Computer Fast

I was feeling rather annoyed at the amount of time my younger kids were spending on the computer each day. Yes, they were doing ‘useful’ stuff on it like learning coding, 3D animating, a strategy game and presentation software manipulation. But, it was robbing so much time and then they were not thinking of other things to do like reading or playing outside. So I said “For now, no more.”

The result is……reading, playing outside, playing with LEGO, more fights for them to solve, more drawing, more noise!, more life to the full. I like it.

New Adventures at 16

My fifth born has finished homeschooling and is off to Polytechnic doing Electrical Engineering Pre-trade course to become an Electrician. And today he got his Learner Driver License. New adventures for 2018 and being 16 years old. So now I am only homeschooling five students!

Homeschool photo for 2018

Following our tradition, we took homeschool photos on our first day of school for the year. This year we have just five people with Homeschooling status, with the five oldest sons all at work or tertiary study.

The Silver Lining of a Tummy Bug

It is so pleasant to have everyone well again from a tummy bug. Although I would not choose my family to suffer in this way, there were a couple of great things that happened as a result.

Firstly, Becky has begun to enjoy some solid food. We have been trying to get her to eat solids for five months but she would always cry and cry. The combination of her hunger at the end of this tummy bug and the fact that I had a dwindling milk supply (from her not drinking much when sick and then me getting sick and not being able to eat much) that she just had to eat solids. What a relief!

Secondly, when Tim had a relapse of the bug he was so doubled up with stomach pains and cramping he could hardly move or walk. I had the opportunity to show much love and care to him, trying to make him comfortable in bed with hot water bottles, hot camomile tea, kind words and attention late one night. The next morning he said he felt really loved by his Mama. I am glad he feels like that because he is loved!

Becky in the high chair

 

Growing Veges in Small Spaces

The edge along the long driveway has been fully utilised. I was too late to get photos of the tomatoes that were grown in bags of soil and placed at points along this fence.

A colourful variety of lettuce on the south east corner at back of house

Worm farm for extra nutrients for plants

Sage growing under the grape vine which is growing along the southern fence

Silver beet growing well on southern side of house

Potato patch under the grape vine

Carrot and parsnip patch

Beans along western fence along driveway.

Kale along western fence

Green pepper and cucumber in pots along western fence

Potatoes drying off along western fence

More carrots along western fence

Fresh lettuces just planted where the tomatoes were

Pot of Pak Choi

I have been so inspired by my parents-in-law’s vege growing this year. They have a very small section but have been able to grow all sorts of green, red and yellow products for the table. They live down a very long back driveway and have utilised many small spaces. Here are 14 photos to show their work….

 

 

 

9 Months

David at 9 months

Bex at 9 months

Somewhat alike!

Propagation by Cuttings

This afternoon we learned how to propagate by cuttings. We used propagation mix, rooting hormone, seed trays and cuttings from pittosporum tenuifolium, box hedge and another hedge plant. Thanks Paul for being teacher. To look after our plants, we need to keep them moist, spraying them with a spray bottle of water 3-4 times a day and keep them in a shady place.

The plant propagators

Tree Nursery for Restoring Hedges

Our pittosporum tenuifolium hedge has gaps from trees dying over the years. I tried to gather, plant and sprout some pittos from seed but nothing came up. So, Tim and I have been gathering up wild pitto seedlings from our property and the neighbour’s property and putting them in pots while they grow up a bit. Tim has planted some out where we want them and they have grown well this summer.

The tree nursery. There are pittosporum tenuifolium, Ribbonwoods and some Rowan seedlings

Five new pittosporums along the hedge line

Old Favourites in the Garden

Our biggest crops in the garden are zucchinis, carrots, leeks and cabbages. The carrots have done really well this year which is encouraging as 3/4 of last years went rotten for some unknown reason. We have over 1000 leeks planted which we use all winter. They don’t seem to mind the frosts at all. Zucchinis have overwhelmed us with fruit this year. We have some in the freezer for winter and my dear mother has made some into Zucchini and Cucumber Chutney using cucumbers from our greenhouse.

Matthew picks carrots for dinner

Lily and Becky in the leek patch

100 zucchini plants

Garden Experiments 2017

This year I have tried some new veges in the garden. It is fun to try something new and see how it goes for our family. Here are some photos of them:

Kohlrabi. These are a cross between turnips and cabbages. The leaves and bulb can be eaten.

Dwarf beans. These were planted in January and are beginning to flower

Runner Beans. David put up this frame for me. We have had some feeds of beans so far. Yummy.

Jerusalem artichokes. They are getting tall now. I am wondering what they will taste like?

Pak Choi. It grows really quickly. I am wondering if it would be a good greenhouse plant for late autumn

What new things have you tried in the garden this year?