I put a seed into the ground and said, "I'll watch it grow."

I put a seed into the ground
And said, "I'll watch it grow."
I watered it and cared for it
As well as I could know.

One day I walked in my back yard,
And oh, what did I see!
My seed had popped itself right out,
Without consulting me!
- by Gwendolyn Brooks

I've always been fascinated by sunflowers, partly because they're so huge and have such a sunny disposition and partly because I feed a lot of sunflower seeds to my various birds and chickens. A couple of months ago, last year beginning October, to be exact, I decided to plant a few of my own and scattered some seeds in an empty spot. I watered the area and then waited.

24th October 2013

They popped through the ground within a week, two tiny little plants reaching for the sun. Within another 2 weeks, they were already 30cm (12") tall. But there were only two, of about two dozen seeds I planted and they chose the most inaccessible spot to launch their growth, right next to my Barrel Cactus, so I couldn't even transplant them to a better position. But who am I to decided where is the better position, obviously they think that, right where they are, is perfect!

 

 12th November 2013

Three weeks later the tallest sunflower was already standing over 5' tall and showing the first signs of budding. I could just manage to look at its crown by bending the plant over slightly to take a pic.

 

3rd December 2013

 

7th December 2013

Another three weeks later, 8th December, and the tallest one was just over 15' and the flower had opened. The second one's flower opened a week later.

 

16th December 2013, approx. 8 weeks after planting

 

A couple of weeks ago, the flowers would face East in the morning and by late afternoon would be facing almost due West. It really is true that Sunflowers seem to follow the sun! But as the plant matured, the flower eventually stayed facing East, due to the stalk becoming more rigid and to prevent scorching of the flower in the midday and late afternoon sun.

Just before Christmas, the flowers and most of the leaves started drying up and soon I would be able to harvest some seeds for my birds! And to plant more in the garden...

 

This was taken yesterday, 16th January 2014, and it seems it's going to take just as long before I can harvest the seeds as it took for the plant to grow!

So all in all it seems the farmer has to wait 18 weeks before he can harvest his crop and get some money in. No wonder sunflower seeds are so expensive!

(Note to Liz : As soon as the seeds are ready, keep an eye on your post box, I will be sending you some! Will let you know before-hand.)

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The bliss of Lavender

Said to bring protection to the household if planted at the front gate, Lavender has long been a favourite in the garden, in herb lore, and in the medicine chest. Its Latin origin “lavare” to wash, bears testimony not only to it’s refreshing smell but also to antiseptic qualities.

Much fuss is made in some books about ensuring that only the flower of English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is used as a healing herb but in this (as in many things), I follow Yvette van Wyk, one of our best-know South African gurus on herbs. Yvette suggests that all major species, including the French (Lavandula dentata) are fine, and that all aerial parts are usable.

 Pic from Pinterest

Lavender is perhaps best known as a headache cure. (Always remember of course that the cause of a headache should be investigated especially if headaches persist. Many headaches are simply the result of mild dehydration, and can thus be best dealt with by drinking a tall glass of clean water. Other common causes of headaches are constipation, neck tension, allergens, and bad lighting.)

 A Lavender plant given to me by a dear friend in 2012

Lavender is particularly effective as a relief from tension headaches. Make a strong cup of lavender tea (officially called an infusion - see box on making infusions). Sip the tea, and inhale the wonderful smell for (almost) instant soothing.

Lavender is also fantastic for insomnia. Drink a cup of tea just before bedtime, or sleep with a sprig between your pillow and pillowcase. Also good for calming the nerves, lifting the spirits, and curing sore throats (gargle with a warm infusion) and bad breath (due not only to its sweet smell but also its antiseptic qualities).

As an antiseptic, I find the essential oil the most convenient and never travel without it. (It is imperative to use organic essential oils, as there are no pesticide or fungicide residues. The distillation process is also done slowly, with as little heat and pressure as possible. This ensures the therapeutic value of the oil.) It is mild enough to be used straight on the skin if necessary and is great for insect bites and small injuries. Ideally it should be combined with warm water to clean out grazes, small cuts, and the like, and can also be used like this as a gargle (add about 5 drops to a glass of warm water). Apply a drop to each temple for headache relief.

 My Lavender plant in August 2013

Lavender oil is one of the best treatments for minor burns. (Apply only after the burn has cooled.) Add a few drops of essential oil to the bath to relieve tension, and to take the sting out of sunburn. Lavender is one of the essential oils that is mild enough to be safe for children.

LAVENDER LINEN WATER
Mix 100 drops (5 ml) of lavender essential oil and 5 drops of peppermint essential oil with ¼ cup vodka. (Use the good stuff. You can buy 50 ml "nip" bottle of high test at the liquor store. It will be enough.) Stir into 3 cups of distilled, spring or well water. It will turn cloudy, but it won't stain cloth. Store in a glass container and shake before using. Add a quarter cup to rinse water with your bed linens for a comforting scent that will soothe you to sleep.
Recipe from 'Homestead.com' 

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Kniphofia (Red Hot Pokers)

The Red-hot Pokers (Kniphofia) in my garden are in full bloom and I never noticed the baby Praying Mantis on this one until I up-loaded the photograph to my MAC. Upon closer inspection, I saw that many of the blooms had babies on them, Mother Praying Mantis has been busy! Praying mantises usually breed during the summer season and do not give birth but lay eggs that come out in a white froth. Each praying mantis egg case will hatch about 100-200 tiny mantises, all at once and when the babies hatch, they're entirely self-sufficient and on their own.

The name Kniphofia is a tongue twister (pronounced nee-FOF-ee-a) but these plants are easy to grow. Once established, these Red Hot Poker plants can also manage drought, although mine tend to grow better and bloom more profusely with supplemental water. Full sun is a must as they get very scraggly and hardly flower at all in shade.

Red Hot Pokers flourishing at the side of my wildlife pond where it over-flows.

These plants, which are native to Africa, produce spikes of upright, brightly-colored, red-to-orange flowers. This gives names such as "torch" and "red hot poker" to many of them. The flowers produce copious nectar while blooming and attract sap-suckers such as the Black Sunbird to my garden. Besides the flowers of my Aloe ferox, this seems to be their most popular feeding spot and every year I look forward to the Black Sunbird and his wife (Chalcomitra amethystina - Amethyst sunbird - Swartsuikerbekkie), who spend most of the day visiting from flower to flower.

Red-hot pokers are grown in temperate gardens around the world. Ranging in colour from reds, oranges through yellow to lime green and cream, numerous cultivars and hybrids have been developed from species originating in South Africa. Most species of Kniphofia are evergreen while a few are deciduous and sprout again in the early summer. They bear dense, erect spikes (elongated inflorescence with stalkless flowers) above the level of the leaves in either winter or summer depending on the species. The small, tubular flowers are produced in shades of red, orange, yellow and cream.

The flowers of some species of Kniphofia are reportedly used as a minor food and apparently taste like honey. K. parviflora is reported to have been made into a traditional snake repellent. K. rooperii and K. laxiflora are used traditionally as a medicine. An infusion of the roots is used to relieve or treat the symptoms of certain chest disorders.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Some of my first Red Hot Pokers I planted way back in 2004

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Working in the garden

In my garden, after a rainfall, you can faintly, yes, hear the breaking of new blooms.
- Truman Capote 

 

My wooden garden barrow filled with Azaleas and two Terracotta pots ready to be planted.

Does gardening also crazily inspire you? I turn into a totally different person when faced with some seedlings, my trowel, garden spade and fork and some terracotta pots! Gone is the rational woman who knows there is going to be back-ache tonight, gone is all thought of the 'perfect' nails I've been trying to cultivate and gone is (almost) all thought of sunburn, although I do mostly remember to put on the sun-screen, wear long sleeves and plonk a hat on my head. Mostly the gloves come off because I love the feel of the soil between my fingers and who can use the hosepipe with gloves on?!

Heaps of pebbles, rocks, paving stones, logs, driftwood and tree stumps have me watering at the mouth with ideas! Broken pots and other discarded items suddenly take on a beauty of their own and sometimes even household furniture will also find their way into the garden. Just to be dragged back a couple of days later as I see the weather starting to take its toll!

And NOTHING is more satisfying than seeing the results of your handiwork a couple of weeks later...

 

 

 

"The love of gardening is a seed once sown that never dies."
- Gertrude Jekyll, garden designer.

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Who knew cucumbers could do all this!

Image from Wikipedia

I haven't grown cucumbers for years and this article on FaceBook by Mike Suddaby has sparked my interest in growing some veggies in my garden again. (But did you know that cucumbers are scientifically classified as fruits? Much like tomatoes and squash, however, their sour-bitter flavour contributes to cucumbers being perceived, prepared and eaten as vegetables.) In fact, I haven't grown ANY vegetables for years. I can just imagine picking my own green beans again (one of my favourites!) and tomatoes and green peppers and squash. Absolute bliss!

I'm just wondering if the cucumbers, and any other vegetables, will survive the onslaught of the chickens…

"Spice up your 8 glasses per day of water with a slice or two of cucumber. It's wonderfully refreshing, but there are amazing benefits to cucumber as well. Cucumbers are cooler than you think ...

1. Fat busting:
Do you ever wonder why women put cucumbers on their eyes to relieve puffiness? The photochemical in cucumbers makes the collagen in your skin tighten, thus the lack of puffiness. Did you know that you can rub a cucumber on a problematic spot of cellulite anywhere on your body to lessen the visibility of it? Did you also know that it has the same effect on wrinkles? Wow, it makes purchasing those fifty dollar creams seem a little silly, doesn’t it? You can also rub a little bit under your kiddo’s eyes after a long bout of crying to avoid that puffy ‘I cried for an hour straight’ look.

2. Defogger:
Do you get annoyed when you get out of the shower and you have to fight the fog on the mirror? Who has time for that when the kids will be awake at any moment? Try rubbing a slice of cucumber on the mirror before you hop in and not only will you get a fog-free mirror, but you’ll have a nice smell that will boost your mood.

3. Headaches:
If you suffer from headaches from chasing your babies all day (or pets or your husband), or had a little too much wine with dinner and want to avoid a hangover, eat half of a cucumber before bed. Cucumbers are high in B vitamins, sugar, and electrolytes, and they replenish the nutrients missing in your body to help you avoid a hang over or to beat that headache that’s been threatening to take over.

4. WD-40 replacement:
Did you know you can get rid of a squeak by rubbing a cucumber on the hinge? Wow, now you don’t have to tear your garage apart looking for that little can with the red straw, and the baby won’t wake up when you slowly open the nursery door to check on him.

5. Crayon on the walls:
Take an un-peeled cucumber and rub the crayon off of the walls in the event that your kiddo left you some art. You can also use this technique to erase a pen mistake.

6. Halitosis killer:
Take a slice of cucumber and put it on the roof of your mouth. Hold it there with your tongue for 30 seconds. The photochemical that you love for cellulite and puff reduction will also kill the bacteria that is causing your bad breath.

7. Tarnish remover:
If you’re finding tarnish on your stainless steel kitchen faucets and appliances? Rub it off with a cucumber slice. Not only will it remove years of tarnish, it will leave it streak free and your hands will thank you, and your kids won’t be put at risk from a dangerous chemical.

8. Energy booster:
If you’re feeling tired in the afternoon, don’t give Starbucks your five bucks. Instead, grab a cucumber. There are just enough carbohydrates and B vitamins to give you a longer-lasting and healthier boost of energy than soda, coffee, or those health hazard energy drinks.

9. Munchy madness:
Did you know that European trappers ate cucumbers for energy and to keep from starving to death? If those big burly manly men can eat a cucumber to keep from starving, you can eat one as a healthy choice when the munchies hit. Slice some up and take them in a small plastic container to the movies if your theater doesn’t offer healthy alternatives to munching on butter soaked popcorn.

10. Frugal facial:
Slice up a cucumber and boil it in a pot of water. The chemicals inside of the cucumber will mix with the steam. Remove the pot from heat and lean over it, letting the steam hit you. Your skin will be more radiant and healthy, and you will feel relaxed and rejuvenated.

11. Shoe polish:
Cut a slice off of your cucumber and rub it on your shoe. It will not only shine it up, but it will repel water.

12. Pest control:
Put three or four slices of cucumber in a small pie tin and place them in your garden. The chemicals in the cucumber have a reaction that pests hate. You won’t smell it, but it will drive them from your garden all year long. Replace them periodically.

13. Sunburn:
Sometimes sun block doesn’t always protect your little ones from sunburn. If you have burnt little kiddos you don’t have any aloe, rub some cucumber on them. Many doctors even use cucumber to treat patients with irritated skin and sunburns.

14. Blood pressure:
Cucumber has been long used to treat high blood pressure. If you have it, add cucumbers to your daily diet. There is also ongoing research into the use of cucumbers for lowering cholesterol.

15. Constipation remedy:
The seeds of a cucumber are a diuretic. If you’re constipated, try eating a cucumber. If you suffer from chronic constipation, add cucumber to your daily diet."
- Mike Suddaby 

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Best gardening wishes for 2014

Last night a fairy strayed our way
And played upon the lawn.
She danced and skipped from end to end -
Then suddenly was gone.

What frightened her, I do not know,
She dropped her purse and ran,
Leaving a wealth of golden coins
To shine when day began!
- by Hazel Cedarborg

2013 was an amazing year in the garden, with lots of lessons learned and, best of all, happy hours spent digging in the earth. May your New Year be filled with fairies, sunshine and gardening pleasures!

Happy New Year!

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My garden residents

You've got to get out and pray to the sky to appreciate the sunshine!

African striped skink - Mabuya striata punctatissim

I have a couple of Lizards living in my bathroom court-yard garden and I often find them sunning themselves on the walls or the rocks and tree stumps. These cold-blooded reptiles eat insects such as ants, beetles, larvae and flies, so the ones we get around the house or game lodges are actually very welcome! They also often enter my bathroom, decorating my walls just the way I like it! 

Two wooden lizards decorating my bathroom walls, and invitation for the garden variety to come and visit!

A sunny position on the wall is greatly prized. 

This lizard gives birth to live young, but other reptiles lay eggs. The lifespan of lizards is between 1 – 3 years. Being cold-blooded means that they don’t have a control mechanism keeping their body temperature constant irrespective of their surroundings. They need the sun to warm their blood and provide them with energy to move and will remain mostly inactive on cold days and may hibernate in winter. There are no poisonous Lizards in southern Africa and South Africa is home to more than 200 lizard species, making it the richest country for lizard diversity in continental Africa. 

A sketch I did of one of my lizards last year. 

I didn’t know they would be so difficult to sketch! Never again will I say, “How difficult can this be?!” lol! 

This little lady (I think!) looks decidedly pregnant!

Looking out into the court-yard from the bathroom

My bathroom as seen from the court-yard with easy access for all the wildlife. The Cape Robin sometimes uses this entrance to take a stroll through the house.

 Getting together almost certainly means confrontation! Shortly after I took this photo, the top lizard jumped onto the bottom lizard, sending him (her) scurrying back into the ferns.

 All four my resident lizards catching up on some early-morning sunbathing. They are actually also keeping an eye on the hosepipe on the ground, where I'm watering the plants, and as soon as I remove the hosepipe they will all be down for a drink. I do have several water bowls in the garden for them and the birds, but they seem to revel in the running water, preferring to drink directly from the ground.

The sun rising over the bathroom court-yard wall.

The court-yard provides lots of cover and a safe haven for them and is also warm enough so that I caught glimpses of them throughout winter.

They are actually very inquisitive and will come real close to have a look at me

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