At The Market – Essential Garden Goodies
September 2, 2024 11:31 amExplore the latest innovations in gardening essentials and sustainable practices, featuring versatile tools, nutrient-rich fertilizers, and unique plant varieties designed…
The Summer veggie garden with Garden Master
August 22, 2024 9:35 amIt’s an exciting time for gardeners as we move into spring and then summer, with the rain arriving (in most…
DIY Watering Pipe
August 4, 2024 4:12 pmDo you want to make watering your garden easier? This 5-minute DIY watering pipe makes watering much more efficient, getting…
Stormwater for Veggie Garden Irrigation
February 7, 2024 3:38 pmWhy stormwater? Stormwater is any accumulation of water from precipitation, and may include groundwater and spring water. We often allow…
Spring Basket
August 21, 2023 1:20 pmTake a look at some useful goodies that can help you in your veggie garden this spring. Bright and Vibrant…
Become a Water Warrior This Spring
August 11, 2023 2:38 pmHere are some of our top tips to being a responsible water user in your vegetable garden! Time Your Watering…
DIY Tool Rack
February 28, 2023 9:31 pmStore your garden tools neatly and efficiently with this mighty simple tool rack. What you need 2 x 1050mm x…
Permaculture methods for regenerating the soil
January 26, 2023 11:33 amDon’t despair if your garden’s soil isn’t great – it can be improved! Not all soils are equal. Some soil…
The Luxury of Vanilla
January 26, 2023 10:55 amThe most exotic of spices Life isn’t fair, is it? Vanilla adds such a luxurious flavour to baked goods, ice-cream,…
Fruit trees and Cross-pollination
December 13, 2022 12:00 pmFruit trees are a fabulous addition to any garden: not only do they add a home-grown element to your table,…
How to water veggies without wasting
December 13, 2022 10:42 amVegetables need regular watering, because drought-stressed vegetables don’t produce good-quality fruit or tasty leaves. They are also more susceptible to…
How to attract ladybirds to the veggie garden
December 13, 2022 10:16 amLadybirds are not just delightful visitors to the garden, they are also effective predators of aphids, mites, and even whitefly.…
The Science Behind Fertilising
November 23, 2022 3:51 pmSimply put, fertiliser is required for soils that are lacking in nutrients that a plant needs to perform at its…
Spring Checklist
October 28, 2022 11:08 amFollow our Spring Checklist and try these tips for your edible spring garden to make the most out of the…
Autumn and Winter Checklist
March 18, 2022 9:16 amHere’s the autumn and winter checklist of tasks in the food garden to take you through the cooler seasons. Micro…
Feed The Plants That Feed You
November 30, 2021 8:38 pmThe buzz of bees – that’s one thing that we associate with spring and the edible garden. But bees need…
Renew Your Veggie Garden for Spring
August 3, 2021 9:11 pmWhether August is cold and windy or warm with a sense of spring, tasks in the veggie garden remain the…
Turning scraps into garden gold
November 16, 2020 12:21 pmThere are a few ways that you can turn garden and kitchen waste into a valuable gardening product. We all…
Keep Seedlings Safe – DIY Shade Frame
November 10, 2020 8:45 pmKeep newly germinated seedlings sheltered from the sun and safe from pests with this simple DIY shade frame. For Your…
5 Step Spring Veggie Plan
September 1, 2020 3:13 pm1. Time your sowing The soil temperature required by vegetables to germinate differs. Start with root and other cool season…
Sweet Summer Rewards
August 31, 2020 11:12 amGrowing your own Organic Peaches, Apricots and Nectarines There’s no better reward for your effort than picking sweet, juicy, fresh,…
Getting Started With Compost
March 20, 2020 2:31 pmCompost – making it, storing it and getting rid of kitchen waste in it – is always an issue. A…
From Green Manures to Microgreens
December 2, 2019 12:42 pmEven if you are not a fan of winter veggies, don’t leave the beds bare during winter. Rather sow green-manure…
Green Manures
November 7, 2019 10:42 amManure is usually something that we think of as smelly, albeit useful for our garden. However, it is sometimes difficult…
Cucamelons
September 10, 2019 1:34 pmThe little fruit of many names – mouse melon, Mexican mini watermelon, Mexican sour cucumber, Mexican sour gherkin, pepquino or…
3 herbs for your next spicy dish
June 4, 2019 11:31 amOregano ‘Hot and spicy’ has chilli-flavoured leaves that add a fiery edge to a dish. Use it as a substitute…
Rosemary
January 21, 2019 8:00 amRosemary imparts a delicious flavour and aroma to food. It is a healing herb for the body and soul, a…
Summer Season Checklist
December 10, 2018 11:42 amCheck out these super tips for the food garden this season. 1. Super berries They say that the blueberry (Vaccinium…
Turmeric
December 10, 2018 8:00 amAlso known as Curcuma longa, Curcuma domestica is believed to have originated in India. The name ‘turmeric’ is thought to…
7 herbs for this holiday season
November 21, 2018 3:35 pm1. Sweet basil does best with morning sun and afternoon shade. Grow in fertile, wellcomposted soil that drains well. For…
Oranges and Lemons
May 18, 2018 1:32 pmOranges & lemons – A must have in any organic garden Citrus must be the juiciest, fresh and health giving…
Don't Slow Down Now!
April 10, 2018 2:51 pmDon’t Slow Down Now! TEXT Alice Spenser-Higgs Autumn is a good time to grow vegetables in containers. The milder days…
Earthworm Value
March 16, 2018 1:03 pmThe value of earthworms Charles Darwin, one of the world’s greatest naturalists, spent many years studying earthworms. He concluded that…
Watermelon
March 14, 2018 6:09 pmOne of the highlights of summer is homegrown watermelon Watermelons are easy to grow but require space; because each plant…
Growing Herbs In Pots
February 16, 2018 10:12 amThere is no need to ever be without herbs. For a year-round supply, grow them in pots. Herbs grow so well…
Baby Cabbages
February 5, 2018 10:23 amLike all things miniature, baby cabbages have an appeal all of their own. They don’t take up as much growing…
Cherry on Top
February 5, 2018 9:25 amCherry on Top Whence these delicious treats? PRUNUS avium, the main ancestor of the sweet cherries that are grown commercially…
Ooh, Melons!
February 5, 2018 8:57 amOoh, Melons! Known as cantaloupe in much of the world, here the sweet melon is generally referred to as spanspek…
Pomegranate
January 30, 2018 8:50 amPomegranate Cut a pomegranate fruit in half and the beauty that is revealed inspires artists to paint it, draw it,…
Brussel Sprouts
January 30, 2018 8:22 amGet rid of those pouts, grow brussel sprouts! A sprout from Brussels…? BRASSICA oleracea variety gemmifera, the vegetable we know…
Perfect Peaches
January 29, 2018 2:22 pmPerfect Peaches Imagine the taste of a juicy peach, picked straight off the tree that you have nurtured through the…
Noble Bay
January 29, 2018 11:53 amBay, the noblest of leaves It may come as a surprise, but sweet bay (Laurus nobilis) has a long association…
Dilly for Dill
January 29, 2018 10:35 amDilly for Dill With its feathery, blue-green leaves and clusters of yellow flowers in summer, dill (Anethum graveolens) is an…
Watercress Wonders
January 26, 2018 9:31 amThe wonders of watercress. Watercress (Nasturtium officinale) is a creeping perennial that is one of the oldest leafy vegetables to…
Pattypans
January 26, 2018 8:59 amPattypan squash (Cucurbita pepo) Pattypans look like little yellow, green or stripy spaceships and, like baby marrows, these bushy squashes…
Growing Garlic
January 25, 2018 1:59 pmPlanting garlic The bulbs should be planted in autumn (March or April) about 10cm deep, pointed end up, and covered…
Flavourful Fennel
January 25, 2018 1:06 pmFlavourful Fennel Spicy and sweet, fennel is a cook’s dream and a delight for gardeners who love its striking foliage…
Winter Cut Flowers For The Veggie Garden
January 24, 2018 10:29 amIf you are hooked on the pleasure of picking your own grown veggies and herbs, you should extend that to…
Go Goji
January 24, 2018 9:30 amGrowing your own berries has become a trend over the last couple of years for many reasons: berries are expensive…
A+ Apples
January 24, 2018 8:31 amA+ Apples There is archaeological evidence that apples (Malus domestica) have been eaten since as far back as 6500 BC,…
Hot Pot Herbs
January 23, 2018 2:55 pmHerbs for a hot pot Herbs grow so well in pots that there is almost no excuse for not growing…
Cold Season Crop Tips
January 23, 2018 9:03 amCold Season Crop Tips 5 Tips for Growing Brussels Sprouts Plant in firm soil. This will keep the plant well…
Step-Up Veggies
January 22, 2018 4:08 pmStep-Up Veggies Growing vertically is a great way to make the most of limited space. This handy DIY ladder allows…
Earthworm Rescue
January 22, 2018 2:38 pmEarthworms to the Rescue! The best way to convert organic kitchen waste into a power tonic for your plants and…
All About Avocados
January 22, 2018 9:23 amIt’s a big space investment, but if you live in a warmer part of the country try to squeeze an…
Everyone Loves Butternut
January 19, 2018 11:13 amIt’s worth allocating some space and time to this melt-in-the-mouth veggie. Although butternuts, like pumpkins, take up more space than…
Sweetest Sweetcorn
January 19, 2018 10:32 amIt’s at its sweetest fresh off the cob before the sugars start converting, so it’s always best to grow your…
Devilishly Wicked Chillies
January 19, 2018 10:01 amIf you’re addicted to chillies, here’s how to grow them successfully from seed – there’s a world of unusual varieties…
Hot Season Crop Tips
January 18, 2018 3:41 pmMore Brinjals. Increase the yield of your brinjals by pinching out the growing tip when five or six leaves have…
Make the Most of Winter
January 18, 2018 12:31 pmEach season we take a look at what’s happening in the Soil for Life garden. Soil for Life is an…
Harvesting Winter Veggies
January 18, 2018 11:44 amTips for harvesting winter veggies • Harvest broccoli heads before the flower buds open and when they are still firm…
Thyme for All Seasons
January 18, 2018 11:20 amThyme for All Seasons Although its growing season is in the warmer months, thyme is the perfect choice for the…
Winter Ways with Rosemary
January 18, 2018 11:14 amFrost-hardy rosemary is a boon in winter: it makes the perfect protective, edible hedge, infuses a steamy bath with its…
How to Prune Plums
January 18, 2018 10:22 amHow to prune plums Pruning is the most important winter task for your plum trees. Here’s how to do it…
Plant a Plum Tree
January 18, 2018 10:12 amPlant a Plum Tree this Winter Success with plums is as easy as following these steps There is no juicier…
Growing Parsnips
January 18, 2018 9:01 amParsnips (Pastinaca sativa) aren’t a vegetable that springs to mind, being more common in the colder countries than in South…
Radiant Radishes
January 18, 2018 8:49 amThe radish belongs to the Brassicaceae family. While we are all familiar with the red radish, other cultivars come in…
Growing Leeks
January 18, 2018 8:32 amEssential flavourings for cold season soups and stews, garlic, leeks, chives and onions are the kitchen garden’s storm troopers against…
Cauliflower is King!
January 17, 2018 3:37 pmWith plant-based diets now a popular choice for many people, the humble cauliflower has become an exciting addition to mealtimes.…
Start a Food Garden
January 17, 2018 2:24 pmTop ten tips to start a food garden! The best time to start a food garden is when you are…
Peanut Tips
January 17, 2018 11:35 amTips on Growing Peanuts ● Keep the peanuts in their shells until ready to plant, to keep them fresh and…
Radish With a Difference
January 15, 2018 2:44 pmRadish With a Difference Radishes are a quick and easy spring crop, and there is a new Asian variety that…
Superb Celery
January 15, 2018 2:27 pmBefore 2019 celery was an elusive vegetable that appeared in the occasional salad or disguised in a chef’s mirepoix. But…
Prized Pumpkins
January 15, 2018 2:13 pmPrized Pumpkins Pumpkins are the big daddy of vegetables, and they certainly like to ramble. Although not ideal for small…
Sweet Pineapples
January 15, 2018 1:18 pmSweet Pineapples Common name: Pineapple Botanical name: Ananas comosus Origin: Tropical Mesoamerica Suitable climates Pineapples are one of the most…
Sweet Peppers
January 15, 2018 12:04 pmCapsicum annuum is the best-known domesticated species of pepper in the world and contains a huge number of varieties including…
Spinach by Any Other Name
January 15, 2018 11:43 amSpinach by any other name Most of us use the terms ‘spinach’ and ‘Swiss chard’ interchangeably when referring to our…
Bright And Beautiful Beetroot
January 15, 2018 10:46 amBeetroot is a stalwart of the garden. It is an efficient crop, grown year-round for its root and foliage, that…
Ocimum Basilicum
January 8, 2018 12:56 pmSweet Basil Ocimum basilicum Sweet basil has a unique taste that is closely related to its spicy sweet fragrance. Of…
Summer Heat with Chillies
November 27, 2017 12:50 pmThis summer up the heat in the garden and the kitchen with a selection of chillies and peppers. Christopher Columbus…
Raise a Kitchen Garden
November 6, 2017 12:45 pmRaise a Kitchen Garden: The initial effort required to build a raised garden is handsomely rewarded once it is up…
Companion Planting for Pest Control
November 3, 2017 11:57 amCompanion planting has a long tradition in organic gardening practice. The principle behind companion planting is that certain plants either…
Sowing Guide for December
November 2, 2017 7:05 amLeaf vegetables: spinach, rocket Root vegetables: beetroot (cooler areas) Legumes: bush and runner beans Brassicas: broccoli (first sowing for cooler…
How to Sow Cucumber Seeds
June 2, 2017 10:31 amIn the spirit of World Cucumber Day on June 14, Tanya shows us how to sow cucumber seeds and grow…
Sowing Seeds in August
January 15, 2016 7:16 amIt’s August which means it’s time to start sowing seeds. August is the best time to get out those seed…
Punica Granatum
September 4, 2015 8:37 amPomegranate tree There was a time when pomegranate trees or shrubs were quite common in gardens. Then they became old…
Preparing for a Summer Herb Garden
September 4, 2015 6:45 amHerbs are an organic gardener’s best resource, especially when it comes to preparing the garden for summer. Quite a number…
Potted Tomatoes
September 4, 2015 6:40 amOne of the joys of growing tomatoes in pots is that they do so well, and if the pots can…
Planning a winter food garden
September 2, 2015 9:22 amStart planning your winter food garden now, before summer becomes autumn, as dictated by the March solstice.
Olives – Olea Europaea
September 1, 2015 12:10 pmAn olive, to many, is no more than a humble lump at the bottom of a martini… Olives have oiled…
Savour Your Roots
July 23, 2015 11:30 amAlthough it may not yet feel like it, autumn is on its way and root vegetables, including carrots, beetroot, onions,…
Garden Gifts from the Vegetable Garden
July 14, 2015 8:42 amMany food gardeners have mixed feelings about the December holiday season. It is peak harvesting season for summer vegetables, weeds…
Cuminum Cyminum
April 20, 2015 8:51 amCumin Cuminum cyminum by Margaret Roberts Cumin is a true exotic, a flavour-filled treasure! It has played a vital role…
A How To For Avocado Lovers
August 22, 2014 9:21 amLovers of avocado will find an investment in a tree or two well worth their while. Common name: Avocado Botanical…
Borago officinalis
August 21, 2014 9:41 amBorage This annual herb is equally at home in the herb, veggie or cottage-style garden. The plant forms a basal…