spring harvest

nectarines were a plenty on our fruit salad tree this spring. the mint went wild with all the rain, so did the sorrel, kale potatoes, beans, peas and parsley.  our plums and peaches didn't fruit and while my lemon flowered profusely, fruit never came.
growing food take a few more tricks than i've managed to muster, but the rain has certainly sent the garden into a busy growth spurt.

after spending the winter months in Orange reporting on rural topics for the ABC, i have an increased awe for the people who grow the food we eat.  so much hangs on the whims of the weather, be it too dry or too wet, getting perfect conditions to grow a perfect crop is near on impossible.





herbs are my crop of choice, you can neglect them and they survive most of the time.  we've started a small kitchen garden in the front yard, right outside our kitchen, further away from the bush turkey nest in the back yard, its fared pretty well without a fully enclosed garden cage.  cherry tomatoes and basil are in full swing artichokes are flowering their bright flame mauve and the thyme hangs in, despite being trampled by busy little feet running past on a regular basis.

broad bean salad fresh from the garden, peeled, blanched and dressed in olive oil, salt, lemon juice and fresh parsley.