How thrilling it is to be stepping into spring! Not that winter has been dull; in fact, its been anything but. While I spent the month of July in complete hibernation (tap-tap-tapping away – draft one complete but oh so much more to do), mother nature never really did. I’m always quite amazed that one of my favourite roses, Souvenir de la Malmaison produces some of her most exquisite blooms mid-winter, and this one certainly brightened my first week of July.
Some of the autumn sowings we made down the back bolted during the warm sunny days, creating a dazzling meadow-like effect that attracted crowds of bees in search of pollen. I was so thrilled to be able to provide a sea of winter sweetness for them (and hope it may boost our spring batch of honey).
Produce has been plentiful, from sturdy stems of coloured chard, to rosy-purple turnips, broccoli, kale, snap peas and today, I harvested the most enormous cauliflower.
Not to mention all the delicious lettuce leaves we’ve enjoyed – from plump butter and mignonettes, to all those strong tasting leaves like radicchio and mustards red elk and giant mustard, along with rocket and land cress, all topped with petals of nasturtium and calendula.
We enjoyed the most glorious day with Shona Wilson at her Collaborations with Nature Workshop a week ago, when the almond was still in blossom. The afternoon saw our group split to find their own quiet place in the garden to work with found materials, while Shona made her rounds to encourage and make suggestions; after spending the morning in inspiring conversation, sharing her remarkable knowledge and insights with a spellbound group. (I’ll make a little page on the website as soon as I have time, so you can read more about this magical day which we intend to repeat next year).
In this last week, the apricot has burst into blossom and the Manchurian pears are covered in petals as white as snow, lily foliage is surging through black soil and trails of jasmine scent the air. The poppy path is a vision of blotched mauve faces, humming with bees, as is the lichen-covered fence that divides the paddock and drive.
And it won’t be long now I’m sure, until I spy our first broad bean! Why Gardening Australia chose to visit mid-winter I can’t imagine, but yes if you missed it, you can catch it on abc i-view (If you’re quick – it expires next Saturday!), while last weekend, we enjoyed our largest Kitchen Gardening Day ever – how exciting to see such a great gang of keen new veggie gardeners!
I just had to upload a little post, to farewell the old season and ring in the new, but after a wee ‘cooling off’ period, I must head back to tapping as my deadline looms on the very near horizon now! I’ll be tempted out of oblivion to attend Food and Words on Saturday 19 September, as it’s always such an inspiring day and I recommend you pop it onto your ‘must attend’ list AND…of course, not to be missed is the annual Camden Park Open Weekend, on 19 & 20 September, when you’ll find me in the China Cabinet once again on Sunday 20th (and I’ll be hoping to leave with yet another Begonia under my arm if those Saturday revellers haven’t beaten me to it!). A visit to Camden Park makes for a delightful day out – perhaps I might catch you there too! Happy spring season!