Blunder Woman

It's easy to forget that part of learning is screwing something up. When I post here my first instinct is to find the most impressive things I can show off - something growing well, my chubby chickens, fruits and vegetables that are ready to eat. But the reality is that those moments are scattered between a series of screwups and disappointments. And if I'm meant to learn from these mistakes, well, it's time to own them. Here are some things I've gotten wrong so far this year.

Garden State: May

The garden is changing so fast! I've only been here six months and already things are growing mad. When I look at it day to day the differences aren't so drastic but in the process of taking pictures of everything that's growing I've created a handy record to compare - so today we're gonna have a little then-and-now on how much things have grown.

Sweet Peas, planted (probably?) around St Patrick's Day - two month's growth

Winter is Coming

I'm not going to lie, winter is my favourite time of year - but I'm a little sad that the intense growing of spring and summer are behind me now. Time to dig in some of the slow burners: I'm trying my hand next at potatoes and onions since, unlike some of my more whimsical choices (so much spinach! How often do I even eat spinach? And what am I going to do if any artichokes grow?!), these are staples in my kitchen. It's also the season for broccoli, carrots and snow peas. I love all of these! Goodbye corn and tomatoes, hello staples and brassicas...

Ok, but first we have to get through autumn: the weather certainly hasn't gotten cold yet, and things are still looking quite cheerful out back.

Backyard Babies: Silkie Chickens!

Worms are all well and good but they're far from exciting and, especially at this time of year, they don't eat that much. The property's chicken coop, on the other hand, was just dying for some residents and I've finally gotten my hands on a pair. It's time to introduce the newest family members, my sweet baby silkie chickens!

A Medieval Love Af-Faire

If there's one weekend a year that all other plans are off, it's this one - and I don't mean because of Mother's Day (I mean, I love you mum, but I love you all year round). No, it's because my state's renaissance faire is on, and ren faire is a magical place where all of your medieval-ish dreams can come true. People on horses swinging swords at lettuces! Dudes in armour belting each other around the head with (blunt) swords! Tightly corseted bosoms as far as the eye can see! Rustic meat pies and stalls selling anything you could ever even tangentially call medieval- or fantasy-related! People with spinning wheels*!

* I live in rural South Australia. Spinning wheels - and, indeed, hand crafts of all kinds - are not commonly seen.

Earth Day Adoption: Compost Time

Since 1970 we have been celebrating March 22nd as Earth Day - a day to reconsider our impact on the environment and what we can do to improve things. It has had international celebrations and grassroots campaigns. We have signed treaties to re-establish our commitments to making the world better. We turn the lights off, plant trees, and make an effort to reduce food waste. For me, this year I adopted a few thousand new family members.