We are still on the gentle slope that will eventually lead to the hell that is summer. For now, I can still spend some hours on my weekend in preparation. So much to do! I realised I have a habit of starting in close to the house and moving out to the edges of the … Continue reading Spring/Sprinter stories part 3
Tag: gardening
Spring/Sprinter stories part 2
Windy Saturday - the Ekka winds as the locals call them. If you don't know why you are not a real Queenslander. The exceptional thing about August is my favourite smelling flowers are both blooming - my jonquils and my jasmine. Earlier in the week, I pruned my rose for the first time ever. I … Continue reading Spring/Sprinter stories part 2
Spring/Sprinter Stories
It is only the second week of August, technically winter, but it is really spring or specifically sprinter. The temperature is in the high twenties with 30 degrees forecast for next weekend. It's still a little cool at night and a few cooler days might still appear but it is spring enough to get into the … Continue reading Spring/Sprinter Stories
Show day or Christmas Day?
My Canadian friend calls this a "cactus de noël' because it flowers at Christmas time. Here in my southern hemisphere, it flowers, like clockwork, for Ipswich Show Day in the middle of May. In fact, the first time I noticed this plant was as a potted plant competitor in the Ipswich Show. I just had to … Continue reading Show day or Christmas Day?
Succulent Love
Succulents are eminently suitable for my unreliable rainfall and heat. They are beautifully architectural and can grow so slowly they seem static. Then they throw marvellous delicate flowers. They look great in pots... ...and old, no longer able to hold tea, tea cups. They do not require drain holes. I do not know why. … Continue reading Succulent Love
Eggplant or Aubergine?
My best summer crop has been eggplant which I must remember to call aubergine because it is a much cooler word. I remember hearing or reading an interview with Joanne Harris who said the American publisher of Chocolat wanted to replace her use of aubergine with eggplant and she refused because - well aubergine is … Continue reading Eggplant or Aubergine?
Gardening in Pajamas
I was up early this Sunday morning gardening in my pyjamas. Why? Because I can. Obviously, this is not pitch fork, turning over dirt gardening. It is more the type of gardening where you sip some coffee between dead heading a rose and plucking the odd weed. Speaking of weeds, I have a pretty weed. … Continue reading Gardening in Pajamas
Grandma’s poison arum lily
Today I went to the supermarket to buy milk and came home with a calla lily. I did not think twice. As soon as I saw it, I picked it up and put it in my trolley because it reminded me of my grandmother. This a photo of my grandmother in her garden, the farm … Continue reading Grandma’s poison arum lily
For the love of Bromeliads
Last week I shared my pineapple and my love of bromeliads. These shady spots under trees where nothing grows? Perfect for a bromeliad. You don't have to water them. The downside is some of them are prickly if you have to work around them. The real upside is the variety of surprising flowers. This is … Continue reading For the love of Bromeliads
Surprise! It’s a pineapple
A pineapple is a lovely surprise! Growing a pineapple is as easy as buying a pineapple and eating it. Retain the top crown and pop in in the ground. Water and Wait. Like, really really wait. Two years later - up pops a prickly little pretty thing! The pineapple grows in the middle of the … Continue reading Surprise! It’s a pineapple