Beginning to look a lot like ...

We are new at this house decorating lark, and most definitely don't want to be OTT about it. So, started out tentatively and shall see how we go. Two houses down has pulled out all stops, which is good for them, but not really us.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained

Left to my own devices, and with space not an issue, I might venture to grow pumpkin, and potato, and yam, and cabbage. However, space is at a premium, and the household is not a fan of the three veggies mentioned. So, adventures are of a herbal variety. Kale, I gather, is a bit like cabbage, and a bit like spinach, and good for the garden soil. To quote the label: Kale is a sweet tasting leafy vegetable, that is high in Vitamins C and K, antioxidants, and betacarotene. All parts of the plant are edible, and the more it is picked, the more it will produce. The leaves make a great side-dish tossed in the wok with some garlic, Thai Basil, and Soy Sauce.

Hence, the next choice was Thai Basil. Actually, we went to Bunnings for Thai Basil to begin with. We fluked a Kaffir Lime tree in the backyard which, I gather, is essential for authentic Thai flavours, and the Thai Basil was in a recipe Kirsten wanted to try out. Perhaps, I can encourage her to post this recipe, in her copious free time, of course. The Thai Basil label opines: Attractive and delicious variety of Basil with aromatic, dark, green leaves, smelling of spicy Aniseed. A fantastic herb for flavouring Thai dishes, such as curries and stir-fries. Best used when freshly picked to ensure maximum fragrance is retained. Prefers regular watering. Remove flower heads as they occur to encourage leaf growth. Which brings me to my third brain-snap, Vietnamese Mint, which was requested by noone and was simply plucked from the shelf like low-hanging fruit. It is not even a real mint, but I will let the label speak for itself: This is not a true mint, but has a similar appearance and aroma. The pointed leaves have distinctive purple markings. Prefers rich, moist soil in a partially shaded position. Flavour is pungent and spicy, and a bit like Coriander. Use in salads, soups, stews, and laksa soups. Mmmm ... the the rich, moist, shaded spot will be a challenge. I wonder if it will team well with Coriander, which I have finally had success with having moved it into a shadier spot.

Once these three plants are 'flourishing', I will update the images together with my thoughts on how to grow each such that it thrives.

Courageous, Ma!

Whenever Jim Hacker did anything from out of left field, something that was sure to come back and bite him on the bum, Sir Humphrey would aside, "Courageous, Minister!" The first shot is my Lebanese Eggplant (aka courgette). I guess (I hope) that it is 'lebanese' because its growth habit is similar to that of the Lebanese Cucumber. Courageous, because I am the only one in this household who likes eggplant. The second shot is my Caysan Chilli which I planted on the same day as the eggplant, October 13th. For this one, I have to be patient until the fruit turns red. Courageous, because I cannot abide hot chilli, but my SiL loves it.

Room to move

We have not really altered very much about this house in the ten months we have now lived here. However, the driveway was totally inadequate. Not wide enough for an SUV. And the hedge would have required a contractor in each season to maintain its shape.

Once we bit the bullet, what to do to rectify this became bleedingly obvious. Not easy, just obvious. See down the RHS of the final image there is a side hedge that is about 20' feet high, and very dense. This encroached about a metre into the property from the boundary. It was such a hodge-podge of bushes, just let grow rampant since 1941 or thereabouts.

As you can see, it is all gone now. Darren worked slavishly for many weekends, hacking back the jungle, removing quite massive trunks, and also digging up about 10 stone blocks lining the boundary. Firstly, Darren did the labouring. Then we had trouble getting a concretor to quote on such a small pour. They say 'No job too small', but they do not mean it. This was completed about the same time that Juliet was born. We have now finally found a chap to erect a fence, just 10.4 metres long and 1.8 m in height, and on the North Shore, when all the fencing contractors come from out west apparently. The concreting was just over $1,000, and the fencing will be just under $1,000. It will be done on Saturday. We won't know ourselves. He is going to remove all our accumulated garden junk to the tip when he finishes, too.

A fruitful garden

This is the 'Brown Turkey' fig I have had since October 2010. It is a gross feeder, and this year I am doing it justice. It has about a dozen fruit. The new BTF that I planed in June also has fruit on it.

This is the dwarf Satsuma Mandarin which set so many fruit not long after I planted it in June. These are the only ones still on the tree.

This is the Eureka Lemon given to us by Darren's father and his partner, Bob and Jenny. I think this is the only fruit in this, its first year. I expect more in the autumn. It is a full-size tree.

This is the 'Grosse Lisse' tomato, that was overwhelmed by the grape tomato, until I pulled it out from under. It has about 10 fruit on it, but is still flowering.

This is the dwarf Kumquat which is meant to fruit in Winter. Just two fruit.

And yes, finally the garden is fruitful. I harvested this today, and a similar quantity on Monday. Nothing like the supply needed to be able to cancel our regular fruit & veg delivery yet, I am afraid.

On being involved

Alannah is now 3 years and 4 months old, and is taking the initiative this Christmas for the first time. As our previous tree had perished in the move, Alannah and Mumma went out, and Alannah selected the tree of her dreams. Just the right size for a little girl.

Mumma and Alannah decorated the tree, and the games room, with Ma's baubles, and boxes of bling left in the attic by the previous owners. Well enough for when the tree grows in future years. Ma's job, now, is to ensure that this tree lasts us until trees are no longer de rigeur.

A place for fun, too

As well as producing healthy vegetables, a garden should be a visually appealing place to meander. An experience, not just a job. So with this in mind, I am set about 'moulding'.

The beds are straight, as are the pathways. The pebble covering for the path 'softens' the appearance already. Now the paths are littered with pots and planters giving the appearance of weaving. Not long ago, I found some very cheap 'windmills' that add colour and movement. This week I have added a wind chime, but need to find a permanent home for it rather than on a branch of the camellia where it is out of the way of the wind. Duh! These little figurines (very cheap at Bunnings) are going to prove a hit, so will scatter them throughout. My next project is to work on giving some height to the garden in spots.