soaking wet

It has been raining since last night and I am not complaining.  There is no need to water the garden for at least a week, I hope.  There are spots in the garden that are not quite wet and I know this when I am digging to put in new plants.  These areas I would have to water by hand.  My violets must be loving the rain.  They are beginning to bloom and I hope to be able to pick the flowers for the house.  A small vase of violets can brighten up a gloomy, wintry day.  I have been spreading the violets in semi shady areas since late summer. Those too exposed to the sun had withered and I know not to replant the violets in those areas.  They enjoy dappled sunlight and they look brilliant when the sun's rays fall on them.  I usually have my vase of violets near a window to bring out the gem like quality in the sunshine.
Violets spread easily and can be a nuisance but they are easy to pull out to feed the compost bin.  From now till late spring they will be flowering.  Teach your children or grandchildren to pick the flowers if you find kneeling impossible.  I help the violet patch along with the occasional seaweed watering. 

My one capsicum plant and numerous chilli bushes are laden with green fruits.  I hope they will eventually ripen.  From past experience I know they will take their time ripening during these cold dull days.  I can use them green but they are at their best when fully ripened.  To enjoy chillies you need the fire in them.  They will shrivel up in the cold but will send up fresh shoots when it warms up in spring.  I wait till mid winter brfore pruning my chilli bushes and that is the time when I will pick the last of the unripe fruits.  They will go into my pickles or curries, usually looking pale, without the fire in them.

cumquat and other citrus

In spring almost two years ago I planted the spindly cumquat tree in view of the house.  I imagined the plant to be fuller, sagging with golden fruits and a pleasure to view from the house.  It is still spindly but the thin branches are sagging with golden fruits. I used to make marmalade and pickles from the cumquat in my previous garden but these fruits will remain on the tree to add colour to the garden.
My lime and lemon tree have fruit buds but I don't know if I'll be getting any fruits at all as they seem to drop off after reaching pea size.  The leaves look healthy and I wonder if there are grubs gnawing away at the tiny fruits.  I found a huge caterpillar making a big hole in one of the lime leaves.  The butterflies and moth are wonderful to look at as they flit from flower to flower but you just do not know where their eggs are and when the hungry caterpillars will be feasting on your leaves.
I don't use spray and will check the different plants that are most conducive to hosting caterpillars, such as the brocolli seedlings, which have more holes than leaves.  I have to make a habit of checking them daily to remove the pests if the plants are to survive.  The chores are never ending but when the sun shines through and a warm breeze blows gently, I can sit and watch the butterflies and bees doing their chores.