This pluver or masked lapwing, together with its mate, was taking advantage of the early morning sun. The pair are regular visitors to the garden and often spend all day here. Magpies swoop them regularly, but the pluvers refuse to be intimidated.
Cucumber Calamity!
This small stunted cucumber is the only one harvested from four plants. There were lots of little yellow flowers, but unfortunately they didn't develop into big juicy cucumbers. I'm not sure what went wrong - not enough or too much water, too hot a position or a lack of the right insects to pollinate the flowers. Does this mean I've given up on cucumbers? No, I'll try again next season, but I'll grow them on a climbing frame instead of allowing them to meander across the raised garden bed. Regular feeding won't go amiss and perhaps a little more attention to watering, especially when the plants are in flower.
Finally! Flowering Together!
I thought this was never going to happen. The two dwarf patio geraniums at my back door are flowering at the same time.
A Welcome Find!
There are a few mysterious mounds dotted around our block, but we were pleasantly surprised by this one. Under a layer of dried grass was some top soil. At a minimum price of around $30.00 per cubic metre this was a very welcome find. Needless to say we have put it to good use.
Goodbye Summer! Hello Autumn!
Yesterday, the last day of summer was hot, hot and humid, with temperatures over 35°C. But summer did not leave quietly. Early evening saw a thunderstorm cell sweep through bringing with it a heavy downpour which eased to steady rain lasting for over an hour.
Overnight we had more rain. Checking the gauge this morning, I was very happy to see that we had a total of 10 mm. While not a huge amount, it was very welcome. The forecast for the coming week is for much cooler temperatures, low to middle 20s, with minimums of between 6 and 10 C. Hello autumn!
Bougainvillea - Another Plant Off My Wish List
Bougainvilleas are one of my favourite plants. I love the vibrancy of the colours available and how magnificent these shrubs look trailing over fences or pergolas.
For many years I've had bougainvillea on the list of plants I would like in my garden if ever I had the space and the right location. Well, yesterday I planted a hybrid called 'Vera Blakeman' and so have crossed bougainvillea off my wish list.
My aim is to have it cover the trellis behind. This spot is ideal as it has a northerly aspect, where it will catch the sun for most of the day. At the moment it has lots of magenta bracts with tiny pointed flowers in white.
At the Back Door
I have two Eclipse Patio geraniums (velvet red) in pots on either side of the back door. In shade, under the verandah, until lunchtime, they then get the western sun for the rest of the day. The flowers are very pretty and do look like red velvet. My only complaint is that the two plants never seem to flower at the same time: when one is coming into flower, the other is just finishing. Perhaps they will synchronise eventually when better established.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)