Mango Mango Mango

We have a new Mango Tree which we have decided to plant down the western fenceline where it will be a little more protected than the last unfortunate fellow. The soil is fairly clayey there so we have dug out a good meter round, meter deep hole and filled it with fresh loamy soil and some compost. The tree was already four foot high when we bought it so already it has a good start. We have planted comfrey next to it which is good at breaking up clay soils and bringing up deep nutrients. It may need some wind strength assistance but we will wait for the annual Westerlies to blow in and see how it fares first.

Night of Fat Rain

Beautiful Downpour

Chicken Coop Extension - Phase One

We inherited an old dog enclosure from a family member and decided to add it to the back of the chicken coop. It would not only extend the area available to our chooks but would put them in and around our twin avocado trees and the super passionfruit. Chooks are great for fertilising shrubs and trees as long as you can keep them away from the roots.

The whole family pitched in and during a beautiful day of family fun we pulled the wire off one side of the enclosure and attached it to the chicken coop. We wired off the avocados and the passionfruit vine and let the chickens in. The portion nearest the coop is an old sandy loam garden bed so the ladies will enjoy hunting for bugs and worms I'm sure. The chook access to the new section is via a small cut out wire section that can be closed off if we feel the plants and grass need a break.

The bottom image shows the wire around the twin avocados which are still going well. In all the others you can see the super passionfruit vine that is fruiting like there is no tomorrow on the bottom of the main coop.

Phase two of the extension is to attach the coop to the side of the mower shed. This is scheduled for the weekend of 21/22 Aug. I will keep you posted.

Drizzly Day

Latest corn crop emerges

Another happy crop of yellow goodness is on its way. There is something magical or mythical about corn that really intrigues me. Perhaps because its a staple that has been with humanity for thousands of years. This is sweet corn and while only enough for probably two meals will be thoroughly welcome at our table.

Chilli Delight

Our Chilli bush is going great guns again this year with many big red hotties popping up to spice up life. It is certainly very happy where it is and even more so since we have propped it up a bit more and it has gotten thicker and healthier looking as a result.

Basil: Our Italian King

We planted some Basil in the vege patch as they are good companion plants for tomatoes. They have taken off and we have let them go so we can propagate them around the place.

Basil is originally a native of Iran, India and other tropical regions of Asia, having been cultivated there for more than 5,000 years. The word Basil comes from the Greek and means 'King' as it is believed to have grown above the spot where St. Constantine and Helen discovered the Holy Cross.

Basil is best known as an added herb to various dishes. It needs to only be added at the last moment though as cooking too long generally destroys the flavour.It can be dried or kept fresh for a short time in plastic bags in the fridge or for a longer period in the freezer if it has been blanched first.

On the medicinal side various medical studies have established that compounds in the various basil oils have powerful antioxidant, anti-cancer, antiviral, and anti-microbial properties. It is also traditionally used for supplementary treatment of stress, asthma and diabetes in some countries.

Basil repels many pests to the tomato plant and makes the tomatoes taste better as well.

Rain

Avocado Tree - A bovine raid

Well I am starting to feel that the universe is conspiring a little against us with our avos. We bought a beautiful lush 5 foot high sapling to plant on Saturday. It was tall and happy and green and just made for the job. We went inside for lunch... and the wind blew it over... just close enough to the fence for the neighbour's bull to reach it, drag it through the fence and chomp it. It's now a 1 foot stick.. but still alive as far as we can tell... we are hoping it just makes it grow stronger! Damn you fickle goddess of Lauraceae... why do you withhold your pear shaped blessings from our humble gardens..? Fingers crossed it has survived the tragedy!