Archived in: I’m in the Garden

Here it is almost the end of Autumn and the garden is still flourishing. The Poinciana and Frangipani have only just begun to loose their leaves but with shadows creeping over the garden earlier every day, they’ll be bare soon enough.

We’re still harvesting the early 2020 spinach and cherry tomatos are having a final spurt of flowers. Cucumber, lettuce and small capsicums will probably die off once the winter claims all sun from the back yard. I’m looking forward to June to prepare the soil again for new seedlings.

Archived in: I’m in the Garden

Archived in: I’m in the Garden

Archived in: I’m in the Garden

Archived in: I’m in the Garden

Archived in: I’m in the Garden

Archived in: I’m in the Garden

This years theme: The Nutcracker Suite.

If only I could find the sugar plum fairy.

Perhaps I should ask the gnomes.

Archived in: I’m in the Garden

Archived in: I’m in the Garden

We started the day by visiting a couple of nurseries.
This rose was perfect. (our son is a bush fire fighter)

Shortly after we returned home we received visitors into the garden
but they decided to go next door when they saw we were busy. 😉

I actually bought two Fire Fighter Red roses.
The other one we’ll give to our son.

We also bought this white climbing rose called Iceberg.

I took a few pics of new blooms and garden features.


Covid has slowed up a garden arch order from Western Australia. It could be months before it’s delivered so we bought a cheap one so we could continue our garden plans.

More pics.


We took a rest at the end of the path to take more pics and imagine what else we could do.

I then checked if the gnomes were home…

…and if Mitzi was still hanging around.

Thanks for stopping by.
We hope to have another day in the garden soon.

Archived in: I’m in the Garden by Chrissy for Riverside Peace

The weather has been enjoyably sunny but rain would be nice.

Archived in: I’m in the Garden

My first photos of the backyard after we moved in. December 12th 2019.

And the most recent photos. September 2020.

In just 9 months and a lot of hard work, I think we have done OK.

I’m in the Garden by Chrissy for Riverside Peace

Norm is connecting with the garden and adding his imagination and creations.

I’ve read that dark fences do not make gardens look smaller but rather enhance the garden. I think they’re right.

Do you see the additional Australian baby animals?

A view from the garden seat.

and a view from the bottom of the steps.

Last week we created a strawberry tower together and added a few local finds to the garden.

Norm is getting involved with his own additions.

It’s all looking good.

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I’m in the Garden by Chrissy for Riverside Peace

Archived in: 🦋 I’m in the Garden

With the pebbles in place, the topsoil for the new turf came next. The large pots were re-positioned. The windmill and gonna relocated.

Top soiled leveled.

The yard slowly transformed.

A few more ornaments appeared. The turf arrived mid-afternoon.

Looking good.

Tomorrow we’ll finish trimming and tidying up. Next weekend the rear storm water pit will be filled with gravel and then topped with matching pebbles before the above-ground vegetable garden plots can begin.

Archived in: I’m in the Garden by Chrissy for Riverside Peace

Since early yesterday morning, the backyard has been turned into a huge construction site. This corner almost didn’t survive either.

Wheelbarrow loads of sand managed to soak up some of the water so the workers could continue.

and I was surprised when this small paved footpath emerged.

I think I have seen the last of the drainage problems here. This morning the yard began to transform.

Defined edges began to emerge.

River pebbles were carted from the trailer in wheelbarrows.

Permanent pavers for the large pots and the garden seat were set in place.

Tomorrow… topsoil and turf will arrive to complete the job.I will post more photos as soon as I can. I can’t believe it’s almost completed.

I’m in the Garden by Chrissy for Riverside Peace

There hasn’t been much work done in the garden since the rains came and winter cast it’s shadow over the backyard. Yes, it’s starting to look like a garden but what lies beneath is a soggy mess.

The deciduous potted trees and plants are doing there job allowing the strip of sunshine through to the veggies around mid morning.  I think most of the plants and shrubs are located somewhat in the best positions for future seasons but at least pots can be relocated if needed.

The long timbered area at the back is a council requirement for rainwater overflow. However, with no drainage or a good foundation under the lawn, the sump only drains the water away from the inside. Any excess water builds up under the turf and during and after heavy rains, well you can see the water line where the backyard floods.

The only things immediately under the turf are mud and pipes. No preparation was done before the turf was placed straight over the top. Norm and I have started on the worst areas and just placed pavers around so I don’t sink ankle-deep in mud. We have been spending warmer days in the undercover areas where we’re able to create a restful oasis or two.

We have plans for a complete removal of the current turf to install a proper foundation of ag pipes, gravel, and soil to raise the whole yard with gentle slopes toward new drainage along the rear. THEN, we can finish the main garden area.

I’m in the Garden by Chrissy for Riverside Peace

This little guy was left on our front porch early Sunday morning. Below the photo you can read the tale behind the gnomes in our little street.

When we first moved into our new little home in December 2019, we found most of the neighbours to be a friendly bunch. A few stopped by to comment on my garden gnomes which were still standing in a group on the edge of the garden awaiting to be placed in their new home. We all had a story about how our gnomes came about.

This little street apparently has mystery gnomes that appear here and there, in other gardens or on peoples door steps. One poor gnome is known to be found laying on the road after Saturday night parties.

I thought nothing more about the gnome tales until I opened our front door on Sunday morning just past. I thought immediately of who the culprit might be but wasn’t completely sure. Sure enough, later in the day the suspect neighbour was walking her dog down the street and I asked her if she knew anything about our gnomely visitor. With a laugh she told me that because of the Covid restrictions, the gnomes had been staying in self quarantine. While doing the right thing they gave each other a complete makeover and repaint ready to play. I wasn’t the only one to have a visitor and he’ll probably go home of his own accord in a day or so.

It might sound silly but you know, it’s sometimes the silly things in life that helps make the world a happier place. There’s one thing that has come out of this gnomey business and that is we have been made to feel truly welcomed here and have been included in the neighbourly gnome games.

After all, it’s a little gnome fact that getting to gnome your neighbours puts a smile on your face.  I really feel at gnome here. – Gnome matter what…. Thank you neighbours and gnomes.