A walk to the bottom

October 10, 2021October 10, 2021 / crabandfish / 2 Comments

Our property rises and falls on its rambling acre. I love the low side: the light is different as is the air. There is a meandering water course that is mostly dry and overgrown with ivy.

It’s a very typical mountain bush block with some surprises here and there: ferns and pink rhododendrons.

My two cats, Albert and Whitey (guess which is which😂) have taken to following me down. They peer into the wombat hole before watching me weed and rake.

My goal this month is to trim back the ivy which is slowing engulfing the maples, ferns and azaleas. Colin built a little foot bridge to make it easier to get to the other side.

I hope you had a good gardening weekend.

Did someone say earthquake?

September 26, 2021September 26, 2021 / crabandfish / 4 Comments

It’s been a weird old winter. Not only have we been months in lockdown, experienced four days of power outage, witnessed severe storms that felled hundreds of large trees in the forest and last Wednesday morning a 5.8 earthquake!

Thankfully, there was no damage but we had such a fright. My heart goes out to all people and animals who have experienced mother nature’s anger. Maybe she’s trying to tell us all something. Stay well and be safe.

Vintage camellias

June 26, 2020 / crabandfish / 2 Comments

The first of the glorious winter shades. These blush pink beauties are the first of the doubles to flower. They were a welcome hello to the winter school holidays when I was teaching.

Enjoy the season and keep well.

Just in time tulips

May 12, 2020May 12, 2020 / crabandfish / 4 Comments

Phew, just finished planting these tulips.

I ordered them a bit late and they’ve finally arrived.

So, I’m happy they’re in!

Happy gardening everyone.

Weeding Wednesday

December 4, 2019December 4, 2019 / crabandfish / 5 Comments

Ok, so I’ve made that up… however, I have started a new project which requires heavy weeding and the rearranging of a rock border.

There are old pavers to be removed and rocks replaced. It’s always rewarding to see the weeds gone and a new project evolving.

The light is dappled and I can work at my own pace under the shade of the lilac tree.

Further around the garden I can see figs ripening with the hostas looking on.

After a day’s lifting, weeding and rolling rocks into place, I’m quite pleased with the result. Cats also inspected the new garden bed!

What are your favourite plants for afternoon dappled light??

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Tulip time

October 15, 2019 / crabandfish / 6 Comments

Tulips sprinkled by spring rains – in our garden today 🌷🌷🌷

The last of the gold

June 2, 2019June 2, 2019 / crabandfish / 4 Comments

The last of the autumn leaves. This large prunus tree shades our back deck in summer and certainly gives us a spectacular treat in spring with its pink blossoms and then again in autumn when it sheds its glorious, golden leaves.

I don’t mind raking up the multitude of fallen leaves. It’s been so dry this autumn that it was quite an easy task, despite my cat Albert’s interest in them too!

It’s always wonderful to see overseas visitors come to the mountain to see the dramatic display. It is said to be auspicious in many Asian cultures to be in and among the autumn hues. It is a revered and some even say, a spiritual experience.

My neighbour recently reprimanded me when she spotted some fake flowers in one of my vases, “we live surrounded by beauty and real colour, bring some fresh foliage into the house!” I took her advice.

I hope you can display some of your garden in your home this weekend and enjoy some time with family or friends. Happy gardening. 🙂