JUST A FEW MORE WEEKS OF WINTER...

Five pumpkins from a few scattered seeds are looking pretty good. After last year's flop which ended up with all being tossed out due to being watery and tasteless. It seemed like a good idea to string them up to dry with air circulating around them... I guess the proof will be in the eating.

Sparrows wait patiently for scraps, bread and so on. Starlings, mynas, and finches join in the daily feeding frenzy while blackbirds pluck worms from under garden scraps... All settle down happily at the end of the day after their last meal.

Thank goodness the flowering narcissus heralds spring. It has been a wet and wild winter, but cosy inside by the fire. We are fortunate to be in Tauranga away from the slips and floods. Other parts  have not been so lucky. Climate change is a serious issue.

Violas and pansies with the occasional strawberry plant find a space wherever they can. If it is a case of the survival of the fittest they are all pretty much on a par.

A blueberry underplanted with violas is still dormant, but soon enough the blossom will appear followed by loads of fruit. Three tubs in all and never disappointing.

Kit can't seem to make up his mind about whether he should stay by Craig or dash out and chase off the birds.

This week I will remove dead flower heads and sticks from the hydrangea which will mulch down nicely here and there. With a hot summer ahead of us, all the plants roses and so on should cope well.



An example of dried bits and pieces including bark from the grape vines ensure a healthy environment and encourages earth worms. Everything flourishes in this situation and stays lush throughout the summer months.

Time to rake up the camellias and toss them around. As for the slate in front of the deck... apart from the fact that I like the look of it... falling on it when stepping up to the deck was not one of my better moments. Being carted off by ambulance to have stitches in my wrist hadn't been on the agenda either, but was a timely reminder to keep an eye on the ground instead of gaping around.

Still a few navel oranges left on the tree, some mandarins and a good crop of tangeloes yet to ripen. Meyer lemons still a way off.  Refreshing when squeezed into drinks.

Cheese scones are so easy to throw together. Fifteen minutes or so in a hot oven and they are ready. Flinging a few ingredients together with surprising results makes baking interesting rather than a chore, and of course, there are always birds just waiting to swoop down on anything from the kitchen...  including the odd baking failure.