The weather has warmed up, our spirits are in full swing, as now it is SPRING!
My husband and I have been away for one week, trusting two teenage boys to tend to the garden in our absence.
They have done well. Almost everything was watered, the cats were fed, although they are not quite so chubby now, they survived as did most of the garden. We are truly impressed.
We came home to a bounty of snow peas, green, lush and delectable.
The fennel bulbs have grown and multiplied. From one single plant, many more will grow. Plus the fennel fronds are a suitable substitute for dill in many dishes from Spanakopita to a seafood accompaniment.
It is the first day of Spring and I have picked and eaten the first strawberries of the season!
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These are so sweet and luscious. |
One lonely asparagus shoot, peeping up through the earth to stake it's claim on the world
One small asparagus step for mankind...
one spear closer to my plate.
The banana bunch is ripening nicely, the lower 'hand' has already been taken indoors to ripen.
On the whole, Winter has passed so quickly and Spring is now here.
This winter has been warmer than ever and our crops have grown for a longer season.
The fruit trees were given compost and mulch two weeks ago to help their Spring growth.
Now the best growing season is upon us and I urge anyone who has any dirt to spare, be it in a pot, a balcony trough or even 1 metre of ground, to plant what you will use...
so you gain maximum enjoyment from the planting and growing of edibles.
Gardening is so much fun and you reap what you sow!
Kindest regards, Merryn :D
Thank You Merryn!
ReplyDeleteIt is a pleasure. Spring has just started and with our tomato and bean seedlings about 30cm high there is so much to look forward to, growing and eating. A garden shared, is joy shared :D Thank you Michael.
DeleteMerryn WOW! I am so envious that you already have strawberries! Your snow peas are so prolific. How many plants did you plant for that crop? I never seem to have enough... I had no idea that fennel multiplied. Maybe I should have left mine in a little longer? Can't wait to see your garden again next month. Have a great one :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Kyrstie. I planted about 30 seeds in two rows on two trellis fences for the snow peas. I am eating some now, raw in a quinoa salad they are so delicious. Yes, let your fennel grow forth and multiply. I have had four fennel bulbs on the one plant growing at 90 degree angles to the main one. This fennel has also been allowed to seed and there are so many little plants coming up, I'd love to give you some :D These early strawberries are a bonus and so sweet. I look forward to viewing your garden each month too, enjoy September Kyrstie :D
ReplyDeleteHi Merryn, your garden is wonderful and so prolific. I would really love to grow asparagus but have not been able to find a spot for it, it seems like a great plant to have though. I'm interested to read you've got fennel on the go, I read somewhere once that other plants didn't like it and so I've always shied away from it, have you found it to be a problem?
ReplyDeleteThank you Erin. Our fennel is right next to three chilli bushes that have produced all winter, perennial basil, a wild tomato plant just now flowering, coriander and three beautiful kale plants. There was lemongrass as well but I moved that and all of these plants are doing well. I have not found fennel to affect anything and it just keeps producing continually for about 3 years now. New plants grow from self seeding and if the existing ones are left to grow, they will multiply. I do not know what plants fennel would have an adverse effect upon ... and we love it, as a herb, cooked with fish, freshly sliced with red onion and orange segments for a summer salad. If you can make a bed for asparagus, you will be very happy. When we were in a much smaller backyard I grew two crowns in a foam box with some success. Happy gardening Erin!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about blood oranges. There is so much more flavour than a regular orange! And all of this wonderful fresh produce must be so inspiring for cooking! :D
ReplyDeleteYes I am truly impressed with the blood oranges. I made a blood orange sauce for swordfish a few days ago and it was truly sensational. My son even asked if we should keep the rest of it after dinner (not there is any available room in the fridge). There is always a variety of vegetables to select from to cook for dinner and it is very enjoyable Lorraine :D
Deletei could get that all from your garden? wow!
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome too, we are always giving to family and friends :D
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