My search for appropriate bird netting has continued. The wire and plastic mesh frames I have shown earlier are extremely effective, but also rather costly and they don't give much 'head room' for the plants. So I have been trialling a much cheaper and roomier option. 'Anti-bird netting for pesky birds'. Seems to be working!
I have recently returned home from a family holiday to New Zealand. Although hard to leave home and my garden, which I missed being in while we were away, I found myself inspired with seeing different gardens. New Zealand is a beautiful place - we honeymooned in South Island and vowing to return, took a family holiday for 17 days in North Island.
Hamilton Gardens (not surprisingly in Hamilton) was a favourite, in fact we visited there twice. They had many different "garden rooms" in different styles, taking you on an adventure as you wander from space to space, being moved almost in time, place and mood by the different settings before you. Perhaps my most favourite was the "sustainable back yard garden" which gave an example of how a sustainable garden can fit into a small average back yard, complete with chickens and bees. The next would be the kitchen garden run by the tech college students, comprising of 6 garden beds of around 15x15 meters surrounded by more garden beds containing permanent planting and fruits.
We also visited an amazing park in New Plymouth with huge joining green houses entered through tunnel grottos that was really just like a garden in heaven. The air seemed to invigorate the lungs and spirit. My girl has developed an interest in gardens too, and between exploring the different areas, would stop to say things like "Oh Mummy, this is a lovely flower, it is so pretty".