the great wall and snippets from the garden

The great wall is finally going up.  This will help protect the fruit trees from strong hot north winds that play havoc with the trees.

Last Sunday we went with a gardening group to a little town in the Flinders Ranges to visit a herbalist lady. It was a fantastic day, and I learned a lot about herbs and came home with these three. Herb Robert, lime balm and peppermint.

I potted these up into bigger pots the next day.  Hopefully they grow well so I can make my own herbal teas.

Herb Robert. I think this is a type of geranium.

Lime Balm.

I counted up all the herbs I am growing and was surprised at how many I have, there are about 30 different kinds.

Peppermint.

The lavender started to flower again and the bees are happy.

The rose out the front has shot out new leaves and a bud. The leaves seem a little distorted to me, possibly caused by the hail storm.

Native pig-face growing in the paddock. Although damaged they are coming back to life.

And look at the apricot tree. I am so happy.

There were many blossoms on this tree before the storm. Then nothing afterwards. So to see this happening is so good!

The old man saltbush is still not looking good. Fingers crossed it comes back in leaf before the heat of summer hits. I need it to keep the hot tin cool.

I spied a pretty little mulberry on the tree. There is another one nearby as well. That is about all on the tree at the moment. Whether I get more is yet to be seen.

Fig trees are coming into leaf and a baby fig.

Orange blossom. The tree is buzzing, which is great to hear.

First time olive tree flowers.

In the veggie patch the sweet potato has started to grow among the volunteer leeks.

Potatoes in a bag are looking good.

Lemon balm.

Sage.

I've planted beans.

And netted the strawberries so I can hopefully get some. There are mice kicking around out here and the netting probably wont stop them eating my fruit.

Beetroot.

Chives.

Garlic chives.

Spring onions.

The first time I have grown broad beans and they seem to be doing well. I even have some little beans forming.

The not so baby spinach.

Kale. 

                        

Carrot seedlings. Not many came up and then the black birds got in there and thinned them out even more. I have now covered the remainder.

Silver beet.

More beetroot.

Cabbage.

Picked fresh from the garden...yum!

Trying to grow strawberries in hanging pots.

More baby spinach.

Cucumbers, bush variety.

Nice big lemons.

White flowers on an apricot tree in a pot.

Phil has been picking what is left of the quandongs and I have been cooking them up for the freezer. Such a blessing that we managed to get some even if they are a little damaged.

Take care and I will see you all soon. 

xTania