If you have been reading this blog for a while you will remember the famous There is a goat in the garage! blog. Then we were sitting on the terrace overlooking a wilderness of scorched weeds and lumps of heavy soil which we despaired of ever being able to turn into something resembling a garden! With a gap of 2 years due to partially to the worldwide pandemic the Gardening was still a work of progress in 2021.

It was then that we planted trees and anxiously awaited their growth, we were a little concerned about the slow establishment process. Even though we had been assured that these trees and shrubs the best choice was for this climate. However, as they say, patience is a virtue, and our wait has been rewarded this year.

One significant advantage we have is the sprinkler system, cleverly incorporated into the garden during the landscaping phase. The system ensures every part of the garden receives water, drawn from our own well. With the well reaching a depth of 30 meters and pumping water at the source, it’s a crucial asset in our hot and dry climate. Not only does it promote the thriving of trees and plants, but it also enhances ecological balance and addresses our safety concerns, considerably reducing the risk of fires starting.

The garden has become a delightful and inviting space, especially with the Oleanders we purchased once we actually found somewhere to buy them, you think that’s easy? Read my blog Searching for a garden center and discover that even buying plants can be a challenge here!

The Oleanders are now bursting into bloom. Their vibrant colours create a beautiful contrast against the lush green shrubbery. We are so impressed with their resilience, as they can endure temperatures as low as -15 degrees Celsius and as high as +40 degrees Celsius! Considering their ability to provide such striking colours throughout the year, we are contemplating buying more of these wonderful plants

Of course we wouldn’t be us if we didn’t have a couple more projects on the go.

One is the planting of a fruit garden. More on that in another blog.

And the second project, which will be a big one is building the summerhouse. We have a designated area to build it on, we have a design of what we want to build and we have Johan’s brother who is going to build it together with Johan. The only thing we do not have is the date when its going to happen.

When planning the garden, the safety issue is a top priority. As mentioned in the blog about Forest Fires 2021 it remains a constant concern, yet it has not received adequate attention on the local council’s agenda. While open fires and large gatherings in rural areas have faced widespread bans, there are no preventive measures implemented in urban areas.

The ‘no mow’ policy, though intended to promote a healthier ecological environment, could pose serious risks here. Currently, the weather is warm, around 35°C, and we experience regular thunderstorms with heavy rainfall. However, these conditions don’t eliminate the possibility of fire outbreaks in the surrounding areas.

To safeguard our property, we maintain a two-meter mowed area around the house, serving as a natural barrier. Although we hope that the need for evacuation never arises, having this precautionary space might offer a few extra minutes in case of a fire emergency.