December 2013 part 2

Just a few days later, I finished off the weeding (YAY) front garden and back garden.  Pop and I took all of the weeds to the tip. 

I planted corn and also some picking lettuces.  A layer of sugar cane mulch and the vegie garden is looking good.  The tomato plants have started to green up and grow.  It will be interesting how they go seeing they were planted so late in the season. 

A few hanging baskets along the fence helps to brighten up the area.  I planted them with seedling Verbenas ‘Very Berry’ and a few elf sown lobelias in each pot for a bit more colour.  Seeing the sweet peas have been a bit disappointing this year I also put some pots of Petunias ‘Double Twist’ on the outside of the shade house.  I’ll strike up some more ivy geraniums to put in these pots once the petunias finish.

The potted cyclamens are having a rest time in the shade house till they start to sprout for their next season.  I’ll give them some liquid fertilizer while they are there. 

That brings me to my ‘Garden New Year’s Resolution’ – to regularly   fertilize all of my garden beds, vegies and pots.  Something I always intend to do but rarely get around to it.  2014 will be different – well that is the plan.

The snowpeas are getting bigger

so are the zucchinis 

and the 'Red legs' silver beet are doing well.  The circle of sticks to keep away the blackbirds, and the little pot on top so that the top of the sticks aren't dangerous, is really working well.  The blackbirds come and have a bath nearby but don't scratch out my seedlings.

The late planted tomatoes are looking happier, new green growth.  They are still small but there is plenty of warm weather still to come, so hopefully they will do well

I planted some corn, which is doing okay.  Some hanging baskets on the fence posts.  The espaliered apple tree is growing and doesn't seem to mind  being controlled and shaped.   

I put four of these along the outside of the shade house.  They should look nice once the petunias grow and bloom.

This is my favorite sweet pea but they haven't done very well this year.

Oh NO!!!!  My poor apricot tree had so much fruit it has snapped in half.  I really don't think it can be saved.  There is going to be a very unattractive gap without it.  Just when you think you have everything the way you want it mother nature reminds you that gardens grow and change all of the time.  At least when it  came down it hasn't broken any other plant.  You just have to be grateful for the positives in life.