There has been sunshine and blue skies, heavy rain and grey skies this week – a real mix of weather, sometimes humid, what people have been saying is ‘Auckland weather’. Another brief – and also green post – this week. I am off out again this evening (and next week too) so want to get this done before I go to watch some dance. Anyway, thanks to Jim at Garden Ruminations, for hosting Six on Saturday whose knowledge of all things plants and gardening makes him an ideal host.
First up, all the left over nasturtium seeds I planted are popping up, though no signs of flowers yet. Still there is plenty of time – we are not in a rush after all.
At number two, we have signs of life on one of the old dahlias that I just left in the pot, not bothering if it came back up again. The leaves are already being nibbled, so let’s see what happens. If I get flowers this year, it will be a bonus.
Over to herb corner now, with lots of things bouncing back into life after the winter, such as the lemon verbena and chocolate mint. The mint is doing OK, but needs repotting and a bit of love and attention. The nicest surprise is the return of the echinacea, which has almost tripled in size in the past week. If the rain holds off, I’ll try and move it to a bigger pot and hope that does’t upset it too much.
At number four, the serious vegetable growers may scoff, but here is my little sugar snap pea, grown from seeds for children given away at our local supermarket. Let’s see what happens….
Summer is coming…and the side of the house is already covered in our annual display of alstroemerias. The goldne flowers often feature in our Christmas Eve photos.
Finally, Charlie the cat has his fifteenth birthday on Friday. Here is is sniffing the bushes, checking who has been around and celebrating being well again.
That’s all from me folks for this week. As usual, I am looking forward to seeing everyone’s beautiful gardens in other parts of the world. Hope you are all well and enjoying your gardens in whatever the season is with you.
Thistles and Kiwis is a Wellington, New Zealand based blog written by Barbara, who likes cats, summer, good food and pretends to garden.
You can find Thistles and Kiwis on Facebook, and also on Instagram @thistlesandkiwis. As for Twitter….am totally inactive these days. If you want to get in touch, email me on thistlesandkiwis@gmail.com
Thistles and Kiwis 
I love it when seeds germinate – such promise in those fragile leaves!
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Yes me too!
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It is always lovely to see some growth in plants and know that summer is on its way! Charlie is looking very good for fifteen..
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I agree….lovely to know summer is near. Charlie is pretty good for fifteen.
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I love those peas, but I can also admit that snacking on fresh peas is always a pleasure. Your cat looks healthy and is exactly the same age as mine.
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Fresh peas are just great aren’t they? What is your cat called?
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It’s Eliot. He’s a Tiger cat. He is still ok, but has kidney and heart failure. Old age…
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Happy birthday Charlie.
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Nice to see Charlie again. A good age. Talking about mint, I saw someone repotting mint on a TV program recently. Mint tends to curl its roots around the edge of the pot, so he takes it out of the pot, cuts it in half and then puts it back in with fresh compost with the middle sections to the edge and the rooted edges together, so back to back if that makes sense? I haven’t done this with my mints yet, but will do in the spring.
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That sounds interesting – might try and Google that.
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Lots of summer promise in your garden.
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Good to see that dahlia reemerging and I have a good feeling about it flowering for you later in the season.
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Fingers crossed!
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Charlie is looking splendid.
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He has really bounced back. He really is a cat with nine lives!
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Happy Birthday to Charlie! It is wonderful seeing him look so well again!
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Yes we are pleased to see Charlie well again as well….he is eating a lot too!
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As I crunch through brown and orange leaves in my yard, I rehydrate with all the beautiful green in your post! I particularly love the nasturtium (who needs flowers?!). And I’m delighted to see Charlie so fit and happy.
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Everything is looking so green at the moment here, and Charlie is also much happier.
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My sugar snap peas are now finished, and I’m wondering if I can plant some more or whether the weather will be too hot. They were very bountiful while they lasted. They’re great straight off the vine.
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Oh yes – freshly picked peas!
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It is such treat enjoying your beautiful garden, and a little bit of summer with you. It is currently snowing outside my window 🙂
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🙂
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Charlie is looking good and I hope keeps well. I’ve not been successful with with Sugar Snap peas, something enjoyed them before they were fully grown. 🤔🐛 Your top flower is very pretty.
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