Encouraging Growth

Thunder is rumbling in the distance, giving the hope of a bit of rain that we desperately need. C’mon rain!!!

storm clouds in Allora

The weather is always a bit madcap around here. One moment we’re parched and sizzled, the next shivering as wind hurtles through the trees and rain pelts against windows and tin sheds. I’ve learned so much living in such extremes. When you can’t depend on the weather to nourish crops and animals, you have to let go and run with it. Flexibility and creativity are essential.

Gardening is one area that tests me regularly. After three years experimenting with hundreds of plants, I’m figuring out what works best in our soil (black and heavy in some spots, brown and gravelly in others), what thrives in drought AND flood, and what can survive the attentions of bugs, cabbage moths, grasshoppers, and innumerable other creatures.

I no longer attempt broccoli, cauliflower, or cabbages. No matter how faithfully I dust them with powder, they’re always decimated by cabbage moths and cut worms. I can grow red cabbages and red Brussels sprouts, however, because for some reason, insects can’t stand them. This is quite a thrill, I tell you.

Herbs also do well here, as do root veggies (when there’s enough water), and tomatoes. Asparagus grows like a weed, thank goodness, and fennel and artichokes are finding their feet.

Bit by bit I’m building gardens that suit our palates and the crazy weather. As I learn how to help my plants, it inspires me personally to figure out what helps me thrive. Encouraging me to remove the things that tear me down and suffocate my spirit, while gathering close the people and experiences that nourish my soul and help me flourish.

Regardless of what happens outside (and in!), a good, hearty breakfast is always a comfort. Our local butcher has fantastic sausages in all sorts of flavors: beef, garlic, and red wine, lamb with roasted tomato and parsley, chicken with cheese and sage. Fried and sliced, they go beautifully with caramelized onions and potatoes. Such hearty fare keeps us going through planting, weeding, and harvesting.

fried potatoes and sausage

What grows well in your part of the world? xo

5 thoughts on “Encouraging Growth

  1. I am intrigued about the red cabbages and did not even know there was such a thing as red brussel sprouts. That family don’t grow well up here. What thrives in my garden (a winter garden) are tomatoes, basil, eggplant, capsicum, sweet potatoes, snow peas, beans, passionfruit, pumpkins. Add to that the eggs from my (two) chickens too. The only thing is these things only have a few months in which to grow. The rest of the year things are a little more obscure, like water spinach. 🙂

    1. I am so envious of your capsicum and passionfruit, Jan. 🙂 I haven’t managed to grow either of them. I didn’t know about red Brussels sprouts either, but they’re growing in my garden now and are such a beautiful color. 🙂

Leave a Reply to thefisherlady Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *