Wednesday, November 05, 2025

Now it's Fruit Tree Flowers.

 

 Feijoa Flowers. ( related to NZ pohtukawa tree )

 Lemon tree. All citrus looks like this ( mandarins; oranges; grapefruit and Tangelo )

apple tree



strawberry( sorry a bit blurred ).

Avocado.



persimmon( Buds only just forming but stay green like this.)
 and passionfruit



  Not today as   this one is plum but it has already set fruit so have the pears.












Tuesday, November 04, 2025

Today it's Flower Photos.

 

 Gazanias near the clothes line.



 Philadelphus that has great fragrance.
 Graham Thomas rose.

 A new rose called Attention Seeker from a local grower Rob Somerfield.
 
 A mixed planting under a cherry tree with dark maroon snapdragon flowers.

 
A fabulous coloured Sweet pea. (   I will be saving seed off this one )

 The same bright colour on the banana. This plant belongs to elder grandson. He planted here beside our ones.










 



Monday, November 03, 2025

Vege Garden Photos.

 A few warm sunny days without strong wind has seen us both working a lot in the garden. Both vege and flowers are flourishing. Some watering of new plantings is necessary.












Thursday, October 30, 2025

So Many New Things.

 Yesterday we had our old computer updated to be able to run Windows 11. I am so glad I have always kept a hard copy notebook ( plunket book! for NZ readers. ) with all the computer up grades , passwords , and "how to do " in it.

 3 weeks ago I had to buy a new mobile  so I could use the G4 and G5 network. ( my old phone was 10 years old-an expensive one when I got it and I had looked after it )

 We no longer have a landline as all we were getting were scam calls.

 Mostly I find if I don't know how to do something on the computer or my phone I google it and get lots of answers.

 I don't want to be a luddite so I am practicing all the new stuff and trying to help R do the same.

 I think Ill go out to the garden now....I now how to do that without further training!


Monday, October 06, 2025

Flowers with 3 Petals.

 I've been picking flowers from the garden that have 3 outer petals.
 Dutch iris, Bearded Iris and New Zealand Libertia.

 white Dutch iris.

 NZ native Libertia..

 *****
 I haven't done much sewing at all but my Grandsons have.They have both made small quilts and pillow cases  under my guidance and achieved very  well. 

Aged 9 Grandson did every part of this except the border which I put on.
He made 2 pillow cases also in green.


 Aged just 7 Grandson made this cushion and a small quilt and pillow case.

 Both confidently use the Bernina and know( about safety ) and stitch length, starting and finishing. Also zigzag and straight row  quilting with the walking foot. They also can cut carefully with the rotary cutter. Lots of measuring involved too.
They are back to school today.








 

Saturday, September 13, 2025

Daffodils and Blueberries.

 Another very punishing wind blowing today.

My second round of daffodils will have broken necks no doubt. The one below called Tahiti has been looking very bright and Springlike.

 In a large pot the tiniest one ( a miniature )  I have called Minnow has just a few flowers out .They really are small ( about .5"diameter ) and make a tasty meal for slugs or snails. I've looked but cant find the chewing culprit.
 
    
 New Blueberries.
 R has been busy building a new bigger wire netting cage for my Blueberries. First we took the old plastic netting cage down. Here the 3 fruiting plants are with no surround.
The varieties are Blast in the middle with an Oneal on each side. The middle one has very small berries but lots of them. 
 photo from last Summer.


 I looked for but couldn't find any more Oneal plants which is what I wanted but have 2 new ( to me ) varieties called  Tasty Blue and Blue Star.
There may be room for more than 2 new plants.
 Here is the very secure new cage. ( you can just see the plants inside - click to enlarge ) 
 Later I hope to get the 2 new plants in the ground.( but it is not very pleasant outside here today. )




Tuesday, August 26, 2025

Bumble Bees.

 We have had such a lot of rain recently that when the sun does come out I have noticed how busy the Bumblebees are on the Pieris bushes.

 In front of the house on either side of the wide concrete area going up the drive there is a clump of about 10 bushes. It makes a

 


spectacular sight.( and leaves a white carpet below )



 I am holding the branch up so you can see what the bumbles are collecting. The hang upside down if necessary.
There are lots of bumble bees as well as native bees and other small insects. 
Fascinating to watch.