Spring Garden

Posted on October 12, 2015 by thecompletebook

Seems the weather hasn’t quite decided if it is Spring yet. We have had a few splashes of sun here and there with loads of rain and horrible gale winds. It hasn’t dampened my excitement with getting going in the garden, although some of the seed I have planted may have blown or been washed into the neighbours garden – might have to fetch my veggies there once they grow. 🙂

You may remember the gent I bought our garden bench from a while ago. I couldn’t help myself and bought this sweet bridge from him a couple of weeks back. It only cost R200 (± USD $14.48).

The veggie patch is doing well and our cauliflowers are coming along really nicely.

The spinach has also grown in leaps and bounds. I shall have to enjoy it soon before the garden critters finish it.

The mini cabbages are also doing well after being thinned out.

I planted pumpkin seed which shot up out of the ground a couple of days after planting – they will be thinned out soon too.

Pumpkins for Africa!

Also new to the garden is zucchini – I am thrilled at how healthy they are looking.

Not wanting to worry about stakes and the like, I planted bush beans.

Naturally no garden would be complete without dill and coriander so they were planted too.

I have added a few more things: butternut, sweetcorn, lettuce, rhubarb, carrots, capsicums, parsley, thyme and lavender. I am sure I have forgotten something in this list.

Our loquats are all ripening but seems the birds are beating us to them all.And passers by are all picking our lemons off the tree before we can.

At least our peaches are hidden away and hopefully will be worm free again this year.

Now I patiently await our figs.

40 thoughts on “Spring Garden”

Bam's Kitchen on October 12, 2015 at 03:59 said:

Wow, your garden is doing well. Why do people pick your fruit without asking you first. OMG… I hope you get to enjoy those figs soon before the birds do. Have a super week.

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- thecompletebook on October 12, 2015 at 09:59 said:
  
  I want to smack the hands who take my beautiful fruit without asking. Have a wonderful week too Bam. 🙂 xo
  
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Angie@Angie's Recipes on October 12, 2015 at 06:34 said:

wow…your garden is doing really well, Mandy.

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- thecompletebook on October 12, 2015 at 10:01 said:
  
  Thanks so much Angie. Can’t wait to spend more time in the garden. Have a wonderful day. 🙂 xo
  
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hotlyspiced on October 12, 2015 at 09:04 said:

I do love the little bridge. And what a bargain (especially if you have US bucks!) Your vegetable garden is coming along so well – plenty of action. I can’t believe people are helping themselves to your lemons! xx

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- thecompletebook on October 12, 2015 at 10:02 said:
  
  I am quite smitten with my little bridge. Thankfully the veggies are at the back of the garden so no unwanted hands taking what they shouldn’t. Have an awesome day Charlie. 🙂 xo
  
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Tandy | Lavender and Lime on October 12, 2015 at 10:03 said:

Wow, such an abundance. I am getting our soil delivered this week and will start planting over the weekend 🙂

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- thecompletebook on October 12, 2015 at 10:05 said:
  
  What a fun weekend you are going to have Tandy. I am hoping to get into the garden again this week too, just for a little R&R. Have an lovely day. 🙂 xo
  
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Zirkieie on October 12, 2015 at 11:10 said:

Your garden is looking beautiful, Mandy! I never have success with cauliflower; what is your secret?

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- thecompletebook on October 12, 2015 at 11:47 said:
  
  Thank you so much Zirkie! Sadly I have no secret with the cauliflower – beginners luck I guess. Have a super week. 🙂 xo
  
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Norma Chang on October 12, 2015 at 13:56 said:

Love, love your bridge. Your garden is coming along beautifully, I too have no luck with cauliflower so gave up. To protect your loquats and lemon have you thought about putting bird netting over the trees? That is a gorgeous fig tree, wish I could keep mine in the ground year round.

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- thecompletebook on October 12, 2015 at 15:14 said:
  
  Hi Norma, we usually place little paper sandwich bags over the figs but never really thought about the other fruit trees. I don’t mind sharing with the birds. 😀 Have a beautiful week. 🙂 xo
  
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Tricia @ Saving room for dessert on October 12, 2015 at 15:39 said:

What a wonderful garden! Our leaves are falling and the temperatures are taking a plunge, pumpkins are on the porch and the garden is done. You have a gift for gardening – love those fuzzy peaches and figs – so jealous! Hope the weather calms down and warms up 🙂 Have a lovely week!

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- thecompletebook on October 12, 2015 at 16:32 said:
  
  Thanks very much Tricia. Strange how we go into opposite seasons to each other. Have a wonderful week too. 🙂 xo
  
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moi du toi photography on October 12, 2015 at 17:32 said:

Wowzer Mands! I am uber impressed! I’m looking forward to fresh garden veggies one of these fine days. Oh and cupcakes, it is my birthday month after all. 🙂

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- thecompletebook on October 12, 2015 at 18:35 said:
  
  Okay young birthday lady, you can have fresh garden veggies or cupcakes, which is it going to be?
  Like I would ever make you choose – you get both! 🙂 xoxo
  
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moi du toi photography on October 12, 2015 at 17:33 said:

From you I mean, all from your garden and your kitchen. Yay! I’m coming to visit, I’m coming to visit!

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- thecompletebook on October 12, 2015 at 18:36 said:
  
  I know, can you believe in a few sleepies time you will be here – woohoo – can’t wait! 🙂 xoxoxo
  
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kathryningrid on October 12, 2015 at 17:43 said:

What an extraordinary garden. You are outdoing yourself this year, my sweet! Despite having so little of what I consider a reasonable growing season here, I’m going to go ahead and do my usual toss-and-wish version of Fall planting this week just to take advantage of the short-term potential—and feed the birds well into the end of the season. My mouth was watering as I looked at your marvelous sprouts and fruits and thought of all the bounty that’s ahead for your magical kitchen. 😀 😀 😀 !!!
xoxo,
Kath

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- thecompletebook on October 12, 2015 at 18:41 said:
  
  Hee hee, love “toss-and-wish” – that is kinda me too. Here’s hoping I can keep all the veggies going until I can harvest. Have a super day Kath. 🙂 xoxoxo
  
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Glenda on October 12, 2015 at 18:15 said:

Mandy, You are going to overwhelmed with produce before long. How wonderful.

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- thecompletebook on October 12, 2015 at 18:42 said:
  
  Can’t wait Glenda although I am thinning as I go and giving seedlings to family and friends. Have a wonderful day. 🙂 xo
  
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My Inner Chick on October 13, 2015 at 13:45 said:

A Lemon Tree!? OMgosh, on my walks, I think I may steal one or two! What a gift!
And that bridge. Where was it? What does it have to say for itself?

Luv from MN. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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- thecompletebook on October 13, 2015 at 16:42 said:
  
  You my darling Kim can have all of the lemons off our tree, any day!
  Think I should write a bridge post. 😀
  Have a beautiful and happy day with love from a very windy Sundays River. xoxoxoxo
  
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Chica Andaluza on October 14, 2015 at 20:22 said:

I love your little bridge – you just need to plant a cherry tree next to it and next year you’ll have your very own Japanese garden! They veggies are looking great but I am outraged that folk should htink it’s acceptable to pick your lemons. Cheeky so and sos 😦

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- thecompletebook on October 16, 2015 at 11:25 said:
  
  Think a cherry tree will be on the list for when I next go to town Tanya. We do have a few so and sos around. Have a beautiful weekend. 🙂 xo
  
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cheri on October 15, 2015 at 05:39 said:

Hi Mandy, your garden is looking amazing, you must have a green thumb.

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- thecompletebook on October 16, 2015 at 11:25 said:
  
  You are very kind CHeri, thank you so much! Have a super weekend. 🙂 xo
  
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Mary Frances on October 15, 2015 at 16:11 said:

What a great collection of treats growing! Nothing compares to homegrown fig bread

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- thecompletebook on October 16, 2015 at 11:33 said:
  
  I am looking forward to the figs Mary. Have a super weekend. 🙂 xo
  
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Kristy on October 15, 2015 at 19:07 said:

The bridge was less than $15USD? Amazing! That is truly a steel. I doubt you would find something like that here for less than $50USD. So cute! Your garden is looking delightful Mandy. I can’t wait to see what you cook up with everything. 🙂

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- thecompletebook on October 16, 2015 at 11:38 said:
  
  I know, can you believe the gorgeous little bridge’s price! I keep checking on how the veggies are growing and am constantly amazed at nature. Have a super weekend Kristy. 🙂 xo
  
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Kia / The House of KTS on October 16, 2015 at 18:27 said:

I loved that bench and I absolutely love this sweet bridge as well. It’s just so well made Mandy and it looks amazing in your space. And did you see that spinach? Well of course you did lol. It just made my mouth water so bad just now lol. I am so hungry now.

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- thecompletebook on October 19, 2015 at 14:36 said:
  
  My mom is visiting at the moment and said she will use the spinach for a fish dish she is going to make. Yay! Have a beautiful day Kia. 🙂 xo
  
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dianeskitchentable on October 17, 2015 at 03:09 said:

I love your bridge and what a great price! You are so energetic with the garden and I’m feeling jealous that you’re looking forward to a nice wrong while we’re winding down getting ready to hunker down for the winter. We had an absolutely gorgeous, perfect day on Monday and for the past few mornings we’ve had to turn the heat on to take the chil out of the house.

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- thecompletebook on October 19, 2015 at 14:42 said:
  
  Thankfully the winter weather is a mere memory at the moment Diane. Here’s to a nice long summer. Have a beautiful day. 🙂 xo
  
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healyhome on October 17, 2015 at 15:50 said:

The fig tree looks DEVINE……………… can’t wait, that is if your Mom leaves anything on the tree …..hhahahaha.

The coriander is the best news, I do battle to grow this herb.

Cauliflower looks first class. Make some delish caulimash while Pete is here.

We can’t plant anything at the moment, G is in the process of moving my water tank where the veg beds are, soooooo please have mercy on a poor friend and please share,

Love,

BERYL HEALY.

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- thecompletebook on October 19, 2015 at 14:43 said:
  
  Speaking of water tanks, think it’s time we invested in another one. Must plan on where to put it though. Think we will he one of the new skinny ones. Have a beautiful day and here’s to us enjoying some figs soon. 🙂 xo
  
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Anna @ shenANNAgans on November 3, 2015 at 07:41 said:

I am in love with that little bridge, its so cute. And look at your veggie garden, its positively thriving, mine is still a few weeks from being anything great, but it is nice and green. How fabulous are the warmer days? And those scoundrels taking your lemons, how rude!
Hope you are well my friend. Big happy hugs and hellos to you. xox

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- thecompletebook on November 4, 2015 at 10:58 said:
  
  Hello sweetie. No sooner to we get the warmer days and then the rain sets in and the chill is back. Best be on its way soon as I need the summer.
  Love to you friend. Hope all is well with you. 🙂 xoxoxo
  
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