Time to Shower in Gold

We talked about the profusely blossoming Pink Shower Tree (Cassia Nodosa) the previous week but it is now the time to switch over to the Golden Shower Tree (Cassia Fistula). This tree is known as Amaltas in the Indian Subcontinent.  It ranges from Southern Pakistan eastward throughout India to Myanmar and Thailand and south to Sri Lanka. It is the national tree of Thailand, and its flower is Thailand's national flower. We have one large specimen of this tree at our farm. The golden yellow lantern like flowers have started to bloom presently and will continue blooming through the summer. Another bloom at this time of the year at the farm is that of Orange Hummingbird Trumpet Creeper (Campsis Radicans Vine). Not only the creeper itself, there is a  large population of the hummingbird too at the farm. The singing of these little and very delicate birds early in the morning is an unforgettable and delightful experience on its own. In spite of an abundance of these birds at the farm, I did not succeed in capturing even one of them in my camera especially drinking the nectar of the orange trumpet flowers, even though a couple of them kept jumping from one branch to other. To show this actually is the case in point, an appropriately relevant picture (borrowed from http://ibc.lynxeds.com/files/imagecache/photo_940/pictures/rthu_trumpet_vine_6866.jpg
has been included and depicted hereunder along with  other pictures taken at the farm

Fruits of Season

Plums:

A lot of plum blossoms perished because of untimely rains in February this year. Very few plum fruit therefore could materialise. The fruit that ultimately formed  is now acquiring the size and is about to change colour from the presently greenish yellow to maroon red. The fruit ripening is anxiously awaited by the ever vigilant birds as well as not so vigilant ourselves.

Veggies of Season:

Like various fruits, we also grow vegetables of season not so much for our own use but to send to our friends and relatives and to distribute among the gardeners working in and around our own farm in 

the Wakefield Gardens but above all to find a reason to thank Allah SWT the most compassionate and most merciful and without the mercy of Whom we couldn't possibly have the bounties that He so
graciously bestowed upon us. Some of the vegetables of season that could be found presentlygrowing at our farm are:

Bell Pepper:

Bell Pepper is known as Sweet Pepper or simply 'Pepper' (in the UK) and Capsicum (in India). In Pakistan, it is called 'Shimla Mirch'. Cultivars of the plant produce fruits in different colors, including red, yellow, orange, green, chocolate/brown, vanilla/white, and purple. Bell Peppers are native to Mexico, Central America and northern South America. We have the common green variety growing in our yard. It is large in size and dark green in colour.

Brinjal:

Based on colour, shape and size, there are at least 30 different varieties of Brinjal, which is also called Eggplant and/or Aubergine. During the on going season, we have two of different kinds growing.The variety of the first kind is small and round, having red purple colour.  It is known for its tenderness and sweet flavor. The second variety is long dark purple in colour and is also very tender and sweet. 

Both of these, the Bell Peppers and Brinjals together are used in the preparation of Bagharay Baigan, a Hyderabadi recipe and on that count are especially favoured in our family.

Our Farm Poultry:

No farm is an accomplished farm without having its own chicken coop. Among the chickens we raise and keep at the farm, there are two types of Desi origin. The type one is called 'Misry' and the other 'Golden' . Both of the two are well known for laying eggs largely uninterrupted. Currently we have nine hens and two roosters. Keeping the layer hens allows us to have ample supply of eggs for ourselves and plenty more to share. 

Among the additional benefits are the home baked cakes, which Anjum is so fond of preparing. The freshly baked cake with its delicate aroma is a luxury we have come to enjoy and relish a lot.

Note: For the benefit of our relatives and friends living far and wide, this blog includes the relevant perspective as well as bit of experience that continually gets accumulated in growing fruits and vegetables of the seasons. Included occasionally on purpose are also some details of the preparations that we relish consuming. After all, a purpose of this blog is to share the pleasures of living at the farm and that includes not only growing  fruits and vegetables but also preparing dishes ( jams, chutneys, pickles and dishes of sorts) typical of our household.

Weather this Week at the Farm:

Dry and very hot

Daytime Temp (outside) : in excess of 40C, Inside the Farmhouse: 30C

Night time (outside): 35C, Inside the Farmhouse: 35C