Christmas R & R

We were the designated farm sitters this year

so it was Christmas in Mildura.

Not too hot thank goodness.

I had to look after both Mothers garden and Sisters garden.

Thank goodness for automatic timers....What a god send.

It threatened rain for much of the day but amounted to nothing in true Mildura style.

The week before we had 66mls of rain in just 2 hours. That was more than double the monthly average.

The chooks got a new circle for Christmas and that means

I too, got a fresh circle for Christmas.

Already dug into a doughnut and planted out with rocket, kale & lettuce.

This is before any doughnut digging, full of promise! I was excited!

I regularly have to inspect the zucchini plants for pumpkin beetles.

and squash on sight.

Plants responding splendidly with many zucc's for our dinner.

2 plants is more than enough to supply this household.

I have leeks growing in the centre of this doughnut.

Tomatoes around the right outside rim and spinach mustard around the left hand rim

Zucc's front and centre. Chives either side of the zucchini

So far the weeds are under control and I often remind myself that

1 years seeding = 7 years weeding.

Great incentive to not let that happen and keep on top of it all.

 Tradscanthia very hardy, little pink flowers

 Dwarf Pomegranate

This looks a lot like a salvia, Indigo spires.

Shame about the background of this shot....Typical error of a photographer

Too interested in the subject to "see" what is being captured.

I need your opinion.

I am wondering if I should have photos like this for the etsy shop or

should I have photos of the flowers and just say all plants are in 3 '' pots?

Or a collage of the 3'' pot on a background photo of the flowers it will produce?

With all this to consider it is no wonder I have been slow to stock that etsy shop I created.

Weeding with the lawn mower

I was weeding my flower rows with the lawn mower the other day

and luckily I saw these  before I ran over them.

Self sown Zinnias!

I have been trying for weeks to raise some seeds that I saved from my fantastic blooms,

No luck, not one seedling from several trays of trying.

I think it was just not hot enough. I was trying to push the envelope too far into spring.

I could not help my self and transplanted them immediately to a row with a dripper line installed

I might even try another tray of seeds now.

Last years flowers were stunning singles in purple, red, orange, white, green, yellow.........

I must have planted all the seeds I had because I can't find them

and the only seeds at the hardware shop were for doubles..............

I do hope I like them as doubles or I will have to keep my eyes out for more self sown ones.

I am also stepping out into the etsy world of retail with things I regularly sell at our market stall

Dried Herbs.

I have yet to photograph the herb vinegar, which is the secret weapon when making sauces and gravies.

I am also hoping to include some salvias and herb plants. I just have to get out there and take some photos.



Edible Gardening Classes January

As a contract teacher the end of the year is always an anti climax.

I had an idea last year.....I just didn't act on it

 but

this year I pressed send on a mass email to local Primary Schools

 Edible Gardening classes for Kids.

This photo does not do it justice.

I might press print and deliver some hard copies to places like the Organic shop

and have them on our market stall on Saturday.

Our farm is right next to the Murray River

I walk the dogs every morning for a swim......and to check their Pee mails.

There are a pair of black swans that live down there.....They come and say hello every morning.

They are not afraid of the dogs and come quite close.

I am trying to copy the sound they make.

Shelia loves to cool down in the water, she is no swimmer, she just sits in the water.

The Ski Club have replaced the lawn that was lost during the drought.

It is a luxurious lawn. Great beach and lots of resident ducks.

Stop looking, I found it.

I was starting to think it would never turn up

but

I was out in the car delivering fresh vegetables and herbs

as I do on a Monday morning

I reached into the centre console to get out my PJ's list and.....

there it was, my camera.

Not lost in the garden thank goodness.

I made the first bunch with Cherry Rudbekia.

Mixed with some yellow Alstromeria, Lions tail and Gillardia.

A striking bunch.

I was dropping it of at Mums when I remembered my camera in the car.

Big double market weekend

Farmers Market and Red Cliffs market.

Under the red tent is where the Farmers Market big breakfasts are

cooked and served.

I supply flowers for the breakfast tables.

The yellow tent is directly opposite us on the far side of the market.

It is a lovely park, the ornamental lake is filled with water lilies.

Large old gum trees provide lovely shade.

Shame the council is planning to redevelop the site.

Sends shivers down my spine.

The bakery stall is very popular.

I am thinking of offering some of our products from an etsy shop

Dried herbs, seeds and salvias.

Today's task is to find out if it is possible and then

photograph everything in preparation.

Thank goodness I found my camera!