Do you have a tired neck?

Here is a tip to help a stiff and tired neck. Roll up a towel and place it across your back (approx shoulder blade area). Lie down on the floor with it still across your back. Hold this position for at least 1 minute. Move the towel either up or down (find your sore bits!) and hold this position for another minute. This will give your upper back a nice stretch.

SPRING GARDEN

I have Colour coded the vegies and their Harvesting times so you can pick them out more easily. I have listed the Temperate Climate below if you want to see a planting schedule for other climates please look in the back of the book or at the Autumn Garden Entry.

TIP - for frost sensitive plants try to plant them in beds under eaves the frost does not settle well there.

Happy Planting!!!

Kerrie

in a Temperate climate

In the Spring, it is time to plant:

Asparagus Harvest 24 months

Basil Harvest Dec in seed trays then plant in 4 to 6 wks

Beetroot Harvest Dec

Broccoli Harvest Dec in seed trays then plant in 4 to 6 wks

Cabbage Harvest Dec in seed trays then plant in 4 to 6 wks

Capsicum Harvest Dec in seed trays then plant in 4 to 6 wks

Carrot Harvest Jan

Celery Harvest Dec in seed trays then plant in 4 to 6 wks

Chilli Harvest Dec in seed trays then plant in 4 to 6 wks

Chives Harvest Dec

Climbing Beans Harvest Dec (sow after frost)

Coriander Harvest in Nov

Cucumber Harvest Dec

Dill Harvest Dec

Eggplant Harvest Jan in seed trays then plant in 4 to 6 wks

Leeks Harvest Jan in seed trays then plant in 4 to 6 wks

Lettuce Harvest from Dec

Mint Harvest Dec in seed trays then plant in 4 to 6 wks

Oregano Harvest in Nov

Parsley Harvest Dec

Peas Harvest Dec

Potatoes Harvest Feb

Pumpkin Harvest Jan (Frost Tender)

Rocket Harvest in Nov

Shallots Harvest Jan

Silverbeet Harvest Dec

Snow Peas Harvest Jan

Spring Onions Harvest Dec

Sweet Corn Harvest Jan

Zucchini Harvest in Nov

Spring is in the Air!

After having a house full of guests on a bleak and wet Fathers Day, I wake today to see the sun shining. Grrr....! Spring is finally here which means I have to have a serious think about starting my summer vegie garden. It is time to use the winter vegies up and capsicum is one of my favourites. Eating vegies that are in season is a great tip to save money. Stephen and I love the "Stuffed Capsicums" recipe (page 167) and the "Sausage Pasta Bake" (pg 98) is a favourite with the kids. Happy Cooking! Clare

Goodbye Sarah

Sarah has sadly left us to move onto new things and spend more time with her family. We are sorry to see her go....

AUTUMN GARDEN

Autumn is the time of preparation leading into winter. The soil may need aerating, garden beds rotated, general tidy up and planning.

A word on rotating and resting garden beds

We rotate to prevent disease and to allow the soil to recover and replenish nutrients. Keep it simple, have one empty garden bed at any time so you can always have one resting. There is a natural turning round between warm and cool season vegies in Australia, which assists with this. When your garden bed has been emptied aerate the soil by using a fork and add in organic material.

A good recipe for Autumn cooking as the cold nights start is the Blue cheese, chicken and leek pie

Planting vegies from the book

Autumn Vegies for planting are:

Growing vegies is one of the most satisfying things you can do. If you have children it can be especially satisfying. You can also save a lot of money too, break off the lettuce leaves you need and let the plant continue to grow.

The Herb Garden - Autumn Planting

Thyme – you can grow this perennial herb in full sun as a ground cover or garden boarder. Thyme can be used fresh or dried.

Coriander – full sun for this herb.

Parsley – It likes full sun or partial shade, can be used dried or fresh.

Chives – They like full sun or partial shade and are great in a pot. Chives are great for those to grow who believe they kill everything; they are tough.

Mint – Great in a pot and prefers shade. Try making tea straight from some leaves!

Garlic – You can grow from cloves

Oregano – Needs to be in full sun and kept moist. Use fresh or dried.

Fit for Life!

Last week I was lucky enough to be given a 4kg organicaly grown pumpkin. After roasting it in the oven (in its skin!) I turned it into the most delicious soup. It was promptly poured into my muffin trays and frozen into snack size portions. Quick to freeze, easy to heat and portion controlled. Another healthy meal idea! I love soup......bring on winter. Clare :)

Membership Prize Winner

Congratualtions to Larraine Pope. Her name was randomly selected from our membership database and she has won a hamper full of goodies. Pictured is Larraine's husband Denis collecting her prize. Well done Larraine!