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Vegetables

Winter Leafy Veg

May 20, 2024 2:29 pm Published by

Full of flavour, easy to grow and good for you – let us sow some green, winter leafy veg! While…

Gourmet Winter Veggies

April 18, 2024 4:16 pm Published by

Google the term ‘gourmet’ and the general consensus is that it refers to any food that is nicer, more unusual,…

Sun-dried Tomatoes

March 21, 2024 1:00 pm Published by

Preserve summer with your own sun-dried tomatoes! Preserving a summer harvest of tomatoes is simple if you have the time.…

How To Grow Pattypans

October 25, 2023 12:32 pm Published by

When planning your vegetable garden, pattypans are probably not the first vegetable to come to mind. To be honest, they’re…

Perennial Veggies

September 19, 2023 3:50 pm Published by

The benefits of perennial vegetables are many, and there are very few drawbacks. Our local organic gardening guru, Dale Grobler,…

Window Box Veggie Gardening

August 22, 2023 9:14 am Published by

The idea of window box farming sounds delightfully quixotic and impractical. Actually, it’s an invitation to those who look longingly…

Horned Cucumber

Horned Cucumbers

March 3, 2023 7:56 am Published by

This fruit is a definite conversation starter, and it’s delicious too. Most of the vegetables that we grow come from…

Lemongrass

Lemongrass

January 26, 2023 11:04 am Published by

The zestiest of grasses Lemongrass is widely used in Asian cuisine,and it offers more than just lemony flavour. Although, clump-forming…

Summer Squashes

Summer Squashes

January 26, 2023 10:48 am Published by

Squeeze these squashes into your garden this summer. Squashes might not be the first thing you think about when you…

Jerusalem Artichokes

Jerusalem Artichokes

January 23, 2023 1:53 pm Published by

If you love potatoes and artichokes, you simply have to give Jerusalem artichokes a try! You’d think that the name…

Turkish Orange Brinjal

Turkish Orange Brinjal

January 23, 2023 1:02 pm Published by

Orange is the new black Even more beautiful than the brinjal you’re used to, the Turkish orange brinjal is a…

Sizzling horseradish

December 13, 2022 2:41 pm Published by

Your mental image of horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) is probably that strange jar containing a mysterious white substance that lived at…

pumpkin bread

Pumpkin Bread

November 22, 2022 3:16 pm Published by

An Irish myth about a stingy person called Jack who ended up as a wandering soul started the craze of…

Unfussy Okra

October 28, 2022 3:12 pm Published by

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is a vegetable with historical roots firmly planted on the African continent. Historians believe it was first…

sugar snap peas

Sugar-Snap Peas

October 28, 2022 2:44 pm Published by

Sugar-snap peas are the ultimate garden fast food. There are few things more delicious than sugar-snap peas fresh from the…

mediterranean garden

The Flavours of the Med

October 28, 2022 11:48 am Published by

Jam-packed with flavour, a Mediterranean garden virtually looks after itself. Mediterranean flavours are ones we all love – tomatoes, herbs…

radish ideas

Radish Ideas

May 12, 2022 10:55 am Published by

Radishes are one of those fast-growing crops in the garden that can also be sown throughout the year, so with…

cherry tomatoes

Cherry Tomatoes

April 11, 2022 2:50 pm Published by

Sweet and small, but big on flavour. Cherry tomatoes! The name says it all: they’re small and super-sweet, bite-sized like…

plant a soup garden

Plant a Soup Garden

April 7, 2022 4:41 pm Published by

Soup is winter’s best treat, and whether you like your soup thick and chunky, consommé or as a tangy Asian…

Top 10 Plant Friends

March 29, 2022 1:49 pm Published by

Some plants grow well together and some don’t. In the vegetable garden you can get the best out of a…

runner beans

Runner Beans

March 24, 2022 4:03 pm Published by

For many home cooks, the term ‘green beans’ doesn’t go beyond the steamed pods that accompany a roast for Sunday…

spinach alternatives

Spinach Alternatives

March 24, 2022 3:47 pm Published by

We’re always told to eat spinach, but what are the other leafy greens that can fill this role in our…

climb slinky

Climb A Slinky

February 18, 2022 3:43 pm Published by

Have some fun in the garden creating this ‘climb a slinky’ and some beans or peas. This is actually too…

cucumbers

Pickling cucumbers

January 18, 2022 4:16 pm Published by

Pickling cucumbers is a quick and easy way to store mini cucumbers, or cukes, for a longer time than the…

Root-to-stem veggies

November 9, 2021 10:07 pm Published by

Thrifty gardeners like to use every part of the vegetable. Why throw away luscious beetroot tops, colourful Swiss chard stems…

baby vegetables

Growing Baby Veggies

October 13, 2021 10:50 am Published by

Baby vegetables are not just trendy from a gourmet point of view. For gardeners in a hurry or who have…

watering vegetables wisely

Watering Vegetables Wisely

October 12, 2021 9:09 am Published by

Everything is growing fast and temperatures are rising. Most veggies are thirsty, needing regular watering to produce juicy, tasty leaves…

tomatoes

Tomato Update

September 14, 2021 11:33 am Published by

Remember when ‘Heinz 1370’, ‘Floradade’ and ‘Rodade’ were about the only tomatoes you could grow from seed? When heirloom tomatoes…

vertical gardening

Vertical Vegetable Gardening

July 7, 2021 11:12 am Published by

Saving space is not the only reason for vertical vegetable gardening. Veggies twining up obelisks, tumbling over archways, vining up…

Plant Peas for Spring

July 7, 2021 9:55 am Published by

Garden peas are such a delicious vegetable: crunchy, sweet and nutritious. They are also a very short crop, but what…

Growing Broad Beans

June 14, 2021 9:22 pm Published by

Most seasoned veggie growers agree that broad beans are one of the easiest of the winter crops to grow, so…

How To Blanch Leeks

May 18, 2021 12:45 pm Published by

Blanch leeks to help them grow whiter stems with improved flavour. If you sowed Leeks in February in South Africa,…

smoothies

Grow Your Own Smoothies

February 24, 2021 10:32 am Published by

Check out the sowing guide for February and you’ll notice that it is mainly greens. There is a saying that…

pumpkins

Get Pumped About Pumpkins

February 1, 2021 10:29 pm Published by

Pumpkins must place on the list of South Africa’s favourite holiday vegetables, whether mashed, in pampoenkoekies or in a classic…

double agent veggies

Double Agent Veggies

January 29, 2021 9:21 am Published by

Appearances can be deceptive, even in the veggie garden. Did you know there are double agent veggies? They can go…

Cool Cucumber

November 9, 2020 10:11 pm Published by

Cucumbers (Cucumis sativus) are one of the few vegetables that can still be sown in December in most areas –…

zucchini

Rewarding Zucchini

November 9, 2020 9:21 pm Published by

The zucchini, also known as baby marrow or courgette, is the most rewarding plant for the home veggie gardener to…

alliums

It’s All About Alliums

November 9, 2020 1:39 pm Published by

When you come across pungent, sinus clearing vegetables, they’re probably Alliums and hail from the Allium genus. That description doesn’t…

popcorn

Spice Up Your Popcorn!

November 5, 2020 9:25 pm Published by

How to grow your own chemical-free popcorn crop. While gently shovelling mounds of popcorn into your mouth during a thrilling…

Tamarillo – Tree Tomato

November 5, 2020 8:36 pm Published by

The trusty tomato is a household staple and doesn’t necessarily scream ‘exotic’. However, there is one tomato that stands out…

5 Step Spring Veggie Plan

September 1, 2020 3:13 pm Published by

1. Time your sowing The soil temperature required by vegetables to germinate differs. Start with root and other cool season…

Growing Microgreens

December 3, 2019 12:47 pm Published by

The juicy, tender shoots of vegetable and herb mini seedlings are all the rage. They taste great and are perfect…

Growing Tomatoes

November 13, 2019 7:07 pm Published by

Can you imagine life without tomatoes? It’s hard – they’re such a basic ingredient of so many of our favourite…

Growing Baby Marrows

November 7, 2019 11:14 am Published by

Baby marrows, also known as courgettes or zucchinis, are the most rewarding plants for the home vegetable gardener to grow.…

Growing Onions

November 7, 2019 10:58 am Published by

Onions (Allium cepa) is a member of the Allium family and contains a number of sulfides that are similar to…

Green Manures

November 7, 2019 10:42 am Published by

Manure is usually something that we think of as smelly, albeit useful for our garden. However, it is sometimes difficult…

Growing Potatoes

November 7, 2019 10:38 am Published by

Potatoes are an easy crop that can be grown all year round. The first crop is planted in August or…

Growing organic vegetables

November 7, 2019 9:30 am Published by

Why grow Organic? Like generations before us, we are again discovering the joys and benefits of growing healthy, homegrown vegetables.…

Bad Veggie Neighbours

September 22, 2019 11:03 am Published by

While some plants thrive next to each other (beans and tomatoes, for example), other plant combinations lead to nothing but…

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Late Summer Planting

February 7, 2019 1:42 pm Published by

Urban Gardening, Late Summer Planting The end of a summer is a bitter sweet time. But as the temperature starts…

Rosemary

January 21, 2019 8:00 am Published by

Rosemary imparts a delicious flavour and aroma to food. It is a healing herb for the body and soul, a…

Heirloom Tomatoes

December 12, 2018 12:03 am Published by

Heirloom tomatoes offer colour, flavour and endless variety, and more and more wonderful varieties are becoming available locally.  Heirloom fruits…

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Sweet Potatoes

October 25, 2018 11:01 am Published by

Sweet potatoes are not a run-of-the- mill veggie where you just buy a packet of seeds, sow them and watch…

Windowsill Farming

October 1, 2018 11:59 am Published by

Have the freshest leaves at your fingertips by growing them on your kitchen windowsills. If you think you need a…

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Don't Slow Down Now!

April 10, 2018 2:51 pm Published by

Don’t Slow Down Now! TEXT Alice Spenser-Higgs Autumn is a good time to grow vegetables in containers. The milder days…

Baby Cabbages

February 5, 2018 10:23 am Published by

Like all things miniature, baby cabbages have an appeal all of their own. They don’t take up as much growing…

Brussel Sprouts

January 30, 2018 8:22 am Published by

Get rid of those pouts, grow brussel sprouts! A sprout from Brussels…? BRASSICA oleracea variety gemmifera, the vegetable we know…

Watercress Wonders

January 26, 2018 9:31 am Published by

The 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 am Published by

Pattypan squash (Cucurbita pepo) Pattypans look like little yellow, green or stripy spaceships and, like baby marrows, these bushy squashes…

Kohlrabi

January 25, 2018 1:40 pm Published by

Bulletproof! That’s how gardeners who grow kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea var. coulorapa) describe this versatile, under-rated vegetable. Along with radishes, it…

Lush Swiss Chard

January 24, 2018 1:36 pm Published by

Lush, Leafy Swiss Chard Swiss chard is nature’s gift to food gardeners because it is such an easy, rewarding vegetable…

Brassica Troubleshooting Guide

January 23, 2018 2:35 pm Published by

As families go, the brassicas are demanding and temperamental, especially if they’re expected to perform outside their comfort zone (which…

Growing Carrots

January 23, 2018 1:37 pm Published by

Carrots are delicious eaten raw or cooked, and studies suggest that eating one a day might beat taking vitamin supplements.…

Cabbage Patch

January 23, 2018 12:35 pm Published by

Cabbage is one of our best winter crops, because it likes growing in cool, moist conditions. It is less troubled…

Fresh Asian Flavour

January 23, 2018 10:22 am Published by

Heading into winter, the fresh flavour of Oriental vegetables balances the richness of winter food, and they are also good…

Step-Up Veggies

January 22, 2018 4:08 pm Published by

Step-Up Veggies Growing vertically is a great way to make the most of limited space. This handy DIY ladder allows…

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Eat your Veggies

January 22, 2018 3:25 pm Published by

How to get kids to eat veggies It’s great to grow your own veggies and enjoy the taste of fresh…

Eating Microgreens

January 22, 2018 10:50 am Published by

Eat your Microgreens Packed with flavour and nutrition, these gourmet greens are the perfect solution for urban gardeners. But even…

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Tomato Planter

January 22, 2018 8:31 am Published by

Upside-Down Tomato Planter Home-grown tomatoes always taste better, and to make the most of available space they can even be…

Everyone Loves Butternut

January 19, 2018 11:13 am Published by

It’s worth allocating some space and time to this melt-in-the-mouth veggie. Although butternuts, like pumpkins, take up more space than…

Generous Green Beans

January 19, 2018 10:45 am Published by

Fresh green beans are so versatile and delicious when properly prepared – a must have summer crop. Get cracking and…

Sweetest Sweetcorn

January 19, 2018 10:32 am Published by

It’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 am Published by

If you’re addicted to chillies, here’s how to grow them successfully from seed – there’s a world of unusual varieties…

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Hot Season Crop Tips

January 18, 2018 3:41 pm Published by

More Brinjals. Increase the yield of your brinjals by pinching out the growing tip when five or six leaves have…

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Kokedama Balls

January 18, 2018 2:16 pm Published by

Have a ball with Kokedama The space-saving trend of kokedama, the Japanese art of growing plants in moss balls, is…

Food Garden Flowers

January 18, 2018 1:46 pm Published by

Do flowers belong in a food garden? They certainly do, and not only those with edible petals! Many flowers double…

Grow Microgreens

January 18, 2018 10:56 am Published by

A great project for winter is to grow your own microgreens and baby salad leaves. This can be done in…

swiss chard smoothies

Hearty Kale

January 18, 2018 9:17 am Published by

A potent superfood that’s now touted by celebrity chefs, kale is one of the few veggies that regularly crop through…

Growing Parsnips

January 18, 2018 9:01 am Published by

Parsnips (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 am Published by

The 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 am Published by

Essential flavourings for cold season soups and stews, garlic, leeks, chives and onions are the kitchen garden’s storm troopers against…

Cauliflower-based bites

January 17, 2018 3:43 pm Published by

The craze of ricing cauliflower as a substitute for flour for those that are on gluten-free diets has meant that…

Growing Cauliflower

Cauliflower is King!

January 17, 2018 3:37 pm Published by

With plant-based diets now a popular choice for many people, the humble cauliflower has become an exciting addition to mealtimes.…

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A Perfect Match

January 17, 2018 8:31 am Published by

Roses and vegetables are an obvious pairing for so many reasons. Roses and vegetables have a history of being grown…

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Grey Water

January 17, 2018 8:20 am Published by

Grey Water Growing veggies with grey water Grey water is waste water collected from the shower, bath, hand basin and…

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Artichoke

January 15, 2018 2:52 pm Published by

The Gourmet Herb Artichoke As a vegetable, globe artichokes (Cynara scolymus) are considered a gourmet delicacy. As a garden plant,…

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Superb Celery

January 15, 2018 2:27 pm Published by

Before 2019 celery was an elusive vegetable that appeared in the occasional salad or disguised in a chef’s mirepoix. But…

pumpkin

Prized Pumpkins

January 15, 2018 2:13 pm Published by

Prized Pumpkins Pumpkins are the big daddy of vegetables, and they certainly like to ramble. Although not ideal for small…

Sweet Peppers

January 15, 2018 12:04 pm Published by

Capsicum annuum is the best-known domesticated species of pepper in the world and contains a huge number of varieties including…

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Spinach by Any Other Name

January 15, 2018 11:43 am Published by

Spinach by any other name Most of us use the terms ‘spinach’ and ‘Swiss chard’ interchangeably when referring to our…

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Bravo For Brinjals

January 15, 2018 11:22 am Published by

Bravo For Brinjals The eggplant, aubergine, or brinjal is something of an acquired taste. If you like that slight bitterness,…

Potato Tower

January 15, 2018 10:18 am Published by

Potato Tower A simple way to grow potatoes in limited space. What you will need: 25mm x 25mm fencing wire…

Summer Heat with Chillies

November 27, 2017 12:50 pm Published by

This summer up the heat in the garden and the kitchen with a selection of chillies and peppers. Christopher Columbus…

Veggie Planter

November 27, 2017 10:56 am Published by

A Nifty Veggie Planter Having your herbs or veggies at raised level makes it a pleasure to cultivate them –…

Raise a Kitchen Garden

November 6, 2017 12:45 pm Published by

Raise a Kitchen Garden: The initial effort required to build a raised garden is handsomely rewarded once it is up…

Sowing Guide for December

November 2, 2017 7:05 am Published by

Leaf vegetables: spinach, rocket Root vegetables: beetroot (cooler areas) Legumes: bush and runner beans Brassicas: broccoli (first sowing for cooler…

tomatoes

Potted Tomatoes

September 4, 2015 6:40 am Published by

One of the joys of growing tomatoes in pots is that they do so well, and if the pots can…

Peppers

September 2, 2015 8:29 am Published by

Early December presents the last chance in the season to plant both the hot and the sweet capsicums, so whether…

Savour Your Roots

July 23, 2015 11:30 am Published by

Although it may not yet feel like it, autumn is on its way and root vegetables, including carrots, beetroot, onions,…

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