October started with bearded iris blooms.

Other flower highlights were lilac, pompom bush and this beautiful grass, ixia viridiflora.

We continued to harvest spinach on a daily basis. The little seed pots from Woolworths all thrived and were planted into our veggie patch.

Folk lore here in Tasmania states that you shouldn’t plant tomatoes outside until “Show Day”. This is the annual Royal Hobart Show, which was Thursday 24th October this year. So on that public holiday we bought three different varieties of tomato and planted them in our veggie patch.

November started with stunning roses.

However I was disappointed that these flowers only lasted a week. Other rose bushes have lasted longer.

Our tomato plants are growing tall and have flowers. They are now in support canes. The bed was cleared when we moved in, so we were surprised to see several self seeded plants that are also growing well.

There are flowers on our olive trees.

We have now harvested and enjoyed home grown carrots, beetroot, spring onions, lots of rainbow chard, lots of herbs, rocket and spinach.

The month is ending with these lily type flowers.

This post is a week late but here is a quick update on our garden during September, the beginning of spring.

The front garden continues to be a splash of colour with lavender bushes in flower.

I think the small tree is a Willow Myrtle, which now has small white flowers.

In the back garden the trees I posted last month, now identified as Pittosporum, has tiny black flowers.

I’m excited to see what colour these iris flowers will be.

A few creatures have been visible this month. I’m always surprised when I see orange ladybirds, rather than the expected red ones with black spots.

Our spinach, carrots and romaine cauliflowers continue to thrive. But something is feasting on the beetroot leaves. I’ve heard possums on our roof and seen rabbits on the other side of our fence, there are wallabies about the neighbourhood. There has definitely been animal droppings in the garden. It’s not square poo so I know it’s not wombats!

One of Australia’s main supermarkets is currently giving away seedlings. This is such a fabulous promotion after back lash on recent plastic collectable toys that are already appearing as rubbish on beaches and in landfill.

Each little cardboard pot contains a soil pellet and a few seeds. Put the pellet in water and it expands, place most of it in the pot, then the seeds, cover with remaining soil. Place in a light position, water each day and wait. I planted these on 28th of Sept so we’ll see how successful they are.

Another month has gone by in our garden, a month of winter rain, wind and occasional frosts. We had crocuses, for a day, until they were battered by the weather. Daffs continue to flower.

We’ve harvested rocket and spinach, enjoying the “oh so fresh” taste with savoury pastries, sandwiches and brunch.

Carrots are shooting and I’ve planted beetroot, rainbow chard, spring onions, garlic and snow pea seedlings.

I cut the rhubarb right back at the end of June. Look at it now. The relish I made was delicious with cheese and biscuits, I’m looking forward to making more.

There are new shoots on two hydrangea bushes. (I admit, I thought they had died!)

Our citrus tree has had lots of flowers and tiny fruit are now appearing.

Does anyone know what this tree is? A few metres tall with sticky seed pods. Two free plant id apps haven’t been useful.

And I’m not sure what these will be. The joy of a new garden 🙂