As this year rapidly draws to a close and I reflect on the gardening year that was, one highlight in my veggie garden would be my beetroot crop. It is interesting to note what grows well in one season may not be successful in another year at all. Such is the story of my beetroot. Needless to say 2022 produced an abundance of these delicious red-rooted veg. This simple, no fuss recipe for pickled beetroot is what I use to…
For centuries tea has been drunk for enjoyment, for comfort, for convalescence and for health. But did you know that there are certain teas that can benefit your garden? Strictly speaking these teas are not tea in the true sense of the word. Purists would agree that tea is only tea if made with the leaves from Camellia sinensis – the traditional tea plant. To be more correct we could rather use the terms herbal tea, infusions or even tisanes….
The concept of a no-lawn garden is an idea that has been gaining more support over recent years. Keeping a lawn well maintained is not cheap. It costs a lot in terms of time and resources. Bringing a drought-damaged lawn back to life would cost even more. So the idea of not having any lawn began to look even more appealing. This article is about how I put my landscaping skills to use and made the change to a no-lawn…
This is an easy-to-make jam with a delicious sweetish-tart flavour. These little yellow berries go by quite a few names. Here in South Africa we know them as Cape gooseberries and appelliefie in Afrikaans. They are also referred to as ground cherry, goldenberry or by their Latin name, Physalis peruviana. The Cape gooseberry has a mildly tart to sweet taste and makes a delicious jam. This is a very simple recipe and apart from the gooseberries, all you need is…
Winter in the Cape is lemon time. We are in the midst of citrus season in South Africa and lemons are plentiful at the moment. A Lemon and Yogurt Cake is a great way to enjoy this season’s fruit. If you have a surplus of lemons and are looking for some inspiration as to what to do with them, read on. My sister gave me this recipe a few years ago and now it is my favourite go-to for lemon…
I have yet to meet a gardener who doesn’t bemoan the slugs and snails eating their plants. If you feel discouraged when newly planted seedlings are chomped overnight believe me, you are not alone. Do beer, egg shells and copper really work in deterring them? I put some of these methods to the test and share my findings and experiences about what to do to combat slugs and snails in your garden. I have a confession. I’ve killed many snails…
It is encouraging to see the different bird species that have made their homes in my garden over the years. I love watching them. Each with their own special characteristics and habits. One bird that is particularly amusing to watch is the mousebird. I call them my garden acrobats. Three species of mousebird are found in South Africa. I am fortunate to have two of them in my garden: the white-backed mousebird (Colius colius) and the red-faced mousebird (Urocolius indicus)….
Not all berries that are edible are necessarily to be found in the veggie garden. One such berry is the bright pink Lilly Pilly berry. This one grows on trees and hedges. And one great thing to do with Lilly Pilly berries is making Lilly Pilly Jam. When my computer hard drive died a few weeks ago a number of my ideas for blog subjects evaporated into cyberspace. Not even the IT gurus could breathe life back into it. It…
Whether you know them as butternut squash or butternut pumpkin, butternuts are an easy crop to grow. Even the most novice gardener could be confident to give them a try. Interestingly this species of Cucurbita moschata is the result of cross breeding Hubbard squash and Gooseneck squash nearly ninety years ago. It gained popularity over the years and now this squash with its buttery orange flesh has become a firm favourite. Butternuts are an example of winter squash. They are…
Pumpkin flies are a cause for much heartache and despair amongst farmers and veggie gardeners alike. Often mistaken for a wasp, these deceivingly attractive-looking flies can destroy a crop of squash if left unchecked. In this blog I share my experience in tackling this pesky pest. What are Pumpkin flies? Pumpkin flies, or lesser cucurbit flies, are similar to fruit flies. Although, as their name suggests, they have a particular liking for cucurbits. And believe me, it’s not just pumpkins….