Struan Farm

A Debutante in the Gardens

Hooray, John's Silk Tree has finally decided to flower here in the gardens at Struan Farm!

Also called "Persian Silk Tree," Albizia julibrissin is native to southwestern and eastern Asia. It was named after an Italian nobleman, Filippo degli Albizzi, who introduced it to Europe in the 18th century.

With such a glorious heritage this little tree clearly is a battler. She gets buffeted by winds and has lost several limbs. At one point John wondered if this were the wrong location for this variety of tree, while I have wondered if she needed a particular type of fertiliser to flower, or if perhaps there were male and female trees.

But she has hung in there, rewarding us for looking after her with her first summer flowers.

I suspect the king fishers, who love to sit on her branches, have encouraged her as well with their trills. We all play a part here at Struan Farm.

Monarch Discovery

This season the Monarch butterflies have been missing from around the gardens here at Struan Farm. I saw one fly over the house around Christmas, but it migrated elsewhere, did not stick around. It may still be a bit early, but I've been keeping an eye out for them. I did see a Painted Lady back in the veggie gardens last week.

This week I was excited to discover two Monarch caterpillars munching away on a swan plant up by our roadside edge, where I'd tossed out seeds for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. There were only two "cats," but I'm happy they're here. I may have to relocate them in due course to the other swan plants I've got growing in the main flower gardens to keep them nourished, but we'll take this one step at a time.

Monarch butterflies are having a hard time globally at the moment. Predators like wasps and beetles kill the caterpillars. We haven't had a problem with wasps here, but last year those beetles were terrible--they look like brown grass grubs and are very sneaky. 

Like migrating flocks of birds, Monarchs typically return to the same areas, groves of trees, each year to winter. In many parts of the world those areas are being developed, threatening the butterflies. Here in NZ butterfly specialists tag them to track where it is they go. Christchurch seems to be one destination. 

I wish we could encourage them to stay in Piopio!

Musing On Chickens, More Fruit Trees, and Gifts from the Douglas Firs

John and I were out wandering around the orchard areas and gardens a few days ago here at Struan Farm, figuring out where I might be able to fit a few additional heirloom fruit trees and where to construct an area for chickens he's wanted to have for some time now.

Perhaps if we were to call the coop "Cluckingham Palace" or "Chateau des Chooks" I might be more enthusiastic. I've convinced him we won't be saving money on buying eggs, in fact having chickens is more hassle and expensive.

But I've been reluctant for a few other reasons. Mainly because more "pets" means less flexibility to go away without nephew Mike being available to look after everyone (yes, I know about feeders and waterers that they can be trained to use). But mostly because I suspect/know that after John's initial enthusiasm about the project, which involves designing, constructing and landscaping their area, wanes, that Karen will be the one left to look after them and deal with mites, moults, escapes, etc. etc. At this point in our marriage I tend to know how these things play out! I'm pretty over-committed as it is.

However. We're now planning an area for chickens where we'll also plant a few more fruit trees, most likely Peter the Hermit's Golden Delicious heritage apples from Mahoenui. My two grafted trees are still doing well and will be ready to plant out in winter. We've also agreed on a paving stone walkway out to our sculpture with wooden fencing on either side, with espaliered dwarf fruit trees running along the fences adjacent to Chook World. We've also agreed on space where I can plant Hester's White Peach and some of Sarah's Mapiu damsons in the existing orchard. After which we'll be out of space there unless one or two marginally performing trees are removed.

Which brings me to the gifts from the Douglas Firs. As we were walking around the sculpture I noticed that the fir trees were dropping their beautiful little cones. So I've gathered them up to use as fire starters in winter. 

The only thing that gives me pause about this is the legend associated with Douglas Fir cones, basically how one is able to identify them. Legend says that during a great fire in the West animals trying to escape the flames searched for shelter. The only trees that agreed to help shelter the mice were the Douglas Firs, they scurried up the great trees and hid in the cones. You can see the mice tails sticking out from the cones if you look at them carefully.

So do you think it's okay to burn the cones? Would the mice be okay with that?

The Gardens Wait for No One

Things keep growing here at Struan Farm. Fruit, veggies, flowers, but also weeds. A few weeks ago before the tsunami of farmstay guests hit I had a window of time to crack into weeding down at the Homestead gardens. I guess I should say "the much neglected Homestead gardens." The good news is that they tidy up relatively quickly, or perhaps I just work fast, especially when under the pump.

I'd been doing some watering, deadheading of roses, and trimming of edges down there but have been looking the other way in terms of the weeds to avoid hyperventilating.

Same for the newer flower gardens at our new(ish) house, which involve far more work because they are less established. Even if they look pretty established now. This weekend I was able to make some progress there, although I need about a week of solid "head down bum up" work to get those up to snuff. 

In many respects it's about managing transitions at this time of the year. Pulling out (and saving) seed heads of flowers that have done their dash, like nigella and Star-ball and Black Knight scabiosas, also dead heading roses and dahlias. The daisies and penstemmon also get deadheaded and then come again. (With many flowers if they don't get deadheaded they don't have a second or third bloom, and it's good to keep the flowers going for as long as possible.) It's also time to pop in seedling zinnias and snapdragons, although those will need watering to survive the lack of rain until they get established.

I tend to get anxious and grumpy when faced with an overwhelming amount of work that needs to be done. I know, I should know by now that one needs to take these things one step at a time and do what one can. And I do try to tell myself that.

But sometimes when one finds thistles and seedling oak trees growing in the gardens anxiety wins. I hear my mother's voice "Karen Anne, this is simply not good enough." And she would be right. So I'm onto it.

Overdue Maintenance

Both Clifford and I have been months overdue for our routine beauty therapy appointments. We were so busy September/October/November with John's mayoral campaign and election that I lost track of time, and couldn't get Clifford booked with his groomer until January. And at a time of year when he's shedding his heavy, hairy winter coat. He hasn't been comfortable with the hot weather, and certainly has not been a pretty sight here at Struan Farm. 

And as for Karen, I'd had appointments booked at East Day Spa, where I've gone for years, weeks in advance of my last trip to Auckland before Christmas. Only to have them cancelled the day before due to construction at the Spa. Grumpy doesn't even begin to describe how angry and disappointed I was, since my fingernails and feet were (and continue to be) a complete mess. And they didn't seem to understand that trips four hours away and associated appointments are planned well in advance, not permitting re-booking. But then they didn't seem particularly concerned about inconveniencing me, adding to my annoyance. Just saying: a voucher would have calmed the waters, especially for a long-standing customer!

Gardening and working outside aren't kind to beauty, at least of the well-maintained kind. I've tried to maintain a degree of minimum standards of grooming in spite of all the outside work I do, but suffice it to say my maintenance programme has been waning, with special thanks to East Day Spa for my lack of a much needed Christmas tidy up. 

The good news is that Clifford is now groomed and one happy dog. Toi's Mobile Dog Grooming van arrived a few days ago, Clifford entered the inner sanctum and emerged lighter, fluffier, cleaner and smiling!

Now let's hope Karen gets herself scrubbed up sometime too. 

Heading Toward Blue Zone Status

We harvested the first of our potatoes this week here at Struan Farm. Rather than digging everything up at once I'm taking an incremental approach this year and digging a few at a time. Especially since the plants have just started to die down. 

First spuds off the rank are an early variety called "Rocket," and "Kowiniwini," a wonderful Maori potato with dark purple and white skin. Maori "taewa" are quite special. The flavour of this one is quite fresh and not flour-y at all. I boil them until tender then lightly crush and serve with a bit of butter. 

John and I really don't eat that many potatoes, although I've been reading that people who live in "Blue Zones," areas of exceptional longevity around the world, do. So maybe we'll revisit having more potatoes in our diet, particularly with a bumper crop about to happen. Given the response to the potatoes contributed to the Piopio Community Fruit & Veg Stand last year (basically they flew off the shelves), I went a bit overboard planting different varieties this year. I've got four types in the backyard and two down at the back gate near the Homestead. Plus some have sprouted at the back gate from last year's left overs. 

Hooray, Piopio is heading toward Blue Zone status!

Casting a Wide Net

I've reported previously that we're trying to contend with naughty birds here at Struan Farm. They've put a dent in the plum harvest, and have been ripping into any tomatoes starting to turn pink. As you might expect this sort of thing has me seeing red. NOBODY goes after my much loved heirloom tomatoes!

As a result we've made an investment in netting. The type that can be re-used vs. the cheaper plastic variety sold in bags that gets stuck in the leaves and branches and needs to be cut off and thrown out. 

We've cast wide nets on the two main tomato beds and wrapped one of the Luisa plum trees as best we could. The latter is a test. John isn't keen on netting fruit trees at all, but with four Luisa trees still laden with ripening fruit I cajoled and pleaded with him to help me wrap one to protect it. We'll see what happens with that tree vs. the others. If you aren't familiar with Luisa plums, they are beautiful, sweet eating plums and worth protecting!

I may quietly take some netting and wrap a few laden peach and fig branches as they get closer to being ripe.  I really don't like the thought of the birds getting the better of me and my fruit trees. I just don't.

Heaps of Hidden Worth

Over the past few years I've found myself increasingly enchanted with flowering herbs here at Struan Farm. Dill, coriander, even parsley flowers are quite delicate and pretty. I used to go around cutting them off to avoid having the herbs go to seed, but now I let them go for it and enjoy the flowers.

At the moment it's coriander on show. Of course the flowers are edible, and they lend a delicate touch to a salad or dish. But I also put them in vases to enjoy purely as flowers.

I was interested to read that coriander symbolises "hidden worth." Perhaps because it re-seeds and creates another crop. 

We've got heaps of hidden worth happening in the gardens right now.

A Morning Walk with the Ladies

John is trying to convince the ewes here at Struan Farm to move into the new paddock we've taken over from the neighbour at the end of the Old Road near the river. Nephew Mike has finished the fencing, so it's ready for them. They're just afraid to go through the gate; they haven't been into that paddock before.

John has led them down, calling, on the quad bike. They've followed him down the Old Road but refused to go into the paddock. A few days ago we decided to take a morning walk and try to convince them once again.

Of course Rosie, Cookie and Ruby were in the lead. The whole mob came down, even Sugar, Spice and Bubbles. The other four pet lambs (Peaches, Fig, Chalk and Pickle) remain segregated happily by themselves in our front roadside pet paddock so they aren't anywhere near the rams when "tupping" happens in early autumn. 

But only Rosie, Cookie and Ruby went through the gate! No one else would go. And when John and I turned around to walk back, everyone followed us back up the Old Road. It was funny but frustrating. We want them in that paddock eating everything down. They love Queen Anne's Lace and wild fennel, so that should be a draw card.

These things take time it seems. Even a new paddock full of grass and good food. Rosie did suggest to John that he have Mike do some weed whacking of a better track through the paddock, and she may have a point. I was a bit hesitant myself.

Harvest at Home: A Symbol of Promises Kept

I've been keeping an eye on the plum trees in our main orchard area here at Struan Farm. The plums have been ripening and the birds poised to strike. This year they got to the early fruiting heirloom plum tree in our Old Orchard area and completely stripped the tree. Apparently due to the "mast" year last year in NZ's native bush, bird numbers are up considerably. And they're behaving badly.

Birds have been going after any tomatoes starting to ripen, so we've invested in some re-usable netting to thwart their efforts. I am also going to net the Luisa plums and our Golden Queen peach tree before it's too late. But that's another story.

Once the plums in the orchard at our house looked ripe enough to pick I went for it.  They come off easily when touched when this is the case, at which point they will ripen further off the tree. I only managed to get two plums off the tree the kererus (native wood pigeons) nibbled this spring and about five off another, but quite a few from my favourite. It's either Satsuma or Black Doris. My record keeping on the plum varieties planted in our orchard was messed up by tree felling required for power lines to our house, an effort that totalled several plums we'd planted on the house site years earlier.  One learns to be philosophical about these things and one tries one's best when one can.

Given all the plums I've been picking around Piopio of late for the community stand, I was happy to read that in Victorian Flower Language plums are a symbol of "promises kept."  Now we have ours.

Sending Signals

The Native American Indians sent signals with smoke. At Buckingham Palace the Royal Standard is flown when the Queen is present. And the Vatican sends out puffs of white smoke when a new pope is chosen. People signal things in different ways.

Here at Struan Farm John and I also have a signal. 

At our house John is almost always up with or before the birds, while Karen is not. She needs quite a bit more sleep than John does, several hours more of solid sleep. And she doesn't often get them. (Note: John takes naps, Karen doesn't.) So some mornings, usually on weekends, John creeps out to do early morning jobs to leave Karen to have another hour or two of sleep. The bedroom curtains are kept closed until Karen is up and ready for coffee and breakfast. When John sees those open he knows this signals breakfast time.

 

 

Basil: The Next Installment

The first crop of basil in my glasshouse here at Struan Farm is starting to get leggy and tired. And while it's still got a wee way to run, and certainly could be used in cooking or for pesto, it's not that fresh, brilliant green that looks and smells amazing. Instead it's saying "it's hot and we're tired Karen."

I started crop #2 in a seed tray a few weeks ago, and that's now germinated and ready to be put into cells to grow on before going into proper pots. My only problem is that my potting table in the garage is occupied by drying garlic at the moment, and my two trestle tables occupied by drying shallots.

Improvisation was called for, and the challenge has been met:

I've covered a little table we keep near the BBQ on our deck and will be working away with the seedling basil while the bread for farmstay guests proves and bakes. Multi-tasking at its best. The good news is that I'm out of the sun too. Not sure what my spousal unit will think of this, but it is the sort of thing I could see him doing in a pinch!

On Pine Cone Patrol

We're doing some major clean up work down at the river here at Struan Farm. John and Mike have taken over a paddock still owned officially by the neighbour, but on our side of the river.

The neighbour gave up on trying to run stock over the old swing bridge many years ago now and had let the paddock go to the pack. It's full of weeds: blackberry, wandering jew ("tradescantia zebrina"), Japanese walnut, and other spread-y, bad things. John still needs to negotiate buying it for a nominal sum, but either way it needs to be re-fenced and cleaned up before sheep can go in there to graze. That's happening. This also allows us to do more clean up along the roadside and river, get rid of bad weeds and plant natives.

I'm staying far away from the associated chemical sprays and major weed whacking involved in this project, but have had a look to provide encouragement. At one time this area was part of the original farm, and for many years John's dad looked after it even when it wasn't technically his to look after. Just because. But at a certain point the neighbour said he wanted to use it. Until he didn't because of the bridge. The bridge is still structurally sound, but it's not worth the trouble confirming that either way for a small out of the way paddock on a huge property (such are our health & safety regulations). 

The Mad Mower has now decided he needs to mow the track from the picnic area at the river below Jim's Hut to the rapids, sandy beach, and this new paddock. It will make it easier for farmstay guests to see where to walk along the river. But the Mad Mower had a problem: pine cones on the ground along the route, which cause digestion problems for his mower.

And so I was enlisted to pick up the pine cones, which we use as fire starters in the winter. Bags and bags have been collected and are in the shed. The way is now clear for the Mad Mower to do his thing and for the project to continue. That's the kind of wife I am!

 

Picking Plums is Good for the Soul

I've been out picking plums again for the Piopio Community Fruit & Veg Stand, this time with proper permission from two different people. It can be quite meditative, even when negotiating around and climbing through unpruned old narly plum branches. I probably shouldn't have worn my nice clothes on my first outing, but oh well. I probably shouldn't have worn my sandals either given all of the fruit on the ground! Stains on both clothes and feet did wash out.

It's amazing how the birds often get to the easily accessible ripe fruit. They have good taste. And they aren't terribly happy when someone comes along to take what they view as theirs. I try to have a dialogue, saying there's enough for everyone. With my second huge tree that certainly was the case but there were still quite a few squawks. Reinforcements were called in who tried to get to the fruit before I did.

I suspect people who see me out there with my telescoping fruit picker think I'm a nut, but that's okay. I'm a well intentioned nut, hopefully they can figure that one out. I went back for a second round on the second tree and managed to get enough for the stand, one of the local food banks, and the rest home.

I'm still working on tree #3 if the owner will let me have another crack. Her dog and I had a good chat in the backyard. We agree picking plums is good for the soul.

Tomatoes, Almost

We're having an odd summer weather wise here at Struan Farm. This past week it's been quite chilly--one morning it was 8 degrees! Of course this is having an impact on the gardens, my heirloom tomatoes in particular. Tomatoes love heat. I've got some green fruit on the plants, not heaps, but what's there so far isn't ripening all that quickly due to the chilly temperatures.

So I'm heartened to see a few black cherry tomatoes creeping toward a state of "ripe." Hooray!

I have a feeling that this may be one of those seasons when we must be happy with and appreciate whatever Mother Nature decides to deliver. I've picked a few more that were turning towards "ripe" to finish the job on the window sill in light of a cold forecast to be heading our way.

 

Blueberry Jamming @Struan Farm

We've hit peak blueberries at Piopio Berry Orchard over the past week, with beautiful, huge berries on a "two for" offer. So I got onto making some blueberry jam for our farmstay guests here at Struan Farm this past week.

In December I managed to get some strawberry jam made before Christmas, with plans for blueberry, blackcurrant and "Syrian Seven Spice" damson this year. While my strawberry jam is popular, and gets rave reviews, it's quite sweet. Too sweet for me. And probably too sweet for most guests in these days of reduced sugar consumption, although don't go calling me the sugar police. I'll leave the lectures to other people, but changing tastes have prompted my decision to mix up our homemade jam offering this year.

I'm comfortable now working with frozen fruit for the blackcurrant and damson jams, even blueberry to some extent. This means I don't have to devote summer days to jamming over a hot stove when there are so many other things to do. It also means I can make a fresh batch at a time and not waste fruit, and use surplus fruit to make jam for the Piopio Community Fruit & Veg Stand in winter when contributions can get a bit thin. (Fortunately there are other jam makers in town who do the same.)

Most of the jars from the four batches I made popped and sealed, no issues there. One did look a bit "gluggy," I'll use that for baking a few of my "Kai Safari world famous in Piopio" shortcakes for the freezer. Roll on farmstay season!

 

A Pungent Harvest

Clifford is having to share the garage here at Struan Farm with my recent harvest of garlic and shallots. He isn't happy, we've had to open some windows to air the place out--basically, so it doesn't reek! I've also put up some trestle tables to lay out the shallots, which has hemmed in his bed somewhat.

The good news is that we won't have any vampires arriving on the scene any time soon.

The garlic was pulled before Christmas and hung to dry out slightly before trimming. It's looks pretty good this year.

It seems I got a bit carried away with the shallots. So much so that I put two crates of them out at the Piopio Community Fruit & Veg Stand. We simply did not have enough room for them to dry in the garage, plus there's more than enough for us. Once these are dry they will get trimmed and stored.

And just in case you're worried about Clifford, he's getting a daily bone so we stay on good terms during this little exercise in the garage!

We All Need A Rainy Day Now & Then

I'm wanting it to rain. It's been hot and dry here at Struan Farm, the gardens cry out for water, and they prefer rain from Mother Nature over my sometimes feeble attempts at watering. They perk up visibly after rain. I can see it and feel it afterward.

In summer we water the veggie gardens and glasshouse each morning and night. It takes about an hour. If we have to water the other gardens at the end of the day that's almost another two hours, but we only do that when it hasn't rained for a week or so. 

When it's raining I can justify staying inside to make muesli for farmstay guests, to clean, and get the pile of ironing done (my least favourite job along with cleaning bathrooms!). When it's sunny outside I can always find other things to do, of which there are many. But when my inside jobs are done and not hanging over my head I relax and perk up visibly.

The gardens and I are much alike. We need a rainy day now and then. Once a week is perfect, that's what we've said to Mother Nature. We sure hope she's listening.

A Bounty of Blackcurrants

We're almost finished with this season's harvest of blackcurrants here at Struan Farm, and it's been a bounty. Seven big containers in the freezer for jam making and baking, hooray! I've still got some reasonably sized berries on the bushes in the back that I'm collecting each day, so will finish picking those as they ripen. What's left on the bushes at the front near the orchard and workshop can be enjoyed by the birds, I've made sure there's not much.

For some reason blackcurrants like us here at Struan Farm, and we return the favour. Yet another superfood, with great health benefits from that dark blue skin. "Anthocyanins" from what I've learnt, which can lower blood pressure and improve visual acuity, amongst other positive things. 

Initial Support

We have a dwarf "Initial" apple tree growing just inside the entrance to our orchard area at the house here at Struan Farm.

I prefer growing tart heirloom cooking apple varieties like Peasgood Nonsuch, Bramley, Granny Smith, Ballarat, and Monty's Surprise, while John prefers sweeter apples he can pick and eat off the tree. We do have Cox's Orange Pippin and Akane growing on the property, which are good to eat, but they're further away in the Old Orchard Paddock near the Homestead, requiring a longer walk.

I planted "Initial" for John. It's meant to be a good apple for the "home orchard," easy to grow and good to eat. It certainly is that. The little tree has thrived in the orchard, has been laden with fruit the past two years.

Our only problem is that it's "too laden." At the moment its branches are bent and drooping, heavy with apples, and I worry about the tree. While it's been staked since it was planted four-five years ago now (dwarf apple trees are meant to stay staked), it's crying out to be espaliered. And this isn't something we can address until pruning in winter at this point. So I've issued an SOFT (Save Our Fruit Tree) directive to John. While we could take off some of the immature fruit to lessen the burden on the tree, there's another option. John has been enlisted to construct supports to get Initial through this harvest.