A knowledgable colleague pointed out to me recently that many summer and autumn flowering plants require a period of dry weather before they flower well in the warm season. The list includes frangipani, plumbago (below), bougainvillea, adenium and crown of thorns. That’s why these plants… Read More »Less Water Can Be A Blessing
The easy way to pot a plant As more people are living in apartments and town houses, garden sizes are becoming smaller. Pots allow those without a plot of soil to enjoy the pleasure and company of plants but even people with traditional gardens cannot… Read More »Potted Plants
There’s more to composting than just tossing bits of unwanted food in a bin every now and again.Yes, it is eco-friendly, yes, it is natural and yes, it can help your garden enormously, but only if you remember a few things. When you start don’t… Read More »Compost at Home
Always referred to as a healing plant Aloe vera will sit comfortably on any windowsill.Not only is it handy indoors to soothe any kitchen or sunburns, this succulent will purify the air of formaldehyde and benzene, found in varnishes, floor finishes, and detergents.They last for… Read More »The Awesome Aloe
Early Warning… This article will not please the ‘impatient gardener’. Nevertheless, this is what happens so we must suck it up and realise that we can work with nature and the last few million years of development, or fail. All seeds have their optimal germination… Read More »Seed Germination – Temperature
Coriandrum sativum Originally from the Ukraine or Turkey, Coriander or Cilantro has been welcomed by every culture it has touched, especially the Indian sub-continent.Also known, for some odd reason, as Chinese Parsley. You can quite comfortably sow Coriander at any time of year but you… Read More »Coriander all season herb
INGREDIENTS 2 tablespoons oil250 g/8 oz tender pork, sliced thinly3 cups Lycium leaves, washed and dried1 cup of Lycium berries (fresh or dried)6 slices fresh ginger1 tablespoon finely grated ginger1.5 litres or 3 pints or 6 cups with chicken or pork stock added2 teaspoons sugarsalt… Read More »Wolfberry Soup Recipe
I have always been thoroughly impressed by the confident look of a gardener as they emerge from the garden bearing the fruits of their labour in one or both hands or even a basket full.There is nothing quite like trying to look nonchalant while walking… Read More »Urban Gardens
Radish has a very distinct flavor when raw, but throughout the season you can simply have had enough of that particular addition to your salads.Roasting them, though, is a way to change the flavour experience completely. INGREDIENTS500 gms of radish, with the green tops removed1 tablespoon… Read More »Roasted Radish
Now, we are on the tail end of Winter and it was a dry one for most of the country, but, on the positive side, the cold, dry atmosphere will have decimated a lot of pupating and developing pests that seem to take the wonderful… Read More »When Spring approaches….