A Frosty Obsession

June brought endless still days, blue skies, clear nights and frost. The mornings were bracing but as soon as those first rays of sunlight hit the ground, the scene was enchanting. It's fascinating to look at the way the ice forms, what patterns it makes on different leaves. Each morning the spectacle drew me out to find out what delights nature had served up.

I am amazed at how resilient plants are to being frozen and thawed. Some things suffer, but much holds on, most of my vegie patch growth has slowed to a snail pace, even with the suns rays, the days are short and the soil cold. I am longing for the lettuce to be ready to harvest, the supermarket variety is so limp and lifeless. Seeds are still germinating and standing proud - broad beans, peas, rockette and radishes have emerged despite the hostile conditions. The potatoes seem the least happy with the turn of weather, their leaves now tattered and browned, although many are making a valiant effort to keep going. I've given everything a spray with liquid seaweed, which is meant to help plants build good cell structure and protect them from Jack Frost.

The poor middle Bowerbird has not been well, with the biting cold air his asthma has flared up and taken a long time to settle down. Lots of days at home reading Harry Potter and folding origami instead of smashing puddles and enjoying the sparkles. We do get frost intermittently at or house but I cannot remember a winter where we have had so many days in a row of it.