June 2023 in the garden includes my book launch and makeover plans and is likely to be the last of “Month 2023 in the Garden” series I’ll do for a while. Here’s why.
My Book Launch
In last month’s garden update, I hinted that at the end of June, I will be revealing what I have been working on for quite some time. On the 26th June 2023 which is the 14th anniversary of the Gourmantic brand, I launched my book, ‘GROW YOUR OWN COCKTAIL GARDEN, 1 Part Grow Guides, 1 Part Cocktails & a Dash of Flavour Pairing featuring 50 Botanicals including Australian Natives from The Gourmantic Garden’.
The announcement was first made on Instagram followed by the social media channels and on all my websites, Cocktails & Bars, Gourmantic, personal website and right here on The Gourmantic Garden. I’ve had an overwhelming response to the announcement and was featured in other media outlets. Thank you to everyone who has purchased the book so far. If you haven’t had the chance to see it yet, take a sneak peek HERE.
Atherton Raspberry, June 2023 – Photo © The Gourmantic Garden
Before I get into the June update, you may have noticed a new design for the front page of the website. It’s now split into the various categories for easier navigation. There’s also a link in the menu for SHOP which will take you straight to the new TGG SHOP where the digital books reside.
June 2023 in the Garden
June 2023 in the Garden – Photo © The Gourmantic Garden
If the garden is looking a little sad, there’s a good reason for it. It has nothing to do with the netting, caging or the cold, dry winter we’ve had so far. I’m working on some future plans.
My garden will be undergoing a little makeover over the next few months. The main reason is that I’m no longer bound to growing certain botanicals for my book and I’d like to grow more perennial.
I have many ideas to explore and I’m planning for the predicted hot and dry summer, the total opposite of the last 3 years. I’m also aiming to reduce garden maintenance so I can enjoy more time sitting in the garden enjoying a botanical cocktail instead of running around with a list of endless tasks.
So what’s new in the garden? I’ve repurposed a salvaged birdbath that the birds didn’t want to use into a shallow planter with violas and nasturtium. I’ve done the same for the yellow Tonka Truck now parked beside a salvaged planter trough in which I’ve sown carrots. Everything is slow to grow in my climate and I’m totally fine with it.
It will only be a matter of weeks before I start sowing seeds for spring and summer. This time I will be putting the greenhouse to use as well as storage containers which I turn into make shift greenhouses. For the month of July, I plan to take it easy in the garden and go with the flow of the season.
