This is a recipe especially for those vistors to this site from the northern hemisphere where persimmons are in season. In Sydney persimmonscan be replaced with fresh mango that is now in season. There are many recipes using this delicious autumn fruit in baked goods but I thought it was a waste of the truly luscious sweetness of this fruit. This trifle recipe keeps the … Continue reading Persimmon and Orange Custard Trifles
Mizuna, a delicate fern like member of the brassica family, is a delicious, peppery mustard green that can be eaten fresh or added to stir fry dishes, or soups and is so easy to grow. Mizuna are also rich in vitamin C, viatamin K, iron and folate. Like other brassicas it contains plant compounds called glucosinolates, which are beneficial to the body’s immune system. Growth … Continue reading Growing Mizuna
Growth habits and planting needs Spinach is a fast growing leafy plant that is rich in iron and so a valuable vegetable to grow in home garden. Select a position in the garden that receives full sun. Spinach should be planted early in Autumn and grown when temperatures are cool as it is sensitive to heat and will bolt to seed if the temperature is … Continue reading Growing Spinach
Garden or shelling Peas, Snow Peas and Sugar Snap peas are the most popular vegetables grown in the home garden. They are cool season plants and a little effort to grow them is rewarded by sweet fleshy pea seeds of the Garden pea variety, the tender edible pods of the Snow Pea and crispness of Sugar Snap varieties. Growth habits and planting needs The best … Continue reading Growing Peas
Leeks have been cultivated in Egypt for over 3000 years. They are known scientifically as Allium porrum, are related to garlic, onions, shallots and have a more delicate, mild and sweeter flavour than onions. Growth habits and planting needs Leeks prefer to be grown in full sun but will tolerate some shade. The soil should be well drained and enriched with well rotted compost and … Continue reading Growing Leeks
The following is a list of things you can plant in May in Sydney, a temperate zone: Beans – broad beans Brussels sprouts seedlings Cabbage seedlings Carrot Cauliflower seedlings Garlic Kale seedlings Kohlrabi Leeks seedlings Lettuce Mizuna Mustard greens Onion Pak Choy Parsley Peas Radish Rocket Shallots Silverbeet Snow Peas Spinach Strawberry Turnip Flower of the month – Dragon fruit flower (hylocereus) Continue reading What to plant in May
Garlic (Allium sativum) is a close relative of onions, leeks and chives a popular ingredient in cooking due to its delicious taste though from ancient times, the main use of garlic was for its health giving and medicinal properties. Garlic is very rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin B6 and Manganese. Growth habits and planting needs Select a site that gets full sun. When choosing what garlic … Continue reading Growing Garlic
Kohlrabi is an interesting vegetable that has a tender flesh with a mild flavour like that of cabbage or turnips. It is an easy vegetable to grow and a good source of vitamin C and potassium. Like other members of the brassica family, it also has cancer fighting properties. Growth habits and planting needs Select a site that will receive full sun to grow your … Continue reading Growing Kohlrabi
Growth habits and planting needs The site chosen for planting should be protected from winds but get at least 6 hours of sunlight. Prepare the bed at least two weeks before planting. To successfully grow Brussels sprouts make sure the soil is rich, friable and well drained with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. Brussels sprouts need lots of nitrogen to grow strong stems and … Continue reading Growing Brussels Sprouts
Growth habits and planting needs Kale is a hardy and especially nutritious vegetable that is easy to grow in sunny spot in the home garden. It is rich in antioxidants, iron, vitamins A,C, K and Folate and rich in calcium. Prepare the soil by digging it over well and enriching it by working in aged manure and well rotted compost. The soil should be rich … Continue reading Growing Kale
The Grantham Gardener 