The Sounds of Summer
17 December, 2024
Pottering in the garden, the sounds of summer are all around me, the steady chorus of cicadas, the gentle hum of bees and a rustling of leaves indicating that our resident lizards are nearby.
Summer is a quieter time for me in the garden. Having done all the soil prep work and plantings for the warm season ahead, the rest is left to Nature. As with any good partnership there is an element of trust when working with Nature, a lesson in letting go. Trusting that with the right foundation the garden will flourish.
Pest infestations are dealt with by a diverse range of beneficial insects and other organisms, whilst soil organisms ensure the plants have access to key nutrients, as needed, making them more resistant to pests and diseases. The only tasks left to me are hand watering, harvesting and keeping a watchful eye.
With less tasks in the garden, there’s more time to spend with family, for fun at the beach and a visit to the farm. It’s also a time to rest and reflect on the year gone by…. while the garden continues to grow.
“A garden is a grand teacher. It teaches patience and careful watchfulness; it teaches industry and thrift; above all it teaches entire trust. ”
Our potted garden continues to grow with a few more fruit trees being added here and there, along with a blueberry bush and some horseradish.
In this little corner of our backyard there are now 20 fruit trees, some in the ground but most of them are grown in large pots. The understorey is made up of a few roses, natives, geraniums and other perennials. The ground level is covered with native juniper, herbs, succulents, strawberries and annual edibles.
The greenhouse is literally buzzing with bees and other beneficial insects as well as food production. This 3m x 2m growing space is currently home to 8 tomato plants, 4 capsicum plants, 1 chilli plant and 12 cucumber vines. I’ve also managed to squeeze in some flowers, strawberries, chives and lettuce.
All plants are grown in large pots to help reduce water loss and ensure good nutrient supply. The tomato plants also have waterpot ollas to ensure their roots always have access to water, reducing the risk of ‘blossom end rot’.
First harvests for the new season always make me happy, especially when it’s cucumbers!
Found out who’s been eating the strawberries…
A corner of our front garden where the plants are more resilient, with natives, bush tucker plants and hardy perennials. A few months ago I repurposed a pot to become a bee watering station, supporting our bees over summer, as well as creating some visual interest.
Til next time,
Seasonal blessings from our home to yours,
Alisa 🌞✨