Garden in the Altes Land

Spent a few days in the Altes Land again. These tomatoes were fresh from the greenhouse.


View from the porch swing “into the sun”


Now they’re hanging after all, after they didn’t really want to at first



Not quite as big this time as last year


The hydrangeas aren’t just growing, they’re almost taking over.


They’re slowly changing color



Tomatoes and peppers that no longer fit in the greenhouse

Luckily, the tomato supply is secured.                                                                                                





A lot of work, but it’s fun and, most of all, it tastes delicious.

Best, Marlies

Birds and their nesting spots

we weren’t entirely happy with their choice of nesting spot...



For several years, the tits had chosen the mailbox as their nesting place. It was very interesting to watch what was going on. Whenever we stepped out the front door, Mama or Papa Tit would be sitting in the bush, scolding us.






This nest was built in the carport. After the little ones have flown the nest, we’ll make a few modifications in the fall so the little birds are safer.

Wowww, Marlies! Those are such beautiful photos, and such interesting insights. Thanks for sharing them!

Your birds really do have ideas. The nest box in the mailbox is simply incredible ... *smile*. They must have liked it there very much, because after all, the mailbox has a roof. So it's very inviting as a place to move into. The first picture with the blackbirds(?) is cool too. What did they nest on? What kind of poles do you have there?

When I look at your garden, I can only marvel. It's a little paradise! No wonder the birds feel at home with you. And you always have fresh vegetables - an absolute dream! The Alte Land has a lot to offer; I loved it too when we were still living in Bremen.

@ Monika
Those are the bamboo stakes for the tomato plants that were lying in the shed next to the garden house. From up there, Mama Blackbird always had a good view. She’d even stay put while we were working there. Blackbirds are generally very “tame.” When we come by with food or apples, they hop three steps to the side and watch closely to make sure everything is placed just right.

The titmice were really something else. We had to hide in the bushes so we could see them get in there. The mail slot isn’t that wide, after all. It was very interesting. All but one of the little ones made it out just fine. The last little one banged its head pretty hard and tumbled back into the nest. But the next day, it managed the trip too.

Every now and then, a huge hare runs across the lawn. I’d never seen such a big hare before.

Back when the forest and the big oak tree were still there (now the apple orchard), we even had squirrels. They practically ran right over our feet. We were sitting on the patio with my mother-in-law when she suddenly said, “There goes a piece of bread.” The garden shed was open, and inside was a cardboard box with dry bread for the horses grazing in the pasture. A squirrel had snatched a slice and was trying to carry it away. Of course, it didn’t work because it was a big slice. We laughed so hard.

That’s so funny, all the things you experience with the animals. So lovely! The part about the titmice is really the best. The blackbirds are very tame here, too. They nest every year in the bush above our neighbor’s mailbox. And they don’t mind at all that we have to walk past there all the time.

It’s really lovely when animals in nature are so close by and you can watch them. I also love living in the countryside with a small town just 7 km away.

A lovely greeting from the Altes Land.





Right now, we can barely eat as much as has ripened.
Best regards, Marlies

Oh, how lovely, Marlies. We’ve also been lucky enough to get heart-shaped vegetables or fruit many times. It certainly looks veeeery delicious.