These two little cuties arrived yesterday. Mum Misty, one of my muscovy ducks had been sitting on five eggs for 5 weeks. I don't think the other three eggs are any good but she's got to be happy with these guys.
On Saturday instead of a lovely nature walk at Mt Worth State Park my permaculture group decided to get together for a zoom seed dating session. You were grouped into two's for 15 minutes at a time to discuss what seeds you were after, what you had to share, what you have growing - anything really - then you swapped groups. I was able to share some painted mountain corn, glass gem corn, frost bush beans, spinach and various herbs and flowers. In the mail soon I'll be receiving some pumpkin seeds, tomato, flowers and some surprises because I've forgotten. It was lots of fun.
I was happy to get over one hundred tagasaste seeds planted. Thanks mum for getting the tedious task of nicking each one done before I soaked them overnight. Nicking the outer coating allows water to penetrate better and kicks the seed into life. Hopefully I'll get lots germinating. Some of the plantings I managed this week included wattle, tagasaste, various natives and six red currants around my nectarine tree. Planting is one of my favourite activities as it leads to changes in the landscape without much more involvement. Feels like the system moves ahead in leaps and bounds.
An example of this is my sedum plant which a friend had given me back when visitors were allowed. It is really putting on some good growth.
Out in the veggie patch I came across a couple of heads of cauliflower which always just appear out of no where so you really have to keep your eye on them. I was able to team them up with some volunteer fennel for a delicious soup.
Does any one know what these little blue beetles are?? I suppose it doesn't matter - they are probably eating up my kitchen garden but I won't do anything about them. In permaculture you have to leave it all to balance out. By letting these guys go about their business means that their numbers will increase to a point that their predators will arrive then the population will reduce. So it's a waiting game for that to happen.
In my last photo up there, is my clothes line full of washed and drying ziplock bags. I'm working my way towards zero waste living. A challenge but every little bit helps the environment. I'm finding it a challenge to freeze my produce without plastic. Yes you can put things into jars but that takes up so much space. Maybe down the track I'll bottle more or dehydrate but for the moment I'm using ziplock bags that I am careful with so that they can be reused a lot. We can all do our bit for the health of the planet!
I thought I'd update you on my little bottle baby (the white one in the middle photo and tucked in amongst everyone in the first photo). Looking at these I'm really pleased I persisted in the first week in getting him to feed off mum. Mum wasn't very happy with this since she had rejected him, but I made it happen and it's paid off. He is looked after within the flock but just runs to me four times a day for a feed then straight back with everyone else.
Have you checked out my bee video yet? I show you what I do with a bee hive check. What I look for and how I go about managing a growing colony. Beekeeping is certainly more complex than you imagine going in but it is lots of fun and I really enjoy it (when I haven't been stung that is - haha). As usual the link is at the top of the page!
So that's it - have a great week and I'll catch you next time!
XX