have used them with impunity. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsaUsFt5NLjG2c1W02gSsvzfnggzpXpq6Wm3RfuLqRbQsVMFq9BjvSvPDB4xfbj4kekya6ghYw-NMpbOGB6Q3r5HMQKFAgRYZW4MJ9JuKurv_hfSXP9RkDUkOabM7vwjbK-rlxiSqFvCEW/s1600/DSCF0014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsaUsFt5NLjG2c1W02gSsvzfnggzpXpq6Wm3RfuLqRbQsVMFq9BjvSvPDB4xfbj4kekya6ghYw-NMpbOGB6Q3r5HMQKFAgRYZW4MJ9JuKurv_hfSXP9RkDUkOabM7vwjbK-rlxiSqFvCEW/s320/DSCF0014.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thirty one in total. Thanks chook. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And thanks for the beautiful lemons Mum. A big batch of marmalade and enough left to make lemoncello. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijA2p6IxnzMoIR4Me8j07mNTZ4LkYVlwBI62bmnZ3Yb6IHLGOQrWrYk3TuwRXjj-g2xZzq-1mMaNh4dLoTU_ltu-AwNrejB-MFvtT-Vl2rE1jOzioJMQg9uS7NzzEEskS68SWQYKDqpjEu/s1600/DSCF0022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijA2p6IxnzMoIR4Me8j07mNTZ4LkYVlwBI62bmnZ3Yb6IHLGOQrWrYk3TuwRXjj-g2xZzq-1mMaNh4dLoTU_ltu-AwNrejB-MFvtT-Vl2rE1jOzioJMQg9uS7NzzEEskS68SWQYKDqpjEu/s320/DSCF0022.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These mini spring crocus (crocii?) have been wonderful. </span></div>
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miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15084837364192001800noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5507718809006050993.post-75626812359735936382017-08-19T00:04:00.001-07:002017-08-19T00:04:10.391-07:00Spring garlic <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last years garlic crop hanging in the laundry. Could be just enough to take us through to January which would be a first. We usually run out. </span></div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVgOV0NyDfMuTevSuQLduTOfAp2yTS37t9ctTWbuGtEVV-qOvewX6yCBNkQxZDosI3SDl2S1bT7hnbOiQAYDZt7mYFmkSZoEtTIEw9Rl8INhrufp2K9186YKUyfckhV1w6NpQn5HyfjsN/s1600/DSCF0008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVgOV0NyDfMuTevSuQLduTOfAp2yTS37t9ctTWbuGtEVV-qOvewX6yCBNkQxZDosI3SDl2S1bT7hnbOiQAYDZt7mYFmkSZoEtTIEw9Rl8INhrufp2K9186YKUyfckhV1w6NpQn5HyfjsN/s320/DSCF0008.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I was disappointed in the size of the bulbs but size isn't an issue if you also have quantity. I have learnt to cure them under the verandah before snipping off the stems and storing the garlic in a mesh bag. I have lost the odd clove to rot, barely any, and all bulbs storing well; this is my most successful method of storing them . </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you look closely here is this years garlic crop coming through after an excellent winter chill. (A self-sown broad bean to the left, they were the last crop.) It had been so wet I wondered whether the cloves had rotted as I planted them back in about May. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIE3fLorcFNUEhmOtRQeeepqEBSv4LVsuHnUFZjgbr2TQoHGYZCbDHyIxjPOXmq1ztr0nuGiseNIHPVS4PmUVEvgQ_d6HG5RjjXhDSQpwruWG-Kp9NulNg4OPWES6mPlIJUV7Ga5yxRKi6/s1600/DSCF0013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn6YTXpKMDxkqMWst2XhPzfR8AiNWZb6EmZccezNJSWylqkk65rgGAQUjMktwmjGTloNhuUIenSwsKAn8p21JA4u4mAfTP1vsXrKSGf5rTj4UBeKnKzN8vihGFHiug-cPX3X1bzJCAXqZY/s1600/DSCF0011+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn6YTXpKMDxkqMWst2XhPzfR8AiNWZb6EmZccezNJSWylqkk65rgGAQUjMktwmjGTloNhuUIenSwsKAn8p21JA4u4mAfTP1vsXrKSGf5rTj4UBeKnKzN8vihGFHiug-cPX3X1bzJCAXqZY/s320/DSCF0011+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now this unpromising piece of garden still has buried treasure. Actually I have discovered this year that the garden doesn't care how it looks. It still produces for me. Look in the bucket below. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXMcqUVwBEA0BEmDO4dRY9jtSGYgXoLkyk_HjKh3SSz77S3udvaBxO5QPidp9VBtS3Fetz_96ugQmfjrQFSh0PBGmbdtVu5Kx2GNeNnpDo7YOOsYt_DTpQsnpr3pFD-Xfxk9jOzUGkMOJY/s1600/DSCF0003+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXMcqUVwBEA0BEmDO4dRY9jtSGYgXoLkyk_HjKh3SSz77S3udvaBxO5QPidp9VBtS3Fetz_96ugQmfjrQFSh0PBGmbdtVu5Kx2GNeNnpDo7YOOsYt_DTpQsnpr3pFD-Xfxk9jOzUGkMOJY/s320/DSCF0003+%25281%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I suppose the photo doesn't help, but when they are scrubbed and trimmed </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">here's the best vegetables you can get. I'm so proud of you guys. You are awesome. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnfA270-Khllj9CEFDw-HnEBTfKbThAhFq7YlikBzeniPZbBivzZM_L7mUR51uHofFTQC6A_GCvF6K4d1RAitw7gc90V22PIpo66vxuVYy2JVYbsEFlNq-bv9dAVVnzR2L3by-JlokWRW/s1600/DSCF0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnfA270-Khllj9CEFDw-HnEBTfKbThAhFq7YlikBzeniPZbBivzZM_L7mUR51uHofFTQC6A_GCvF6K4d1RAitw7gc90V22PIpo66vxuVYy2JVYbsEFlNq-bv9dAVVnzR2L3by-JlokWRW/s320/DSCF0005.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now this is what I have been aiming for below, volunteers, self-sown kale growing up amongst the spring onions. I've been trying to let the things I want self-seed and if possible...reduce the weed seeds. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpCV0gTGZe2-yib6vdmSpPSom5kjo_XTVjPRQRdlHM_lk-Moq3e46mOsFQng70-5qSwu3TC5l_KiuKmY1lywelLR0OsupV3LkTUNpAFVWCuMJ5M5we4aswqdNqLINnIyJ_AzkV1AyaIGz/s1600/DSCF0012+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpCV0gTGZe2-yib6vdmSpPSom5kjo_XTVjPRQRdlHM_lk-Moq3e46mOsFQng70-5qSwu3TC5l_KiuKmY1lywelLR0OsupV3LkTUNpAFVWCuMJ5M5we4aswqdNqLINnIyJ_AzkV1AyaIGz/s400/DSCF0012+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Weeds have a very short seed cycle and vegetables have a long one, heres the </span></div>
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miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15084837364192001800noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5507718809006050993.post-52009546468132510982017-08-07T01:03:00.000-07:002017-08-07T01:03:54.817-07:00Have we got any flowers?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It may have made 17 degrees today but it has been more like 7 more oft than not; a very cold winter. However, the house now sports 2 functioning wood burners. Happily the wood piles both fall and rise again like the tide.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoTLV4jRBXBzKNo5ZVnICLTq8IvmIS6h_Gp8c-sLWQ7ASCWm5mPnv4rnY96EeMxz9_QWPjqomrvvwEETUWweA6twQb5K21GQhZc8zrwsFac26b9KQtdjfJw152lkIFJuBwDBEsEqyfkH2J/s1600/DSCF0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoTLV4jRBXBzKNo5ZVnICLTq8IvmIS6h_Gp8c-sLWQ7ASCWm5mPnv4rnY96EeMxz9_QWPjqomrvvwEETUWweA6twQb5K21GQhZc8zrwsFac26b9KQtdjfJw152lkIFJuBwDBEsEqyfkH2J/s320/DSCF0004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There was a vase of garden flowers at our favourite cafe in Port Chalmers last Friday. (The Ocean Cafe) "Have we got any flowers? said B. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was surprised. How could you not notice? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Kaka beak by the front door seems to flower 1/2 now and 1/2 later. I am so grateful for the colour in July and August. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWTbXN4mssSRlh-FO3R0lPlF4DhRFN96HAZRVeirTuAEMXpXWNWAGZLUONwQnbMep-mjkXkE65bpQaxFjCmQYBMRSx6uXpYe61YOw2zZICIAu5JPnTbcG4PJhFFFv6Bj8StYyQr0zUW-r/s1600/DSCF0007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWTbXN4mssSRlh-FO3R0lPlF4DhRFN96HAZRVeirTuAEMXpXWNWAGZLUONwQnbMep-mjkXkE65bpQaxFjCmQYBMRSx6uXpYe61YOw2zZICIAu5JPnTbcG4PJhFFFv6Bj8StYyQr0zUW-r/s320/DSCF0007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is actually a beautiful orange, arctotis I think, or gazania. Flowers all year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The carpet rose has a few blowsey blooms at the minute and buds coming on. It has delivered everything I hoped it would, lovely foliage, blooms, and always looks good. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_D_x3GgUFU1EDS-rg9iShrztNjN1V47g51NaLLWJPb59z50Lnm1C7VtPpH5LGdJRF3CjehhGk_28N5OJ0xH5HaOd-tZ17AgcO7acG3s8fgjmBtet3espuBJHKQ1mwZvzXfZAJFYe1oQyP/s1600/DSCF0010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_D_x3GgUFU1EDS-rg9iShrztNjN1V47g51NaLLWJPb59z50Lnm1C7VtPpH5LGdJRF3CjehhGk_28N5OJ0xH5HaOd-tZ17AgcO7acG3s8fgjmBtet3espuBJHKQ1mwZvzXfZAJFYe1oQyP/s320/DSCF0010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is a St Stephens Island Kowhai. Home to a stripey caterpillar that strips the stalks bare of leaves every year. Somehow it has the strength to put out a few blooms. Keep going little shrub. You can overcome this. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Calendula was here 23 years ago when we arrived. I have added in an orange one that also pops up unbidden and delightful. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOuVZtNzlfEgfF3WNTkcZfs3knuPWklOq1KaMNFHc2h4CedfpV0i5Nnl4wqb2pJqSefwS24VkvZqJLaYDmi787RwhCMd2aMb3x4SUUCkr2NooS6eiZC07OGK-I_KZL2WWI4IJpyYJ_yAk/s1600/DSCF0012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOuVZtNzlfEgfF3WNTkcZfs3knuPWklOq1KaMNFHc2h4CedfpV0i5Nnl4wqb2pJqSefwS24VkvZqJLaYDmi787RwhCMd2aMb3x4SUUCkr2NooS6eiZC07OGK-I_KZL2WWI4IJpyYJ_yAk/s320/DSCF0012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lavender looks good. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjznL8HSIcMOjWMeC8PYsNfv2gTSdRVahA6zZ4S8ohy5X8rs6dpFZRXWbqTWPWzCGq13i8Jfa0oAyOq5VVcaEihmPH4t-TxEQMhfsvBjjisQlDSYVO26A8rJKnvIB3lHo2bAjzHgpBPtTgZ/s1600/DSCF0097+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjznL8HSIcMOjWMeC8PYsNfv2gTSdRVahA6zZ4S8ohy5X8rs6dpFZRXWbqTWPWzCGq13i8Jfa0oAyOq5VVcaEihmPH4t-TxEQMhfsvBjjisQlDSYVO26A8rJKnvIB3lHo2bAjzHgpBPtTgZ/s320/DSCF0097+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's the girls found a patch in the winter sun. They are underneath my lemon stick. One day it may become a lemon tree. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One day it may set fruit.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmVOY4Z59GjSJi4ykPw4ZmisHWcG-mlRaNhgAVN7vkroccbMUV_cmB2pwY5czGXXtFi60YGVcNBivUgaOEnXmfIarI_8jKK6ecB4yq0ISWyzl2oJZH9JqyBtU4k4wLthgaBWIGbP_WvO3/s1600/DSCF0101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmVOY4Z59GjSJi4ykPw4ZmisHWcG-mlRaNhgAVN7vkroccbMUV_cmB2pwY5czGXXtFi60YGVcNBivUgaOEnXmfIarI_8jKK6ecB4yq0ISWyzl2oJZH9JqyBtU4k4wLthgaBWIGbP_WvO3/s320/DSCF0101.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I set the chooks into the tunnel house. More to give the hen-pecked shavers a break than to clear the ground. Its time to start planting again. </span></div>
miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15084837364192001800noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5507718809006050993.post-46750002215085067602017-07-25T00:15:00.000-07:002017-07-25T00:15:59.752-07:00Meet the Glasshouse <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We put the glasshouse in about September 2016. Lest that sound like a one-off event, it took about a month; fetching it from the original site was a job in itself. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbn7bcZwa84ijKzrBtpkqFodP3LTbxjrvLsrBk4Md6aFwByyeyiHly5ewuJoZg4nH18gY9U8A53g_zVl3rDm3kbRvOZoZc4l4Sw0rdWjHnPVx7B2Ke8jWw4Lf41DN4NEGRZZMTDc3t0E3Y/s1600/DSCF0038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbn7bcZwa84ijKzrBtpkqFodP3LTbxjrvLsrBk4Md6aFwByyeyiHly5ewuJoZg4nH18gY9U8A53g_zVl3rDm3kbRvOZoZc4l4Sw0rdWjHnPVx7B2Ke8jWw4Lf41DN4NEGRZZMTDc3t0E3Y/s320/DSCF0038.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mr B put a wood foundation down first to attach the aluminium structure to, and it gives it a little extra height as well. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7CnFyFva0jpzToxyvaU3f_APW8MgrHa2Yy0L4GgFUZxc9I_WutHyOpn2CDJYI2hfNwfdh2uGmPdVR_T0ErZvTMCoCrtwNQkFJC1YcvoOIhpDUXCYpFFt5ceIHzgMiU_mcsFaEOav0kIP6/s1600/DSCF0042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7CnFyFva0jpzToxyvaU3f_APW8MgrHa2Yy0L4GgFUZxc9I_WutHyOpn2CDJYI2hfNwfdh2uGmPdVR_T0ErZvTMCoCrtwNQkFJC1YcvoOIhpDUXCYpFFt5ceIHzgMiU_mcsFaEOav0kIP6/s320/DSCF0042.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Available talent was seized for service holding up the skeletal roof spine. That look suits you boys. The look of industry.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_bm5_m9YSjX6O4SRt16-DCCOuMUbGKLWK7XqBIC0hIkFD4HjbFBQOazPIi-WLypkwgzdaYIE00OsOlrVQ00XCh1ZQ0SBV6TdAsMw0IpO-ML3GCLhFnodKFO2OCldJ-kjl7Nbm10gxNvJQ/s1600/DSCF0043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_bm5_m9YSjX6O4SRt16-DCCOuMUbGKLWK7XqBIC0hIkFD4HjbFBQOazPIi-WLypkwgzdaYIE00OsOlrVQ00XCh1ZQ0SBV6TdAsMw0IpO-ML3GCLhFnodKFO2OCldJ-kjl7Nbm10gxNvJQ/s320/DSCF0043.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We cleaned the glass panes. Fitting them was the hardest part because the structure had slightly skewed in transit, sigh, the perils of a second-hand glasshouse. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEAd1CWhyphenhyphenSdlpaCyB5GTBN_gY16tMt43oaQR3wb6zYWjO-3t-CPxSb6cSUUAyF9R5elkLxwZdsx-gz9Ov676sl2s1tTQS4L3_B06FTHiNKMvbISyc4oLFaksrys2Gf1ampreZzMsPzjwMV/s1600/DSCF0081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEAd1CWhyphenhyphenSdlpaCyB5GTBN_gY16tMt43oaQR3wb6zYWjO-3t-CPxSb6cSUUAyF9R5elkLxwZdsx-gz9Ov676sl2s1tTQS4L3_B06FTHiNKMvbISyc4oLFaksrys2Gf1ampreZzMsPzjwMV/s320/DSCF0081.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was about October before I got plants in, and my own plants went in even later so a late season. I grew small varieties of tomato to get them all ripened in time, and plenty of cucumbers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The best tomato was a little black heirloom from Kings Seeds, something like Blackjack. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6a2C-LzESTtpy-cB5g1nwxB_btoVEZcRMGRjMOTSlerFfD6sJqQ311_du5FCy_XteACNtgrBXTUwNeEuAFgHElRX5esUlJnBwOKkTY0HYinQ7yxHnJmc2f71W4bjTZ0QtNcoe6enCu3nD/s1600/DSCF0082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6a2C-LzESTtpy-cB5g1nwxB_btoVEZcRMGRjMOTSlerFfD6sJqQ311_du5FCy_XteACNtgrBXTUwNeEuAFgHElRX5esUlJnBwOKkTY0HYinQ7yxHnJmc2f71W4bjTZ0QtNcoe6enCu3nD/s320/DSCF0082.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I mulched everything with pine needles and dug them in when I cleared the glasshouse out. The chickens have had a good scratch around since and now I have begun to bury the bokashi in there; looking good for this season. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think this year I will grow good old Money Maker, and Black Jack. The Lebanese cucumber is superb but the plants aren't as reliable as a telegraph in the glasshouse so will plant both again. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How wonderful to be anticipating Spring in the middle of Winter. </span></div>
miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15084837364192001800noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5507718809006050993.post-19761778444699056922017-07-16T01:29:00.000-07:002017-07-16T01:29:07.734-07:00Old friend <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I planted crocus and freesia bulbs in pots by the back door in Autumn. Nothing to see above ground but the promise below has given me a lot of enjoyment. They look beautiful already. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbhEVaU9NiD_Q8QcrIdrhY-VB-7LSRlnpdJCd0bWiKKrgaT0B77Hxy8hiZYInXcWoGCLCZxhsqPDUJx1ZXf0Hvul0Nxv5kdwznZ3CanpKeWEzpykr7cG3zv2JHyVUMQg5SBcGuh2F5f9Jb/s1600/DSCF0086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbhEVaU9NiD_Q8QcrIdrhY-VB-7LSRlnpdJCd0bWiKKrgaT0B77Hxy8hiZYInXcWoGCLCZxhsqPDUJx1ZXf0Hvul0Nxv5kdwznZ3CanpKeWEzpykr7cG3zv2JHyVUMQg5SBcGuh2F5f9Jb/s320/DSCF0086.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A winter photo below, today, and the sun has already gone by 3pm. My bulbs are up and see the little woodpile at the side. There is an inexorable progression of combustibles towards the woodburner at this time of year. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxtVdjIAYnL9V3h6Shp6UZcJ6ELjYyXk35Hmf6fNiCgDoz24puObH3058a1nnutA3m-WHmqk87z3w0WAyMGbfNZRuDooOxNsJxDdH4d6UTklnsscyBf7XTvvORo6F9vaj7lx5DL8z2re0Y/s1600/DSCF0108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxtVdjIAYnL9V3h6Shp6UZcJ6ELjYyXk35Hmf6fNiCgDoz24puObH3058a1nnutA3m-WHmqk87z3w0WAyMGbfNZRuDooOxNsJxDdH4d6UTklnsscyBf7XTvvORo6F9vaj7lx5DL8z2re0Y/s320/DSCF0108.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now I think I've said before that I focused on growing vegetables this year and everything else was neglected. Come the end of summer and the path up to the chicken house was mud. We got a trailer load of free wood chips courtesy of the council's cleaning up around Port Chalmers. Thanks guys.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGAu92vGfPoy0cIhVEwrKF_xB-S-zeRqLntfiFMEShSUMgo1L4t_nTHVzcGVIbp5ALnxM9SQPfnjnl6Ktlm7pe6SavE7dkseIH9E4-WUS7jPDQfLHU_ZTzVgP0T1lD-DVGGyNsMjL1zvq/s1600/DSCF0099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGAu92vGfPoy0cIhVEwrKF_xB-S-zeRqLntfiFMEShSUMgo1L4t_nTHVzcGVIbp5ALnxM9SQPfnjnl6Ktlm7pe6SavE7dkseIH9E4-WUS7jPDQfLHU_ZTzVgP0T1lD-DVGGyNsMjL1zvq/s320/DSCF0099.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's the path now, below, working really well. The bags are full of pine needles. The little wood pile is my old friend, the Angelina Burdett plum tree that was growing in the middle of the chicken run. Sadly it had 'bladder plum' disease and we reluctantly took it out. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifSOMeM-uPK5vHeHqQHaKCwK8_xE6-xyleVZTwjPCZF57A7npRIq0XGidNk-H5MsA03_eJtldxL_tSgyRnyB_l2gFg6l4o8yv-OPMRFNFnEvm84eVz7kBcgF-WfhHA0BvWY73Ucky2TcU_/s1600/DSCF0104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifSOMeM-uPK5vHeHqQHaKCwK8_xE6-xyleVZTwjPCZF57A7npRIq0XGidNk-H5MsA03_eJtldxL_tSgyRnyB_l2gFg6l4o8yv-OPMRFNFnEvm84eVz7kBcgF-WfhHA0BvWY73Ucky2TcU_/s320/DSCF0104.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think we have done it justice, nothing wasted. All the twigs will make good kindling in a few months.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAo3CxShPmQyH9_SSv5vfG9HDVSt7hbTEHy0vA6GqLdUx4D6AGPg37G1LNHaOwXHip176fRAzM5NoTc3wL-Xx3kZoRHe33Vx3bOtMNSj7mf-hR2LcgNMm87bytHecnvfAiaWX5NGShMbvt/s1600/DSCF0105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAo3CxShPmQyH9_SSv5vfG9HDVSt7hbTEHy0vA6GqLdUx4D6AGPg37G1LNHaOwXHip176fRAzM5NoTc3wL-Xx3kZoRHe33Vx3bOtMNSj7mf-hR2LcgNMm87bytHecnvfAiaWX5NGShMbvt/s320/DSCF0105.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Final photo, chicken in the tunnel house. We got given some year-old brown shavers that are squabbling with our own Bardrocks. The Bardrocks have been throwing their weight around. I'm boarding a few of the chooks in the tunnel house for the minute to give everyone a break. Clear the ground while you are there girls. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTSgm75r3YYl7PtyC3fntlhEdcW3FQTs_-sXceFjPtVEZigttDlJKAc3bbT4xVu66DsVXO6bRBwpIbOR5l0ByiuP2QEfqIWc5NV9daMx1TuF6WZlnpkPEYijJD6XTK4wEj3vjR3kbivny_/s1600/DSCF0101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTSgm75r3YYl7PtyC3fntlhEdcW3FQTs_-sXceFjPtVEZigttDlJKAc3bbT4xVu66DsVXO6bRBwpIbOR5l0ByiuP2QEfqIWc5NV9daMx1TuF6WZlnpkPEYijJD6XTK4wEj3vjR3kbivny_/s320/DSCF0101.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15084837364192001800noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5507718809006050993.post-22499785988211511662017-07-06T22:16:00.001-07:002017-07-06T22:16:12.921-07:00New Tricks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've just re-learnt how to post a blog again. There are a few projects I have managed to capture on the camera over the last year. Just as well because as we head into the coldest two weeks of winter, apparently, I shan't be doing much outdoors. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Eventually the fence broke down here and I couldn't garden because the soil, and the water all ran away...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRjIpSchCkkrO1ux7FktL7r2GrYrAGZ91d9kUOESWuT5jaCECqIqY50HJqL-AhhXUI3ll7QTrwd48_upscsBMm16RQn6DHWTUPy_kSlPFU4Fsl4UTmi9cJRiPdjcw85A23-0nj2YI-d6t/s1600/DSCF0016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRjIpSchCkkrO1ux7FktL7r2GrYrAGZ91d9kUOESWuT5jaCECqIqY50HJqL-AhhXUI3ll7QTrwd48_upscsBMm16RQn6DHWTUPy_kSlPFU4Fsl4UTmi9cJRiPdjcw85A23-0nj2YI-d6t/s320/DSCF0016.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I hated the broken wall. There is a proverb about a sluggard, whose ground is covered in thistles and the stone wall is broken down. But what if the owner isn't lazy? The broken wall to me is the look of illness. The inability to order your environment. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> It was the best part of the garden, closest to the house, and got the most winter sun, plus an element of shelter from the wind, at times. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Eventually I needed the space and decided just to forge ahead, patch up with cardboard boxes, and use it. You know, do what I can, not worry about what I can't. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">About that time, God said to B, "Why haven't you fixed Miri's wall?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thank you. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ever put in a post? Digging the post holes is a big job.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Now here it is beginning to look like a useful garden space. I planted potatoes and yams, broad beans and peas, red onions, leeks, now garlic...and have spent a lot of time digging out the horseradish that was in there. It really does grow from every little piece. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">All beautiful to behold. It's really smart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Had a brilliant idea for storing my gardening gloves. Now I can always grab a dry pair, and the right pair for the job, as I go out the back door.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My shed was commandeered for another project. Gardening tools rehoused in the tunnel house. Proving to be even more convenient. Liquid seaweed in the blue bin. Use the sieve and old tin bath above to make my own seed raising mix. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I suppose I could draw the outlines underneath each tool so it can go back to the exact place...just kidding. I am the only one who uses them so they are always returned. </span><br />
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miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15084837364192001800noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5507718809006050993.post-74936914340901098812015-09-10T21:13:00.002-07:002015-09-10T21:13:58.511-07:00criminal mindsThere's a couple of new things happening in the garden at the minute.<br />
Partners in crime, here they are high-tailing it to a freshly dug patch of ground. They don't realise at all that they are <strike>pets</strike> livestock and have a mad intent to get inside. They hang around the back door in the mornings pecking to be let in, and should you or I leave the front door open, then they are strolling the red carpet. <br />
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I'm trying to think of suitable whimsical names but whimsy arrives sideways, it isn't planned or worked out, it is bestowed. </div>
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That's a seed potato in the foreground: my Christmas investment, a dozen red king seed potatoes.<br />
The liberal pine needle bed is some protection from wire-worm, and chickens ought to help with that too, eventually, when we target their browsing. I'm leaving the flowering broccoli in for wind shelter and bee forage. Yes, the weeds are part of the plan.<br />
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Nobody remembers it as a great winter but apart from the flooding, there were lots of dry, clear days.<br />
The first morning that B borrowed a concrete drill and began to work on the garage-door footings was also the morning that our neighbour got in from A and E at 7 am after a grueling night and was trying to sleep.<br />
It was school holidays so we cut work, managed to unplug a teenage boy from his computer, and went to the beach.<br />
The little barbecue has just enough oomph to boil the coffee pot after the sausages are done, very well done today....<br />
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Long Beach in winter, it could easily be summer, never a crowd.<br />
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miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15084837364192001800noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5507718809006050993.post-50799234988644633592015-02-17T17:09:00.000-08:002015-02-17T17:09:43.582-08:00Recollections<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There was a gap between taking the photos, and the writing of it this week, and I've already moved on to other things, but let me dredge my mind. Why did I take these photos?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The cucumbers seemed like a greater triumph, for some reason, than tomatoes and basil; all three are amazing just because they are home grown. How often do I say that?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Even the grotty tomatoes make pasta sauce that has no comparison to one made with a can of tomatoes and the slug-chewed sunburned basil becomes delicious pesto. I know, if you are reading a gardening blog I am preaching to the converted.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivT7XA7teI8mTGcsHdf9Bz1oajr8sufNwbjdf7xJmuRjEB6-ahbmj3h2aGTMmKFmHOAZNGiUbMhHHAmougqevq40fErckPBoaPGwqS7bRqlvpYdxfIVn_a-zeFsso5ESs-KSRfvAe9OrPM/s1600/garden+feb+14th+'15+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivT7XA7teI8mTGcsHdf9Bz1oajr8sufNwbjdf7xJmuRjEB6-ahbmj3h2aGTMmKFmHOAZNGiUbMhHHAmougqevq40fErckPBoaPGwqS7bRqlvpYdxfIVn_a-zeFsso5ESs-KSRfvAe9OrPM/s1600/garden+feb+14th+'15%2B003.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The timer is a reprimand. I popped the sprinkler on in the tunnel house, flouting watering restrictions because the job is so tedious... but then I forgot. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If the ground reaches saturation point within 1/2 hr, and the water flow was say, 2 litres a minute, how many litres ran down, the "River Driveway" for the next 2 hours? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">B retrieved a timer out of the garage, a commendable feat in itself, without saying anything, another commendable feat, and taped it to the hose. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I was given 3 different strawberry varieties this year that I am keen to trial. First step is multiplication. Just the one runner so far for Type A, but A comes highly recommended for big red fruits; in a rare bit of top-class care, I have tucked the progeny into a snug little punnet of potting mix. Grow strong little one. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now this is a conundrum. The fejoia is 'Unique' I think, suggested for this climate, but I don't understand how something that is flowering right now, can produce fruit on the cusp of the season like this. I may have to move the pair of them; I wanted them to sit nicely in front of the compost bins but they seem to be telling me that their needs are not the same as mine. I'm listening but I'll give it another year in case they come around. </span>miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15084837364192001800noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5507718809006050993.post-33137050218352076052015-01-27T14:32:00.001-08:002015-01-27T14:32:53.659-08:00fear factor <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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The distance between what I envisage for the garden, and what is actually there, has never seemed so great. Part of the problem is all the ideas on hold that are milling around in my mind; but it is so dry and to move a plant right now is to lose a plant, or at least set it back some. </div>
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And then there is the mid-season disappointment as it becomes fully apparent what is faring well and what isn't. Silly really, it's not a competition and my little carrots taste just as good as big ones would; they are just following a different trajectory. </div>
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In a world post-NCEA results, where plans for the schooling year are being made, it's good to remember that life is not a competition and there are many trajectories. </div>
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One of the chickens got out yesterday and she had a wonderful time scratching amongst these plants, broccoli inter planted with pak choi. They are the follow-on from the garlic. It's a lovely transition, and an accomplishment, to have plants ready to go in as spaces become available.<br />
In this instance the plants are my solar battery, harvesting the warmth and sunshine to draw on later. <br />
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There's a handful of blood and bone each and some scraggy compost; a big part of gardening, and cooking for that matter, is gathering and replenishing your resources so that they are available when you need them.<br />
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The leeks I planted in December have all gone up to seed so I have planted more as the potatoes are lifted.<br />
Some potatoes you dig, others you lift; and then there's bandicooting. <br />
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Today it crossed my mind, <i>will the garden ever be up and running or am I just making excuses</i>. I remembered that garden makeovers are not my style. I really enjoy the process and potential and it is not a race. Come to think of it, the NCEA student has just endured my talk to that effect in the car; I love a captive audience. <br />
A family friend asked this son recently "What would you do if you couldn't fail?"<br />
I think that idea is a good one for envisaging what I want in the garden. "If I could do anything what would I do?"<br />
Let's see what unfolds...miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15084837364192001800noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5507718809006050993.post-31203587089138193872015-01-08T02:56:00.003-08:002015-01-08T02:56:47.166-08:00glasshouse envy and brag shots<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Greetings from the sunny south. </div>
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For the record, I am growing the runner beans in the tunnel house and what a success. </div>
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However, as is often the way, it may be a trade off. The little cucumber beside them is possibly suffering from their success. </div>
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Cucumbers really need the hottest sunniest spot and were I to achieve a glasshouse in the near future, these things can happen unexpectedly sometimes, I would put the cucumber in it. </div>
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Meanwhile I am reluctantly buying cucumber. </div>
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It's been the year of the strawberry. These things have assured their priority status forever. You guys can keep that sunny spot and I promise to take care of your progeny forever, well next year anyway if I need to replace you (No need to broadcast it but I already have some runners on the go from other varieties).</div>
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Rust on the broad beans. It appeared really quickly, right after I had the sprinkler on . Once the foliage starts to break down like this there's not going to be any growth so I've cut my losses. The beans are already blanched and in the freezer. </div>
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They were in a bit late and are best in November when there is less in the garden for eating. </div>
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Note to self, plant beans by Anzac Day. </div>
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Well that's how it looked a day ago. suddenly my garden is looking bare. </div>
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It's been really dry but we had a big rain on New Year's Eve. I was weighing up the benefit of the extra rain bulking up the bulbs over the potential for the moisture to degrade the skin. If the bulb doesn't store well it doesn't matter how big it was. </div>
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Caution won the day. Garlic is hanging in the shed.</div>
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Note to self, plant twice as much next year. </div>
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I got a bonus bucket of new potatoes from amongst the broad beans. From memory it was a new variety called Highlander that I planted in January for Easter new potatoes. </div>
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I'm glad I let them co-mingle. Usually I pull rogue potatoes out.</div>
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Incidentally the potatoes had very little wire worm which I attribute to the pine needles. </div>
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Wire worm have a selective palette and seem to also like our favourite red kings over other varieties.</div>
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Well all this success is going to my head. Next post I must include a few 'when plants go bad' photos...if I can find some. </div>
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miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15084837364192001800noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5507718809006050993.post-54605050963903261972014-12-26T18:21:00.000-08:002014-12-26T18:21:07.295-08:00embarrassing gardens<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: black;">The world could be divided between those who are fascinated by <i>Embarrassing Bodies </i>and those who aren't. My limited research sides with the principle that opposites attract and I suggest that people who watch it, watch it alone because their partner can't stand it and has sloped off to bed. </span></div>
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An embarrassing garden doesn't have to have the horticultural equivalent of awkward genitalia problems or boob-jobs gone wrong. It's just that part of the garden that has had no attention and it tells the world so, should the world happen to see it. </div>
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On the very bright side, putting the photos above and below together and going to the last chapter of the story, a neglected raspberry patch, up to its ears in long grass and seeding docks, still yields delicious fruit. A late season this year had us begin picking soft fruits on Christmas day; none too late at all. </div>
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When you grow them, and pick every other day, there is a moment when it seems the supply will never end.</div>
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And the measure is quite different from buying a few punnets which have to be measured out or counted say.</div>
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You just eat them up, or make jam.</div>
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Sometimes you just eat them in the garden straight off the plant. </div>
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The seeding docks are part of my 30 minute gardening story, courtesy of current public library holiday reading. (<i>No Time to Garden</i> by Anne Swithinbank). </div>
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I have identified a number of tasks to set the timer for and hack away at. Otherwise at this time of year my gardening can become dissipated by the number of things to do exceeding the time available to do them and I seem to stab at things aimlessly. </div>
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I'm going to put the dock tops in a black plastic bag with the thistles and leave it all to rot down for a year in a neglected corner. </div>
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I never did identify this plant above but what a winner. I wonder if it is broccollini or something like it. I thought it was kale and we began eating the leaves which were delicious at first...and then these sprouts with very long stems kept growing so I kept picking. </div>
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Many weeks later I have picked the last of them, I just chop the whole bundle across into roughly 5-6 cm lengths, steam them, butter, salt, pepper. </div>
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I also dug the first of the new potatoes on Christmas Day and mercifully there was a crop beneath. You are never quite sure. </div>
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We visited friends one sunny afternoon before Christmas and the in-laws, also keen gardeners, had arrived down for Christmas. </div>
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I hope our potatoes have come through, said daughter. "We'll dig them on Christmas Day."</div>
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"You should have told me you needed potatoes" said Mother, "we've been eating ours for three weeks now."</div>
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"It's alright, we've got broad beans just beginning, we won't go without." (daughter)</div>
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"Ours are finished" said Mother " they were wonderful."</div>
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Son-in law realises they are losing in the vegetable game. "We've got lettuce up to here" he says, indicating the height of the table.</div>
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Father-in-law parried immediately, "We didn't grow dwarf lettuce this year."</div>
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Oops I have digressed, the point was compost, gypsum, a sprinkle of powdered aged sheep manure, and in go the red cabbage following on from the potatoes. </div>
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I really do have kale this time waiting in the wings for the next lot of potatoes to be dug. The ground is very dry. </div>
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I have got behind and my next task is to plant seeds now for Autumn, Winter and Spring to whom I have each awarded a capital letter to honour their distinctive and lovely personalities. </div>
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I will have another go at carrots, which aren't looking good at all, beetroot (neither are they and I may be too late) and iceberg lettuce because I have a tunnel house and I am tired of all these softie lettuces I have been growing. </div>
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Plus brassiness of course, no I mean brassicas, the auto correct is telling me what to do. Must be time to bring those potatoes in and pack them into the chilly bin...</div>
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miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15084837364192001800noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5507718809006050993.post-25866199778865304452014-12-19T01:41:00.000-08:002014-12-19T01:47:29.712-08:00Christmas pickings<div style="text-align: center;">
It doesn't mean anything to you, that path and the strip of ground beside it. They shouldered the broken concrete from the big dig, which is now being re-assimilated as back-fill for the retaining wall.</div>
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It's win/win/win. Walking up to the worm farm/chickens/garden is no longer an obstacle course and I have an interesting ribbon of dry/sheltered ground to fill with even more interesting plants. </div>
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The season has been slow thus far; a few hot days and how quickly everything takes off. </div>
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The first strawberry, which has even caught the birds by surprise or it wouldn't be there.</div>
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I need to get some new netting quick smart or I will be beaten to it. I was going to pull these plants out and I'm so glad I gave them one more year. They weren't runners but pieces of old plants and obviously needed a year's growing and recovery to renew themselves. Fair enough.</div>
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I wonder if the odd shape has something to do with pollination...</div>
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The cautionary tale of planting gooseberries beneath the washing line; broken branches and snagged clothing. They are habitually draped in anything from undies to towels. </div>
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I need to pick these gooseberries while they are still green. Thank goodness I am now officially on holiday. </div>
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Last year I froze them free flow, topped and tailed, for which there is no better tool than sharp fingernails. </div>
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Can anyone see a fractal broccauli in there, or is it a broccoflower. </div>
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No matter, we eat it just the same. It's been so dry I am slowly getting around with the sprinkler rescue package. First recipient was the flowering new potatoes; I considered watering them to be a significant Christmas dinner investment. </div>
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The runner beans like damp feet so I do keep up with them too; actually the garlic is the only thing I will leave for nature to take its course. It is drying out and heading for harvest and I don't want to interrupt that continuum. Harvest has been bumped forward by the price of NZ garlic in the shops just now. With the alternative of $25 a kilo they are more worthwhile than ever. </div>
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A few fennel waiting in the wings for the brassicas to finish so as they can move in on the space. </div>
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They're fairly patient, roots just starting to come out the bottom. </div>
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I'm trying for more continuity this year, little and often. The problem with that is when you don't get back to it and it is just little, the once. I have a feeling you can grow fennel more as an autumn plant anyway so there is still time for another bite of the apple. </div>
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O.K. that's it for the minute. Bye. </div>
miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15084837364192001800noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5507718809006050993.post-79516951072121040892014-12-09T00:15:00.002-08:002014-12-09T00:15:55.674-08:00you say potayto and I say potahto<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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How quickly the annual vege club Great Potato Weigh-In comes around. </div>
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My buckets had been tossed out of the tunnel house during a clean up and the plants fared rather badly in the ensuing weather. It didn't look like there was going to be much more growth below and I couldn't make it to the meeting for the weigh-in so I had my own small ceremony at home...a scrub, a boil, and then we ate them; or as a teenager would say, they were eaten. It's the phenomenon of the passive voice. "Has the washing been done yet? Is a meal going to be cooked? Can my bed be made?"</div>
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Maris Anchor was the variety, a little bit boring as a new potato in my opinion; in fact, boring as a main crop too I should think. The leopard doesn't change its spots. I frisked them in the big old bath. Gotta keep that gorgeous soil for something special; heaped it around the celery plants and a lone broccoli. </div>
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My two plants came in with a collective 3lbs 6oz which hardly topped the charts. Apparently at vege club Wayne took out first prize with well over a kilo of potatoes hidden in his bucket. I think he is capping his hat at the the big one: the trophy for the most wins of the year. For the record, the trophy is a papier mache aubergine. </div>
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Clearly the real prize is the fame and the glory. </div>
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Many people successfully grow an embarrassment of runner beans in the south, but our section is just too windy and they don't like it. It has been well worth it to sacrifice a little bit of growing space in the tunnel house for a few plants which are rewarding us with early beans. Early is everything. Beans for Christmas dinner. Num num num.</div>
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miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15084837364192001800noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5507718809006050993.post-75360689506740304852014-11-28T00:22:00.000-08:002014-11-29T00:29:24.833-08:00tiger stripes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Yeah I know I'm really selling it with the photo. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It's top corner of the section. Former neighbours, many years ago, planted large trees hugging up to the hedge line. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A potentially sad story of overbearing shade, voracious root systems, hedge munted by vigourous growth and consequently an area no longer suitable for growing.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Fortunately life is a whole lot bigger than that (and so is the section) and unfortunately there are real sad stories out there that you wouldn't wish on anyone.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Wherever they are now, I really hope they are enjoying the pleasures of gardening and continuing to bless their world with more trees. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So having identified the perfect place to build a worm farm I moved up the bath, with a little help from the school child home 'sick' for the day: that mysterious tummy bug that seems to come right about 9.30am, after a phone call to school has cleared the day. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I have some rigid plastic grid over the plug hole to keep out rodents; also put a few bricks in the bottom, I think for drainage? I'm following careful instructions from my worm source. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Notice the enamel pot underneath to catch worm fertiliser and the bath is on a gentle slope to make sure it drains easily. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The final ingredients are dirt, compost, and the first buffet bucket of vegetable scraps, (citrus and onion excluded) to welcome them to their new home. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The compost was full of 'other' worms, the garden variety. I was a wee bit concerned about dropping my immigrants amongst them; I hope things don't turn to fisticuffs in there. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The top layer is wet sacks, then a clever waterproof lid, covered with overlapping plastic tiles that function like scales. The weights stop any wind drift. See photo below. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> It seems to be a very manageable level of livestock care, although, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">I've seen a few dead worm farms and they are a sad sight</span>...but enough of that sort of talk, </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhihMpGTCoc2_1zMvzI7pRzftAI0UHGK30A2GI4rCNEA4l9t7zTtycg9faBbyUsJj0OgYyXI1z-ZtmeNNvDZcVNl8qb9F1kag4cR78lxGcmUzBjfxUXxzRG1L2GCsrh0ZCxw1wHUEuyrI1l/s1600/DSCF0002+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhihMpGTCoc2_1zMvzI7pRzftAI0UHGK30A2GI4rCNEA4l9t7zTtycg9faBbyUsJj0OgYyXI1z-ZtmeNNvDZcVNl8qb9F1kag4cR78lxGcmUzBjfxUXxzRG1L2GCsrh0ZCxw1wHUEuyrI1l/s1600/DSCF0002+4.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Bon vivant!</span></div>
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<br />miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15084837364192001800noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5507718809006050993.post-70684128799129350122014-11-20T00:19:00.001-08:002014-11-20T00:19:29.879-08:00made to measure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
November, the month of new toys. </div>
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I 'ordered' the shade house to fit the little spot outside the tunnel house and fit it does. </div>
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It reduces the tunnel-house-transition-to-garden to literally one step, out the door. </div>
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The wood is recycled pallet hardwood, Pacific Teak, delivered to site by our neighbour who brings us a steady supply of pallets through the year. </div>
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I can't imagine what a better neighbour would look like. Except his wife of course. She looks better. </div>
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Chortles when I mention my new water butt that graces the little supply station here. </div>
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I'm looking up 'butt' in the dictionary to justify the word. Oh yes o.k., slang for buttocks, but here is my working definition 'a cask especially as a measure of wine or ale'. </div>
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I consider it fits. I'm facing disbelief that it's a proper word. </div>
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The hoses are at the other end of the garden and it is for all those moments when I need a bit of water at this end. There is liquid manure in the white bucket so I can distribute a little tonic more easily now, which makes it more likely to happen. </div>
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Who doesn't do better for a little tonic now and then. </div>
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Hard to see what I took this photo for. Except of course, I know and I can see clearly. </div>
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I picked up some 'kale' plants from vege club, grown from saved seed; saved, cross-fertilised seed it would seem, sending out broccolli-esque shoots and odd, large leaves. </div>
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The shoots are delicious, the leaves aren't bad, I'm just snapping them off and steaming them, all good to me but they're not going to have any longevity which is more what I was after with Kale. Something to quietly grow and hold-in there through the seasons. </div>
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Now you can juice the ribs, nothing needs to be wasted; it's up there with jerusalem artichoke juice: virtuous. May not get any repeat takers on it. Alright, won't get any repeat takers then. </div>
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The brag shot, Italian zuchinni, only brag because it is mid-November in Dunedin, and a cold wet one at that. I never buy zuchinni, so this is a treat; not quite as good as your first strawberries or new potatoes of the season but still something to fully appreciate. </div>
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I just threw the wood box in on the theme of</div>
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humble pallet construction. Super recycling here, when it breaks we burn it for firewood. </div>
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The ashes are the only part that's thrown away. Very neat. </div>
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miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15084837364192001800noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5507718809006050993.post-40867923144861039962014-11-13T02:18:00.001-08:002014-11-13T02:18:57.596-08:00small beginnings middles and ends<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Amongst the strawberry bed a beautiful pink flowering plant. No idea what the strawberries will be like; the mother plant was a non-descript looking gift but one with great promise: I knew that because the giver is a wonderful gardener. It perked up once it was in the ground and flowered in late Autumn, too late in this climate for fruit. It excelled itself in sending out runners, another big tick; these are all heading for their first season. I can hardly wait. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEingQ1c4i5_naDJ2TaOhk5e9rXXvCsqPXFj1rj6WUvoXQMmKIWIdbJaDjyBdg82QeHuL7fk5LZoBEOkSvn4-bkzlUVtll2cSroz-guAeH7dGFWo-UNgkGZb1_WVqthONmI53gm3k_vzb2kZ/s1600/DSCF0004+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEingQ1c4i5_naDJ2TaOhk5e9rXXvCsqPXFj1rj6WUvoXQMmKIWIdbJaDjyBdg82QeHuL7fk5LZoBEOkSvn4-bkzlUVtll2cSroz-guAeH7dGFWo-UNgkGZb1_WVqthONmI53gm3k_vzb2kZ/s320/DSCF0004+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I was very pleased to find carrots amongst all the weeds. Some of my seed was old, big mistake, especially for the first planting, possibly an over-optimistic joust at carrots for Christmas. I put microclima cloth over them as much as a mulch to hold in moisture, as a deterrent for the cats that seem to love to scratch or sleep on a newly-sown bed. It seemed to work on both counts and would have raised the temperature a little too. </div>
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It doesn't let all the rain through so is removed for the minute. Carrot fly is not a problem here or I would leave it on. I am using the compost wooden things, umm, the squares that build the bin, to mark out the ground. I'm not sure why it makes any difference but I like separating things off. The horseradish over the back isn't deterred by an arbitrary wooden frame (yes that's the word) but a dividing line seems to suggest I am keeping it at bay. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fu-0rdF8RmoQqyYnnu2rDjea9aO2EQrDGC7ckV_8hZQ7Tbnmd1D5JrrZ4ANr2hj7gZRu8BfZZ0Z4ec7Zlpwzg2jzDx_fY31QGn-W-OKWtL0dfTy7-MdaRZ7wK78dwQxOC0nZ2OYiLll7/s1600/DSCF0006+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fu-0rdF8RmoQqyYnnu2rDjea9aO2EQrDGC7ckV_8hZQ7Tbnmd1D5JrrZ4ANr2hj7gZRu8BfZZ0Z4ec7Zlpwzg2jzDx_fY31QGn-W-OKWtL0dfTy7-MdaRZ7wK78dwQxOC0nZ2OYiLll7/s320/DSCF0006+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Two pictures in the evening light. Garlic, rhubarb, potatoes, the photo is showing off my little concrete retaining 'wall'. It is enough to stop the dirt slipping over the terrace, maybe it provides a little extra warmth through mass absorbing solar energy.</div>
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Last of the potatoes, Pink Fir, and Agria are in under the grass clippings. Too much wire worm to leave them late here, we'll just eat new potatoes all the way. Have used pine needles and they help, but I have run out and need to stock up again from a favourite gathering site. A lot of gardening is about gathering and distributing the right resources at the right time. </div>
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I bought this beautiful mug for son's birthday and realised I was actually buying it for myself. Left it out on the bench as a tester to see if there was the slightest interest. No. It's too small and he doesn't appreciate how comfortable the 'scissors handle' is . I'm sure there's a proper name in the ceramics world for that too. </div>
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The obvious solution then is for mother to also receive a gift on son's birthday. </div>
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I'll use it for coffee tomorrow morning. </div>
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'Small beginnings middles and ends' is all about looking at the individual components of a garden rather than a big sweep. It's what I had in mind before I loaded any photos. The big sweep is something I want to think about more in general garden terms but at this time of year, life has to be in manageable myopic chunks. </div>
miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15084837364192001800noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5507718809006050993.post-19120493905417013652014-09-06T03:57:00.003-07:002014-09-06T03:57:35.441-07:00and the winner is...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Irrelevant to the photos, and today's title, I've somehow won a couple of flower carpet roses from a local nursery. I 'll be off to collect them on Monday once the weekend crowds are gone. No skill was required. </div>
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Today's topic for my own amusement and interest, is the 'Potato in a Bucket' comps and my bid to get closer to the dais and the crown. The big unveiling in December is the opposite of a Weight Watcher's meeting; everybody is hoping for the biggest gain, heaviest weight, or the subsidiary prize of most potatoes. </div>
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Back to those potatoes in a minute, here's the tunnel house getting the seaweed treatment. </div>
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I'm trenching it in, with a layer of compost getting ready for Spring planting. I could put these things on top, but away from the hydrations of our consistent rainfall, the seaweed dries out before it breaks down and you are digging around dry seaweed sticks for months. </div>
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This way it disappears.</div>
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I'm going to plant only a few grafted tomatoes this year and then use the extra space for beans, courgettes, basil which struggled outside last year and failed to reach their full potential. No disrespect to a budding summer, but I haven't recent cause to rely on it to meet all their needs. </div>
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The bucket mix for the aforementioned potatoes comprises basic potting mix, chopped seaweed, a scoop or two of rock dust, wood ash, and a few handfuls of rotted manure. I have wrapped</div>
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the buckets in bubble wrap with Microclima cloth over the top and they can cosily reside in the tunnel house until they are well on their way. </div>
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For seed raising and seedling mix, I use that old dishwashing rack to sieve the potting mix, add a bit of rock dust and manure. This advice is courtesy of Carol at Garden Club. So far so good. </div>
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Now the buckets are on their way to the tunnel house. Come along you two (note to viewer, the new steps and railing, Bill's triumph of re-engineered scrap metal parts). </div>
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May the best potato win.</div>
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miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15084837364192001800noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5507718809006050993.post-28135986036735955732014-08-09T02:04:00.000-07:002014-08-09T02:04:12.807-07:00Hidden treasure <div style="text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lets not waste time with all the reasons for not posting, or wring hands over computer melt downs, and a forgotten email address, oh how the list goes on. As someone said to me this week, "Never mind the why, let's just solve the problem" so onwards to the ever fascinating, richly rewarding world of gardening. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I realise, emptying the camera, I haven't got the photos I thought I had, and the yams are doubley invisible because not only no photo, but we ate the superlative yielders before it became apparent that the other variety was such a poor cousin. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Come winter and the crops are mostly underground. You don't know until you dig quite what the performance level is going to be. I had two varieties of Jerusalem Artichoke also, one had gazillions of these little satellite creamy nodules and the other was a monster red sort of knobbly football, covered in long roots. It looked strangely like a futuristic space ship. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well as you can see, one comes as smooth portioned crunchy tubers, a quick scrub with the vegetable brush (which is a nail brush most of the time) and they store in the fridge for weeks. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The others are too big for the fridge and too knobbly to get the dirt out easily. We are juicing them with carrots, apple, and ginger. It tastes virtuous with earthy undertones. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVm0afm8gA2zBAJaPxKl-dGGlv1tx1Hd229CW_MPR0ISjOmdfOcUiXI7kzVCa8_CdDlz4R4JfirjgMO7wcDnF3Nyju6JPPzj-lVqqSOfjllgjcp2yn_XcloVMmPx7Gz_-uffkqPS5L8SEg/s1600/DSCF0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVm0afm8gA2zBAJaPxKl-dGGlv1tx1Hd229CW_MPR0ISjOmdfOcUiXI7kzVCa8_CdDlz4R4JfirjgMO7wcDnF3Nyju6JPPzj-lVqqSOfjllgjcp2yn_XcloVMmPx7Gz_-uffkqPS5L8SEg/s1600/DSCF0013.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I broadcast the carrot seed over quite a large plot this year, nevermind rows and thinning and all that palaver. Pulled out all the big ones first, as you do when you're making tea in a hurry, and now I'm clearing the plot to make way for peas.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I've got a feeling I've gone awry already with my rotational theory and it should be potatoes next. However I seem to be shoehorning things in where I can this year. It's early days in this garden, there is time to iron that out as the soil quality lifts. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm stripping a section at a time, pull a bucketful of carrots, scrub and sort into small for snacks, medium for cooking (halved) ,and large for anything else, carrot and artichoke soup, carrot cake and juice.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> It's brilliant having them all ready to go and the small ones are the best instead of being a nuisance. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeghyphenhyphenjdV272VzGP8yy6jRgA7f3mkWztnyYb7UuSO6A_LAE21qXx0ylf8qNMlV9nFtNct8322gd5WsJ8NpT_aqoRyZVYv_O1XNC-tKOlsoBspPzUJEnLtws4gYb75ZUzNEpR1mPjIHfnkdI/s1600/DSCF0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeghyphenhyphenjdV272VzGP8yy6jRgA7f3mkWztnyYb7UuSO6A_LAE21qXx0ylf8qNMlV9nFtNct8322gd5WsJ8NpT_aqoRyZVYv_O1XNC-tKOlsoBspPzUJEnLtws4gYb75ZUzNEpR1mPjIHfnkdI/s1600/DSCF0015.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What with a mild winter, there are a few sporting 'carrot beard', that mass of tiny roots that sprouts as they begin to grow again so yes it is good timing to lift and deal with them. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What a great result from one artichoke plant, five was probably one plant too many for us this year. One of my yams produced nearly a bucketful like this one of artichokes. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anyway the mild winter seems to have been just as productive as a lacklustre summer. Perhaps it's just that I hadn't fenced the garden with expectations and I have been free to seize every opportunity and enjoy every small thing. </span><br />
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miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15084837364192001800noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5507718809006050993.post-3810783626891472802014-04-17T20:14:00.001-07:002014-04-17T20:14:02.653-07:00whether the weather be hot or whether the weather be cold<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghXtiqhHlNzdJWP9TGwSHa9bEwAg0Xv02fF9Uoj_ZT9PwiXhJEzvy6z4GalALDnlmcSH94cCSBlEkTVq8mwpY5UteqTx6A6aCbRUj5W-rIdQIiNYF0PI8fuNUicw26HiKpJgXAk99OHzzJ/s1600/DSCF0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">Happy Easter</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I've been watching gardening videos courtesy of the vege club library, living vicariously. The only sort of gardening for this week end I suspect. Pouring doesn't describe the rain, it's driving in against the windows and under the back door making its way into places it doesn't usually go. Has filled up the metre deep post holes that we dug last week for the retaining wall. </span></div>
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Here's the Capri tomatoes looking more successful than they really were. Bigger tomatoes require a longer growing season to ripen, better care with watering and feeding, and this year, much better slug protection than they got. The smaller tomatoes were more successful, being satisfied with errattic attention, and well away from the ground. I have learnt that slugs will climb for tomatoes, but they don't seem to have a great head for heights. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_JHisiL2TM51BqtPONYMOzghTue5gGqogi38mz35ITzO2KFwWte3ALcWoU7cH7U5xpFVbr3vqROk-k83GDFMjwABDXWDk8KrAfhyphenhyphenD1MyWiXeo-UdCR65UJTj9uM1qoa44Hn4eafRPuHd/s1600/DSCF0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_JHisiL2TM51BqtPONYMOzghTue5gGqogi38mz35ITzO2KFwWte3ALcWoU7cH7U5xpFVbr3vqROk-k83GDFMjwABDXWDk8KrAfhyphenhyphenD1MyWiXeo-UdCR65UJTj9uM1qoa44Hn4eafRPuHd/s1600/DSCF0003.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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A beautiful strawberry flower below. This plant was a gift that sat in the pot for weeks. When I eventually planted it, out came bracts of flowers. Too late for fruiting it's just too cold now but I have carefully planted out all the runners in the strawberry bed. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIi5pLpxeu-BR8zEUkWnBpLQEiO_SRSr0znzyQkiu2Ay2TQcUgH_OpcQafVaAY5WKH56Rs0BXSbfCX8LrpU7tVqktM0SH50YIinsBYj2pcpUOPilappizmyR6ON1C1iRqo-QHELR2b3Yv3/s1600/DSCF0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIi5pLpxeu-BR8zEUkWnBpLQEiO_SRSr0znzyQkiu2Ay2TQcUgH_OpcQafVaAY5WKH56Rs0BXSbfCX8LrpU7tVqktM0SH50YIinsBYj2pcpUOPilappizmyR6ON1C1iRqo-QHELR2b3Yv3/s1600/DSCF0006.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I am really pleased I got a day to clear around the fruit trees and bushes, strawberries in the foreground. <br />
Mulched with compost and bedded with pine needles for the winter. I looked at pea straw, but the pine needles are free and I also use them on the floor of the hen house so I tend to have a supply on hand.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW5nbFP3Jx5ZoitpTZkcvL7VhkzEgqmEIkXQpRGpeDlbn3r3EVTbaqUklHPQx_usA_Om3k4vrQJoL_ODlpN2bVYbSdNiOFcWXhvBHOUyio4bxsOFAGjb8BZT6yshuxW2bZ1Me7PMHiAq93/s1600/DSCF0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW5nbFP3Jx5ZoitpTZkcvL7VhkzEgqmEIkXQpRGpeDlbn3r3EVTbaqUklHPQx_usA_Om3k4vrQJoL_ODlpN2bVYbSdNiOFcWXhvBHOUyio4bxsOFAGjb8BZT6yshuxW2bZ1Me7PMHiAq93/s1600/DSCF0007.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Little concrete retaining walls are appearing everywher around the garden, using up the debris from the 'landscaping project' my euphemistic term for the great workshop build. Some people gracefully landscape their sections and other people dig, and build, and make things and it all looks good in the end. We are in the second category but it has yet to all look good. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4WS2M8cSRi5BrG5YGe2qcn3W8jQcazld5hkKTxM3YXcPtDztAwSl6tNogkM2N-BfYHlZj9fT6Vnws9nUA3vekEKI-rzimM-0OzNO_f6a4b8EmdUzgDMr4mvtc6kWLAwP5_v_N9YMC8PdZ/s1600/DSCF0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4WS2M8cSRi5BrG5YGe2qcn3W8jQcazld5hkKTxM3YXcPtDztAwSl6tNogkM2N-BfYHlZj9fT6Vnws9nUA3vekEKI-rzimM-0OzNO_f6a4b8EmdUzgDMr4mvtc6kWLAwP5_v_N9YMC8PdZ/s1600/DSCF0008.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I've been trying to work out what this picture is meant to show but I remember now. Brassicas on the lower right. This is an area with club root. I took your advice Mum and put a rhubarb stalk and leaf under each plant; they seem to be growing really well.</div>
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I have roughly divided my garden now into 4 working beds so my next project is to establish some sort of crop rotation and start to plan to plant accordingly. </div>
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Right, I better go and put some wood on the fire...</div>
miriamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15084837364192001800noreply@blogger.com5