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Tag: Growing Veggies

Growing one’s own veggies

How to grow butternuts
How to grow Butternuts

How to grow Butternuts

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…

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Pumpkin fly
Tackling Pesky Pumpkin Flies

Tackling Pesky Pumpkin Flies

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….

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growing veggie garden spring
Let’s see what’s growing in the veggie garden this Spring

Let’s see what’s growing in the veggie garden this Spring

Back in August the social media gardening groups were abuzz with comments about who was planting what for spring. Many recommended sowing seeds in trays in the greenhouse so the seedlings would be ready to transplant into the veggie garden as the weather started to warm up. Now, being two thirds of the way through spring, let’s see what I have managed to grow in my veggie garden. Being someone who has been known to follow solid, logical advice on…

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Broad Bean Dip
Delicious Broad Bean Dip Recipe from Homegrown Beans

Delicious Broad Bean Dip Recipe from Homegrown Beans

Harvesting something from the veggie garden is a very satisfying feeling. After weeks, or in some cases, months of nurturing the plants it is very exciting to be able to pick the crops and prepare a dish with them. Growing my own broad beans is no exception and today I’ll share a delicious broad bean dip recipe with you. Broad beans have become a favourite winter veg in our home. Not only are they super easy to grow, but they…

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Planter box veggie garden
Garden Project #3 – Planter Box Veggie Garden

Garden Project #3 – Planter Box Veggie Garden

Veggie gardens come in all shapes and sizes. The design options are endless which gives one the scope to create a garden that is tailor made to your own situation and available space. Growing veggies and herbs in containers is one such option which remains popular among gardeners. This garden project is all about the planter box veggie garden we made for herbs and some leafy greens. This is the third of the five major garden projects tackled over the…

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Companion planting
An Introduction to Companion Planting

An Introduction to Companion Planting

Just as humans get along with some neighbours better than with others, the same can be said for plants. My article this week is about an introduction to companion planting. I’ll give you some tips to provide a happy plant neigbourhood in your veggie garden. In the vegetable kingdom some plants help others flourish by repelling pests, attracting beneficial insects, or improving flavour and yield. Pairing these plants is the idea behind companion planting. The classic good neighbourly partnership known…

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Pickled cucumbers
Pickled cucumbers made easy

Pickled cucumbers made easy

When nature blesses one with an abundant harvest, drying, freezing, making jams or sauces are all ways of preserving the excess. I suppose cucumber jam would be one way of keeping your fruit (yes, it is a fruit and not a veggie) preserved, however, I have yet to try that. I prefer to pickle the extra cucumbers so that I can enjoy them after the season has passed. I took a gamble when I planted my cucumbers this year. The…

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