Beautiful paintings

Hi there,
I don't often stray from the topic at hand, namely how my 'tree change' progresses and the wonderful surprises that come with it - however very special occasions and websites deserve it. And I was led to this New York times blog by design*sponge. Please take time to visit - they are beautiful paintings from a popular US blogger and artist who went to 'the' inauguration. Click here to visit the blog.

Corn, Tomatoes and Chocolate Mint!

Today I have planted my first corn. Earlier in the week I planted a whole row of tomatoes in the new front vege patch - where alas - my celery died not long after planting. - However I have replanted the celery under the watchful eye of mum. But the grand exciting announcement is I have planted chocolate mint. Can you believe THAT? AND it smells like chocolate. Not sure where or when this very special herb will be enjoyed by our taste buds - but I look forward to finding the perfect recipe. (note: i think i found it! - please click here for the post)

my tatos

my tatos
Originally uploaded by Catch That Mountain View

Even though there are few - aren't they beautiful?

Potato crop over

Potato crop over
Originally uploaded by Catch That Mountain View

Well - the time came to release the abundant potatos out of their tube. We took the wire down, pulled away the hay, more hay, more hay - nothing. And right down the bottom - where they had apparently stopped growing - we dug up about 10 little ones from each tube. Here is the carnage. We are optimistic about our next lot - more dirt, compost, etc. Less hay.

onion crop

onion crop
Originally uploaded by Catch That Mountain View

I am tempted to say, after 5 months - "enough said". But that would leave you wondering how I could end up with this stunning display of onions. Well - I am not sure - but I would put it down to:
1. Not enough sun,
2. Too many weeds
3. Not enough watering
4. I have no idea.

Back to the drawing board.

I will say I was very excitedly pointing to A at my onion crop before I dug them up - and she very timidly let me know that what I had been looking at for the past month were weeds.

Our new scarecrow (or scarefox)

IMG_7184
Originally uploaded by Catch That Mountain View

Meet our new scarecrow. Made by A's 7yr girl today in order to scare the fox which killed her chickens a couple of weeks ago. Her name is Margaret.

Wormwood

Wormwood
Originally uploaded by Catch That Mountain View

We think we have identified the rampant 'fern' which we are growing around our fishpond.... wormwood! We found just a small plant of it when we moved in and A transplanted it to the fishpond where it took of like crazy. We then split it in to and planted it at the back.

It's a facinating herb. Wormwood is the ingredient in the very dangerous but incredibly fashionable drink in the 1900's - absinthe. - The Green Fairy - Many a daring night was had in the dark alleys of paris with poets such as Rimbaud, Beaudelaire.

For a short but delicious list of "Famous Absinthe Drinkers"

ERNEST HEMINGWAY
ARTHUR RIMBAUD
VINCENT VAN GOGH
PAUL MARIE VERLAINE

Apart from that specific use - wormwood is one of the most famous for medicinal uses. It also has a strong effect in the garden for keeping annoying insects away and if kept near a chook pen - close enough for them to peck at - it helps keep intestinal worms at bay. So I am going to plant a few off shoots along the chook pen path.

Of course we may one day be proven to be wrong and in fact the plant is something else altogether. But for now we are quite happy with this.