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Kaka Beaks and craziness...

Category: My Cretan life.. | Posted: Wed May 12, 2010 6:36 am

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Firstly thank you for trying to help me post photos..finally have retired geriatric laptop and took delivery of new desktop yesterday.Had no idea how cranky poor old thing was until now,am planning to try the photos again.
The first of my New Zealand seeds have peeped through this morning. Kaka Beak (clianthus puniceus) it's a beautiful climber with red "parrot beak" flowers..or at least I hope it will be! Don't you just love when the surface of the soil gently lifts a little and you just KNOW that a tiny life is going to emerge any day?
Another little bonus I have found amongst the chaos of my local garden centre, it maybe tricky that nothing is labelled but I keep finding seedlings in pots I have bought.A few months ago I potted up a little evergreen stowaway and now it's 4ins high I realise it's a Kumquat..lovely.
Now for the confession of craziness ( I'm a granny with BiPolar Disorder so crazy comes naturally but this was dumb even for me!).I was in the front garden hanging out some washing and a neighbour stopped and gave me a bag of spinach (they are all endlessly kind and generous here) we are already in the high seventies in Crete so I popped the bag in the fridge.Last night I decided lovely fresh spinach with lamb..until I opened up the bag from the fridge and discovered the clothes pegs!!? And I still cannot find the spinach..honestly, send in the men with white coats...

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Potted Paradise..and Gardeners Constipation!

Category: My Cretan life.. | Posted: Sat May 08, 2010 11:16 am

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Whilst my house is being renovated we are renting an old property.It has a garden which I do grow veggies in but I all my ornamental plants are in pots.When I sold my original house there were some plants I couldn't bear to leave.I have land where we grow tomatoes,olives and many types of fruit trees but I thought it best to keep everything potted.Slipping them out of a pot seemed it would stress the plants less than digging them up.The renovations are taking (much)longer than hoped and as I am completely unable to go to a garden centre without buying something I now have a huge pot collection.My mother used to say I had 'Gardeners Constipation' ie.I can't pass a garden centre!
When I opened the door this morning I was taken back by the glorious smell of honeysuckle and trachelospermum.We have table and chairs there and Kostas made a fab canopy from bamboo poles and huge palm fronds,these grow on our land so are free.This is very pretty and provides much needed shade.I have 7 different potted climbers against the house wall and will want to move them when new house is ready so I was thinking how best to support them in a way that is not too permanant.The pots are old oil jars and are waist high,the pile of bamboo was still here so I set to work armed with pliers and garden wire.First I released all plants from their original canes then I pushed 2 bamboo poles deep into each pot at an angle.Then I wired cross poles( like a ladder)not too formal, just guiding the plants in the right direction.These will be easy to dismantle and I think they look great.I would post photos..but I can't !! Maybe the only way will be for everyone to see is to become my facebook friends !
All my sweet peas are growing well and the Brompton Stock seed I scattered in all the pots has come up therefore the heavenly scent is just going to get better. And mustn't forget my Rose collection..and the Hoya..aah Paradise.


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One of THOSE days!

Category: My Cretan life.. | Posted: Mon May 03, 2010 5:42 pm

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I am having one of those days..you know the ones don't you? When you check to see if it's Friday 13th and you just didn't realise.
I still cannot post photos on this site, I've been trying for days.My ipod nano arrived,so excited to garden to music,perfect..except my computer too ancient to download itunes..GRR
Everything covered in whitefly and we all know what hell they are to deal with.Loaded 2 puppies into car cage to go for vaccines (25kms away)and the vet was CLOSED..why,who knows?
So I thought therapeutic planting out of veggies grown from seed would be an ideal antidote to the day.BUT,my veg garden is at the front of the house and as wonderful as all my Cretan neighbours are,they do all have an opinion..and aren't afraid to use it! Believe me you can't imagine how many WRONG ways there are to grow onions,garlic,sweet potatoes,okra,chillies,peppers,aubergines,peas,various beans,cucumbers,melons,squash,courgettes,sweet corn and tomatoes.What are they all? Why chillies?What's the point of cherry tomatoes? There? Now? "Oh po po that's not how we do it here" (but they all do it in their own way,I have asked many questions in the past).EVERYONE stopped,and now I want EVERYTHING to grow otherwise I'm going to feel such a doofus!!
So please cross everything that the weather which often reaches 90 plus,the cats,mice,countless pests and diseases allow me just a little pride.
It's still the most wonderful place to live though!

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In my Cretan village today..

Category: My Cretan life.. | Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2010 1:27 pm

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I planted sweet potatoes and second lot of garlic (each with an olive stone of course!)today.I also potted up the Schleffera (umbrella trees)that I grew from seed last year.I gave away many to the villagers who walk past the garden and stop to have a look at what's happening.Most of the ladies love their flowers but they are amused that I put so much effort into non edible plants. This is almost as funny as my Greek..emphasise a word incorrectly and hilarity (or outrage) ensues!
We are pretty much self sufficient, sheep, goats, chickens,rabbits and growing our fruit and veg.Our oil is from our own olive trees and my partner Kostas is skilled at producing beautiful bowls,chopping boards and many other lovely items from the wood.He used to have a tourist shop but there's not so many visitors since the crisis.Wine and Raki from our vines with plenty to spare.We use the milk from the goats and sheep to make cheese and yogurt.
It's easy to trade too either in items,produce or skills.I was grooming,training,breeding and showing dogs for 37 years in the UK so there's always plenty of people wanting help with something "doggy".Delivering or hand-rearing puppies and training (still rare here)the large powerful breeds.I also paint signs for businesses,this was from one sign I did to help a friend and word spread.So then someone will come and rotavate your land or fix your plumbing etc.
It's a wonderful life and never a dull moment!


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Behind the cheese in my refrigerator..

Category: Seeds I have sown. | Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2010 6:16 pm

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How nice to receive encouragement.The seeds are Kowhai,Kaka Beak,Cabbage Tree,Manuka(Tea Tree)and Pohutukawa.I have others but these must vacate the refrigerator first.
We have considered bee-keeping before and the Manuka Honey from New Zealand is fantastic so maybe if these seeds germinate it will be a sign to try the bees.New Zealand natives are notoriously tricky so..watch this space..but don't hold your breath!

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Into the refridgerator..

Category: Seeds I have sown. | Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2010 7:47 pm

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I brought assorted seeds home to Crete from my New Zealand trip.Very excited to see if I can cultivate these exotics BUT they have to be soaked overnight then spend 6 weeks in the refridgerator.So first I must cultivate a little more patience..

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