Winter is the season dominated by bare soil: the whole gardening cycle begins with the care and preparation of the earth during winter so that it will feed plants the following year. One of the things I enjoy about digging (and there are lots of things I enjoy about it) is the smell of the
earth that is released by the spade cutting in and lifting clods that have been buried for a year. Not only does the soil itself have a real scent, but the roots of the crop or plant - even weed - that has been growing there will also contribute to the mix, creating something new out of the
vague remnants of last season's garden.
- Monty Don, The Sensuous Garden, 1997
April 2006 and Winter is creeping up again, endless cycles of death and growth... The garden path really settling in well - the edging plants have taken well and the rain seems to be gone for now. Just as well, the mornings are decidedly snippy and fresh and too much water now is not such a good thing...
The Cape Robin in the Balhambra tree in my previous garden
The new pathway looking grand after all the rain...
The garden at night...
Stained glass garden ornament hanging from the Acacia Karoo
Slivers of broken mirror on a piece of string cast shimmering lights in the shadows.
Wonderful little Phormiums!
Rain gauge filled to the brim - 100mm
The birds are still enjoying the May sunshine... This Laughing Dove
I named Flutterby - reared him in the house and now he's quite at
home in the garden...
The birds enjoying the food table...
June 2006 - The indigenous wild grasses starting to feel the effects of Winter
Some of the wild grasses are seeding, much to the delight of the birds.
July and Winter is in full swing - lawn really dead!
July '06 - Oh, Woe is me... the frost seems to have gotten
my Pachypodium! Hoping and praying he'll survive the onslaught...
Pachypodium in January '06... it survived...! And looking beautiful
too with it's new crowns...
.
