Alyssum

Alyssum is a great ground cover in the garden. It also attracts many small pollinators.

Christchurch

Castle Hill climbing.

We flew to Christchurch and visited old haunts. Okeover community garden, gemstone beaches, buses and malls.

Remembered what was there. Admired the resilience and creativity of the people rebuilding.

Had a beautiful night at Hinewai reserve.

Tiger beetle

Tiger beetles share our banks with Native Bees. They are fast hunters darting in and out of holles.

Potters Wasp egg

My potters wasp houses work!!!

As I was finishing this house a wasp started filling it. Caterpillars and then a single egg before sealing it up and making another chamber.

These busy little wasps like smaller holes around 5mm. They will build in larger holes but if you are targeting Potters wasps I have found this size is the best.

You can use bamboo or drill holes in wood. I usually put them in a dry place or provide a good roof to keep it dry. If the houses are small you can bring them into a dry shed over winter. If they get damp pupae can rot.

Pea seed

Pea seed can do most of its drying on the vine.

I then use pillowcases to harvest the seed. I hand these on my veranda to dry further. Jump around on them to brake up shells and then tip the chaff off the top.

The seed will fall into a corner of the pillowcase when shaken. All you will need to do is shake off chaff.

Tadpoling

Our pond is full of tadpoles. The night time chorus is wonderful.

Alderman peas

Giant Alderman peas are huge. They also grow over two meters high.

I like making them into huts for children.

First Asparagus

There is nothing like the first seasons Asparagus.

I think it is the gardeners right to eat fresh the first few stems.

Simple Flowers

The petals are insignificant. But the whole flower is very beautiful. Caprosma flower from winter onwards. These guys are planted in corridors throughout our farmed land and are in the margins and regenerating parts of the bush.

They extend pollinator and bird food and provide cut and throw stock food in late summer.

Fish Creek

A trip to fish creek to see the Trout spawning.

Flaming arrows

In the middle of winter we have a bonfire that we light with flaming arrows.

Wax eyes

Wax eyes are a valuable pest controller in your garden and an important pollinator for plants like Fejoa.

It is amazing to watch them moving through the garden eating aphids and other small insects.

These ones are right outside my friends window eating porridge out of a lemon rind.

Fires

The cousins are here for the holidays again.

So a fire is lit for toasty pie lunch.

Micellium

Fungi are one of the oldest known plants and probably one of the most important.

Their roots or micellium are usually hidden underground and microscopic. They break down minerals and nutrients and make them readily available to other plants. These symbiotic relationships with other plants can extend root systems for kilometers.

Scientists are only just starting to learn about this sensitive and fragile web beneath our feet.

I think we will never full understand everything but can take a tread lightly approach and learn how to read nature and the existing systems.

Wild bee's nest

The Bees have gone but the honey comb is still here. What a strong structure. Built to slow prevailing wind and to hold goodness knows how much honey.

There is usually at least one old bees nest under this bridge.

Kawakawa

This shrub grows all around our house.
We use it as a poultice to bring out infection, in our balms, as a tea.

Garlic plaits

It is always a celebration to hang up the dried garlic plaits.

Peanuts

Peanuts. Originally from a beautiful old lady at the Otara markets.

Scallopini

This is  a seed line I have had for a while. When you live with the same plant over a series of years it changes.

I have been selecting this plant for disease resistance and vegetable shape. I start out with over ten plants and then once they have all fruited rogue out the traits I do not want.

Over the years the vegetable has become the way I like Scallopini's.

Butternut

These Butternut will always be in my garden. They are great producing, tasting and keep a long time.

I start craving them around March when we sneak a few.

Fejoa

It is always fun anticipating the next fruit to ripen.

In the past we would raid neighbor Fejoa hedges. We are going to be able to raid our own this year.

Most of our fruit is planted along our driveway so we pass it everyday.

Rocket tea

Our rocket stove travels everywhere with us.

There is fuel to be found anywhere so a cup of tea or mug of soup is never far away.

We keep it in an old wooden box in the back of the van with a dry fire lighting kit.

Artichoke flowers

Bumble bees love artichoke flowers almost as much as me.

I always let mine flower after I have had my fill.

Some mornings they are still there burrowed right down.

Queen Anne's Lace

A beautiful beneficial flower to feed many smaller pollinators and parasitic wasps.

Quince

I think Quince flowers are one of my favourite. The way they unfurl is beautiful.

Then tiny fuzzy Quinces.

Herbal ley

Its a mixed salad bar around here. For the stock, chickens, birds and bugs. Who knows what is happening underground.

Multiplying Spring Onions

The great unfolding of an Allum flower.

These multiplying spring onions are a staple for us. We usually have two patches. One we are picking from and a new one establishing. After they flower I divide them start a new patch for me give loads of plants away and start harvesting from the second patch.