Hawthorn

These are the fruits of the Chinese hawthorn. They hold to the tree right through winter. I'm collecting them and scattering them throughout the forest garden to see if they will grow without going through any nursery process. One or two did that last year; I must have dropped some or they were carried by birds, and I'm very encouraged to think that I can help the tree reproduce in this way. Like most trees, the seeds don't sprout beneath the canopy of the parent; whether that's a condition of light, chemical deterrents or whatever, I don't know.

I'm reading...

...Etchings on the kitchen table:
https://etchingsonthekitchentable.blogspot.com
the blog of Trish on behalf of Nick and Peat, detailing their brave move from sunny Nelson to weather-variable Riverton, a life in a tiny home, on damper-than-usual land amongst folk who speak with a rolled "R"! Nick, Trish and Peat are growing their own, forging wherever they can and making a fine job of grasping the nettle and doing what they believe to be true. Here's Nick foraging wilding, roadside apples... doubtless to share with his family that evening, stewed, topped with something sweet and crunchy...

Congratulations!

Our friend Stewart was awarded the Queen's Service Medal for his mahi kaitiaki; pai rawa e hoa!

Great photo...from a wee while back 😀

Birds on a wire

I threaded apples onto a bamboo cane and set it in the garden outside of the French doors. Bellbirds, waxeyes and blackbirds visited, balancing elegantly on the swaying cane while they pecked at the chilly apples.

Axminster

Scatterings on the ground provide the perfect medium for mushrooms. Over the next few weeks, the colour drains from these fallen bits and pieces, but spring flowers will push through soon enough; snowdrop, bluebell, crocus and daffodil.