LIFE IS A GARDEN

The 'Life is a Garden' website is produced by the Nursery and Garden Industry of Australia. It seems they are following the public's lead and encouraging people to grow food because a feature of the site is a section on growing vegetables, also giving recipes, including some for the lovely chestnuts I got from Deb last Monday. Here are some good ideas to encourage people to get planting, I think. Even if the facts are a bit dubious.

"For great taste and variety, try growing these at home:
Asian inspiration - Varieties like bok choy, kailaan and senposai- are quick and easy to grow and on your table in just 6 to 8 weeks from planting.
Thai inspiration - Thai holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum usually sold as O. sanctum). A tender annual 30-60cm cm high. Prune flower stems as they appear to produce more leaf. Use in salads, stir fries and curries.
Indian inspiration - Eggplant (Solanum melongena var. esculenta). A member of the nightshade family that thrives as a warm-season vegetable, with its peak season in August-September (do they know something I don't??)Great for baking, broiling or frying to use as a side serve for a hearty roast or a warm sandwich filling.
French inspiration - Summer savory (Satureja hortensis). An annual plant to 30cm high. Remove flowers regularly to prolong the life cycle. Combine with beans, butters, artichokes, cabbage, casseroles, soups, stews and herb breads."

For the Australian gardener it is actually a nice introduction to thinking about what you plant in relation to the environment (natives, grey water, water-wise plants etc) and has a section on creating gardens with children in mind as well. This is a very comprehensive and beautifully designed section. They have developed these lovely little icons for the children's pages, which I couldn't resist putting here. I wish I was so clever with design.




Seasonal Colour Garden.pdf (815 kb)




Australian Habitat Haven.pdf (647 mb)





Munch and Crunch Garden.pdf (1.1 mb)





Waterwise Sensory Maze.pdf (906 kb)



Thanks GardenGal for pointing it out to me.