It’s Summer but the weather has been crazy all over the place! Poor Lower Hutt got hit by a mini tornado and hail that looked like snow - while up here in Auckland, the wind has been blowing over my pots and testing my stakes.
Since the Full Moon, 2 of the 3 Dahlia plants have exploded with flowers! Remember how I said I was stoked I had finally got a Cafe au Lait Dahlia? Well surprise surprise, it isn’t. It’s some kind of large dinner plate Dahlia (twist? Who knows) which is still a stunning flower. They are slowly getting more purple too.
My American Dawn tuber finally started sprouting a couple of weeks ago and is now happily growing in a pot behind the other Dahlias. I’m going to plant it out in the garden properly over the weekend!
Life and work have been busy lately, but I have been finding more time to pick up my sketchbook or iPad more frequently. I keep thinking I have decided on a new print but then I draw something else. I’ve also been inspired to do some more riso printing lately too, but not only that, I’ve been putting the feelers out to purchase my own Risograph machine! So if any print folk on here can give me any info on making that happen, let me know!
For those who have asked, I have listed 4 of these open-edition Herbal Tea linocut prints in my shop. They are all imperfect but perfect in their own way. I have also put the remaining 3 prints from my edition of 25 Gold Zinnias up if anyone wants a cute little print for Christmas.
As you may know, I lost most of my summer seedlings to slugs a few weeks back, so I started planting seeds just before full moon - which isn’t in line with Gardening by the Moon, but sometimes you’re just busy and need to get things done asap!
As a working Mum, the time I can spend just pottering around in the garden is limited. I sowed a bunch of Lilac Zinnias, Silvery Rose Strawflowers, Apricot Pink Statice and Sunflowers and will be sowing more shortly.
Between now and First Quarter I will be:
Sowing my next lot of summer seeds - more zinnias and whatever else I can find in the seed drawer!
Mowing the lawns and continuing to build the paths around the beds
Trying to get the deck cleaned so I can bring the big planter boxes up and fill them for Sunflowers.
Giving all the flowers and seedlings some fish and seaweed and continuing to stay on top of the aphids. I just know they are going to be a major bitch this Summer.
The water tank has already been really amazing! It’s so nice to head outside at dusk and fill up the watering can to water the beds. A hose would be less labour intensive but water is crazy expensive.
Playing Zelda Tears of the Kingdom on Nintendo Switch. This is (IMO) the best game ever and I reckon everyone should play it.
Grading to my Green Belt (6th kyu) in Karate! I have been training 2 - 3 times a week for around 1.5 years now and it’s the best thing I have ever done for my mind and body.
Tried to make fudge - burnt the first lot and overcooked the second lot - tell me your fudge making secrets! \
Doing a weekly tarot reading. Tarot is such a great tool for journalling and thinking things through - Since it’s New Moon, why not check out one of these spreads?
Signing this petition on Amnesty International’s website supporting an Immediate Ceasefire by all parties in Gaza to end the massacre of civilians, send humanitarian aid, and help Israeli and Palestinian families get their loved ones back.
I appreciate all of you who subscribe to this little journal/letter and follow me, my garden and art. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and spend time doing things that give you joy.
Rach xo
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