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On My Oasis – Dealing with Droughts
Argh! So, this year seems to be intensely dry. I think I’m noticing the lack of rain mainly because of the new garden. These are not established plants. Their roots haven’t had a chance to taper into the soil and search out the natural moisture. As such, I seem to be battling with the desperate need to water whilst remembering that we’ve just been put onto a water meter. Yep; the time has come for hubby and I to stop showering just so the plants can get their drink! I’m trying not to water too much, but with only a couple of downpours over the past month, there’s no other choice than to get out the house.
A scraggy hen wanders through the Mediterranean garden.
The Mediterranean garden
One area that is coming on relatively well is the Mediterranean garden. I’m really pleased to see the lavenders taking hold and my carex grasses flowering and setting up those beautiful fronds, adding not only structure, but movement as they sway in the wind. The jasmine’s in, and I was lucky enough to get my hands on a new variety of Stipa. ‘Goldilocks‘ is a medium-sized variety; perfect for smaller gardens. I also have some New Zealand flax to give some evergreen structure and I expect, as all gardens, the patch will evolve over the years.
I have to say, when it comes to my gardens ‘themes‘, I’m taking several liberties with the plants I’m growing. I’m aiming for a feel, not an exact copy. My Mediterranean garden, for example, might not seem ‘Mediterraneany’ enough for some people; it has grasses, lavender, jasmine, flax and cyclamen. These plants remind me of a Greek holiday on Paxos, and it’s that feeling of nostalgia I’m looking to recreate. Likewise, the ‘tropical garden’ doesn’t actually contain many typical tropical plants. Large leaves, lots of green and explosions of hot colours, yes. But lots of species that need winter care? No. I’m a strong believer that a garden is a personal place. You can create themes and ideas based on horticultural knowledge and specific design but, ultimately, your space should please you. Cyclamen in my Mediterranean garden? Well that makes me instantly think of Paxos where these lovely plants were growing out of the stone walls on the rugged mountainous paths.
Chickens
In the past few weeks, the new chooks have come on leaps and bounds, both in their health and personality. I’m getting two to three eggs a day which is pretty good, and they don’t last long, I can tell you! The first new feathers are starting to come through – notably on their throats and backs – and their wattles and combs are red and fat. We’ve named them Matilda, Cersie, Arya and Guillyflower; you can see the theme there I think. Cersei certainly lives up to her Games of Thrones namesake.
I’ve been letting them out in the garden for a potter around on most days. Due to their current moult, they’re far more interested in dust bathing in my dry, barren soil, than pecking my plants to death but I know better than to go off and leave them. Left to their own devices in a relatively small garden, hens will cause devastation!
We also have some more chicks on the way – on Friday, in fact. 18 bantam eggs have been incubating for 18 days so, fingers crossed, we’ll have new lives hatching out soon.
Established plants
Luckily, I do have some summer colour in the garden, thanks to plants I inherited with the garden and some favourites I brought with me that have been grown, and will stay in, pots. Despite them being in the wrong place at the moment, the daylillies are throwing stunning oranges into the garden. I’ll let them all flower and then divide and move them later in the year to free up the cordon fruit tree bed. Meanwhile, a small rose I found growing from seed in a compost heap a few years ago is finally coming into itself and producing some beautiful flowers. And the sedum and succulent collection currently residing in terracotta pots on top of the coal bunker are doing splendidly.
So….this week I’m basically waiting with great anticipation for Friday and the potential of new chicks! What’s happening in your garden?
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