Out of nowhere…

Over the years, we have had things sprouting out of nowhere in our garden.

There was a noni tree which probably came from a house three doors away – I’ve seen the tree in their garden. It grew very well and was bearing fruits, lots of them. My missus happily plucked them and made enzyme with them and made me drink. Those of you who are familiar with the fruit would know how smelly it is – the enzyme is not much better. Thankfully, the tree was getting to be too big so I got rid of it. Phewww!!!

I had no idea where the avocado tree growing very near the house came from either. My cousin in Kuching sent me a photo of theirs, a couple of years old and it was so big! I quickly got rid of mine but last year when my cousin and the rest of the family were enjoying the fruits of their labour, I wished I had kept my tree. Perhaps I could have moved it away from the house.

I had a few papaya trees but I could jolly well guess that they sprouted out of the seeds that I buried in my garden, together with the skin everytime I peeled one. Unfortunately, they flowered but there was no fruit, not even one so they too eventually faced the axe.

This watermelon plant…

…probably came out of the seeds that I buried as well but the last time we had any was quite sometime ago – it sure took a long time to emerge.

There are a few small fruits growing on the vines at this point in time but the problem is we do not know when exactly is the right time to harvest them…

…and eat. Unlike other fruits that will change colour or become softer, watermelons will remain pretty much the same. I guess we will just wait a bit till they have grown a bit bigger.

My girl planted these cherry tomatoes…

…and the fruits have started to appear. She did eat a few and she said they were very nice, very sweet and crispy. I’ve never seen this variety before – the fruits are oval-shaped…

…not round.

The mum planted these regular ones…

…and they have eaten the fruits too, also sweet and crispy. These must be the Cameron Highlands variety that I used to buy at a supermarket here except that those were very big, much bigger than these. Never mind, as they say, beggars can’t be choosers.

She also planted some chili…

…but I am not getting my hopes up too high. I also planted a lot once and yes, they grew really well and produced a whole lot of chilies. Unfortunately, before they ripened, they would start rotting on the inside and drop off one by one. I think I did get to eat one or two, that was all.

They were very successful with their ladies’ fingers and brinjal and kangkong. My cangkok manis that was struggling to stay alive is thriving really very well under their care and at this point in time, my missus has planted some sweet potato leaves too. I planted a lot at one time…

…but they went out of control and we grew tired of eating it so I got rid of them.

Yes, the prices of vegetables (and most everything else) have been going up and up but no, I still think it is a lot easier to just go and buy. As far as planting one’s own goes, I guess it is very convenient to just go out into the garden to harvest and it is a lot healthier too as we do not use any chemical fertilisers and pesticides. Besides, it can be quite therapeutic, being kind of relaxing and is thus a great way to pass the time plus it is in a way a good form of exercise too.