Summer is the time when all of creation seems to be busy, growing and harvesting food is in full swing. There is a lovely plot of lavender by the front porch, and the bees spend all day there. It was quite windy when I took this image, and the bumble bee here decided to walk from one stem to the next. He could easily get a job in the circus!
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Fennel is the black jellybean of the garden! The delicious aniseed flavour is a favourite with kids, and even the odd grownup! Also very useful in the kitchen - both sprigs and seeds make a great addition to many dishes. But what a big plant this herb becomes! This one dwarfs the entrance to our glasshouse..... At this time of the year the native birds supplement their diets with sugar water left in bird feeders by friendly humans. Our neighbour feeds the birds, so we have a wonderful passing parade. When we did the same our cat was very pleased ;) so we are content to enjoy the spill over from next door. A tui looking respendent!
About the time I was running a test roll of film through the Contax camera, we had guests coming for dinner. Apples off the tree for an Apple Crumble desert - it turns out they are a VERY good cooking apple, and there were plenty of tomatoes still in the glasshouse! I like the way the basket is sharply focussed, with the background fading to soft focus. The colour rendition from the Kodak Gold 200 film is really pleasing as well! Analogue living in a digital world! It has been quite a while since I posted, and much has happened! We have planted some heritage apple trees that we grafted just before we moved, and they are adapting to their new home. I have fixed the broken panes in the glasshouse, and last week made many jars of tomato chutney! And the one apple tree that was here when we came has had a bumper crop this summer. There are elderberries in the freezer, and a crabapple and elderberry jelly is planned! The rhythm of life in town is slightly different, the space for gardening is smaller, but all of it is deeply satisfying. Well, the early promise of spring has been followed by a rather cool early summer, with sweet corn and bean crops not growing as fast as I would have liked! But, my early crop potatoes have done very well. I love to grow heritage varieties of fruit and vegetable where I cant - these are an old French potato variety called "La Ratte" They are delicious, and prolific - this is the yield from just one plant! So, how do I get my garden beds dug over ready for planting while recovering from a bad back strain? Without causing more problems? There is a wonderful organisation called WWOOF, which stands for Willing Workers On Organic Farms. The idea is that people wanting to experience other cultures, contribute to organic agriculture and learn along the way will visit and help four or five hours a day, in return for accommodation and meals. Or, from my point of view, great young people will come and provide company, music and laughter in my home in return for me letting them work in my garden. What a deal, I signed up, and within a week I have new friends from Germany. Of course you cannot come to Bluff without a picture at the sign which marks the beginning of the highway. Just look how good this garden bed is looking. I have had a great time, and my garden is back up to date! And my back is feeling great again! |
AuthorSteve Mitchell has had a varied and busy career including stints as a carpenter and builder, police constable, air traffic controller, commercial pilot and businessman, almost always more than one thing at the same time. Seeking a simpler life, he came to Bluff, the southernmost town in New Zealand, and for the first five years lived simply and happily in a 115 year old historic home, with half an acre of developing garden and orchard. Now very happily married to the most amazing lady, Steve lives in nearby Invercargill, gardening, photographing and playing music. He still works in the Aerospace Industry, and he is very grateful to his Creator! Categories
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December 2021
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