Autumn – CONVENT AND CHAPEL

Autumn Garden Preparations

Published on April 7, 2014 by conventandchapel2 Comments

A beautiful iceberg rose just after rain

The refreshed raised garden beds. This one has turnip and betroot seedlings however one of the residents has been doing some gardening in the beetroots overnight.

The garden clearly has required attention post Summer as veg like tomatoes and zucchini have died down after their premium fruiting period. Some of the other veg have limped along with the hazards faced over a difficult Kandos Summer with hail, followed by a massive dry period and strange bugs. Anyway, over the last month I have cleared out the old veg, extended the colorbond fence bed and replanted with vigour.

Hundreds of freesia bulbs are planted under the old cottoneaster - they are now peeking through. — Hundreds of freesia bulbs are planted under the old cottoneaster – they are now peeking through.

In regards to the non-edible but beautiful beds, I have gone to town with bulbs. Last year I invested in daffodils around trees (small and new as the trees are), snowdrops, grape hyacinths, as well as some normal hyacinths. The old cottoneaster had a healthy planting of grape hyacinths and many freesias. This year I have added to the beautiful deep Delft Blue Hyacinths, probably more than doubled the freesias under the cottoneaster with another 180 plus bulbs, added 100 bluebells to the garden (no idea why I didn’t plant any last year!), planted ranunculus and anenomes in the front circular garden bed, whilst adding Autumn crocuses to completely fill out the edges, given the success of the incumbents and supplemented another 100 plus of the hard-working grape hyacinths. The high profile bulbs are the 40 saffron crocuses I’ve added, which I hope will at least provide some saffron to the kitchen larder.

The never-ending garden bed down the colorbond fence - it just keeps being extended. Later it will also be home to potatoes. — The never-ending garden bed down the colorbond fence – it just keeps being extended. Later it will also be home to potatoes.

The veg beds are mostly cleared (some I don’t quite have the heart to pull out yet) and I’ve taken advantage of the significantly extended colorbond fence bed, to plant: lots of beetroot (I tend to hedge my bets with seedlings and seeds, which I can claim to be staggering planting but is more due to lack of confidence- and dogs), carrots – several varieties, mini cauliflower, broccoli, onions (red, brown and white), garlic, celery, celeriac, turnip, swede, parsnip, radishes … and probably more. Anyway, I’ve done my best in preparation for Winter veg. Beds are cleared, weeded, topped up and planted.

The flowering beds have been weeded, mulched and fed. A little more mulch is required to finish off, but otherwise I’m pretty happy with the garden.

The next garden challenges are to finish off the front garden bed along the wall. It looks great now but that’s because the salvias are at their best. These will soon die down and currently make up the middle layer of the bed. The roses and shrubs near the wall will hold their own but the smaller front layer of ground covers and smaller plants is non-existent. I need to put some thought into what will go here and how it needs to look good during the different seasons. I also still have the privet hedge to continue restoring and a small tree grove to establish. I’m not even thinking of the vacant block next door at this stage!

The garden is always a challenge but always fascinating and rewarding in how it changes and the opportunities it presents each season.

I'm liking the white flowers against the Convent with cosmos and icebergs. Two white Pope John Paul roses flank the front entry as well. The spade and bucket are marking where I will be planting two standard wisteria under the arched windows. — I’m liking the white flowers against the Convent with Cosmos and Icebergs. Two white Pope John Paul roses flank the front entry as well. The spade and bucket are marking where I will be planting two standard wisteria under the arched windows.

Maples Afire

Published on June 1, 2013June 1, 2013 by conventandchapelLeave a comment

When I first saw the Convent, I didn’t even realise these trees were Maples. They added so much to the back aspect during summer with their thick green leaves providing a welcome shade canopy during the harsh heat.

I’ve been delighted and surprised with their transformation in Autumn. I’ve never seen leaves quite so vivid. The photos don’t do justice to just how vibrant the colour is – it looks as though they are actually lit up.

Jack Frost has arrived

Published on May 25, 2013 by conventandchapelLeave a comment

I’ve been wondering about why the locals keep warning me about the frost until this morning. I was thinking it was just dew – you know, in the morning when everything is covered with a frosty, white-looking dew. Wrong! Frost here is “ice”.

I went out this morning when the sun was already well and truly out to find frost across many parts of the garden. It’s not just icy, it’s actually frozen. The white tipped grass crunched under my feet and the leaves had actually frozen. My veggie beds were a great example where all the individual leaves actually looked and touched as if they were flash frozen. No wonder so many of the smaller more tender plants don’t survive. The photos don’t do the frost justice as it was already starting to melt when I went out. I’ll have to get up earlier next time.

That said, it also had a magical feel to it like a Winter Wonderland without snow. What a contrast to the harsh dry relenting sun over summer. I’m loving seeing the seasons change here. At present Autumn is best heralded by the two beautiful Maples out near the back verandah which make the terracotta coloured roof tiles look dull by comparison and set themselves off beautifully against the ochre building. The Maples are just starting to drop their leaves, but most other trees in Kandos are now bare, including the Poplars lining the avenue into the town.

I’m enjoying seeing such obvious seasons pass out here and the changes to the landscape and my garden. Hopefully I will feel the same about Winter.