Busy

It is a busy time of year and the days are becoming hot, high 30's and windy today. I spent a week in Melbourne at the Australian Tapestry Workshop, taking a masterclass in tapestry. My friend Shane came and watered the garden for me while I was away. Could not believe how much it changed in a week. I had told Shane to pick whatever he wanted but he must not like peas! When I came home they were covered with old pods. I will have plenty of seed for next year. The rainbow chard has gone to seed along with the leeks and lettuce. Do plants have a time clock when the all decide to bolt to seed at the same time? Even the smaller lettuce I had planted went to seed at the same time as the older ones. I have four different types of eating grapes planted on the pergola. They have grown like crazy this year so last week I cut most of the canes that are not growing over the top of the pergola off. I gave a lot of the big soft leaves to a friend to preserve for making dolmades. You cant buy preserved grape vine leaves here and it is a shame to waste anything. There is a lot to pull out of the garden at the moment and I need to get the beds ready for my winter planting in January. Although it is always scorching hot if you don't want to go hungry over the winter you need to plant in January. Plants grow well during the Autumn flush and should see you through the winter. I have been digging lots of potato's. Mornings spent in the garden eating berries is a good way to start the day. The mulberry you can see in the picture has finished fruiting, but we are eating raspberries loganberries and young berries.