Pre-spring impatience

It is so cold nothing is growing.

I keep going down to the garden looking for a sign,

No Lilliums yet,

Skittles and I caught a rabbit the other day.

I had repaired a hole in the fence and discovered a tunnel from the forrest, under the camel walk and out into the garden. I sorted this out but unfortunately I trapped the mega rabbit inside the yard.

I worked this out when all my lettuce was eaten, I was on the war path.

I took Skittles with me and

Many lettuce will be saved as a result of this hunt.

I certainly played a part in the cornering of this fluffy feral pest, however,

I let Skittles enjoy the spoils all by herself.

Compost

I love making compost.

It's mind boggollingly easy for exceptional results.

It does help if you have your own chooks as their poo is simply the best compost activator.

I have my compost bays built big enough to have the bobcat as my chief turning tool.

I use the 3-1 recipe, that is 3wheelbarrow loads of dry material to 1 wheelbarrow load of poo.

Applied to the compost pile in layers. Wet each layer as it is placed on the pile.

This needs to be turned every 3 days for maximum composting.

If you follow the 3 day turning regime, it should be ready in about 6 weeks

My dry material is usually leaves, spoiled straw and hayand shredded paper.

Chook poo is my magic ingrediant. Once it is wet it is activated.

I avoid composting any weeds that might spoil the soil

because I use the finshed product for my market plants.

100 Lilliums

I have been a bit busy getting ready for a delivery of 100 Lillium bulbs.

Had to create a new row.

That meant some serious digging and weeding.

The mesh is for a horizontal trellis to support the flower stems.

Luckily I had 9 star pickets to support the mesh.

I had to lay the dripper line before planting to be sure they would be watered evenly.

Tedious and time consuming....I just wanted to plant the bulbs.

I also want it to work.

I brought the bulbs down to the garden to inspire the work.

Remember the Rudbekia? 10 ft tall yellow explosion of colour.

It's dormant at the moment,

amazing contrast.

Now.

6 months ago