Pick'n Lick'n good

We have had a constant supply of Tomatoes & Zucchini and now the Eggplants are  just starting to make good. 

Geckos galore

While Rod was lifting the last lot of paving in the patio area he
 discovered  these eggs.

We were pretty confident they were lizard eggs and hoping they
 would be geckos. 9 eggs in total were placed on top of the fridge
 to guarantee warmth. 

 First one hatched, then three more, and then another until all but 2 have hatched. Yes they are indeed Geckos.

As much as we would like to keep them as pets we  think
 that it would be best for the creatures to release them outside.
 Some were placed on a rock in the Gecko garden (Xantheria).

Some were placed on the bark of a stringy bark tree near to Rusty (Decor dog).

Perfecting Paving on the Patio

Paving that was laid temporarily 5 and a half years ago when the last house extension
 was completed  has now been reworked for  permanent placement.

The overall area has been extended and a cut off & stepped corner added for  interest.
Again Rod has worked hard in the Summer sun achieving a neat attractive area with
drainage and irrigation for the plants in pots. Yet more sandy loam has been added as a
top dressing to the  lawn  to achieve a flush level with the paving. Extra plugs of
Kikuyu have been planted to achieve cover by the end of the season.

Cordyline featuring striking pink variegation.

2 Terracotta bowl shaped pots have been planted with Acacia cognata - LimeLight.
The growth has been very pleasing - I just love these plants for a lush look all year.
The central pot is a made from terracotta but I have painted it with black metallic
paint which is a great foil for the Crokia cotoneaster (wire plant).

Crokia cotoneaster

To finish the area we are looking to make or purchase a metal wall art and a small outdoor table to go with 2  charchoal coloured chairs that we already have. Watch this space.

Nature's Art

Inspiration started with this photo Rod took of a dead tree in our  woodlot.

On closer inspection we actually had 3 dead saplings which we then cut down and into various lengths so that we could arrange in a staggered formation.

Insects created these beautiful patterns under the bark. Once the bark
peeled the art work was revealed.

Sticky stuff

Rod and I made Plum and Apple jam using Plums that Neighbour Sandy sent our way before leaving on a Cruise.
 Rod softened the fruit in the pressure cooker before adding the sugar to cut down on cooking time.
It is also a way for him to let off some steam.

And Again -before & after

Summer 1983

Spring 2010

Before and After - Can you notice the difference?

Summer 1983

Summer  2010

Flowers for Briget

Aly asked me to pick a bunch of flowers for her boss - Briget and to include orange
 flowers as this is her favourite colour .

Green ivy seed heads, alstromera seed heads, seedless agapanthus heads,
 white flowering agapanthus, abelia, Graham Thomas roses, Darwinia citrodora
orange daisy, salvia and more

Interesting foliage and seed heads more than make up for the lack of flowers in my
Summer garden.

Ashwell

This copper sign which has pride of place at our front door was originally used on a property that my father moved to with his family. The family brought with them their own property name 'Kim Bolton' so the existing name on the newly acquired house was obsolete. My Father held on to the sign taking it with him on every subsequent move until one day when we told him we were looking for a name for our property he asked what we thought of 'Ashwell'?  We were delighted with the suggestion as we had a number of Ash trees which we had planted that were doing very Well. When he presented us with the sign we couldn't wait to install it. From memory it was painted white but Rod burnt off the paint, polished the copper and mounted it onto a back board of Cedar to match the door.

Lush ferns in terracotta pots near to the door were chosen to give a bit of a Queenslander feeling to our weather board house.

Going Grey with Grace

In April, Rod and I took Rod's auntie Grace to morning tea to celebrate her 89th Birthday. Afterwards we returned to her home and she took us through her garden and encouraged us to take any cuttings that we would like.  Most of the cuttings that I took have gone on to become treasured garden plants which  indeed is an encouragement for me to get back into propagating in a bigger way. This grey plant is definitely one of the standouts but there are several other succulents plus tansy, lemon verbena and Chinese lantern bush. My introduction to gardening was instigated through sharing cuttings with my neighbor and then friends. Not only does it save money but it also gives extra meaning to the plants.