colour change

It's been a while since I've updated the blog and now I am finally on some annual leave I've time to share the changes.  Over the winter I've gradually been chipping away at a long list of little things to do, curtains, rearranging furniture, bits of painting and the beginning of the garden (all be it in pots for now!)

have a look around

the very beginning of a garden

curtains adapted from ikea basics - when all closed has a dado effect

more gloss black and colour in the kitchen

painting begins

 have to re-do the trims again now

and the garden grows

my herbs are getting more love and attention than i give myself sometimes and they are coming along...

my rocket rocks - second sewing starting to show

the first few leaves plucked were delish

the basil is thriving and needs to be thinned and replanted

the chives are very happy

a new thyme plant is wild while the seeds are slow

a little chilli is just starting

the parsley was a slow starter but making a good show

and the corriander is also reluctant but coming along

my shade house is protecting them not only from harsh sun but the current storms

next job is to replant some seedlings to share the love

how does my garden grow

in the shade now, thanks to it being cool enough (30C ish) for me to get stuck into building a shade house for my herbs.

I've been pondering this for a while.  There has been a bare piece of bordered earth that i have tried to keep weed free - sort of successfully, and grow herbs in boxes in  - successful for a little while.  But it is so hot here and everything drys out so fast that it is hard to maintain fragile vegetables and herbs.  so shade was required if I was to attempt again.

I thought of a few options and in the end went with a construction of chicken wire, stakes and shade cloth, with a neat brush screen up against the fence to keep it contained.

I'm still planting in boxes to keep it simple and have put in some pine bark to help maintain the moisture in the area and protect/cover the weed mat.  Of course I will only be here for a couple more months but hopefully it is strong enough construction that it stays and is useful for the luck people who live in the church after me.

I've planted seeds - parsley, basil, coriander, thyme, chilli,  & rocket.  there are a few tiny leaves starting to show - fingers crossed.