Autumn

One of the things we've loved most about moving to our patch of paradise is the opportunity to plant more trees.  Our previous half acre was a wee bit limiting in that respect. Although, we did squeeze in as many trees as we could.  Nearly eight acres has meant that we can plant trees to our hearts content.  Well, sort of.  We've not put many in the paddocks because it's pretty likely the steers would just eat them.  Which reminds me, those crazy steers have pulled the plastic pegs out of the isolaters on the electric fence (which is currently off due to something or other going bung) and eaten those!!  Seriously.

Back to the trees.  We both love autumn colours and I've always wanted to plant a Manchurian Pear.  Not only does this tree put on a fantastic show of flowers but the leaves also turn a lovely vibrant red in autumn.   We were lucky enough to get one from Boreham Valley Nursery, a specialist tree nursery in Lowden. If you're after some heritage fruit trees, check these guys out.  They have a great range at reasonable prices.

  

Getting the tree was one thing.  Choosing the right spot for it was another.  Manchurian pears can grow up to 7 meters tall and 3 to 5 meters wide. They need a decent amount of room.  And we wanted to put it in view of the house.  Luckily for us there was a lovely bare patch of ground, near the olives and not too far from the house, that was just begging to have a tree plonked right in the middle of it.  

So, we did just that, plonked the pear right in the middle of the bare patch.  And then we nurtured it carefully through its first summer.  And this Autumn we were rewarded with a beautiful display of red leaves.  Much to our delight, we can see the display from the house.  

It might be just a glimpse now, but as the tree grows we're going to be enjoying that display more and more.  Can't wait.

Other People's Garden's

R's Mum celebrated her birthday a wee while ago.  J wanted some new plants for her garden.  So, for her present, we took her to a nursery where we all whiled away a very pleasant hour or so selecting a range of different plants which will (hopefully) thrive in her garden.  Then to finish off the gift R and I spent a couple of hours weeding and improving the soil and helping J put the plants in.  And we both discovered that it is just as much fun pottering in other people's gardens as it is in one's own.  Not that we're volunteering to that on a regular basis, mind.  We've more than enough pruning, planting and digging in our garden to keep us busy.

J's garden is just the right size to make the place cheery without being a massive amount of work.  J chose a fabulous range of plants.   Once they grow they should fill the space out nicely.  And hopefully crowd out those pesky weeds.

Here's what she chose.  

  

   

  

While we were on a roll, we also gave J's paving a hose down.  So now she has a lovely place to sit in the sun and enjoy the new garden she has created. 

Hopefully J is going to enjoy some time in the sun this weekend.   Happy birthday J.