Category Archives: Garden

Aranyak: Jugal Prasad, the plantsman

Posted on February 1, 2017 by rumachak

I came across an unusual person one afternoon by the banks of the lake known as Saraswati Kundi. I was riding slowly past its edge on my way back from the survey camp one day when I saw a man … Continue reading →

Posted in A Good Thing, Bengal, Bibhuti Bhushan Bandopadhyay, Books, Calcutta, Garden, Translated Fiction | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Spider wasp vs. spider: Garden epic

Posted on January 1, 2016 by rumachak

Yesterday I went outside to the patio to be greeted by a very large spider apparently struck dead while doing yoga. Now, this is not a normal event even by my very strange and relaxed standards, but I can swear … Continue reading →

Posted in Garden, Science | Tagged | 1 Comment

Euphorbia tirucalli – a childhood memory that turns out to have been a bit of a monster.

Posted on December 22, 2015 by rumachak

There are some times in life when coincidences can pile up and make you wonder. The other day I was part of a secret Santa on a gardening page and the only plant my gift receiver was hoping to receive … Continue reading →

Posted in Garden, Nature | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Saplings of hope!

Posted on July 15, 2015 by rumachak

It is that time of the year again when a gardener’s thoughts turn lightly to bare-rooted trees, as a future feast for both the senses and the body. The youngest was kind enough to indulge me with the first of … Continue reading →

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Through a window, happily.

Posted on June 12, 2015 by rumachak

I now have a new addition to my room, next to the floor length window – a little desk. I have my laptop there, a jar of paper beads, sheets of paper, three pairs of scissors, a fine brush, some … Continue reading →

Posted in Adelaide, Garden, Science | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Seedpods and other ephemera

Posted on April 22, 2015 by rumachak

Up and down our street the jacarandas are shedding seed pods and raining woody bits on carport roofs and cars parked on the street. If you stood at the start of the street two months ago, you would have seen … Continue reading →

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Of figs and honey

Posted on January 17, 2015 by rumachak

Once you have managed to save a basket of figs from the owners of the feathers in the first photo, take a kilo of the unblemished ripe fruit, chop in quarters and mix in half a kilo of caster/ ground … Continue reading →

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Seeds of hope

Posted on January 14, 2015 by rumachak

I love seeds…..from the smooth spheres of mustard, the flat dry discs of peppers and eggplants to the pointed spear heads of cucumber and melons and the scented stars of Chinese aniseed; I love them all. I love them when … Continue reading →

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Birds of a feather: the Mynah, the Blackbird and me.

Posted on October 12, 2014 by rumachak

It is rather funny that the two birds that give me the greatest pleasure in the garden are also migrants like me; the Myna or Miner as the Aussies call it, and the Blackbird. They were both introduced to Australia … Continue reading →

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