If you have an abundance of cucumbers, then fermenting is a great way to preserve them. Fermented Cucumbers or Gherkins are a great addition to sandwiches, salads and they even taste great just by themselves as a quick snack. Fermenting vs Pickling The fermentation of vegetables is among the oldest and healthiest methods of preserving food. There can be a...
Why are there holes in my Rocket? These tiny (and unsightly) holes that have appeared (often suddenly) in the leaves of young Brassica plants are the distinctive damage of the rarely seen Flea Beetle and can be very off-putting to the beginner gardener. WHAT ARE FLEA BEETLES The term Flea Beetle is used to describe a number of different species...
Not hailing from Jerusalem, nor an artichoke, but a species of sunflower which produces masses of edible tubers. Jerusalem Artichokes originated in North America and were introduced to Europe by colonists. Growing Jerusalem Artichokes Jerusalem Artichokes are very easy to grow but some things are worth considering - They are large plants which can be between 1.5-3m high so be...
Certified seed potatoes are seed that has been certified for purity and freedom from disease by the Dept of Agriculture. Each seed crop is inspected to confirm the identity of the variety, to ensure that it meets the minimum level of varietal purity and that it meets certain plant health and pest infection standards.
Grain is an amazing food – beautifully packaged in its exterior wrapping of bran it will keep for a very long time. Once milled its nutritious bounty is made available for us to enjoy as flour and with the magic of fermentation this is transformed into our daily bread. A blessing indeed - especially if you step out of the...
With Covid keeping us all confined and the garden going into winter mode it’s time to turn inward and grow some magic in your kitchen. Not just for the five star restaurants - microgreens will raise your ham sandwich to gourmet level. Microgreens are easy to grow and will provide you with fresh nourishing greens even in the depths of...
As autumn approaches it can be tempting to tidy up in the garden but ..... just think before you do that. It's not just your garden - it's a space you share with many other creatures! A good tidy will destroy lots of sheltering sites for all sorts of invertebrates and small mammals which contribute to a healthy garden. Seed...
Basalt is an igneous rock created through the cooling and solidification of magma and lava. When ground down into a fine powder, it makes a very good soil improver. Igneous rocks like basalt and granite have the highest mineral content, with basalt providing a greater balance of nutrients for optimal plant health and vitality. Basalt, or rock dust, continues to...
Nematodes are small, often microscopic, unsegmented roundworms with a narrow cylindrical body. They are parasitic and prey on many garden pests.
If you have an abundance of cucumbers, then fermenting is a great way to preserve them. Fermented Cucumbers or Gherkins are a great addition to sandwiches, salads and they even taste great just by themselves as a quick snack. Fermenting vs Pickling The fermentation of vegetables is among the oldest and healthiest methods of preserving food. There can be a...
Drying herbs at home is an effective way to preserve flavour, aroma, and therapeutic value from your garden throughout the year.
Why are there holes in my Rocket? These tiny (and unsightly) holes that have appeared (often suddenly) in the leaves of young Brassica plants are the distinctive damage of the rarely seen Flea Beetle and can be very off-putting to the beginner gardener. WHAT ARE FLEA BEETLES The term Flea Beetle is used to describe a number of different species...
Not hailing from Jerusalem, nor an artichoke, but a species of sunflower which produces masses of edible tubers. Jerusalem Artichokes originated in North America and were introduced to Europe by colonists. Growing Jerusalem Artichokes Jerusalem Artichokes are very easy to grow but some things are worth considering - They are large plants which can be between 1.5-3m high so be...
Certified seed potatoes are seed that has been certified for purity and freedom from disease by the Dept of Agriculture. Each seed crop is inspected to confirm the identity of the variety, to ensure that it meets the minimum level of varietal purity and that it meets certain plant health and pest infection standards.
Grain is an amazing food – beautifully packaged in its exterior wrapping of bran it will keep for a very long time. Once milled its nutritious bounty is made available for us to enjoy as flour and with the magic of fermentation this is transformed into our daily bread. A blessing indeed - especially if you step out of the...
With Covid keeping us all confined and the garden going into winter mode it’s time to turn inward and grow some magic in your kitchen. Not just for the five star restaurants - microgreens will raise your ham sandwich to gourmet level. Microgreens are easy to grow and will provide you with fresh nourishing greens even in the depths of...
As autumn approaches it can be tempting to tidy up in the garden but ..... just think before you do that. It's not just your garden - it's a space you share with many other creatures! A good tidy will destroy lots of sheltering sites for all sorts of invertebrates and small mammals which contribute to a healthy garden. Seed...
Basalt is an igneous rock created through the cooling and solidification of magma and lava. When ground down into a fine powder, it makes a very good soil improver. Igneous rocks like basalt and granite have the highest mineral content, with basalt providing a greater balance of nutrients for optimal plant health and vitality. Basalt, or rock dust, continues to...