Community Gardens: Wild weather won't stop us!

When you commit to do something, sometimes the weather throws a spanner in the works. Or at least, it tries to. The past week saw an abundance of free pavers on offer, and on Monday when hubby and I went to start the collection process, down it came. Not too bad at first, but by the end of the first load when back in Kingy, we had no choice but to park by the creek as the crazy deluge hit, reducing visibility to basically zero and causing minor road flooding. Just as well we managed to grab some food first so we could sit it out comfortably in the car. Hubby and I have the weirdest dates :)

Take a look at the week that was...

At Elanora collecting pavers, when of course, it starts to rain. Me, being me, hid in the car while hubby kept at it :)

One load down before getting some much needed food.

In the veggie garden, things are growing well, like strawberries. I'm yet to claim a ripe one though. Gotta be quick!

Yellow zucchinis growing in abundance.

The baby spinach seems to have outgrown its name...and the veggie patch. Help yourself people!

My Sarah helped me undertake what seemed impossible-move and plant a large, donated yukka stump. Gym workout for the week done!

On Friday, the work for the dole boys, and an extra helper, did a brilliant job collecting the pavers we couldn't get on Monday.

Honestly, in 30 degree heat, this guy did not stop for 3 loads. Love your work, Stevie!

One driveway of pavers collected at last.

I inspected the long ignored front garden and discovered some wonderful reseeding going on, like this daisy...

and this snapdragon. 

Back to the yukka, securely in it's new home.

An abundance of bricks and pavers- ready to be recycled into something wonderful.

Paperbark and a wild iris...simply beautiful.

A baby carrot...thought I planted long varieties, but perhaps not.

I personally dislike Kale immensely. Bugs don't however. Proof that I refuse to use chemicals on the garden.

My first eggplant flower!

Exciting progress! The pavers are being used to create a new garden pathway.

I'm blown away by the progress hubby and 2 workers did in just one day. Impressive!

The pathway was initially going to have more turns and weaves, but when walking it, hubby and I agreed it would be too tight for prams and the like. 

After a day of lifting and laying pavers, hubby deserves to sit on his posterior :)

First stage of the pathway is nearly complete! 

Last, but certainly not least, wonderful Poppa Ian is building bird houses to adorn the garden. I love when people give of their time and skill to leave a lasting legacy that will bless others.

There you have it, a week with plenty of rain, and even more progress. I've said it before- let's hope both continue!

Community gardens: Free plants & a lotta bricks!

Another week down and so much to fill you in on yet again.

Last week, when hubby was cladding the steel framed garden beds, we both agreed bricks would be the go-looks way better, will last infinitely longer. Well, we got bricks! An amazing couple- Pete & Danika- donated a huge amount from their home reno last Saturday, and helped deliver them too.

After that, hubby went onto Gumtree and found a huge pile more, so that was our job on Tuesday. Technically, it wasn't supposed to be my job- we had help lined up but they got a job interview and could only be there part of the day. So, armed with my terrible 3 or so hours sleep, I somehow managed to shift a load and a half of  the bricks with my man.

I'm stunned at what you can do when you just have to. Makes my excuses for not hitting the gym more often quite feeble really :) 

Today, we were awaiting a worker who was running late when he turned up with a literal trailer full of free plants! So awesome, and completely unexpected. We are ridiculously grateful.

Take a look for yourself at the week that was...

Hippeastrum about to flower.

Some unknown person donated, and planted, an agave next to the one I found dumped in the bush. I moved it a bit to be where it looked ascetically pleasing to my eye-and away from new tube stock I put in recently, to allow for growth and not have one atop the other. 

Thanks whoever you are!

This is hubby last Tuesday. 

I did one, and only one attempt at moving a barrow full of bricks. 

Never again. At least not on zero sleep.

When we first arrived at the house, this pile seemed huge. Once we got going and found a rythm, it really wasn't too bad. I think 3 trailer loads did it.

It's a tedious job- collecting them off the ground, loading them into the trailer, taking them out and stacking them neatly- on repeat.

Great workout though :) 

Now, onto today. Look- my first bougainvillea flowers! 

Hippies showing off.

The pile of bricks from the past weeks effort. Not too shabby.

They will look great around the garden bed frames.

Today, Mick spruced things up a bit with a much needed coat of paint.

And here is Michael, digging in the first of his donated plants- monstera deliciosa.

We have 6 large plants now, and after some discussion as to their placement due to their spread, we have suitable homes for each of them. Here, hubby is dragging a massive cutting down behind the bricks.

The first plant is in and upright.

Now, the vacant space under the trees is being made home to another one. This will allow me to move some screen trees I planted here several months ago to another spot. And I know just the place...

Hubby digging deep to accommodate the lengthy trunk, and keep the top heavy plant sturdy.

My Sarah watering a freshly planted specimen. It's actually exciting to be given large plants. 

When they establish, the effect will be amazing. And lush, tropical, welcoming.

Plus these babies are hardy.

What's more- they have edible fruit.

Winning!

And last of all, the last plant has gone in.

Hubby has decided to extend the garden beds, so these are perfect to add a dense, lush cover to a huge section of the outer garden, and frame it well too.

With the bricks out of the way, the view will be better- I promise :)

You may notice the pile of bricks to the left has been partially wrapped. Someone ran out of wrap. It needs to be done- don't want stray kidlets mountain climbing.

I just love progress. And rain. We've had lots of both lately. Let's hope this trend continues!

Until next time, thanks for reading.

Community Gardens; the past few weeks

A bit overdue, but here it is, the past few weeks.

Instead of me rambling on, I'll briefly describe each pic, because there is A.Lot. We've been busy :)

As I type, there is a glorious thunderstorm with plenty of soaking rain pelting down. It is a welcome change from the hot, dry, windy conditions the past few months gave us. Everything had dust in or on it; the veggie garden, the plants, our clothes...

My first cherry tomato- grown from seed! Pic 'em people, there is an abundance now.

The first bebe strawberry!

As it's been dry and dusty, these poor things weren't thriving at all, so the best ones have been moved and are now entrance plants. They look much happier here.

It's transplant time. These agapanthus are growing so well, I can already divide them. Free plants- woo!

Here are some poor bromeliads under the trees. Pretty sad, dry specimens.

The resourceful local kids have pilfered some rubbish, namely and old table top I painted for creche, and are using it for a jump on the bike track.

I have since spoken to some boys as they boldly walked past us to pilfer a pallet, and they agreed to ask first next time, and not raid the rubbish.

The neighbours kindly said we could have their old fence, so hubby wasted no time...

Dustin helped- making the job so much easier.

Not a flattering angle, but here, Michael is digging holes in preparation for a new table.

Graffiti be gone. Thanks to Mick, it now has a fresh coat of paint.

Despite being flooded and then dried out and wind-beaten, every one of my 6 bottle-brush bloomed prolifically. 

The guys 'round the table, deciding what to do next.

Hubby making sure it doesn't fall apart any time soon.

The fence, courtesy of the neighbours, and hard work.

The completed table.

The mint is finally flourishing.

My yesterday. today and tomorrow is finally flowering, despite the harsh conditions.

Rock and stones, a donation we appreciate and will definitely use.

This pile of discarded plants contains some real gems. Grateful.

Michael giving the back of church/ creche area a spruce up with paint.

Those steal frames are from base of the long gone playground, and we have plans for them.

Finally, my golden bougainvillea is showing colour...

As is my variegated one. Since this pic, many more pink bracts have appeared.

Grateful that during the dry, my Sarah has been watering away twice a week.

How beautiful is this wild iris?

How good does the path look with a good going over with the blower. Pity it's been so windy and dry- the trees have been under stress and dropped so many leaves. Add this to the annoying casuarina trees which always drop their needles, and in a day, this was almost back to messy again.

Enjoying it while it lasts.

As we've endured floods and a mini drought, we are clearly aware of what plants will and won't thrive, so the tough ones are what we fill garden beds with now.

How appealing is this- a perfectly neat, uncluttered garden edge. Love your work, Sarah.

Mick is sanding down the table before painting it...

while the other guys get ready to put the new garden edge in.

Michael, digging away again.

Shane and hubby inspecting their work.

Shane drilling the support in place.

Mick doing an awesome job.

A beautifully edged garden bed.

Two new grevilleas, ready for planting. The last 2 died. It was just too dry for them.

Here we have some coconut ice :)

Baby capsicum!

So satisfying harvesting fresh, chemical free veggies.

How good does the table look!

Beautiful wild iris, happily flowering away. Satisfying to see something I planted 2 summers ago finally produce blooms.

Look carefully, bebe yellow zucchini!

Love seeing the flowers on these chives.

So many chilli's!

The tomato and cucumber bed is growing well.

Happy pickings.

Remember those steal frames? Well, here they are, being recycled for something exciting.

Hubby bought a new toy, a ride on trailer. It is super tough and easy to maneuver.

Hubby is marking out the newest addition to our gardens.

Watch this space...

Garden beds and pathways are underway. Well, the lay-out is at least :)

Can't wait to see this take shape. It will all make sense soon enough.

The neighbours have also donated their wooden fence. Hubby cut it up, and it is now making an albeit rough, but effective cladding for the frames. The tyres are there to prop the lower ends up, creating an even garden bed on the sloping ground.

You can't measure enough.

In a few months, this space will be completely transformed. Garden beds, a place to contemplate, a labyrinth...stay tuned!

And with that, I'm done! Hope you've enjoyed the latest, epic catch up :)