21/09/2024
The first little sign of spring raspberries on the way π₯°
Merchant Homestead
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An urban homestead in Auckland, NZ with fruits, veges, a little flock of chickens and a whole lot of joy
20/09/2024
Tossed a fistful of radish seeds in the garden beds over winter (when I needed to plant something, but it wasn't the right time π ) and they're coming up now! Tiny little red blobs dotted amongst the underlayer. Yaaaay β€οΈπ±
20/09/2024
Our plum tree is a blend of three varieties. They flower and fruit in succession to extend the harvest. While there's definitely not a balanced performance across the three, they do all produce, and very fortunately, that means I get to enjoy these gorgeous little plum buds and blossoms even longer. β€οΈ
19/09/2024
Some days on the homestead are tougher than others. In the early hours of this morning, we farewelled our sweet old bird Penny to the big chicken coop in the sky.
She's blessed us with many happy memories and has been the gentle giant matriarch of our flock for years. Thank you, Penny, for all the eggs, all the morning coffee hangouts, for keeping order amongst our birds, and for being both strong and gentle.
You had a long and happy life and will live on in our fond memories forever π€π
18/09/2024
Some excellent news my friends π€© the fiejoa are blossoming! I LOVE the richness of their red, I LOVE that they're pollinated by my backyard birds (who have run out of mandarins) and I love that one day these will turn into our very own home grown backyard feijoa fruit β€οΈ
17/09/2024
Overachiever much...? My nectarine tree has gone hard on the blossom front this year. There must be more than 10 flowers in just a few cms of branch! I'm not complaining, but I'm also scared I won't have the heart to thin them out when the fruit forms. π¬ There definitely won't be space for all of them to grow into fruit. But for now, I can simply enjoy the bloom ππ©·
16/09/2024
Went on a reckless carrot grab spree. Sometimes, your heart just needs to pull some food out of the ground, you know? π π₯π₯π₯
14/09/2024
Here for advice! Our very old hand-me-down shovel and hoe have not survived the hustle back into Spring this year. Soooo recommendations please! What are your favourite, most robust and reliable garden tools? Best long lasting brands? πͺβοΈ
14/09/2024
Rainy spring days giving a much needed drink to the fruit trees this weekend. Lemons still hang around in abundance, while the out of reach mandarins are now just empty shells in the tops of the tree (having filled the belly of our resident Tui), the tiny peaches are appearing with their little fuzzies and the feijoa are just starting to think about future blooms. ππππ
11/09/2024
Every day another handful of eggs comes into my home π₯° my sweet flock are so generous in the spring time!! π
10/09/2024
Nectarbabe, our lil dwarf nectarine tree, has got her glad rags on now! Blossoms everywhere! Doesn't she look so glam?! ππ
09/09/2024
What do you do with expired seeds?
Toss em in the garden! Worst case, they do nothing and breakdown to feed your soil. Best case, they grow you plants!! π±π
No such opportunities in the rubbish bin. I spent my morning prancing around the garden emptying very old seed packets here and there, like a giddy little seed fairy. Happy spring everybody! πΌπ±
08/09/2024
Planted out my first spring sprout today! Too early? Probably, but we won't know unless we try π
05/09/2024
Cannot get over this view. A multitude of tiny plum blossoms, all here for me and you and the bees, and spring, and for future plums, and current scents, and a charming kind of delicate touch. π
05/09/2024
The raspberries are waking up. I believe raspberries, actually any berries, are natures candy. So sweet and juicy and delicious, but also so packed with good nutrients. Because they are best plunked straight from the bush, they're generally pretty expensive. Growing your own is the best way to get em, if you can! β€οΈπ«ππ
04/09/2024
Baby fuzzy peach! The first one! Weeeeeee! πππ₯³
03/09/2024
Do you remember the kazillion lettuces I had self seed in a vege garden bed? They look like this now. How glorious. Crisp, fresh and ready for a salad π€©π₯¬
02/09/2024
This has got to be one of the most photogenic pea plants I've ever seen. Look at its bright leaf glowing in the spring light. The delicate shadow cast from its new blossom. The hopeful tendrils, reaching out to find connection. It is wonderful. π€©π±
01/09/2024
Herby harvest basket today, with heaps of fresh mint (and parsley, and rhubarb, and broccoli). It's been such a joy to forage around in a sunny backyard again. Spring weekends are the best π€©βοΈ
31/08/2024
Some vegetables seem to quite enjoy a storm, this fancy cauliflower included. Glowing up rain or shine. ππ¦
30/08/2024
It always amazes me how quickly a bean stalk grows. They're going to need a bigger house in no time π
29/08/2024
A few weeks ago we had one single brave plum blossom, and now we have squillions gracing these branches. Here's hoping they can brave this storm and turn into summer plums π€
28/08/2024
The spring sprouts are coming up! π€©π±
27/08/2024
Decided the broccoli looked too good not to eat tonight! Into the harvest basket, and then into the kitchen for dinner π₯¦
26/08/2024
Peekaboo from this tiny Brassica getting it's grow on! π
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Make your own self watering seedling planters! These are so good for taking care of your seedlings and keeping them hydrated. You will need... - Leftover soda bottles - Some rag material (old t-shirts are great) - Good nourishing soil - Seed raising mix - And seeds! 1. Make a hole in the lid of your bottle 2. Cut the bottles in half, so you can invert the top half and sit it in the bottom. 3. Cut a strip of fabric, and tie a knot in it bigger than the hole in your bottle lid. 4. Thread it through the lid so it reaches the bottom of the bottle, and has a little length in the top portion. 5. Fill the top section most of the way with good nourishing soil which will feed your plant once it sprouts. 6. Top up with seed raising mix to give your seed the best start. 7. Water to give some moisture. 8. Plant your seed and watch them grow! When you run out of water in the bottom reservoir, simply lift out the top section and fill it up again. This water wicks up the t-shirt to feed your seed as needed. This means you don't need to water from the top, and won't disturb the tiny new roots keeping them nice and happy, and growing strong until they graduate into your garden! Happy planting team!! ππΏπ±
Look at this wonderful little bee making sure I get plenty of blueberries this year πππ«
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