

Sweet Sapphire Grapes, a New Variety
Last year I had the pleasure of trying out this sweet and crisp new variety of grape, the Sweet Sapphire grape, developed in California and now grown here in Australia and around the world. They were just so sweet and delicious. The Sweet Sapphire grape is a new variety, naturally crossbred and GMO free, and grown in farms around Mildura in Victoria and in the … Continue reading Sweet Sapphire Grapes, a New Variety

Enjoying and Growing Pulses
The year 2016 was nominated as the International Year of Pulses. We joined the activities by listing recipes on this page along with links to information pages for growing various pulses in the home garden. Check out the recipes and growing information below. Last year we grew Chickpeas with success and you can see the plant in the banner of this post and photographed below. … Continue reading Enjoying and Growing Pulses

What to Plant in February
The following is a list of vegetables and herbs that you can plant in February in Sydney, a temperate zone. Just click on the name for the growing guide for each vegetable or herb: Plant of the Month – Dracaena trifasciata-(Snake Plant) Dracaena trifasciata, previously known as Sansevieria, is an evergreen perennial plant, native to tropical West Africa, Dracaena trifasciata is also known as “mother-in-law’s … Continue reading What to Plant in February

What to Plant in January
The following is a list of vegetables and herbs that you can plant in January in Sydney, a temperate zone. Just click on the name for the growing guide for each vegetable or herb: Plant of the Month – The beautiful Hoya This month I am featuring the beautiful Hoya as Plant of the Month. This specimen, Hoya pubicalyx, (native to the Philippines) with its … Continue reading What to Plant in January

Happy New Year 2023
A Happy New Year to all followers, gardeners and visitors to The Grantham Gardener. I wish you good health, prosperity, and peace. May your garden bloom and be bountiful and may your table be always full with many friends around it to share the laughter! After the heatwave conditions of the past days, Sydneysiders will head for the beaches sea this New Year’s day! … Continue reading Happy New Year 2023

Merry Christmas
Its another sunny, Sydney Christmas day on this side of the world. Summer’s bounty graces our Christmas table, as family gathers for a feast of food that originates from traditions from the colder climates of far away lands, as well as the freshest seafood and summer fruits of our own country. What a blessing! To all who read this: gardeners, followers and visitors, I wish … Continue reading Merry Christmas

What to Plant in December
Today is the first day of summer and this is the first planting guide of the season. The following is a list of vegetables and herbs you can plant in December in Sydney, a temperate zone. Just click on the name for the growing guide for each vegetable or herb: Plant of the Month – Philodendron hastatum (Silver sword) Sometimes plants that we have taken … Continue reading What to Plant in December

Sour Cream Scones
Sour Cream Scones are amazingly easy to make and are really delicious to have for afternoon tea. Made in the round and cut into wedges, they are light and have just enough currants to add that fruity flavour. I have used Lighthouse Cake Self Raising flour which has a lower protein and makes a softer scone.The scones can be mixed in the food processor or … Continue reading Sour Cream Scones

What to Plant in November
The following is a list of vegetables and herbs you can plant in November in Sydney, a temperate zone. Just click on the name for the growing guide for each vegetable or herb: Plant of the Month – The Spectacular Disocactus-(orchid cactus) Disocactus commonly known as Orchid cacti, are hybrids which are widely grown for their spectacular large and brillantly coloured flowers. The species is … Continue reading What to Plant in November

Easy Vegetable and Sausage Quiche
Fennel an Fennel and leek are mild and work well together in this quiche and the addition of the Cheddar cheese, Kransky and mushrooms add bursts of extra flavour. This is an easy quiche to make because all the elements can be prepared ahead, even the shortcrust pastry, leaving only the assembly and the whisking of the eggs and cream. If you don’t have cream … Continue reading Easy Vegetable and Sausage Quiche

Rich Split Pea and Smoked Ham Soup
There is nothing more delicious than a rich, thick split pea and smoked ham soup. In fact, a recent study has shown that bone broth made from dry-cured ham bones may be beneficial for heart health. So even more goodness from this classic soup. With the long cooking the peas melt into the liquid and the potatoes thicken the soup further as they break down … Continue reading Rich Split Pea and Smoked Ham Soup

What to Plant in October
The following is a list of vegetables and herbs you can plant in October in Sydney, a temperate zone. Just click on the name for the growing guide for each vegetable or herb: Plant of the Month- The spectacular Clivia The beautiful Clivia is a herbaceous under storey plant native to southern Africa that has adapted to low light conditions and is long lived. The … Continue reading What to Plant in October