This year we got the timing right when we shaped the callistemon bordering our drive so that they are now spheres of brilliant colour and alive with happy bees gathering pollen.

The batts of meadow hay spread as mulch over the vegetable garden last summer sprouted a luxuriant growth of herbage with the winter rain.

What to do?

Pulling it all out seemed a lot of work but the dilemma was solved with the acquisition of many large sheets of cardboard which mean that the vege beds could be sheet composted.

The growth was cut down with a whipper snipper and the ground watered with Gogo juice before the cardboard was laid.  This was then covered with generous layers of alpaca poo, compost and weeds harvested from elsewhere in the garden. Seamungus fertiliser was added and a further watering with Gogo juice and all topped off with lucerne mulch.

Then it rained!  Excellent!

This is the luxuriant growth from the meadow hay! Pity the paddocks are not this well covered!

Below left is the cardboard layer and below right the finished sheet composting.

The garden bed should be ready for planting summer vege seedlings after a few more rainy days and a bit of spring warmth.

Winter storms completed the destruction of the netting cover on the orchard which had been in place for a number of years.

Despite our best efforts birds were getting at the fruit trees and damaging most of the crops.

It was time to call the professionals for help. Although by industry standards it was a “small” job one company, Saekey Welding and Fabrication from Keyneton designed and quoted on a suitable solution.

Three of their Tradies worked for three days to complete the task (staying over with us for the two nights which was a delight!).

The 198 square metre orchard is now covered with strong black netting supported by cables  to prevent movement and sagging.  Lovely new bird proof doors have been made and installed.  The existing poles have been strengthened with galv pipe supports concreted in and additional tie down added.  It should withstand all the stormy weather and defeat the marauding birds – pretty though they are.

Looking through the new door at the taut and terrific netting.  We may have to skirt around the supporting stanchions but that’s a minor discomfort compared to a bird free orchard!

The big weekend is only days away – Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th April 2018 when we expect hordes of garden lovers and devotees of    Open Gardens SA to visit and enjoy.

Despite months without rain, unseasonal continuing hot weather, searing north winds, marauding rabbits, mice, sheep and corellas the garden is looking quite presentable!

Since our last open we have created new garden areas and re-developed existing beds.

The number of garden benches and ‘installations’ has increased as has the range of pots and succulents.

If you have visited us before you will be surprised and delighted at the changes we have made.

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This character filled carving on a chunk of aged red gum is now a fixture in the garden at Serenity. Purchased at the recent ABC Gardeners’ Market and created by a retired teacher here on the Fleurieu it seemed a natural acquisition to add to the ambience.

Introducing the Western Garden (aptly named because it is on the western side of the house).

Despite the almost continuous rain and cold the new plantings of conifers and natives have started to show new growth and the screens around the rainwater tank are still rock solid.

We have had great fun finding the various pots, seats, fire pit and water features to dress the area and many of the items have been relocated from elsewhere in the garden.

The fire pit has been christened and the marshmallows were delicious!

Despite rain, biting cold wind and early nightfall Peter, aka Ace Dingo, and his off sider Josh beavered away for three days preparing the western slope.

They levelled the site, positioned 9 tonne of moss rocks, spread 7 to cubic metres of 7mm gravel and installed 4 screens to conceal the rainwater tank.

The mud really sticks to your boots.

The ‘Ace Dingo’!

Although the design and layout was planned before the work began we made adjustments along the way as new opportunities presented themselves.  Peter was great to work with and you can see more of our photos on the Ace Dingo facebook page .

What’s next? I have topped up the garden beds with a truck load of mushroom compost and using a purse full of Bunnings vouchers there are now a car load of plants to go in. The 8mls of rain has settled the soil and the sun is now shining so it is a good day to plant.

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