We had a heap of questions the other day from a prospective buyer. She asked if we watered the garden by hand or whether we have an irrigation system. I had to write a really long response to explain my answer. Short, no irrigation system.
But the garden has always survived. I told her how the big native trees around help with shade, reducing the afternoon burn on the vegetable patch, and how I plant accordingly - taller plants shade the smaller. I have made sure the soil is water retentive with lots of organic matter and mulch on top. How I divide the garden into quadrants or sections, and don't plant as much in the worst of summer. We're lucky to have town water so I usually water in the evenings, but even then, only in the hotter weather. We also have wicking beds and hugelculture as well. So no, I don't hand water a lot, and even then, I enjoy it. It's relaxing.
Right now it's pouring. It's unusual for us to get days of rain, so we all comment when we do. 'It's so good for the garden!' we all say, and non gardeners get shushed for wanting it to end. The more rain, the better!
And it's beautiful, too. Everything looks more vivid and bright in the rain - the lurid grape, the elder. The birds go nuts. I can't explain how darn gorgeous it all is, and my photos don't do it justice at all.
Rain water too is better for the plants. We never got around to tanks, though we will at the new place for that reason. It just feels better energetically, though I can't quite explain that either.
The Hive Garden this week asks for a response to the prompt 'Rain'. Head over, check the challenge post questions, and write a response!
Three Tune Tuesday
Of course, we have to include some rain themed tunes, right? I love this one by Wreckless Eric, a band hardly anyone has heard of. Dad had it on vinyl so it has good memories for me. Kinda melodic new wave melodic punk with a gravelly English voice, and super atmospheric. It's of course more about that longing for change - the heat of the day, the desire for a break.
I have no idea why I like CCR. Perhaps because it's easy to sing along to. Jamie's not a fan - maybe he didn't grow up with them on the radio. 'Someone told me long ago, there's a calm before the storm... I know - it's been comin' for some time'. I really like to annoy him by singing it super loud.
Now this song isn't about rain specifically, but there's a background of a building storm. There's crashing thunder, rain. It's a blend of roots reggae rhythm with a kinda cosmic vibe, and a spiritual prayer to Jah/God. There's something meditative about it, and beautiful how it includes weather and natural elements in a spacious, dubby way.
Dad had that album too, and I can hear that warm crackle sound now as the rain comes down.
Thanks as always to @ablaze for #threetunetuesday and for the lovely folk in the Hive Garden community.
With Love,
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I read this at the gym between sets. I want to eat your entire garden and come back for seconds. Particularly the artichokes.
Artichokes, jalapeno and pineapple on a thin base pizza together with some mozzarella is absolutely divine.
But I have strange tastes. I could even eat an onion like an apple right this moment, just like a certain politician. I am hunger!
Yuuuummmmm
I searched for the prompt but couldn't find it. I enjoyed reading your entry and these pictures are just amazing. Thanks for sharing.
It stupidly wasn't posted in the community. Check @gardenhive
The whole buying property market in Australia seems a very drawn out and detailed one. In UK you get to view a place for 15-20 minutes, then maybe a 2nd or 3rd viewing before you decide. All in all, you're in there for less than an hour. Which, for such an expensive and important purchase is sheer madness. And most of the time you don't get to meet by the owner as it's all done via an agent.
Are you not going through an agent with your property?
That's exactly the same here! Yes we have an agent. She's great..m I like her. I'll DM you the ad on Discord..
I love the big tree shades, they protect from harsh sun, that's why I didn't cut the big ones in my garden. Nice pictures
Yes they are so important!
good for the environment, the body, the mind and the hip pocket
❤️❤️❤️❤️
Your gardens are lovely. Hard to see artichokes in November.... or iris for that matter... but you are approaching summer there...
Ha the seasonal difference always confuses you 😜
:))
Your gardens are beautiful, lots of conservation. I liked the combination with songs related to the rains, nice post.
It's a fun way of combining two challenges!
Wow! What an attractive and flamboyance display of the green leave. Everywhere is colourful. You did a great job in the garden.
Thanks!
Your garden looks beautiful. When you mention Australia, I somehow got the impression that it was a desert there, but your garden convinced me otherwise.
And of course, a little trick with natural shade and mulch helps.
Yes people think that but most of us live on the east COAST which is definitely not desert!
I love rain. So much, that even Ellie loves it now. She didn't like rain in the beginning at all, when we started dating. But after a couple of times sitting naked under a blanked in front of the open window with the cold, moist circulation of air caused by the drops hammering on the pergola roof outside of my room, sipping on a beer quietly and just listening to that unique and utterly relaxing sound and the smell - oh, the smell of fresh rain on warm soil! - well, she changed her mind.
Your romantic gushing about rain would change anyones mind! And I agree. X