Monday, May 16, 2016

A Walk through my Garden in May

What a glorious day!  Ah, the sun was shining and there was an autumnal crispness in the air which made for perfect gardening weather...after perusing a Country Living magazine with a cup of coffee in hand, I was inspired to step into my garden and see about doing some weeding, sowing some seeds and basking in the glory of our Lord's incredible creation...

I discovered my cherry tomatoes had developed what I believe to be black rot, so I sadly pulled them out and cleared the bed, sowing carrot seeds as well as California poppies in their place.  I did think it was a bit late in the season for tomatoes...but they popped up one day and grew so swiftly I simply couldn't bear to disturb them!

I spent the morning enjoying the sunshine whilst thinning red onions and pulling carrots for supper.  I  harvested the last of my bush beans and had a nibble of fresh peas - could anything be more delightful for a light snack?

After a some wonderful outdoor work, I came inside to be greeted by the appetising aroma of freshly baked bread, lovingly made by my sister...did I mention she baked cookies as well?  I think it would be quite fitting to say it was a Little House kind of day...{{smiles}}

In my opinion, fresh farm bread, spread thickly with butter, topped with sliced avocado and chopped fresh greens (lettuce and arugula), from the garden of course, made for a deliciously light lunch...  Surely there is nothing so deeply satisfying as working steadily in the garden and being able to eat the fruits of your labour?

I love what Thomas Jefferson wrote about the garden...

"No occupation is so delightful to me as the culture of the earth, and no culture comparable to that of the garden." 

Now for a walk around my garden...  Late last year we moved our vegetable garden up from the below our house to the side where the ground is a bit more level and is easier to fence off the garden from the chickens.  Interestingly enough, the success rate of the crops have increased as the garden is further from the plantation of trees near our house.  I have also found it easier to keep my hand on the garden and the weeds under control.  I had to add plenty of compost to the soil as this was new ground, and since then I have rotated my crops and harvested plenty of healthy vegetables...

Feverfew sweetly blooming... 


The first peas of the season...

My garden has somewhat of a ''jungle'' aspect to it, but I do try to keep it fairly structured otherwise I find I lose plants in amongst the stronger greenery and struggle to keep up with succesive sowing...but I do love the slight rustic appeal of a jungle style garden and love to grow flowers in between vegetables and salad greens.
Fresh homegrown carrots...surely nothing can compare...?

Calendula blooming beautifully among the peas...

A garden in progress; ever changing...

Arugula growing happily next to healthy kale and sorrel...


In case you are wondering about the tyres...I will just say that they are not my first choice.  When I think of my dream garden of someday, I imagine rows and rows of healthy vegetables; the ground thickly covered with straw and compost.  But...we have moles here...lots of them, and I cannot begin to tell you how many days I have shed tears on discovering my plants uprooted and the ground all soft beneath my feet.  Thus, the tyres keep out the moles as there is a second one buried below the surface with shade net at the bottom. 

Coriander...I am the only one in our family to actually enjoy the flavour of this strong herb...and I always like to keep a fresh supply on hand as I think it compliments a spicy dish so well!

Lovely leeks...oh, I can taste a leek and potato soup...

Red butter lettuce...

...Truly, my heart is happiest when tending the little patch of earth I call my garden...

~
How does your garden grow, dear reader...?

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Such beauty, my friend! Your garden is a picture of tranquility and serenity ♥ And I love the sweet colors the flowers add...such a beautiful sight! I so enjoyed this little walk through the garden with you. It felt as if I were right there with you perusing your little gardening corner!! And I will agree with you~ potato and leek soup sounds so delicious right about now. {{smiles}}

Hope all is well with you and your dear family ♥ Wishing you the most beautifully blessed week ahead, dear friend!

Ever so much love to you all!
~Libby

Sylvia said...

I love your garden, it looks as if it likes it's new home.

Esther Asbury said...

What a beautiful garden you have!!!
I'm getting ready to plant mine soon -- since it's spring where I live!
I usually have it in by now, but it's been a very rainy spring here!
Sunshine has finally appeared (for a day or two!), so hopefully my small patch of vegetables will be planted by the end of this week!

Margie said...

I'm impressed by your green thumb, Kelly-Anne! My gardening skills leave much to be desired. I'll have to borrow your phrase and say that my disordered garden is "jungle-style". HA!

Camille said...

Beautiful! How fun to have a tour through your garden, Kelly-Anne. Our home is situated on a city lot and faces South/North. The only place suitable for a veggie garden is the North yard....but, it gets too much shade. So, it's a lost cause, I am afraid. Your garden is wonderful and such a blessing to your family. And, yes...fresh bread with butter is amazing! (I can do that, at least.) Enjoy your cooler days....we are just warming up here. Hugs, Camille

Danielle Carlson said...

Kelly-Anne, your garden looks absolutely amazing! It makes me miss when I had my own flower bed when I was younger. I live in an apartment now and it's kind of difficult to garden beyond a few potted plants. :)

Dani xoxo
a vapor in the wind

Jill said...

Hi!

New follower to your blog :-) All that talk of fresh bread has made me hungry, lol. Your garden is just lovely!! Enjoy your afternoon.

Blessings,
Jill

Sarah said...

Beautiful post Kelly-Anne! Your garden is so lovely and vibrant! We have just begun planting our vegetable garden, but our flower gardens are filled with perennials that are blossoming already. : )

Olivia Bell said...

I had a delightful time looking at the photos of your garden, everything looks like it's flourishing! We are still in the process of growing ours in a little open green house! :)

Cheryl said...

I am so impressed with your garden, sweet friend! You do such a great job. There is nothing like home-grown goodness! God bless you, dear Kelly-Anne. :)

Ida said...

That is a delightful garden you have growing. I enjoyed seeing your photos of it very much.

Hamlette (Rachel) said...

Your pictures remind me so much of the gardens at Colonial Williamsburg here in Virginia -- very 1700s and classic, mixing different stuff here and there, planting things just where you need them to be. Gorgeous!