It's that time of year again; I'm planning for winter and spring.

The broad bean and pea seeds arrived yesterday, the bulb orders went in over the weekend, and there are punnets of lettuce, rocket and onions waiting for a chance to get planted. Another silverbeet glut is only a few weeks away :)

This year the picture is added to by the chooks who are moulting and looking decidedly autumnal. They seem completely cheerful as the hoon around looking raggedy (particularly the girl who lost all her tail feathers in one go) and retain their passion for sunflower seeds and puha.

The real challenge is working out the planting plan for the mound by the pond with the nectarine. The plants need to handle clay, but won't drown as it's a mound, need to be beautiful year round as they're next to the pond, but I still want seasonal variation.

I'm thinking about a spinossima rose as I think the hips are gorgeous, but pink flowers will need some thought :)

In other rose news the Souvenir de la Malmaison growing around the compost is still growing madly; it should be gorgeous next spring, and the Graham Thomas is also holding out against winter.

Tags: Bulbs, Veges, Beans, Roses, Chooks

I came home yesterday to find a box on the doorstep; full of bulbs to go in as soon as possible. In practice that is likely to be early June, which is a bit late but... so they’re sitting on my sewing table.



As well as a the daffodils, freesias, irises, crocuses and hyacinths I’d ordered, they’ve thrown in some blue dutch irises I need to find a home for. I think they’ll fit in the front border by the salvia, but there’ll be wind problems I fear.

So the stack of plants, bulbs and seeds has begun, I’ve also sorted out a space on the deck to hold plants until they can go in. Hopefully out of the way of the people cutting back the deck but still accessible. It’s all go here!

I’m currently planning a week off in early June to plant as much as possible, although I’m unlikely to have the fruit trees or roses by then.

Tags: Bulbs