I am possibly jumping the gun when I proclaim that autumn is here - March can often be stinking hot in these parts - but the days have turned gentle and mornings are cool. The Farmer has decided today is the day to switch to work jeans and leave work shorts in his wake. The garden with all the summer rain and now unchallenging temperatures, looks perky - roses have their full colour and perfume, and all the different greens make things look happy to be alive. I was weeding yesterday and a little glossy green frog popped up out of the shasta daisies and sat on a leaf - he was the sweetest little thing, but I didn't draw too much attention to him in fear of the labrador (always by my side) fast ruining my blissful nature moment in a mouthful. So after a few minutes of sun baking, he disappeared amongst the lambs ears. I have prepared the veggie patch for winter deliciousness. The pictures, above, are of last year's attempt. Winter is good for show - you tend to channel Mr McGregor and those mischievous bunnies. Armed here with my Stephanie Alexander's Kitchen Garden Companion, I think I'll plant broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, a few cabbages, peas, spinach, spring onions, broad beans and want to try fennel, carrots and parsnips this year. I'll also throw in a chilli plant, seeing as The Farmer got carried away with the Round Up last year and caused it to shrivel. The soil looked wonderful turning it over with some extra cow manure - so many earthworms! Garden people talk about getting your soil to look like chocolate-for-plants - it appears to be the Lindt 90% cacao variety in the veggie patch. Hopefully plants reward me with plenty to harvest.
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