Last week Corey, the local earthmover/excavator, came in to clear out the old scruffy shrubs in the front yard. None were original or quality shrubs – just green “fillers” that were unkempt and shapeless. He also offered to clear out the “centrepiece” in the middle of the concrete front paths – a tribute to the ’70s bush rock garden.
Corey did a great job, but it didn’t soften the shock of seeing it so bare and realising the work ahead to get a good garden now in shape that did justice to the Convent. At present I’m clearing out loose rubble and roots from areas whilst preparing to mulch the areas and think about the longer term plan of what goes where.
I dismissed this at first and unfairly blamed Roxy, however this is now the fourth time and the last two happened when we were not in residence.
It’s past amusing but increasing in curiosity. The neighbours have all been in to inspect and offer opinions.
Each time it has been in the same position between the carrots and beetroot in the same bed. There are now a few indications of scratchings and small holes in other parts of the garden, but nothing of this scale and repetition.
So far covered have been
dog (no – not mine and others can’t access – and we’ve never seen traces of other dogs here)
cat – too deep for a cat hole and too messy
possum – but neighbours say there aren’t many possums and they don’t dig
echnidna – the jury is out on this one, but it’s a well-raised bed and I’m not sure they could climb that far
bandicoot – my suggestion however you would have though I had said “Wookie” judging from local reaction
wombat – not big and messy enough. They do much more damage.
rabbit – looks like it could well be the beginnings of a rabbit hole – lots of digging, but you would think they would eat everything and it doesn’t appear any of the veg has been eaten
“marsupial rat” is a recent edit to this post as a suggestion from R
At this stage, all suggestions are welcome. I think the only way we will find out is with a web cam. G’s suggestion of blanket, torch and alcohol for a night sit-out is not appealing now the weather has turned nippy. A farmer’s life is not an easy one!
Varieties I’ve chosen include Dutch Cream, King Edward, Kipfler (double dose), Nicola, Royal Blue, Mozart as well as Sweet Potatoes and Yams. I know I could just cut up a potato but give I’m a novice, I thought I’d take a professional approach and also know what potatoes I have. I can then reuse these in future.
The growing plan is to use Potato Bags – pretty nifty – just an adaptation of the sacks the old school used to use but more like reinforced garbage bags with a velcro pocket down low to allow easy access to potatoes from the bottom.
Just a warning to friends – expect to be fed potatoes – potato and leek soup, potato and rosemary pizza, roast potatoes, baked potatoes, potato bake, hash browns… Doesn’t sound too bad to me.
The end of April and the veg beds are now fully planted and starting to fill out.
There are four veg beds which I’ve planted out with a few seedlings, but mainly directly sewn seeds.
Bed 1: The most established – asparagus (will take a few years before cropping), scarlet runner beans, broccoli, brussels sprouts, celery, sugar snap peas, leeks, radishes and purple king beans.
Bed 2: garlic – white and purple, broad beans, carrots (a few varieties), beetroot, mixed salad leaves, spinach, swede, butter beans.
Bed 3: carrots, white and brown onions, snake beans, turnips, sweet corn – baby and bantam, mini cauliflowers, chicory, fennel and sugar snap peas
Bed 4: The Berry Bed – rasberry, elderberry, blueberry, boysenberry, bayberry, loganberry, youngberry, white currant and, of course, lots of strawberries.
The back fence still has some broad beans, peas, beans, eggplant and chillies as well.
In a week or two I can order seed potatoes for my potato bags. Hopefully most survive and I have something to show for all the effort. This is my first year with a veg garden so I’m sure there will be lots of lessons as we go.
Bed 2 – already attacked several times by an unknown animal
Since my teens I’ve grown herbs. I’m not sure of what triggered my interest but there’s such a deep history and folklore about them. I guess I’m also drawn to plants that are practical and have uses other than just looking pretty or filling in gaps and herbs fit that perfectly. In the main, they are also easy to grow, can be put to use and don’t take up much space!
Tansy
The Convent garden is giving me the opportunity to now indulge my herb interest on a grander scale, and again, fits in with the garden concept of plants that serve a purpose. So far I have many of the usual suspects (some many times over). The garden gate path edging is home to Lavender, Thyme (Common, Lemon and Silver Posy) as well as Catmint. The driveway edging is similar, just replacing Lavender with Tuscan Blue Rosemary. The back garden wall is home to Sage, more Rosemary, including Prostrate, Winter Savoury, Chives, Mint, Triple Curled and Italian Parsley, plenty of Perennial Basil and French Tarragon – pretty much a gamut of kitchen herbs. A Bay Laurel sits in a pot in the midst of the raised garden beds.
Silver Posy Thyme
The far side driveway garden bed houses a wider variety, including multiple Lavenders and Rosemary, Lemon and Lime Verbenas, Lemon Balm, Hyssop, Rue, Borage, Variegated and Pineapple Sage (which is providing great enjoyment to the Honeyeater birds). I’m trying out Chamomile in the lawn and also have some of the oriental herbs for cooking such as Coriander, Lemon Grass and Kaffir Lime. The Dill has finished but plenty of seeds have been sewn for next time around. Some Bergamot is planted but not flourishing. There’s also the flowers that double up classification as herbs such as the roses, marigolds, daisies, Heartsease.
Lemon Verbena
I’ve now run out of space and know that some plants are not in the right areas. When I get stuck into the front yard, there should be much more area to work with. Until them I’m trying so hard not to order from some of the great online nurseries that have a broad selection of herbs that are not found in the local nurseries. Apparently there used to be one of the really good specialty nurseries near here at Capertee that has now closed down when the owner died. It is still spoken so highly of by the local gardening community.
To date I mainly use my herbs in a fairly mainstream way for cooking but in future hope to be a bit more adventurous with oils, teas and various herbal treatments.
The range of herbs and their uses continues to impress me. You could almost just collect the Thymes and have such a broad variety – same with Rosemary or Lavender. Anyway, I’ve posted some photos of the start of the herb residents in the garden and expect it to expand rapidly over the years.
Others that have made it into the garden include Lovage, Chervil, Sorrell, Chicory and Fennel. I’ve just discovered Cinnamon Trees but will need to hold off on that for now as they are very large trees. Maybe when I have the block next door…
An interesting weekend – each one always is however now the Convent is actually mine, it all seems somehow more dramatic.
I’ve started attacking the Church’s property – which is actually my access through their carpark out the back. The Church relies on a few volunteers for cleaning and tidying so I don’t think they will mind me whippersnippering the carpark and pruning the shrubs on my back fence (although my efforts to date are pretty tragic). I’ll post the back wall from the Church photos another time – but there are large Rondaletias and Diosmas – well thought-out and planted at one stage, but like most other things, have not been pruned for decades.
The life of a farmer/producer is not an easy one. I’ve been tweeting friends every week on the progress of some of my new veg, but this week was appalled at my friend’s pet Brussels Sprouts that had been the victim of a merciless attack by white cabbage moth caterpillars. I picked off about 2 dozen green grubs, but Dean who does some handyman work and has been a farmer/market gardener, pointed out that they were covered in eggs and tiny pin prick grubs. My plan for a non-intervention garden suddenly vanished and I succumbed to organic pest spray as they had also hit the broccoli and I am shortly to add mini caulis.
The first of many – I hope
On the ‘plus’ side, I have my first passionfruit flower. The back wall is wired with the intention of covering it with small climbing roses and passionfruit. The neighbours are keeping a close on on the latter – they appear hugely interested in their success!
A magnolia (I love magnolias) was added to the back, still leaving enough grass area to enjoy and allow potentially a marquee to be erected.
I also started ‘permanently’ labelling the plants. I have been warned that for open gardens, keen gardeners like to know the names of plants, particularly the roses. The nursery labels are already coming off and fading within 6 months so, as directed, I am replacing with the copper labels that you ‘engrave’ with biro which are far more permanent. My new discipline is – if you plant, then relabel at the same time.
St Dominic’s Church – a happy find
I’m also clearing out the garage. I love having a country garage – obviously build by local men for them – to house all the garden and building equipment. There’s plenty of room, cupboards, shelving and hooks. I’ve also made a few discoveries with what’s been left behind inside, such as a processional cross, a beautiful brass framed and engraved prayer as well as the original Church sign which will be hung on the outside of the garage.
And the Grotto… Well, I am so pleased with this. It looks amazing and is just so special to the garden. This weekend I added some of my miniature weeping and ground cover camellias from Sydney, as well as bulbs and seeds. I still need to clean out the floor inside, but it has come up so much better than I anticipated and the locals are loving having it back!
All in all – a weekend with more steps forward than back!
The back of the Convent is now in pretty good shape – next comes the front, which is the lion’s share of the block.
The Convent is an imposing building but at present the front garden does not do it justice. There are a few large yet unattractive shrubs that add some greenery but little else.
Bush rock, hardy shrubs and lots of black plasticFront shrubs with the elusive and reclusive Tango
A tribute to 1970’s bush rock has pride of place in the centre of the front, housing low maintenance/low pleasure shrubs.
In its heyday, the Convent had formal structured hedges and garden beds however with the departure of the nuns in the ’70s and a sole priest in residence, the garden was put in “low maintenance” mode. As a keen gardener, “low maintenance” has never been particularly appealing.
Over the next few weeks, the shrubs will come out and a new plan prepared for the front. So far I’m picturing large flowering (and fruiting) crab apples either side. I already have two purple wisteria’s being cultivated for under the windows. The front centre garden will be restored with possibly a standard weeping cherry and a seasonal (but self seeding/perennial/bulb) garden. Otherwise, I’m open to advice.
The old front wall will be host to a wonderful deep and sweeping garden bed. It shades the bed well so I can probably introduce camellias and azaleas as the conditions should not be too harsh. Two lilacs and a snowball tree are already awaiting in pots. At present there are no plantings at all so I have a blank canvas. I’m also pondering if I can manage a fish pond somewhere as I love the thought of water, fish and indulging in some water plants. It will also serve as a good birdbath/watering hole for the birdlife.
I’m feeling a little guilty as I know the small birds enjoy the old bushes, but am endeavouring to pace what comes out and quickly replant so there will always be protection and trees for them, as well as supplemented food. In the long run, it will be much more bird-friendly. It was pleasing to see tiny little hummingbirds for the first time who have discovered all the new salvias and sages and are having party-time. I’ll try and take some photos of the local birds for another blog. I’ve been told that the area hosts most types of native birds.
Anyway, the Convent is now receiving serious attention both inside and outside, which she so richly deserves.
After many anxious months, I am now the official owner of the Convent. Thanks to the generosity of the Church, I’ve been squatting for months whilst working on the garden, but now it has turned real. Quotes for work are coming in and hopefully we can start on painting and various renovations in the next few weeks.
In the meantime, work has progressed in the garden with pleasing results. The big achievement this week was the Grotto. Friends have helped over the past months in taming the wild mess of ivy but the remaining trunks were out of our league. Fortunately Dean who looks after the lawns and helps with various things I don’t have a hope of doing (eg the veggie beds) tackled it with gusto and it is now in pristine condition (outside at least). I have a bit more to do with cleaning out the inside but otherwise it looks great. This weekend I planted around it, including two small but voracious climbing roses, groundcover camellias, salvias, bulbs and acquilegias – colour scheme being predominantly white, blue and pink. I’m also planning on adding fuchsias however the locals have warned that the frosts can be vicious and they may not survive.
Bedroom porchImproving each week
The side porch near the bedroom was so bare, as is most of the garden. This bed is yet to be properly structured and has started as I usually do – popping a few things in until it starts to take form. However, as with the rest of the garden, everything seems to have taken hold and is flourishing. The stars are two Good Samaritan standard roses – no surprises that they are the signature rose of the garden.
Winter – first viewing of the ConventAutumn before the leaves change
The back view of the property has always been impressive, however when I first saw it in winter, the lovely maples were bare and the grass pretty much dead. A change of season, rain and some generous feeding and weeding has made a huge difference. This is one of my favourite aspects of the Convent – cool, inviting but so much character.
The back Church wall – could do with a pruneA trial trim
Other advances this weekend featured invading the weeds in the Church carpark out the back, including pruning the shrubs that back onto my wall and flank my gates. I have a feeling friends and I will have a few goes at these before they get under control, but in the end they should look quite impressive.
Lastly, another crack at the privet is seeing further progress, although I estimate there could be anything from 50 – 100 of these to get through.
In a few months, the garden has turned around quickly. The soil and aspect are good and it seems as though it was just waiting for someone to take a little care. What I thought was bare dirt has come back to good grass with some water, feeding and regular mowing. The Convent garden has been a blank canvas. What could have been regarded as stark and bare has turned out to be pretty easy to redesign without having to do too much damage to existing plants.
So far I’ve only tackled the back given the front, although plain, at least didn’t have walls covered with ivy and garden beds that were full of weeds and hard as rock. This weekend, I could see real progress – with garden beds now taking shape and filling out, as well as how it will look over the next few months.
The old back fenceThe new flower bed
Big changes have been the back driveway side garden bed which started as popping in a few daisies and marigolds to cheer up a corner – the only part of the garden that can be seen from the back as parishioners arrive for Church. It ended up a major work with white, cream, yellow, orange and blue hues. Most of the plants are either perennials or self-seeding and have already started multiplying. Some original agapanthus, gazanias and a primrose jasmine remain as a nod to the original garden. A few substantial fruit trees have also been added – a golden hornet crab apple, a quince and dutch medlar.
Coming along – citrus and herbaceous border
The back garden path that leads to the old iron gate and Church path was so plain – dirt or grass either side and nothing else. This is now flanked by lemon and limes and edged with catmint, thyme and lavender which is now filling out, flowering and attracting the bees.
Veggies ready to go
Four large timber raised veggie beds have been installed in the last few weeks and are now being planted out. One is full of berries – lower maintenance but will be great for jams and desserts. In keeping with this being a “kitchen garden” out the back, I have also added another edging of rosemary, thyme and catmint. Just planting this was such a pleasure with all the wonderful scents.
Catoneastor – cleaned up and waiting for freesias
The old catoneaster, which can be regarded as a nuisance, has lots of character, good form and is very healthy. It deserved better treatment and has been tidied up and had it’s base planted out with freesias and snowdrops.
Every week I get up there it is exciting to see the changes. Next plan is to get stuck into the front (which is much larger than the back garden).
It’s still pretty rough but is showing great promise and beginning to feel a bit more like mine. Still hanging in there for settlement, which has been so close for months now. I’m sure once we get past that hurdle there will be a wave of emotion as I start considering it as a real new home and the start of a different lifestyle.
Since first seeing the Convent, it was obvious that the side hedge was an eyesore. It runs the whole side of the block and is backed by a high old galvanised fence, dominating the side boundary – taking up land, stopping other growth and shading rooms that side of the Convent.
I had thought is was just an old windbreak until a local told me that as a schoolboy, he used to trim the hedges and it was once a neat, formal hedge – well maybe 30 or more years ago! At over 20 feet tall, it is now an ugly nuisance.
My first reaction was to have it removed however given I’m having a number of established (but unattractive) shrubs taken out of the front garden, I’m conscious that I’m removing habitats for a number of birds, particularly the smaller wrens, finches and sparrows. The plan now is to see if I can get it back under control by thinning, and cutting it back and down over time. I’m pretty sure it’s a privet, which should be kept under control, rather than running rampant, and is near impossible to destroy. Anyway. I’ll have a go as there is an appeal in getting one of the old hedges back at the Convent and in having a hedge rather than a new fence. The privet is relatively easy to saw, there’s just so much of it. I’ll trial a few sections before making up my mind and will probably need some professional help if that’s the way I go. Otherwise, it will also be a big job to cut and remove it – although I think I’d be in for many years of regrowth.
This isn’t a Day 1 project, but something I’ll take on in between jobs.
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CONVENT AND CHAPEL 