I was going to leave doing the update until next week since it’s the last week in July. But I can guarantee if I do that I will forget or not have time. One big thing that I have done since last month is I applied for and ABN and registered Bayside Homestead as my business name! I figured the start of the new financial year was a good time to do it! So that’s exciting, although I know that as I get overwhelmed easily (thank you ADHD) I need to take things slowly. I have a lot on my plate with 4 kids and 3 of them in pretty significant years (Prep, Grade 10 and Grade 12). Plus the whole Covid situation is enough to make me want to hibernate for a year or so. I know that here in Queensland we are pretty lucky, but the situation in NSW and Victoria shows how quickly things can change. My heart goes out to everyone dealing with lockdowns, semi-lockdowns, confusion of whether you are actually locked down or not, or whatever the situation is where you are.
So on to happier news! These are a few of the things in my garden that are bringing me joy at the moment:
King Orchid 
Leptospermum 
Paper Daisy 
Rose 
Azalea 
Azalea 
Birds Nest Fern
We have been in this house for about 6 years and inherited the King Orchid with the house. This is the first time I have seen it flower! The Leptospermum (Tea Tree) has come back after looking like it was about to die off – that always makes me happy. I love the look of Tea Trees, they are one of my favourite native plants. And I just find Paper Daisies fascinating. The Rose and the two Azaleas bring a smile to my face because they are some of the most neglected plants ever. I have never been a Rose grower and I was under the impression that Azaleas were a lot of work so wasn’t much interested in those either. But they all just keep on keeping on and rewarding my neglect with beautiful flowers! There’s actually a Magnolia tree behind the Rose and again, so neglected but produces stunning flowers! The Birds Nest Fern had to be included because I picked up this plant from a local gardener and it wasn’t in the best shape. I pruned off the dead fronds, repotted it and have been giving it a bit of TLC. I actually thought I’d lost it but just as I was about to give up I saw the tiniest of green fronds starting to poke through!
The remains of the Mini Amish tomatoes 
San Marzano seedlings in the ground 
San Marzano seedlings in a pot
Tomato news: my Mini Amish tomatoes are ready to be pulled out. They have done me well and I will definitely grow them again. I’m trying to remember when I planted them but of course I forgot to take notes. 🙄 I think it was in late Feb / March. My San Marzano which I intended to grow over winter are still tiny. The ones that I started off in the greenhouse have done better so I will remember that for next year, and also get them started earlier. I would really like to grow tomatoes all year round and it should be possible if I get my timings right! The pot of seedlings shown above are going to be donated to a local school for their gardening club 🙂 I have a couple of pots of these and some other vegetables/herbs/seeds they might like.
Asparagus Bed 
Herb Bed 
Garlic
Elsewhere around the garden – my asparagus bed is finally dormant so I was able to compost and mulch it. The herb bed is in bad need of a good weeding. I’m probably actually going to dig out some of the plants so I can get rid of the weeds a bit more easily, dig in some compost, replant and mulch. My garlic looks really good so I am keeping my fingers crossed that I get a good harvest! I have read that a good tip is to carefully move the soil from one of the plants when you think they are ready for harvest so you can inspect the bulb. If the 6 month growing season holds true they won’t be ready for another couple of months, but I’m keeping an eye on them as I’ve heard it doesn’t always work that way.
I’ve still been crocheting away, I’m working on another blanket at the moment. This one is for me as my kids/Mr T keep taking my others for themselves! Oh and Milo has finally decided to use the cat bed that I made him. Apparently I needed to turn it over so the black was on top.
Crochet blanket work in progress 
Milo on his cat bed
So that’s the update for this month! I think that’s it – it’s been a bit of a hectic month. Oh one thing I did at the end of last month that is worth mentioning – I made jam! I’ve never made jam before but I found a simple recipe and figured I should give it a go. I made Strawberry and Passionfruit jam and it is rather delicious if I do say so myself! 😉
Bayside Homestead 