Hooray, summer is finally over! Phew, it’s been a scorcher this year, with the heat and humidity cranked up to the max. I’ve had a couple of major fails recently. Planted some cucumber and zucchini, only for those sneaky white cabbage moth caterpillars to chow down on them like an all-you-can-eat buffet. No veggies for me – the moths hit the jackpot while I got left with bare patches. Good for them, I guess, but a total bummer for my veggie dreams.
Lesson learned – next time, I’m definitely getting that netting up, no matter how lazy I feel. And you know what? I might just declare next summer as my official “chill season.” Who needs the gardening drama, right?
But hey, it’s not all doom and gloom in my garden. My native plants are rocking it! They’ve been growing like champs, reaching for the sky in the most epic way. Seriously, check out those pics below – they’re like botanical superstars. Summer seems to be their jam for sure. I’ll have to give them a little trim to help them bounce back even stronger next season. Big shoutout to my wattle, banksia, and grevillea trees – you guys rock!
Now, let’s talk about Brisbane summer – it’s a hot mess of wetness and humidity, the ultimate breeding ground for those pesky weeds. Nut grass, vine invaders… you name it, we’ve got it all. It’s been a full-on battle trying to keep them at bay. I’ve waged war against them, but those stubborn weeds just keep coming back for more. No way I’m resorting to chemical warfare, though. My plan? Cardboard and mulch defence line in autumn and winter. Fingers crossed it’ll give those weeds a run for their money next year.
Don’t get me started on the neighbours environmental weed jungle encroaching on our territory. Those vines don’t play fair, creeping everywhere they shouldn’t be. It’s like a never-ending game of green invasion – a gardener’s nightmare!
For more information about weeds in your area go to your local council – for those of you in Brisbane here’s one of my go to’s Brisbane City Council Weed Identification Tool.
Outside the garden, my art adventures have been a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows. Managed to create some sweet pieces, including my latest obsession: the weeping gum tree series. It’s been a wild ride, but hey, that’s the fun of it all!
On the flip side, concentrating has been a bit of a struggle lately – it’s like a constant game of stop-and-go. With work, kids, and just life in general pulling me in all directions, focusing feels like mission impossible at times. It’s not that I don’t want to dive into my art, I just can’t seem to snag those precious moments of peace and quiet to really get lost in my creative zone. You know, those times where hours slip by unnoticed because you’re so engrossed in your craft.
I really wish everyone out there can carve out those little pockets of joy in their day to lose themselves in what they love. It’s like a soul recharge – pure magic. Heck, if you have to schedule it in, then do it. That’s my game plan for March – making time for what makes my heart sing. What about you? What’s your goal for this month?
Whispers from the Garden 
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