Insects

Observations of insects and other critters has been high on the agenda over the last couple of days. So lovely to walk around the garden an just take a really close look at whats going on out there! I must invest in a good local insect book, if there is such one. 

Ladybugs....um........love-making????

Bee on the Orange tree

Some kind of wasp I presume

Same as above. There are lots in the garden, they like the flowers

Flies. Mostly hated, but all part of the system!

Head of a bee, bum of a zebra!

I have no idea what it is! Anyone know?

More love-making!!! White Butterfly

Now there is 4.

Weird!

Black Soldier Fly. Now I have to gently persuade it towards
 the BSF farm.

Ruby Lou Potatoes grown in a foam box. 

Blue barrel cut in half. Wasn't filled up as high with compost as I
would have liked

Nearly 3.5 kg harvested from the barrels.

Mature Footlong broad Beans!!!!!!

Seeds strewn around the garden 'hippy style'. A mix of Lettuces,
Mizuna, Brassicas, Spinaches,  Onions etc. Was about 20 different
varieties!

Dwarf Nectarine. Has been in the ground 3 years. First time I've seen
fruit.  Wont get hopes up too much 

       Wowzers! What a busy weekend in the garden.

The potting area got a much needed clean up, done a 7am, in PJ's of course!! I'm so happy that I've found the perfect spot to raise the seeds. Not in the most convenient spot, but the spot that the work the best, so that's where it will stay, and it is the 5th place that I've tried!

Most of the summer seeds sown, (in June July Aug) have now been planted out in the garden. Plants have been marked of those that I must keep an eye on for flowering so I can seed save, they will be hand pollinated and bagged until fruit set. 

Still keeping an eye on these on the potting table. These are all new to me. Cant wait to see how the perform!

Cassabanana. 1 out of the 3 germinated. I've never grown
 it, nor do I know anyone that has. It a South American
perennial climber. Likes the heat. Think Chilacyote but
 a fruit...what a perfect  Permie combo!!!!!

Tomatillo. Grew only 1 last summer, what a great plant.
The fruit however were empty of seeds, apart from 1.
On reading, best to have more than 1 plant to help
pollination. Will see how we go this summer.

Mouse Melon. A climber, and a weed so they say, because
the fruit so readily set seed. Will be planted in a pot as this
is the first time planted

Red Stem Celery. Great germination. The aim will be to save
seed. I'm thinking they will need a coolish spot throughout
the summer

New Beginnings

Perennial Leek has made a appearance
after disappearing for a couple of years. Bigger leeks
are harvested leaving the smaller pups
to grow.

 One thing I have only recently come to really appreciate in the garden  is to let the plants take a full life-cycle and to leave them the heck alone!

Letting plants go to seed with out the intention to collect the seed. Leave them to flower for the bees and all the other insects to enjoy, both good insects and the 'nasty' ones.

Leave plants in the soil when they die. Cut them off at the base, and either Cut n' Drop or compost the tops. This also leaves the root system in the ground to rot down, or sprout back up.

Letting plants emerge with only the help from Mother Nature. Plants that have dropped seeds, seeds emerging from the layers of compost on the ground, plants emerging from who knows where, all have now been left alone. Some times they pop up in the "wrong' spot, sometimes I don't even know what they are!

Asian green and Spring onion in flower

Tomatoes seedlings are always left in the ground. They grow
 all year round, I never need to water them, and disease free.

Rosa Bianca Eggplant had been cut off at the base twice.
 Have grown this one from seed at the end of 2010 and never
had any fruit.

Self sprouted Potato. Had to emerge against the trellis!
Not where I'd normally plant them.

Soapwart disappeared for 2 years and has only
just made a come back. Obviously the roots are
only dormant in the ground