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Life on two acres of arid dirt, on the edge of the Australian outback.

Sunday, August 2, 2020

out of hibernation...

Hello dear readers,

I had not intended to stay away from this little space for so long. Somehow life took over and in amongst it all I decided to take a break from all the busyness of writing a blog, scrolling mindlessly through facebook, instagram and such.

The good news is we are all well here. However, Australia, in particular Victoria, are having a resurgence of C-19. To say this virus is not causing stress is an extreme understatement. I have had quite a few "down in the dumps" days, but somehow manage to keep on keeping on. It is a worrying time for the whole world and the unknown that lies ahead for each and everyone of us.

Living day by day is how life is going for now. Trying not to think of what is ahead and concentrate on the now. Living in this moment. Enjoying this moment.

Phil and I took a five week break and did some travelling around. We visited our home town, not once, but twice and spent a little time in Adelaide doing shopping and catching up with friends.

I would like to welcome all my new "likers" on my "out back" facebook page.  The numbers have been steadily rising in the past few weeks.  It is such a treat to have you all join me on my simple life journey. My facebook page can be found here. I don't post there as often as I would like, only when I do a new post. I am still trying to limit my time on social media these days.

Anyway, without further ado here are some of things currently going on around here...

The veggies I planted in foam wicking boxes are doing well. There are two boxes of beetroot, one of baby spinach and one mixed lettuce. As you can see I have been picking the spinach and lettuce leaves and occasionally the beet leaves.


Beetroot growing in pots, bok choy in containers and strawberries in other pots.  The strawberries are not really doing much this time of year, but there are new shoots showing.


More bok choy in containers.


In this area we put in a native garden {for the bees}.


Phil has been working hard in his spare time to get this finished...almost there now.


Who says you cant grow lemon trees in a pot? This little tree is over loaded.


I have grown my first Sturt's desert pea. So chuffed about this! Hoping now this little beauty spreads out on its own all over the back ridge.


The wattles are flowering, much to the delight of the bees.


Out back there are oranges...


Mandarins...


An enormous amount of grapefruit...marmalade coming up soon!


The beginnings of a flower on the mango tree...I think!


Such a beautiful day here today, 24C {75F} and looking a lot like spring woohoo!


Inside the patch...


Parsley.


Silver beet and beetroot seedlings...


Carrots...Yeah I know they need thinning out, but I feel mean about doing that. I am just waiting for them to get a little bigger and hopefully harvest baby carrots...


Baby cabbage and beetroot seedlings...


Oregano spreading to the neighbouring pot...


Kale...


Tomatoes from summer plants that grew in the ground...



Mini cabbages...maybe I should have allowed more space, but so far they are doing okay.


I do not normally grow veggies during winter, but this year it felt like I needed too and I am very happy with the results. They have no bugs either!


Baby cauli forming...


 Mustard greens...


The last of the old bok choy. The plant on the left re-shot after cutting.


Broccolettes...



More carrots.  Have been eating these, yum!


Its been slow growing for the peas I planted. Hopefully they will take off in the warm weather...


Kale in a foam wicking box...I transferred these from one to the barrels because they were not growing properly. Now they look much better!


Lettuce...


Silver beet seedlings...



I have re-potted some of the fruit trees into bigger pots. Next I must find places to plant these.


 Jade with a tiny flower...


 Flowers on the blueberry bush.  No leaves, just flowers...


Artichokes...I plan to get these into the ground this week because they say there is rain coming...fingers tightly crossed because we have not had much rain over winter.


Spring is not far away...this fella was out and about today.


We have moved the bee hives to another location where they will be shaded in summer. We now have an extra hive because Phil got a call to remove a swarm from a mates place. That makes four! And later on, we will split B1 and B2 to make more hives to prevent them swarming.


That's all the news from me for now.  I have a busy week ahead, but will try and post again through the week. Thank you for your patience and concern.

And lastly, a little something for those that are interested J

Frugal Queen is back. Here is her new website and she is on facebook and instagram. She is also on youtube these days...

I loved watching this new video on you tube and I am sure you will too. Fantastic camera work.

How to make soil bacteria...


An another interesting video I watched recently. 

Low energy living is possible...


Take care, and I will see you all soon,

xTania

26 comments:

  1. Glad to see you back Tania! It is stressful. It hit me tonight seeing the state of emergency in Victoria and the army and police wearing masks and patrolling the city. It looks like a war zone. It is scary. I also am gardening and enjoying nature. And animals. These thing help my day and how I feel, how I sleep. At the moment I am dehydrating and storing up all I can. I like Rain Country for learning about dehydrating. I will check out your videos you mentioned. With love Annabel.xxx

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    1. Thank you Annabel.

      I feel for you at the moment with what you are going through. I think it should not have come to this, we became careless and opened too quickly, which the WHO warned about.

      Hope your Dad is doing okay, it must be very worrying for you at the moment.

      I enjoy watching Rain Country too, and must do more dehydrating. I am also finding out more about air sealing jars as I think that would be ever so handy.

      Take care friend,
      Love Tania xxx

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  2. I'm sorry to hear that Covid-19 has become a problem there, too. I was afraid that would happen. It spreads so quickly. Your garden, as usual, looks amazing! Great to see you back.

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    1. The virus is not where I am living yet Stephenie, but it wont be long and it will be if they don't get on top of the spread that is happening at the moment. Yes it does spread ever so quickly as we are finding out once again.

      Take care,
      xTania

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  3. So much food growing in your garden, Tania. Amazing! My blueberry is in flower here too and there is fruit forming on my dwarf mulberry. The lavender is in bloom and my bees love it! Spending time out in the garden each day is peaceful and calming. Glad you are writing here again. MegXx

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    1. Sounds like your garden is doing well Meg.

      I intend to spend more time gardening now the weather is fining up nicely, it definitely is peaceful and calming. Just what we need in today's world.

      xTania

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  4. It does feel mean thinning out seedlings doesn't it? We are planning on building a green house this year and I hope to get some foam boxes to make wicking beds. Yours are so productive - a great inspiration.

    The weather here has mostly been wonderful for gardening, some days are a little bit too windy to do some garden tasks but mostly it is great. So much to do and so much to enjoy.

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    1. Yes it does feel mean to pull out baby plants Sherri.

      A greenhouse will be a wonderful asset for growing food. I cant wait until mine are put up (I got two a couple of years ago), but they are still in their boxes for the moment.

      Enjoy the weather and your gardening,
      xTania

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  5. I was going to send you a message today to see how you were going. So glad to see all is going well with you and Phil. Your garden is amazing . All that wonderful citrus coming on. I love it. Our lemon tree in the ground isnt doing so well but our little lemon tree in a half 44 is overloaded with fruit. Go figure. Bluey says hello. Much love from the both of us.

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    1. Hello Jane and Bluey,

      I wonder why the lemon trees are doing well in the barrels? I guess it may be because we can control the water and fertiliser a lot better.

      Take care and best wishes to you both,
      xTania

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  6. Tania, my hubby has been watching multiple YouTube videos about growing carrots so hopefully he will be successful as I haven't been in the past. Most of the time I just can't get motivated to write a blog post lately. The days just run into each other. Not that I am terribly worried about the virus although I probably would be if I lived in Melbourne or Sydney. It is such a great time to be in the garden and relax.

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    1. The garden will soon spring to life and I cant wait. I feel the seasons changing already, it has been quite warm during the days here lately.

      I hear what you are saying about blogging and the days running into each other. That is exactly what happened in my case. I seem to be busier than ever and in no time at all the days, weeks and months have slipped away.

      I am more worried for our economy and jobs, businesses etc. The virus will pass eventually (hopefully) but our economy will be in a mess.

      I am going to enjoy gardening from now on, especially if we get the forecast rain.

      Good luck with the carrots. You need sandy soil to grow them successfully, that is something I have plenty of lol!

      xTania

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  7. I know that stress can be so overwhelming..I'm glad you working in the garden. It helps me and I know it will help you too.
    We are getting our new bathtub in tomorrow..finally. I'm thinking maybe we should keep the old one for planting like yours. I think I that's neat.

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    1. The garden is my refuge too Vickie. Sometimes I don't get out there as much as I should, I may need to correct that.

      Bath tubs are great for growing food, I encourage you to give it a go. I am hoping to make one into a pond soon.

      xTania

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  8. Hi Tania, Great to see you back. Your veggies are doing so very well. My peas are slow to get going too. Among the ones I planted I have lots of volunteer plants thanks to the pea straw I got in the summer. Pretty pink flowers and pods already forming. All is good here. (I have not killed the new lemon tree!) Yours looks amazing- so many lemons.
    My family are all in Victoria and the situation is certainly very concerning. I feel very lucky to be here away from the cities. Thank-you so much for all the inspiring photos. So much abundance in your patch. Stay safe and well. Jo

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    1. Its good to be back Jo. I did have moments when I thought I would not return to blogging, but I do enjoy this journal about my life.

      I have been picking pea straw peas as well, they grew fine. Not sure what the problem is with my other ones, they were brand new seeds I planted.

      I have a feeling we are headed for the same as Victoria. I hope your family will be okay, it is a very worrying time.

      Take care,
      xTania

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  9. Glad you managed to get away for a holiday as there's not much holidays now. Your garden looks like it's thriving too which is great. Have a good week. Kathy, Brisbane

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    1. We definitely enjoyed our holidays Kathy. Queensland would have been better, but it is what it is and we have not seen everywhere in our state, so this is an opportunity to do so. Although our restrictions are being tightened again.

      xTania

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  10. Hi again, Just found Frugal Queen in France in your sidebar. Great to see her back. Thanks for adding it to your list. Cheers Jo

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    1. Frugal Queen is great Jo, and I am really happy to see her back blogging. Quite a few former bloggers have returned, this virus has changed many things xxx

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  11. So lovely to see you back! Thanks for the tour of your veggie gardens. Marvellous.

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    1. Thank you so much Linda, it is lovely to be back xxx

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  12. Thanks for the link to the YouTube video, I just watched the one on how to make soil, it’s fantastic!!! I’ve subscribed and can’t wait for the next one!

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    1. Glad you enjoyed the vid Cheryl. I thought it was brilliant!

      xTania

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  13. Your garden looks amazing! Serious envy of your lemons. Here in central USA, my tomatoes are really coming on. I'll be canning salsa and tomato juice soon. It's time to pull the onions. Potatoes still blooming so I'm hopeful for a large harvest. The squash bugs got the zucchini. The pumpkins look good. The peppers are not liking the pots but the beets are. My herbs are very happy too. Next year I'll put less in pots and all the veggies in the gardens. I'll leave the pots for the herbs and flowers.
    Take care!

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    1. Thank you Kay.

      Your garden sounds like it did really well over the growing season. I wish I was able to plant more in the ground, but our soil and tree roots make it impossible. Then there is the heat and high cost of water that we pay. During summer the veggies need regular watering especially if in the ground, so I find it better to use the wicking barrels, so there is less evaporation and the water doesn't drain away and disappear like it does in our sandy soil.

      I am always trying new ideas in the garden and would love to get it to a point where I can grow more in the ground. I would need to use permaculture methods to achieve this.

      I feel the lemon tree does so well because I feed it the worm tea from the worm farm. I think that is the secret to success.

      Have a beautiful week and stay safe,
      xTania

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Your comments really make my day. Thank you for taking the time and for being so kind.