Apologies for the extreme length of time that has lapsed between community garden updates. I was banned from the garden for the whole 4 weeks of my post surgery recovery. I protested, but when my navel scar played up, causing a lot of pain and swelling in the fourth week, a healthy dose of fear came over me and I decided to enjoy some time off while I could.
Some sad news. We lost a brilliant worker- Paul. Worry not, he is alive and well, just living in a new location with his lovely partner, Karen. He will be missed, both for his dedication and hard work at the gardens, and for who he is. In fact, they will both be missed.
In my absence, so much has happened alongside losing a great worker and person. Centrelink and a job network provider have visited hubby, discussing the gardens and extra workers as part of the work-for-the-dole project. My daughter, Sarah, has also come on board. Having her there is wonderful! Another worker, Michael, has also returned, and still another may be back as well.
Great news for moving forward with the garden!
We have also had our share of vandalism yet again. As disheartening as it is, hubby and I have had way more practice at being stubborn, and we will just keep repairing and moving forward.
The following pictures show some of the recent happenings. Many more pictures have been taken, but not on my phone. In the coming weeks, I will get around to as much of the progress as I can to keep you all updated.
Until then, take a look...
Bridge vandalism.
Who knows what goes through the heads of vandals? So upsetting seeing damage like this.
Thankfully, hubby was able to fix it quickly. Now the posts, and graffiti, just need a re-spray.
Broccoli! I've never grown broccoli before, so I'm thrilled with this. Happy to say, nearly every plant is producing heads like this.
The spinach is perfect for picking now, which I have been doing, often.
The first of the chili's has started to fruit.
Though a little straggly, the tomatoes have leapt out of the ground. They will benefit from securing though.
My Sarah helped me do this- secure 25 metres of weed matting onto the slope. I was determined to do this before spring officially hits, even though it's been pretty hot already. I have strong memories of the pain inflicted by jumping ants and don't want to be weeding when they start becoming active.
Last week, when my camera decided to die, Sarah and I weeded the slope, and hubby took barrow load after barrow load of weeds to the compost heap.
We didn't remove all, but made a huge reduction so that placing this matting down wasn't too difficult...except for around the bougainvillea thorns.
My beautiful jonquils in bloom! Love their heady scent.
This speaks particularly to me at present...even though it looks dead, the hydrangeas are starting to bud. They are about to burst with new life after all.
Hubby and Michael have spent a lot of time planting out new garden beds near the bike track. The era of kids cutting down natives and constantly recreating bike tracks has to end, and by transplanting into strategically placed beds, hopefully the problem is solved.
Another view of the biodegradable, felt weed matting. Honestly, it looks so much better than scraggly weeds.
It's my commitment to make the slope neat, manage the weeds and replant this whole top section.
Satisfying when the job starts to get done.
Oh goody, more destruction :(
Hubby got right onto it though.
The jasmine I planted is not only flowering, but starting to take over its section of slope. I for one am thrilled! Looking forward to seeing a carpet of heavenly scented blooms all over the place :)
And there you have it, a peek into what has been happening. Plenty more to come! Watch this space.
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