Sinner's World

Asparagus Crowns

2012-01-29T21:08:00.001+13:00

I have been looking out for asparagus crowns for years. Then I happen on these dryish looking thick 'roots' bundled together. They were on special as it was out of season. I bought 7 packets, 35 crowns in total. On opening some of the packets, some were pathetic looking and skinny. Thank goodness I didn't pay full price for them

If these crowns grows, then I expect to harvest my own asparagus in the year 2014.

5 crown per bundle. Looked a bit dry but as this was the first time I have seen crowns on sale, I took the chance.

Variety was Mary Washington. They were heavily discounted.

Planted on 4/1/2012. I had to plant them temporarily in containers as their 'bed' was not ready. 4 crowns in each of these oil containers.

One crown each per pot. About 19 pots in total.

19/1/2012. Woohoo....the first asparagus shoot appears. I was estatic. Since then about 10 shoots have appeared from the other plants.

Let me in.....

2011-12-31T18:02:00.001+13:00

I want to come inside...it is raining.

This is plate is mine

2011-12-29T17:06:00.003+13:00

Marble, the rabbit.....a bit possessive of her food plate.
As can be seen, she is a bit of an untidy eater. Weeds (food?) everywhere !!

A visitor....Marble the rabbit

2011-12-12T16:21:00.009+13:00

The last time we had a tame rabbit turn up was way back in Dec 2005 - Nutty the brown rabbit. Wow... how time flies!

Just last week, this marble-ish looking rabbit appeared in the garden playing with 2 wild brown rabbits. Yes...we have been trying to shoot those 2 brown ones but so far no luck. We gave 'Marble' space to get use to us. After a week, I got a slice of carrot and tempted it. Funny how rabbits can't go past a carrot. lol. This time I was allowed to give it a stroke and a scratch round its ears.

At first I was just calling it 'Rabbit' or 'Oui' but Redneck said it should be called 'Marble' as his fur colour and head patterns looks just like marble stone. We don't know whether it is a male or female yet as it does not like to be carried so can't check to confirm! Got 5 scratches from my attempt!

On the watchout for its 'friends'

Prayer time

Relaxing

Sitting pretty...looking cute !

Sea of Daisies

2011-12-10T21:47:00.002+13:00

Our paddocks are just awashed with tall white daisies growing well above my knees. Makes walking through the paddock a bit difficult. As Redneck goes round in his tractor topping the paddock, from afar it looks a bit like shearing a big sheep of its wool !

Redneck on his tractor topping the paddocks

Almost look like a partly shorn sheep

Coo coo.....the call of the doves (video)

2011-11-09T10:05:00.004+13:00

Have you ever had a bird persistently making a racket non stop until you give them some attention. Well....we have been adopted by a pair of ringneck doves who thinks they are the boss of me.

When they fly in at any time of day, they expect to be fed pronto ! If I ignore them, they start the non stop 'coo coo' until I go outside and open up their food bowl. Or they hang around staring at us through the kitchen window or if we are sitting at the dining table, they strut outside the door and stare in. Their food bowl is kept covered as I get an invasion of sparrows who kicks or should I say 'beaked' everything out of the bowl making a big mess. Dirty buggers !

Sometimes I do get a thank you from the doves, cackling away when they hop on to the bowl. Very polite indeed!

Caught on video, have a look and a listen....the coo cooing might drive you up the wall !

The roses are blooming

2011-10-31T13:14:00.001+13:00

After being pricked and scratched at while giving them their annual haircut in July, this display makes it all worthwhile. Yes....the roses are flowering !

Dublin Bay

Oil Container Planters for Vegetables

2011-10-23T15:49:00.004+13:00

When I saw Steamy Kitchen planting her veggies in Earth Boxes I thought that was a brilliant idea. I racked my brain as to what I could use. Then I thought of the 20L oil containers which we have been using to cart water to the trough for our cows. At the moment we no longer have any use for them.

For the past few years except for tomatoes and zuchinni, I have just about given up trying to grow my own veggies. It was too much hard work battling the snails, worms, creepy crawlies and the fickle weather. And most of the plants bolts as soon as the weather heats up. With this container, I can move it to the cooler section of the house.

So far I have a box each for peas (the ones planted on the ground are all a dead lost...all eaten by snails), pak choy, carrot, choy sum (sawi), lettuce, silverbeet, choy fa, spinach and sweet pea.

I am keeping my finger crossed that I have more success with veggies using this method. So far nothing resembling seedlings have popped up yet!

Waiting waiting.....

Redneck cut open a side using his jigsaw. Using a sharp secateur cut a hole at the bottom for water to drain. Then place a layer of bar spacer (we have heaps of those lying around) or you can use styrofoam, for drainage and also so I can use less soil. It makes it lightweight, easier to relocate the container.

A thick layer of newspaper is laid on top of the plastic spacers. Stab some holes in it for drainage.

Compost with heaps of worms is mixed with the soil.

Seeds are sown and a layer of mulch to give some seed protection from possible frost.

War against Slugs & Snails

2011-10-18T09:17:00.005+13:00

Sometimes I wonder why I even bother ! Out of 15 plants, only 10 tomato plants are still with their heads. The peas that were sprouting have also been eaten. That is it! War is now declared on slugs and snails. Watch out you creeps !!

On Saturday 15/10/2011, I planted about 15 heritage tomatoes that my friend Elaine have given me. To me the heritage tomatoes are precious as I have only ever planted ordinary tomatoes. I placed the plastic pipe over the plant to give it some wind and snail protection. Or so I thought !!

Heritage tomato plant.

The next day, a couple were beheaded. Checked this morning and 5 were gone ! I hereby declare war on slugs and snails. Even though it was going to rain, I had to scatter some snail pellets around to hopefully save the remaining plants from being eaten alive.

Starting my Herb Garden in a BathTub

2011-09-25T08:51:00.004+13:00

I have always wanted an area dedicated to herbs where we can pick what we want all in one spot. I didn't like planting it on the ground as I am open to weeds and snails. And these days I even see wild rabbits hopping around in the garden nibbling at young shoots.

That huge tyre used to occupy the space where the bath is sitting.

I have old baths which were used for water trough for the cows. We hauled one out from the paddock, painted them and viola...a herb bed. It would easier on my back when it comes to maintenance or weeding - no bending or squatting !

Now all I need is a variety of herbs.

Winter Chore - pruning roses

2011-07-20T12:40:00.002+12:00

A yearly chore which I don't really look forward to but has to be done. Nowadays I have gotten smarter. I know roses are very hardy and whichever way you prune them, they come out smelling like roses - it doesn't hurt them.

All done !

So... instead of taking a week to prune all the roses, I have shorten the time to just 2 days.

First I use the hedge clipper and lopper to give them a quick haircut. Then I go round with the secateur for a tidy up. I started yesterday and this morning, all done - all 30+ of them. Had to hurry as there is a band of bad weather coming from tomorrow !

Less to prune this year as I dugged out 6 of the not so pretty ones.

Heavenly morning ~ 8.21am

2011-07-19T15:38:00.000+12:00

This is the view from our paddock towards the city. Looks so dreamy and heavenly ! On days such as these, one can forgive the bad weather of rain and wind we have been hammered with for the past few weeks.

You can vaguely see the Sky Tower in the background. For a bigger view click here

Early Winter Garden

2011-06-12T15:02:00.002+12:00

The ground is really sodden. Puddles of water everywhere. Weeds are growing everywhere too. Winter have just started so it is not really cold enough to stop them sprouting.

At this stage, if you don't look too closely at the weeds, the garden is not looking too bad. Some bright coloured plants and flowers are still around to lift ones spirit especially when the days are gloomy when the sun refuse to make an appearance.

Three Little Doves

2011-06-12T08:58:00.004+12:00

Every morning a flock of about 10-12 doves use our front yard as their meeting place. They will chase each other, fly around and rest on the electric fence box, fence and trees. I love listening to their joyful chatter.

The middle one is such a poser !

I am also taking the opportunity to test out the zoom lens on my new point and shoot camera which I got on Friday. Weather have not been the best so hadn't been that trigger happy !

Elephant Garlic Cloves

2011-06-11T16:02:00.003+12:00

I got these in the post today. I debated about buying elephant garlic for a long time. They are very pricey. These 10 cloves(200gm) alone cost me $18.50. Yikes ! But I reasoned that once I have them, I won't need to buy any in again.

Why do I want to grow such an expensive garlic, you ask ? Well.....one chief reason is that I am sick of peeling small wee cloves when cooking. These garlic cloves are the size of a shallot.

Elephant garlic cloves....all 10 of them. The white one on the right is a normal garlic bulb. Look at the size of one clove.....they are huge ! I have planted them in the ground today. I will have to give them special attention to make sure I get a good return on my investment !

I bought them from Kaiwaka Organics

Normal size garlic.....time to stick the cloves in the ground

2011-06-10T14:50:00.000+12:00

Sometimes the growth rate of plants here are really astounding. These garlic were planted sometime last week with no hint of growth at all in the cloves but look at them now. If you are in New Zealand, now is the time to grow your garlic.

These garlic cloves are the 'great grandchildren' from the store bought China garlic I planted in 2008.

Old box files have been recyled as weed suppresser.

Kingfisher in the garden shed

2011-06-05T21:14:00.010+12:00

Birds quite often fly into my garden shed. They then try to fly through the glass instead of flying out through the door to get out. This kingfisher was no different.

With its beak so long, there was no way I was going to use my hand to catch it. Its beak looks dangerously sharp too. Anyway, it started 'squawking' loudly....boy....for a little bird it sure could squawk ! It glared at me angrily and at one stage its feather on the head was standing on ends, like a mohawk !! So cute.

I had to get reinforcments to help get it out. Flew out without a backward glance or a thank you either !!

Kniphofia Red Hot Pokers....divide and plant for free

2011-05-21T16:20:00.004+12:00

It would have been about 10 years ago when I pinched a plant from somebody's driveway. Look at the plant now. It had really multiplied from that single plant.

Right now, I wanted something to hide the grass and mess from the neighbours fence when the striking flowers caught my eye. At first I thought I would have a hard time trying to dig up the bulbs but I saw that most of them was actually growing about the ground. Choice ! All I had to do was break and pull.

Still plenty left even after the 1st lot was planted.

Red Hot Poker Bulbs

Area outside the 'septic tank' paddock

Hopefully I have enough plants to do half the length of this boundary fence and enough left to plant near the front gate. This is the 'septic tank' paddock.

Finally, persimmons to brag about

2011-04-26T21:25:00.002+12:00

Last year I was so proud when my 11 year old Persimmon tree bore me 1 fruit. This year the tree have done me proud. A few days ago, I plucked a total of 26 fruits.

Total weight = 4kg. Not bad, considering it only had 1 fruit last season. I must be doing something right ! I lost a few fruits to birds and some insects but that is all right. I am willing to share as long as they dont peck all of them.

A good harvest

Lovely Sweet Grapes

2011-02-19T21:11:00.010+13:00

I am getting tons of grapes, okay maybe not tonnes but at least 15-20 kilos of lovely red sweet grapes. Last year I might have harvested the grapes a little too early as I didn't want to loose the fruit to birds or rats and they were not as sweet as this season. As the vine was heavily laden this year, I harvested some on the first week of February, just to be on the safe side and made some jams.

This week I waited until the grapes turned a darker shade of red (almost purplish in colour) and they turned out much much sweeter. It was quite nice eating grapes except the skin seems thicker than those from the shops. If only these grapes were seedless.

The wasps appears to have a little hive among the vine. I have already been stung three times.

What a gorgeous colour...picture perfect !

Just a fraction of the grapes harvested

Mouthwatering bunch

Too much to eat at one go so most of it will be frozen in ice cream containers. The frozen grapes will be used to make yogurt ice cream and jam. It is really refreshing too to eat the frozen grapes straight from the freezer.

That's the grape vine in the middle

The tv aerial was suppose to support the vines but I left it a tad too late ! Old net curtains 'trying' to cover some of the grapes.

Zucchini Update

2011-02-07T21:09:00.007+13:00

After last year's dissapointing result, the three zucchinis I have planted this season are still standing tall and doing well even though they are struggling a bit with the heat and high humidity.

To help them combat mildew, I have been spraying the leaves constantly with a diluted milk solution. Seems to be working. The minute I see some hint of mildew on the leaves, I cut it off quickly.

Three plants are definitely not sufficient to supply us with enough to make relish and pickle. I have already bought a few kilos to make the relish. We love them stir fried as well.

Note for next year....have at least 5-6 plants. Actually 10 might be better !

Lovely shiny zucchinis

After last year's disaster when the wind snapped the plant, I now train them up a steel bar tied up securely. Being up high, the plant gets better air flow.

See those lovely female buds !

Up and coming young plant

Auckland Tsi Ming Buddhist Temple

2011-02-03T18:25:00.002+13:00

I have been living in Auckland for many many years and little did I know that there was a Buddhist temple within the CBD. Thank goodness for google. I found out that there were in fact 2 temples nearby. One was situated in Botany and the smaller temple known as Tsi Ming Buddhist Temple is at 17, Warakei Street, Greenlane.

We were at the Greenlane temple during Chinese New Year day to do a little prayer.

Tomatoes are ripening

2011-01-16T21:54:00.005+13:00

This is the first time I have planted this variety Tomato Dynamo. The tomatoes are fairly large. Have not tasted any yet but am hoping they taste as good as they look.

Update : 19/2/11.
Verdict : They were by far the best tomatoes we have ever planted. Good heavy crop. Good size tomatoes and they were very sweet and juicy. Will definitely be planting 'Dynamo' in future.

Tomato Plants...current status

2010-12-29T21:09:00.004+13:00

Two and a half months have passed since I planted the punnet. They have had a mad spurt and hopefully we get a good harvest.

11 Oct 10 : The 6 plants

Look at them now !

Front view : Rosemary hedge, peas, tomatoes, tomatoes and more tomatoes....

New tomato plants from the laterals of the 6 plants.

Lazy cows

2010-12-11T17:59:00.004+13:00

Early in the morning and for Scarry and Baby it is still too early to be up and about.

Say cheese.....

Synchronizing their head movement