Welcome to June

Greetings lovely friends & readers

Welcome to  the month of June  - please don't be too chilly ❆

 

For 3 days I have been craving Sticky Lemon Slice - finally this morning I made one - * here * is the recipe I use 🍋

Because I was too lazy too tired to stand with my hand beater, I dragged out Mums VeRy old Sunbeam Mixmaster from the bottom of the cupboard.  It still goes well despite the odd "groan".  I also made a banana loaf using up old bananas.  This went up-the-road to Sid's house as it's a favorite. 

Last week I decided I wanted to change the red brick edging around my Hothouse area.  This side wall had some bricks just sitting there - I'd never properly laid them & The Mr had started to use it as a place to stack things (!!!) 😉 When I walk back up from the far end of our section I look directly at this wall & visualized giant sunflowers growing up it.  In order to get the curve right, I had to pull up the front & back bricks & re-lay them all 😖

At the stage of wondering Why on earth I ever started this project (!!)

As with everything I do around here - this was not a simple task. There were some big tree roots in the area that I had to dig & cut through.  I did the front & side area, then had a break for a few days & went back & worked on the back area.  Finally it was all done & ready for fresh mulch. 

You can just see top left, I still had some tomatoes growing in the hothouse.  The cherry ones had finished but this variety (super steak) were still producing.  I was ready to clear out the bed though & get it ready for next spring.

Before laying the mulch I put down cardboard as this helps keep the weeds/grass down.  The pizza boxes from * this post * came in most handy! 

Once I'd pulled out the tomato plants the walls needed a good wash down & a hose.  

I decided to lay the no-dig bed again, ready for early spring planting & I plan (hope) to plant tomatoes really early this year.  

A freshly laid no-dig bed & some more mulch on the walkway.  For those of you interested I swear by this no-dig method.  Here is the sequence I use to make my lasagne garden.

- cardboard &/or newspaper (thickly)

- raked up leaves

- compost of some type (I used a layer of castings from my worm farm)

- green waste (I used lawn clippings)

- peastraw (I had 1/2 bag left from last time)

- more compost

- mulch.

Last year was the first time I'd tried this method.  When I pulled out my tomato plants it had sunk down somewhat, but underneath was rich black soil full of worms - just wonderful!  I plan to water this bed weekly (until I plant) so that everything can break down & not dry out.  

Side view where I plan to grow sunflowers                    End view faces the paddocks

Here is the freshly laid brick edging - I've just sat some vintage bits there until it's time to plant giant sunflowers (September here)

-  Front view  -

And that is a good job done because it was rather hard work !!

While I was outside this morning I dug over my raised veggie gardens & planted a punnet each of cabbage, cauliflower & broccoli.  I usually plant my winter garden in April but it was dry for so long here that I waited.  Currently it is good moon planting time (according to my moon calendar) -for things that produce above ground that is.

Last Friday was Sid's schools Grandparents Day & I got to attend.  The children had all made up sweet little dried flower posies to present to the Grandparents - it was adorable. (Sid was standing on a stool - he is not taller than me)

There is some wonderful artwork on the walls in the classroom - the children get to create these images themselves.

There has been a little sewing which I cannot share as yet, until it has been gifted .... but I did sit by the fire last night & make up some packs of Cottage Garden potpourri using some dried rose petals from this summer passed.  The house smelt wonderful as the heat from the fire released the fragrance. 

Lastly dear friends (but by no means least). . . . I went out to the deck earlier & counted 5 different comfy sleeping places for the furry ones (2 squashy cushions, 1 banana box with blanket, 2 chairs with cushion AND cuddly rugs) . . . . & where may I ask do I find them???             Curled up here on The Mr's stinky farm overalls that he has tossed here for Yours Truly to wash!!! I cannot begin to figure out the mentality of those two & I don't think I shall try 😳😑      

Thank you dear friends, for staying with me through this lengthy post,

Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead - remember to be kind to yourselves & to each other,

With much love & friendship to you all,