I recently spent the morning in the garden with our gardener / handyman and I am very proud of our efforts, everything is neat and tidy again. Sadly though it is quite dry. We have been enjoying a very hot summer with very little rain.
Our fig tree has been very kind to us this year and produced more than enough fruit for us and all the birds.
I rescued this succulent from a rubbish heap and it has thanked me by growing beautifully.
Our attempts at creating a topiary peach tree have been fairy successful, however it grows so fast that we can’t always keep up with it. I’m still baffled why the previous owners planted where it is. If left to its own devices, the two bedrooms behind it would never get any sunlight.
For some obscure reason this rope was placed in the tree to be kept out of the way and has just stayed there. Oh well, it’s original I guess.
I am very happy to see the first peppadews of the season.
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So beautiful and green and very tidy. Spring is here! Take care, BAM
By: Bam's Kitchen on February 21, 2013
at 07:12
Thanks very much Bam.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on February 21, 2013
at 08:59
Mandy, such a pretty space you have! I’m so glad your fig tree is growing well, and the succulents are gorgeous! I’ve been taking photos of our garden too, and it also has succulents, but only little echeveria, not huge agaves like your magnificent specimen!
By: Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial on February 21, 2013
at 07:15
I wish I knew what the names of everything is in the garden Celia – we have another type of succulent too which grows beautifully big and makes babies all the time. Would be fabulous to send you a baby of each one. Have a lovely day.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on February 21, 2013
at 09:00
Wow look at THAT fig tree. Mine is so sick and sad.
By: Glenda on February 21, 2013
at 07:33
Oh no shame Glenda. I hope your fig tree gets back to being healthy soon. Have a super day.
By: thecompletecookbook on February 21, 2013
at 09:03
Our pepperdews are at much the same stage as yours, first time we have ever grown them, a friend gave us the seeds.
By: Sous Chef on February 21, 2013
at 07:51
Think we are part of a few people who have them growing in our gardens. We must be super special people.
Have a great day Sue and I hope your camera worries are sorted out. 
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on February 21, 2013
at 09:03
Oh my word! Where do you get peppadews from? Ive been looking frantically only to find out you can get them “in secret” from a farmer in Cape Town, as the producers of peppadews land is so strictly guarded
By: suckitupnotin on February 21, 2013
at 08:50
To be quite frank I don’t think the seeds are at all readily available – our plants were growing in the garden when we bought the house so I can’t even help you. Sorry about that. If ever you make your way to Sundays River, I will gladly give you some fruit and you can dry them for the seed. Have a lovely day Caddie.
By: thecompletecookbook on February 21, 2013
at 09:06
Such a pity, I adore them! Thanks so much
I used to live in Seaview! Have a great day! 
By: suckitupnotin on February 21, 2013
at 09:09
By: thecompletecookbook on February 21, 2013
at 09:11
What a beautiful and manicured yard you have, Mandy. Mine looks overrun at the best of times. You’ve got that amazing fig tree as well, how lucky you are! You’re quite the gardener! I wish this darn winter would end! xx
By: Barbara Bamber | justasmidgen on February 21, 2013
at 09:04
Smidge, thank you so much! I do hope your summer arrives soon. Just this morning I woke up and my toes were chilly – the very sad but hard reality that our summer is on its way out – boohoo, poor little me who doesn’t like the cold. Have a super day.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on February 21, 2013
at 09:10
It seems like it just got there, lol!
By: Barbara Bamber | justasmidgen on February 21, 2013
at 09:11
I know!
By: thecompletecookbook on February 21, 2013
at 09:16
Your garden looks so tidy, green and healthy my friend
Cheers
CCU
By: Choc Chip Uru on February 21, 2013
at 11:26
Thanks CCU. Hope I can keep it up. Have a lovely day.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on February 21, 2013
at 11:53
I love the look of your backyard, Mandy. It’s so spacious! And your pepperdews are coming along so well and how lovely to have an abundance of figs xx
By: hotlyspiced on February 21, 2013
at 12:40
Thanks Charlie. Have a happy day.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on February 21, 2013
at 13:10
The fig tree looks awesome, Mandy. And you have a huge garden.
By: Angie@Angie's Recipes on February 21, 2013
at 15:11
Thanks so much Angie. Our garden is not very big. I think the pictures make it look bigger. Have a lovely day.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on February 21, 2013
at 15:37
It looks lovely, so much hard work. And I love the rope in the tree!
By: Chica Andaluza on February 21, 2013
at 18:27
See, we have more in common than we think – I also like the rope in the tree. Have a beautiful day.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on February 21, 2013
at 21:21
Your garden is definitely coming along beautifully. I wish I had a green thumb, maybe when I move out of the city I can have one as well
By: Purely.. Kay on February 21, 2013
at 20:21
You are more than welcome to come and practice in our garden Kay. Have a beautiful weekend.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on February 21, 2013
at 21:22
Oh I am so jealous! I was just reading Adam’s (The Unorthodox Epicure) blog about Meyer lemons & thinking that I just have to try growing them myself. Of course I’ve got quite a wait for the ground to thaw but I understand that they can be grown indoors & I figure maybe I’d get a jump on it.
I see what you mean about that tree being close to your house but I found when we built here that most builder’s landscapers are planting such small trees & plantings that they invariably plant too close to the foundation. We had to take down what could have been a pretty hemlock but it got out of control. Once things really take root though, getting them out & restarting is a major project.
If you ever get a horse stopping by you could use that rope to hitch it.
I really love that succulent!
By: dianeskitchentable on February 21, 2013
at 22:56
It’s really strange that people don’t have enough foresight when planting trees and the like so close to foundations. Never ceases to amaze me.
xo
I will be on the lookout for a horse and if or when he arrive, he can munch on the peach tree to keep it in check.
Have a beautiful weekend Diane.
By: thecompletecookbook on February 21, 2013
at 23:44
Ah, they see these small plants & they think they’ll look so lonely moved away from the house. But at least you’ll be ready if a horse does swing by – you could lasso him.
By: dianeskitchentable on February 22, 2013
at 00:03
*runs off to practice lassoing*
By: thecompletecookbook on February 22, 2013
at 08:12
What a big beautiful fig tree. I have to grow mine in a container so that I can bring it into the garage for overwintering so it never gets very large, I do get a few quarts of figs from it though.
Had to get rid of my succulents. My deer keep nibbling on them.
By: Norma Chang on February 21, 2013
at 23:07
I remember you saying you have a fig tree in a pot – I really should try that – sort of a big bonsai
I never realised deer have a palette for succulents. Must be fabulous to have deer roaming your garden although I am sure they are quite destructive. Have a super weekend Norma. 
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on February 21, 2013
at 23:45
You have such a large yard, Mandy, and it certainly looks well-tended. Your fig tree is beautiful and so loaded with fruit! Is it normal for things to be so dry this time of year? Is there reason to think that rains are coming? On the other hand, it looks like the perfect climate for your succulents. They all seem to be thriving.
Have a great weekend, relaxing in your yard, a glass of wine in hand.
By: ChgoJohn on February 22, 2013
at 06:54
I like the way you think John, relaxing with a glass of wine in hand.
We generally get rain all year around but the seasons have been somewhat odd the last couple of years. Just so long as it isn’t cold, I can handle any weather. Have an awesome weekend. 
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on February 22, 2013
at 08:14
Oh I love my garden too! Your fig tree looks amazing, I really ought to plant one, I wonder if it grows in my area…
Anyway, good job on the garden… you are welcome to some of my rain
By: GourmetGetaways (@GourmetGetaway) on February 22, 2013
at 09:48
Thanks so much GG. I know from Norma that you can pot a fig tree so maybe that would be an option for you? I would gladly take some of your rain. Have a super weekend.
By: thecompletecookbook on February 22, 2013
at 10:07
Thanks for the tour of the “back forty” Mandy and oh how I miss having a fig tree. I had three growing up in California.
Have a great weekend!
By: Jed Gray (sportsglutton) on February 22, 2013
at 14:04
Thanks for taking a walk-a-bout with us Jed. Next fig I eat is for you. Have an awesome weekend too.
By: thecompletecookbook on February 22, 2013
at 14:09
So very lovely, my dearest! I am just now getting started on preparations for seeding and the like in our garden–I’ll be planting and finishing that sort of thing in the next couple of weeks unless we get a surprise heavy freeze after this. Your garden looks beautiful, and any garden that offers both peaches and figs seems pretty nearly perfect to me! xoxoxo K
By: kathryningrid on February 23, 2013
at 03:27
Kathryn, your garden is always so beautiful, I hope you don’t a get heavy freeze. Have a beautiful love filled weekend. I am off to the airport to fetch my hubby who has been away from home for nearly 3 weeks!
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on February 23, 2013
at 08:10
Mandy,
) Xxxx
I LOVE your garden.
I imagine us having a glass of wine sitting under your fig tree
By: My Inner Chick on February 23, 2013
at 17:35
Kim, one day we will, promise! Have a beautiful week ahead.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on February 25, 2013
at 15:27
LOL! You inspired me… I got into the garden today, ripped out weeds and planted salad vege’s and more herbs. Thank you for the inspiration
By: GourmetGetaways (@GourmetGetaway) on February 25, 2013
at 09:25
Excellent – well done!
So pleased I was an inspiration to you. Have a beautiful week ahead. 
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on February 25, 2013
at 15:27
they are all just beautiful! I am itching wanting to get my hands into my garden for the spring and plant some amazing things this year but I just haven’t had a chance yet. Good thing I have a little time left:) Love that rope it the tree- gives is character:)
By: Jessica Maher (@kbelleicious) on February 26, 2013
at 04:45
Thanks Belle! If all else fails and you run out of time, you can always hang a rope in a tree too. Hope your weather warms soon. Have a super day.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on February 26, 2013
at 07:52
And friend of mine also goes dump diving for plants
By: Tandy on February 27, 2013
at 19:30
I have a friend who finds the most incredible things at a dump he visits quite regularly. It seems people throw the most incredible things away. Have a super day.
By: thecompletecookbook on February 28, 2013
at 10:01
Even with lack of enough rain, your green garden looks wonderful…especially your lovely fig tree.
By: Karen on February 27, 2013
at 23:38
You are very kind Karen, thank you so much! Don’t think we will have very many figs much longer so making the most of them while I can.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on February 28, 2013
at 10:23
I am so jealous of your fig tree!
By: Zirkie on March 5, 2013
at 12:11
I was just thinking of going to pick a fig to munch, will enjoy it for you. Have a lovely afternoon.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on March 5, 2013
at 15:20
Mandy I love the plants in your garden. So different than mine. Love the succulents especially.
- Michael
By: Michael Beyer on March 11, 2013
at 18:04
Thanks so much Michael. I would love to send you a succulent for your garden. Have a super day.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on March 12, 2013
at 14:41