Tickets on Herself: 03/20/16

Sunday, March 20, 2016

Draftsman

Let's see what he can come up with (visited 19 Jan 2016)

New creepers fruiting - spathe and spadix

from Fleur and Justin's old flat, when they moved out, to their new townhouse in Bardon.

Update 3 Oct 2016:

I've had quite a bit of trouble getting these to grow well. When I put them in pots - it's a no-go. They just fester. So, I'm looking now at putting them all free-form in the ground.

This one, in front of the grape-vine (from Anne) is now going great guns, but there have been times, particularly during the winter, when I really thought it might be on it's way out.

However, looking good for now - hope it lasts, and on with the show re-the others. Have to decide where I want them to creep...

I moved the bougainvillea #1

This (in the red circle, in pic) is the first bougainvillea, the el cheapo one ($4) from Bunnings. It 'died' during last winter, then came alive again when summer arrived, and alas has not done much since I planted it next to the passionfruit vine in the garden.

Perhaps, as I always water the p'fruit, it's too wet for the bougy? They prefer drier ground.

So, I moved it today. Next to the honeysuckle (left of it, in these pics). I will be moving the honeysuckle too as it is doing not-very-much where it currently is. The fence might be too hot for it to climb. I reckon the front side fence (facing Jo, my neighbour) might be the place for it to go.

General progress, or how does your garden grow?

Much better, thank you.

Proper flower bracts on this bougy!

And the transplanted 'yesterday, today, tomorrow' plant seems to have adapted to it's new location, although I'm waiting for more flowers (it's getting plenty of water, so what's the problem?)

I'm thinking of clipping the undergrowth and keeping it fuller at the top.

Things that make me happy

Next door's (Andrew and Tracy) poinciana flowering over my garden - a gorgeous thing.

My kitties, sitting in a row, waiting for me to feed them this morning. They like to do things in unison.

The feathery girls who keep me company in the garden, and who make me laugh everyday.

Thanks for the googs, too, girls! I gave 6 to Janette and Bernie, and 4 to John this weekend. At two eggs a day, I can't eat them all myself. And thanks for your poop - the garden loves it.

The view from my kitchen window. Not too shabby, hey?

Simple pleasures! I am so fortunate to have this piece of land, the big sky, fresh air and space around me to grow things. Next project - winter vegies.

Update 21 October 2016: My kitties sitting in the sun before I leave for work!

Tutti and Taffy

The girls sleeping around the place:

High biscuit - IN

John dug the hole this morning and we transplanted this hibiscus into the ground. I wanted it in front of the gate, as it is not a gate I want used. I'll have to set about wiring it closed. The other gate (on my address side) has a gate which whines whenever it's opened - that noise is a useful warning for one someone is coming, and the other double gates are the driveway entrance.

So, this is in. I hope it grows tall and strong as the pink flowers are gorgeous and the position is close to the tibouchina. Together, they will provide a lovely 'block' of vision from the road, giving me more privacy.

Being so exposed (to the main road) as I am at present is a real trial. It's also a reason why I strive to keep the garden neat and tidy (apart from the fact that I like it that way). I couldn't bear 'certain types' to go by thinking 'aha, an unattended garden could mean an unattended house', leading them to break in and steal stuff. That's why I like to be visibly outside doing things, and the company of John and Bernie now and again assists with the impression that I am not on my own. One has to be so careful, especially in certain locations.

The address side gate -

Tidy garden, happy person

I knocked myself out this weekend to get the grass mown after the mower had been out of action for over a week. Apparently it had water in the carbie - I need to ensure the mower is stored under cover. Also, they (Griffiths Mowers - good crowd of guys there) suggested I use a plastic storage container for the fuel, rather than a metal one, as the metal 'sweats' they say. I would have thought the other way round (the plastic sweats), but there you are.

So, I got a little more fuel and will dispense with the tin container shortly. At least the grass was mown and I put in about 3 hours this morning pulling weeds along the edges - oh, for a whipper snipper. It's first on my ;garden-buys' list. It will save me so much time, and I expect it to bring me much satisfaction in terms of quick and 'easy' (relative to pulling by hand) weeding. I plan to get one from Griffiths Mowers as their sales and service is fab.

Finished product - we need some rain to green up that grass.

Yes, I hate the power poles. And yes that's correct - there are weeds over the driveway pavers. Weed sprays have not worked. As the pavers will be all dug up soon, it doesn't really bother me, although I'm going to try the 'boiling water' approach soon to see if that gets rid of some of them (and make the pavers easier to get out).

And what to put in the big brown pots (which need a concrete base first, to support their weight)? Bird of paradise is pleasant but can look so messy.

Frangi's maybe?

Or how about ficus benjamina which can be shaped into, well, shapes? See below.

Wisteria update

As we head towards winter, I notice that the wisteria has slowed its growth now, only putting out shorter new shoots.

I'm very pleased with its progress though in the short time I've had it in the ground (since around mid-January 2016).

The following photos show the present stage. I hope after the coming winter, it vigorously grows further along the front. And flowers, of course, in the Spring!

(Yes, I know the blue is ghastly, the vertical stripey panels need to go, the house needs re-cladding, and the verandah needs new roofing and guttering. Thank you. One day, those windows will be french doors. I like to think about that instead).