Preparing for Spring

Here in QLD we have a very short winter and as this is only the second full winter we have been on the farm I am still trying to work out the seasons and weather cycles.  So far it seems like we get a 6 month Summer, and 2 months each of Autumn, Winter and Spring but it will take a few more years to really work it out.
Last year I was late in getting my seeds going and before I knew it spring had been and gone and summer was upon us.  Two things have happened in the garden this week to make me think Spring is very much here and I need to get a move on with my seed planting. 

How do I know...

The first Asparagus spear has emerged, and

the Mulberry is producing fruit.

So I have planted out  a few seeds already and I have more to go in.  Better get a move on I think.

In The Garden

I have been out in the garden this week taking stock of what I have going on and trying to put together a plan of attack for my spring time blitz.

In just over a weeks time I have 2 weeks off work to do a stack of jobs around the farm. 

Yes I have just had a holiday but these 2 weeks are in addition to my normal annual leave and will not be a holiday.  My work place allows us to purchase additional leave and have some of your pay deducted pre tax over the rest of the year to cover it.  I use mine for getting a lot of out door jobs done before we head into the hot months of the year. 

Where we live it is too hot to do strenuous out door work during the summer months, unless you plan on doing it between 4 and 6am, so I like to take a couple of weeks in August.

So what do I already have have going on in the garden?



Rhubarb seedlings to replace the ones that drowned
at the start of the year



Snow peas going crazy
We are picking them everyday and they are sweet and juicy
Some of them make it inside but not many....



Some Broccolini and a couple of Sage seedlings

As well as these we have Garlic, Silverbeet, Beetroot, Herbs and Golden Shallots.  So now I just need to plan out what jobs I want to get done in my 2 weeks.
What are you planning on doing this spring?

Carrot Cake

Last week I found a few sad looking carrots in the bottom of the fridge and being someone who does not like things to be wasted I decided that a carrot cake was in order.

This is really a very easy cake to make and is dairy free as long as you do not add a cream cheese icing like I did.

Carrot Cake Recipe

Mix 3/4 cup of vegetable oil, 2 cups of Brown Sugar and 2tsp of Cinnamon together.  Add to this 4 beaten eggs and 1 tsp Vanilla Essence.

In a second bowl mix 2 cups of Wholemeal Flour, 1tsp salt, 1tsp Baking Soda, 2 cups of grated Carrot and 1 cup of Sultanas or Walnuts or half of each.  Add the Oil/Egg mix and mix well.

Bake at 160 degrees for 1- 1.5 hours depending on your oven.

Animals in the Garden

I like to have interesting things in my garden and I have a particular liking for animals, of the man made variety.

The latest addition to the garden is "piggy" who flew back from NZ with us.
Piggy joins "Kiwi" and "Lamby" yes I know very original names.


"Piggy" the latest addition to the garden animals




Kiwi



Lamby

So other than plants what do you have in your garden?

Chilly New Zealand Days

We have now been back from NZ for a week and just though I would share some photos of a new bridge in New Plymouth NZ where I come from.

New Plymouth is a coastal city with a population that loves the outdoors, probably due to the vast numer of outdoor activities avaliable including skiing, fishing, surfing, white water rafting, bush walking and cycling just to name a few.
One of the great things about New Plymouth is the Coastal Walkway. It is a foreshore walkway that grows a few more km each year and follows the coastline for about 7km at the moment.
There has just been a new bridge established allowing the walkway to continue and it really is something.
Designed to represent the waves that crash on the shore it is positioned to capture the stunning views of Mt Taranaki when viewed from the northern end.

These photos are from some postcards I purchased as on the
day we visited we could not even see the mountain due to cloud.



Hubby and I rugged up against the cold

It really is stunning and even though it was overcast we were very impressed and next time we are back we are going to borrow/hire some bikes and ride the entire walk way stopping along the way to see the sights and have a coffee or 2.