SEEDLINGS

Yesterday we  received a large box of seedlings.

Each bundle is supposed to have 9 seedlings in it but today I planted the two bundles of mixed Brocolli, Italian Brocolli and Brocoflower and there were 24 plants.  I also planted a bundle of kale and a couple of bundles of pansies in pots.  

While I did this Doug got some more beds ready for planting.  I had already cleared some of the tomato plants, dug the last of the carrots and beetroot and picked any beans to dry for seed.

We have been having intermittent rain showers so it is the ideal time to be doing the planting.  We still have leeks, pac choi, silver beet (chard) and coloured beet as well as spinach to plant and more carrots to sow.

We also have to clear away the cosmos in the front garden and we have dwarf cineraria, stock and two varieties of lavender to plant there.

It will all be a bit bare for a while but should not take too long.  We planted a couple of pots of pansy seedlings a fortnight ago and already have flowers on them.

SEEDLINGS

On Friday I ordered some seedlings from Awapuni.  I like their plants - they come in newspaper wrapped bundles.  I ordered four bundles of snap dragons (2 of a tall one, 1 of a medium and 1 of a small one for a container).  I also ordered a bundle of pak choy and 1 of cinerarias.  With this order came a free bundle of broccoli.  They were dispatched yesterday and I didn't expect delivery until this afternoon or tomorrow morning so had a list of jobs for today.  Of course, the plans of mice and men.......................  they arrived first thing this morning so that after the household chores including a couple of loads of washing I planted the pak choy and then the broccoli.

These photos were taken as I had planted most of the pak choy.  Doug is busy digging up the hydrangea plants that I have cut back.  As we were running late we just had a bowl of soup for lunch and were just getting back in the garden when friends arrived.  We have just had a coffee with them and  I will now get the washing in, pick some silver beet, have a shower and then it will be time to start on our evening meal.  The rest of the plants will have to wait till tomorrow.

I lit the fire at 7 a.m. and it has been going gently all day.  I see it is 9 degrees outside and the forecast is still 2 degrees celsius for tonight.  I changed to flannelette sheets today, winter is here.

Doug has finished repainting the Dolphin and put it back up.

They Start them Young

Now that autumn is here the soccer and rugby season is upon us.  When we take Sophie for her walk on Saturdays play is under way.  As with most (if not all) sports here the day starts with the youngest players and moves on up over the day.

The game in the first photo had two players on one side and three on the other - there was a girl in one of the teams

.

After our walk we went back to Doug's for a coffee while Sophie waited for FOOD!!!

We then went shopping for some seedlings including Italian Precoce Brocolli, Leeks and Pak Choi.  Although it was fine for our walk we have had heavy showers this afternoon.  Once it is fine again I will be out planting.

The Trip Home

It was a lovely day coming home from my break and I took these few photos from the bus window when we stopped at Paihia in the Bay of Islands.

When I got home the man who built our house (way back in 1973) had delivered me another load of firewood  for the pot-belly stove (I had just bought a load for the wood burner).  Doug who came and watered my garden for me while I was away also stacked the firewood.  Lynn, my hairdresser gave me the lily head, the Amaryllis, which now has two flowers out, was a bargain pack I bought just before going away.  The seedlings are nine bundles from Awapuni.  In spite of the 28 degrees C today I have managed to plant half of them.  I see 30 degrees forecast for Tuesday.  Way too hot for me.