The last few weeks have been spectacular in terms of weather in this neck of the woods. Daytime temperatures have averaged in the mid to late twenties and most evenings have seen the sort of nighttime rains that preempt exponential plant growth and – for the subtropical food gardener – harvests that are twice the size (if not more) than those of previous weeks. The net result, however, has been a glut of tomatoes, eggplants, peas, beans, late season broccoli, and the last of this season’s potatoes. The truth is that I’ve been unable to keep up with it all, and the rate of production is far from diminishing because in the wings are the strawberries, passionfruit, raspberries, subtropical apples, and guavas.
It’s not like I can plead ignorance to the verve of the season. I’ve been gardening since I was eight when I planted my first border of French marigolds; I’ve been growing food crops for the past twenty years. I know full well that summer yields are plentiful and that careful planning is required in order to make the most of the season’s bounty.  I even remembered to retrieve my stash of recipes in preparation for the pre-Christmas flurry of cooking and bottling that accompanies such abundance but it was such a busy December that I never quite made it as far as the actual harvesting and preserving.

But in the summer my garden fills with birds each afternoon and, as I sat there with my cup of tea, I watched them flit in and out of the lavender and roses, land on the rhubarb and fennel stalks  (both flowering, the latter towering well above my height at the moment), and feast on the trumpeted pentstemons. I noticed the bees too, and the butterflies, the dragon flies, the ladybirds. Even the ants. As my gaze settled and I became calm I noticed that my garden was a flurry of activity with every element – plant and animal – making the most of the weather and the bounty. And then it occurred to me that of all of the living creatures enjoying the afternoon, only I had chosen to write a list.
It struck me with force the realisation that much as I love lists they are a double-edged sword. There are some tasks we will never quite complete; some tasks which can never be truly ticked off the list. There are times when the best we can do is pick a single tomato and relish its sun-soaked goodness. Because if we don’t, if we choose instead to fret over the fact that we’ve left the rest of the bush to the birds and the caterpillars and the ants, then we’ve missed the point entirely.
And so the summer harvest will be incomplete and my preserving jars will no doubt remain empty this year. But it will be a glorious summer no matter what and that ultimately is all that matters.

Summer in the subtropical garden:
Eat, eat and eat some more. There will be plenty to pick and the rate of growth is staggering, so feel free to feast on strawberries while hanging out the washing and to let the kids ravage the passionfruit and eat their fill of the mulberries. And rest. The heat and humidity will take their toll so keep yourself and your plants well-watered and make the most of the summer weather.

Siboney Duff is a writer, editor, teacher, and mentor living in the Byron Bay hinterland in Northern New South Wales.  You can find out more about her on: siboneyduff

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Nadine Abensur’s Garden Show concept has been such a success that the gallery owner had to postpone the opening twice.  “It was originally intentded to feature just four artists,” says Abensur, “but it’s literally blossomed, and we’ve got over 20 local artists in the show.  I love the fact that we have experienced artists such as as Rose McKinley, Robyn Sweaney and Emma Walker alongside the budding talents of Byron School of Art student Sharon Whittle, and papercut artists Sabine Brosche.”

As well as the artwork on the walls Abensur asked visitors to bring along a flower to place in the gallery, and the result was an organic flower installation, which spilled out into the street, and over the table where Abensur’s own floral contribution, a massive cyndrical floral cake, and the extraordinary creations from Melon as Anything (melonasanything.com) – along with peach-infused champagne, kept the floral theme happening.

It’s been a busy year for Northern Rivers artists and Verandah Magazine and Art Piece Gallery would like to congratulate Celia Morgan for being named a finalist in the Wynne Prize(with a landscape painting, first shown at art piece gallery); Robyn Sweaney for being highly commended in The Paddington Art Prize; Hilary Hermann for First prize in painting in The Coraki Art Prize; Di Ingram for First Prize in drawing in The Coraki Art Prize; Sharon Wittle for Second Prize in drawing in The Coraki Art Prize.

Art Piece Gallery is in Burringbar Street, Mullumbimby.  Phone: 6684 3446. For more information about these and other artists in The Garden Show, go to artpiecegallery

To see more of Melon as Anything’s edible sculpture work and details on their wedding and event catering call: 0431 565 414 or go to: melonasanything

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Anna wears Samson & Bronc vintage fabric floral top $50 and skirt $60

Maya wears Myee Carlyle hand dyed silk fringe flower cape $279 and Tashia singlet $59, Ghanda Clothing Pom Pom pineapple shorts $19.95 and Crystal Castle Chakra bracelet $18

Amber wears Myee Carlyle Marrakesh hand dyed silk skirt in tourmaline $279 (worn as dress) and Crystal Castle Bluelace agate and Rhodonite bead necklace $69 and quartz crystal pendant $18

Mia wears Ghanda Clothing lace swing top in antique white $29.95, Myee Carlyle hand dyed silk Akina kimono in ocean $289, Crystal Castle Garnet necklace $29 and Moonstone bracelet $19

Anna wears Ghanda Clothing cropped cotton t-shirt $14.95 and Bandana leggings $29.95, Crystal Castle Howlite bracelets $22 each, Mia wears Myee Carlyle Maisha dress $95

Anna wears Myee Carlyle Sibella silk mini-dress in Henna $289 and Shikha citrine earrings $65, Crystal Castle silver chain $59 and quartz        pendant $29

Little girls can be big girls too…

Armani wears Ghanda Clothing glitter daisy heart t-shirt $14.95 and Ghanda Pom Pom pineapple print shorts $19.95, Hannah wears Myee Carlyle Tashia singlet $59, Samson & Bronc wrap top $20, Crystal Castle Chrysophase bracelet $39

Armani wears Ghanda Clothing original owl t-shirt $14.95 and daisy polka leggings $17.95, Hannah wears Ghanda Clothing Aztec heart singlet $14.95 Aztec owl leggings $17.95

From left Mia wears Myee Carlyle Maisha dress $95, Anna wears Ghanda Clothing cropped t-shirt $14.95 and bandana leggings $29.95, Crystal Castle Howlite bracelets $22 each, Amber wears Ghanda Clothing ornate elephant t-shirt $24.95 and boyfriend jeans $39.95, Maya wears Ghanda Clothing Stripe cropped t-shirt $14.95 and boyfriend shorts $34.95

Maya wears Samson & Bronc 60’s top $50, Myee Carlyle Zalia pants $119 and Crystal Castle Howlite bracelet $22, Mia wears Samson & Bronc halter top $40 and 60’s skirt $70

       Anna wears Ghanda Clothing daisy floral Indi dress $29.95

Anna wears Ghanda Clothing boyfriend jeans $39.95.  Amber wears Samson & Bronc patchwork shorts $30.00.

Mia wears Ghanda Clothing lace swing top in antique white $29.95, Myee Carlyle hand dyed silk Akina kimono in ocean $289, Ghanda Clothing boyfriend jeans $39.95, Crystal Castle Garnet necklace $29 and Moonstone bracelet $19

Websites:

myeecarlyle

samsonandbronc

ghanda

Photographer: The Lioness. Stylist: Desiree
Models: Anna, Maya, Mia and Amber
Hair & Makeup: Äsa Chegwyn
Location: The Crystal Castle

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