It’s the time of the year when I’d usually be blogging about the garden… but this year has been a little strange on the garden front. Still, there is green stuff growing so here’s a quick run down…
We had super hot weather early in November when we were still expecting to get frosts. Some plants loved it but most didn’t. Lettuce and parsley bolted to flower and the calendula that had flowered right through winter just about died.
Then we had 60 mls of rain in three days…. and then more after that. That was as unexpected as the hot weather and the sheer volume washed away some of my newly planted seedlings.
Then came the battle with the crows/ravens. My careful germinated seeds which I’d held onto inside during the heat wave and then finally planted out were ravaged by the crows. They just pull them out of the ground and leave them…. they don’t even eat the damn things. Then when I come out and cry over my lack of zucchini, cucumbers, melons and pumpkins they sit on the fence and laugh at me.
So I planted more seeds and collected a million sticks and spent hours bent over making little stick cages to keep the damn crows out. Now, finally, the seeds are sprouting and so far so good with the crow cages. But if anyone else has any ideas on how to get rid of the crows please let me know!
In other exciting news the Baldy Boy and his very clever mate got together and fixed our windmill which hadn’t been pumping all year. All those Aussies out there who are trying to grow gardens with super harsh water restrictions will understand how wonderful it is to have your own water and be able to use it however you choose!
So among the million and one weeds, the strawberries and rhubarb are still growing strong. The herbs are going nuts, and going to seed. The broad beans, peas and caulis are finally done. Tomatoes (both from seedling and seed) are growing but who knows if or when we’ll see fruit. We have popping corn sprouting nicely, along with sunflowers. A few beans that the crows didn’t attack and one or two potatoes that made it through the early heat. Plus the very late planted zucchini, cucumber, water melon, cantelope and pumpkin seeds which I am still hopeful will grow and fruit eventually.
So what’s growing at your place?
Melissa says
I thought it was just my lack of green thumb, our garden is also struggling but looks like some of them are going to start kicking on. A lot of my beans just shrivelled up and died.
HayleyB says
I just posted about this very thing. Though not so much is growing in my garden, I’m still proud of the things I’ve grown. Especially the chillis!
Shae says
Ooh we have lots!! So exciting. Our first year of homegrown veggies :-)
Carl says
You could always try a scarecrow… little boy says that they say boo!! sure to help. We don’t get strawberries like your photo, eaten well before then by expert strawberry scavenger. We have had beans grow well lately but the pumpkin just keeps going around in circles with no fruit… any my paw paw remains vertically challenged…
Secret Mom Thoughts says
I miss fresh strawberries.
Green Mama says
Sometimes the garden is a just a stake through one’s heart. Hang in there!
Rizoleey says
you are so clever, my mum has super green thumbs and didnt spare any for me. I find it hard to keep the grass green. I really think once my kids are grown I need to move to an appartment. Maybe I will tackle a window box of herbs.
Mistress B says
We lost a heap of seedlings in the heatwave too. Managed to save the beans, corn and spuds, but lost the squash, half the tomatoes and zucchini, along with most of the peas and lettuces, and our melons didn’t even bother coming up!
Glad you got your windmill fixed.