Who else likes gardening?

[ecomama]

Hi everyone

I hope you're staying well today.

Who else likes gardening? I would love to connect with people here who are happy to share their gardening adventures.

For me I know that gardening helped heal my soul during tough times. I hope it will again.
Then with other things going on, it became a jungle.
I'm part way into rediscovering it again and doing A LOT of hard yakka atm, when I am motivated.

I have new dreams and ideas to put into the many bare places, as I remove thickets of lantana etc. This will all be on a tight budget and I'm ok with that.

I want to create a peaceful place where I can be.
I would like to grow food again (tell 'er she's dreamin' atm lol).
I would like to re-establish my worm farms and compost heaps.
Autumn is such a beautiful time of the year in the garden.

I'm 'alone' in my gardening journey and would love to share and hear about other's gardening antics. Hopefully we can troubleshoot any issues in our gardens and talk about any healing we're feeling too. There's a lot of knowledge we can share. I hope this thread can brighten your day!

Love Ecomama

Please

[Lillylane]

Hi dear fellow gardeners

We’ve had some rain too over the last couple of days (for the first time in months). It’s incredible how the air changes and everything responds so quickly.

What a great find with that liriope EM! I have one which has survived the dry so well.

Another one I like is the NZ rock lilly. It’s expensive to buy at the shops so I tried dividing one I had in a back corner and I think they are all taking. It’s been great growing in a difficult dry shady spot under trees.

Your vege garden sounds amazing, Mark. This rain might prompt me to try a couple of tomato plants in containers.

I’d love to get a water tank. Not sure where we’d put it. Would have to be a compact one.

I have two very young daughters. Fraternal twins. They turn 5 in a few weeks so they can start school next year. I’ve been agonising over the decision a bit. Seems like such a different world to kindy. Deep down I think they’ll be fine at Prep, and their Kindy teacher doesn’t see any problems, but what will things be like when they are older I wonder?

[ecomama]

Hi Lillylane

From Plants to Prep.... I LIKE IT! lol.

How did I know we were kindred spirits lol.... I also have multiple birth sons... more than 2 and identical... and now 18yo. (I have other sons and daughters too).

Re: your daughter's starting school next year, follow your instincts.
But I would hold them back if you have any skerrick of doubt.

Part of my daughter's problem now she's in high school (which I TOLD her might happen) is that everyone is much older than her. They're into things she's NOT in to, like boys boys boys. She used to love school and now hates it.

My son's on the other hand I did hold back (they were supposed to be disabled)... I home schooled them and then started them late when one wanted to go to school.
They've powered through school and with so many awful things happening in our family which we're all recovering from.

Liriopes! Awesome!
Yes I traded for one years ago (in a Community Trading Group which is freaking awesome - I;ll rejoin later with more time) - they were very expensive at the time - and it's HUGE! And having babies lol.
But when I see a bargain I have to grab it to plant out a very large back garden. Balinese style I'm thinking, probably with a very Australian twist LOL!

I'm also accidentally growing Native Violets where grass used to be and it's SO BEAUTIFUL!
Our grass was eaten by 26 rescue chickens lol!
Now no need to mow!
omg that makes me so happy peeps.
Josh Byrnes from Gardening Australia said if you have these growing in your garden by accident then take it as a compliment... not sure why but I'll take it lol.

If I could have zero grass I would.

I planted Murraya on our front nature strip ALMOST to the roadside... a small strip of grass for the postie ofcourse. I also got these Murraya from our Trading Group.

I LOVE the smell of Murraya at Christmastime.... my kids love the smell as it signals Christmas is near, how cute.

I'm a long way out from planting much veg but we have our work garden and Community Gardens nearby for us to pick from which is great.

My Nectarines are growing by the minute and may even burst with all the rain we're getting lol.

We surely needed it, That's for sure!

Loving your green thumbs and all fingers!

EMxxxx

[Matchy69]

I finally got a pawpaw,a yellow bisexualand planted it.I use to grow a lot of pawpaws once mostly dioecious as you would get a larger crop of the female plant.
The rain has been wonderful with my little tank full and my two big ones half full now.The grass is green and will need mowing and the garden is growing crazy.
Happy gardening,
Mark.

[ecomama]

HI Mark!

So nice to hear from you and hear all your news (or some of it lol) about your garden!

Full water tanks is a great thing coming into Summer... I hope you get your large tanks full soon... do you rely on water tank water alone?

EMxxxx

[Matchy69]

Hi Em I am lucky I am connected to town water but try a d use tank water most of the time but do switch over to town when my tanks start to get to dry.We are on tough water restrictions with town water but can water my garden with tank water any time I like while town water you can only water 3 times a week for an hour on the afternoon.My two large tanks were overflowing at the beginning of the year and then we had such a long dry spell

[ecomama]

Hi Mark

We have town water too but I try to ONLY use tank water for the garden. Paying for water gripes me lol!

I want to connect one tank and even get another one down the track, and hook them up to a toilet and possibly one laundry.

And THANKYOU for reminding us all about needing a male / female pawpaw plant!
Mine is only a young one atm so IDK what sex it is. Plus I'll rely on you and Google to tell lol!

My next major garden purchase will be a pomegranate tree next year. I want to plant it in Autumn... we're grounding my grandchildren's placentas underneath it.. at the moment they're frozen lol... the things we do!

My nectarines are going berzerk with all that rain.
6 out of 8 days!
And even though it was really hot this morning, it cold really cold this evening and the rain started again!

We had a long dry spell too so this rain has been welcome. I'm so glad you got lots of it too lol.

Love EM

[Matchy69]

Em the only way you can tell if it's male or female is when it flowers.If it gets a long flower it's a male and a shorter flower it's a female You usually plant several diocious pawpaws to make sure you get a male for cross pollination .Also the male can get a smaller fruit on it to that you can eat.The seeds in pawpaws are edible and healthy for you.My mum use to eat them all the time.
Happy gardening,
Mark.

[ecomama]

Thanks for that information Mark, it's alot to prepare for, esp since my pawpaw grew by accident lol!

I'd have to review my garden plans / ideas to make that all work.

Never say never, right?

For the life of me I can't remember how my grandmother did it. I was trying to remember last night.

The ONLY memory I have of her pawpaw tree (she may have more than 1, I can't remember lol) is that it was LADEN with fruit one day and she said "They're all for you".

SO a bit of research necessary for me about distance between plants etc AND whether I'll do it.
I may as well but won't be planting this one out for quite a while.
We have lots of landscaping type activities to do first.

It's raining AGAIN here today and I can't quite believe it. SO much rain. But I dare not complain lol... you know what it's like 🙂

Love EM

[Matchy69]

I just added up October's rainfall and we got 95mm which is ok.I would have liked more but will get my garden through Christmas.

[ecomama]

That's STACKS and in good time too.

Happy gardening days!

EMxxxx