Leaves

Welcome to this month's Garden Share Collective, hosted by Kyrstie from A Fresh Legacy and Kate from Rosehips and Rhubarb, the theme this month is LEAVES.

Leaves, what would trees be without them? Bare, that's what they'd be. Without leaves a tree would have no means of making the energy it needs to grow through a process called photosynthesis, it would not be able to grow bigger, or produce the flowers that with luck will turn into the fruits and nuts that we love to eat. Leaves are also the way that a tree releases oxygen into the atmosphere, a fact that we don't always appreciate. 

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Repurpose - Reuse - Recycle

A monthly post to (hopefully) inspire you to look at old things in a new way.

Pallets

It never ceases to amaze me what people can do with some old pallets, a little time and imagination, below are a few examples.

I couldn't find a source for this one, but I don't think it would be too hard to work out how to make it. It would look lovely on an outside wall filled with candles, perfect for summer dining outdoors. 

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Peas and Garlic

The peas I sowed on April 23rd are starting to emerge from the ground, the Purple Podded was the first, not quite 3 weeks after sowing. Only 4 out of the 10 seeds sown have sprouted so not a great germination rate, I sowed more  today and hopefully they will all germinate this time. The Oregon snow peas are just emerging, but so far there is no sign of either the Melting Mammoth or the Sugarsnaps.

Knowing that the Sugarsnap seeds were past the use by date I decided to go ahead and sow more just to be on the safe side. What's the bet that now I've done that they will all germinate, not that, that would bother me, Sugarsnaps are my favourite pea.

I sowed seeds for Dwarf Blue Bantam and Early Crop Massey on May 5th, the Early Crop only took six days to sprout and the Blue Bantam took nine days and it looks like a very good germination rate so far.  I think three days of good rain really helped.

The garlic is being very slow to grow. I planted 52 cloves on Anzac Day and so far only 4 have sprouted, I'm hoping that the other 48 aren't too far behind. 

So that's where things are for the peas and garlic at the moment, hopefully this time next month I will be picking and eating the first of the peas and come November there will be lots of lovely, smelly, delicious garlic to harvest.

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Taking Stock

Dainty Swallowtail 

Making: A crochet sampler afghan for my bed which will hopefully go a bit faster now that I have finally chosen which patterns to use
Cooking: Creamy Pumpkin and Prosciutto Rigatoni, Creamy Chorizo Pasta and Homemade Pizza
Drinking: Turmeric lemonade, lots of water and green tea
Reading: The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail
Wanting: A home of my own
Looking: Forward to going to Tamworth in August to see my daughter and her family
Deciding: That at this point in my life getting more chickens isn’t a good idea
Wishing: I had the money to buy my own home
Enjoying: Cooler temperatures
Waiting: For seedlings to get bigger so I can plant them
Wondering: What happened to all the good TV shows
Loving: My greenhouse
Pondering: Life’s little mysteries
Considering: Buying more fruit trees
Buying: Second hand whenever I can and saving the difference
Watching: House Rules, Flip or Flop, Fixer Upper I really need a home of my own!
Marvelling: That reality TV has become such a huge thing. Why?
Needing: New jeans for winter
Smelling: The mandarin that I’ve just peeled
Wearing: Daggy old jeans and a long sleeved T-shirt
Noticing: That the sun has just come out
Knowing: That I need to get into more of a routine as far as house work goes
Thinking: About where to plant the plants I was given for Mother’s Day
Sorting: Out my room and getting rid of stuff that I no longer need/use

Getting: Ahead financially at long last, it feels good

Bookmarking: Lots of granny square patterns
Disliking: Ugly politics and ugly politicians
Feeling: Tired and hoping it’s just the change in seasons
Helping: To save the planet in my own small way
Hearing: The hum of my computer

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