Child of the Planet

They suddenly took off! Update of post bought-mushrooms-in-bucket-kit

Update on post grapes-have-started-to-bud The weather is warming up and the grapes are liking it. Soon, I should have some decent shade for the summer and grapes to scoff.

In a previous post , I outlined a few ‘zones’ that I have defined in the garden. This week I started work on the perennial strip which will run along the side of the driveway. There was a stone c over that needed to be picked up and moved to the opposite boundary. Underneath was a weed mat that needed to be ripped up. I’ll need to do something about the soil which is all sand.

From bought-mushrooms-in-bucket-kit Mycelium is appearing around the edges, as per the instructions.

From garlic-crop Seems to be growing well. No rust yet but it's still spring and the real heat hasn't hit yet.

From seeds! post The zuc's and the 'new girl' tomatoes are almost ready to go outside to harden up. Going to wait for the warmer weather over the weekend. The capsicums are taking their time and are finally showing the next leaf stage. The  'tommy toe' are yet to break the surface. [Update the next day] And wouldn't you know it, the next day the tommy's poked their heads up...

I’ve been encouraging the verge outside my place to run wild. There is the need to keep it tidy so the neighbours don't mind, but over the last couple of years I’ve been dropping the odd plant out there. I had two pot bound aloe that I just planted. It’s sandy and dry out there so these might make the best of the harsh conditions. Manuka has been out there for a few years and it suffers so. I need to remember to water it in the summer. Last year I planted some rosemary and they seem to be hanging in there. The neighbour has recently established a small plot. Careful mowing encourages the wild flowers. I wish we had some trees planted out on our street. It would help slow down the wind and provide a bit of shade in the summer.

This threatened lots of new growth and blossoms in the lemons. Glad I left the protective cloths up

When is the best time to pick them, and what is your fav way to scoff them?

Annual, perennial, and orchard. The annual and orchard zones are pretty well established. There is also permanent asparagus and saffron plots . This year I’m thinking of expending some quality muscle power on the Perennial zone. Along one side of the driveway is a strip of land, sitting in front of the boundary fence. It's pretty much sand covered by weed mats held down by a layer of stones. The people before me weren't intending in growing much. This will now be a permanent garden strip for grazing and browsing Much like the orchard out the back, I’m going to have to spend some time improving the soil. I've started planting it out and will be adding to the strip in future.       Up near the entrance to the property I have a cape gooseberry and the papino that were transplanted from the garden beds next door. Halfway up the drive is an inherited Rosemary bush and I’ve planted Sorrell, bay, strawberries, and blueberry Next in line is manuka, L...

Aim is to get the whole roof shaded from the sun.

I'm putting it under the laundry sink. www.parkvale.co.nz/buckets/