Gardening, Growing and Valentines Day

 One of the things (and there are only a few) that I miss living in the busy suburbs of Melbourne, is fresh cut flower.

I used to at the very least, fortnightly, drive to my favourite small florist and get my little hands on a mixed variety of colourful vase holding delights.

The desert makes it hard for a novice green thumb like I to grow my own. The farm plot that we own has a high salinity content in the soil which means a bit of work is needed in making up the correct soil with the correct goodness and ph. levels to sustain a colourful flower bed. I do admit however, that since our move to the Mallee Oasis, I have learnt quite a bit about the hobby that is gardening. I’m now more aware of the changing seasons, pruning is a term that I actually know what it means, and ever-green and deciduous are now terms I ask each time I go to a nursery to buy more trees.

Succulents are a good beginner starter and I have fallen in love with the Elephant Ear Plant as well as the Mother in Laws Tongue (Snake Plant).

I picked up my Mother in Laws Tongue at our local village market, at our nursery that is fully run and managed by people on government benefits as well as supporting people with disabilities to enter the workforce. The lady I spoke to was so kind, giving me all the tips and hints for plants that she assured me I would not kill. And right she was. The Mother in Laws plant is quite a fascinating indoor plant. Originating from India, it actually has very interesting health benefits with its ability to purify air inside the home. It barely needs any care, and just a tiny bit of water every couple of weeks. She doesn't like getting staying too wet.

My Elephants Ear plant is flourishing inside. It has tripled in size since a year ago. 

I’ve also somehow resuscitated a hanging plant that Steve brought back up from our old place in Melbourne in November 2018. It was close to its last day, and over time with some plant food, sun and water – it has blossomed again.

I was never the garden loving type down in Melbourne.

I’ve learnt so much about horticulture, the land, climate, water and the seasons moving to the country and it does help that we now live in the sunniest section of Victoria – so our days, even in winter are spent mostly outside. The evenings I write or venture into the world of reality, trashy tv – my poison and vice.

So on this fine Valentines Day - to the new lovebirds out there. Enjoy and soak in the lust and love. May you feel those flutters and nervousness feeling right before that kiss or touch.

And to the veteran couples – I salute and high five you. We’ve ridden through the honeymoon flutters and are still looking at our significant other with love.

Our Valentines Day evening consisted of moving crusher dust around our back parking area.  The Bobcat and Tractor came in handy moving around a truckload of compacting crusher dust in preparation for Autumn and Winter, so our 250 metre driveway may skip a year of becoming a rally, skidding, bogged battlefield. Firewood is already on my mind. We have about three trees we cut down last year that should be weathered enough to burn this year. Third winter into my tree-change, my fire lighting skills are now expert. Cooler weather will bring the end of flies, bring morning frost and pressure-cooking stews and hearty soups.

I hate the cold, but because I know I shouldn’t fight the inevitable, I’m preparing our farm such as its taught us now the last 8 different seasons we have experienced thus far.

I got some cuttings of Plumbago. I’m in love with the gorgeous blue flowers. Bonus is that they flower all year round, plus hard to kill.

 

Who knew I would ever, ever write a post about gardening!

I might get my flowers after all.