Trees. I love trees. I love bushy trees, tall trees, spindly trees, blossoming trees, I just love trees. They are a source of wonder, hope and joy. No wonder they are used so often in scripture to symbolise life, purpose and vision. We are naming all the rooms in the Hebron homestead after a biblical tree so we can identify which room we are referring to and as the years go by the views out of each room will be filled with trees of all descriptions.
These are the trees that we grew from seed and watered throughout the drought. Most of them are now doing well, although one of the wattle species tends to be susceptible to disease and bugs, so we won't plant anymore of that variety.
I especially love to see unexpected green popping up in unexpected places. This little wattle growing amongst the rocks near the power pole has obviously been deposited there by birds. Another has popped up near the shipping container and even one up near the top water tank. A bit like Hebron itself - an unexpected little oasis in the middle of a dry, stony region and may it develop even moreso so that when times get tough this will be a source of provision, encouragement and comfort.
The capers are doing well and we have a few more buds forming on a couple of plants. This week we will do a stocktake and know exactly how many viable plants we have and then probably put in an order for more plants. This little device in the photo below tells us how moist the soil is and feeds this information to the computer in the pantry, which reads the information every day. When the soil dries to a set limit the irrigation kicks in and waters for a set time period (currently 12 minutes). This meant that while I was away in Qld for a week the capers were watered on time. The orchard is watered automatically but doesn't have a moisture sensor yet, but we will be doing that at some point soon.
Tomorrow we will be working together to knock some chores on the head, as well as the blokes giving Nathan a hand to do the same at Zarepath.
John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
Shalom
Dear Annette,
ReplyDeleteWow - the moisture sensing irrigation system is pretty impressive!
I love trees too and your idea to name the rooms after Biblical trees is a great one. Leaves have something to do with 'healing of the nations' in the Bible I think. You can probably already 'see' in your mind's eye the view from each window to a lovely variety of specimens.
Hope you enjoyed Queensland!
Wendy