tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-334562252024-03-19T19:18:25.517+10:30Hills and Plains SeedsaversMaggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17155210756905386478noreply@blogger.comBlogger1108125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33456225.post-64653374908784318232014-07-07T10:09:00.001+09:302014-07-07T10:09:48.677+09:30Winter is the smell of roasted chestnuts<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-T39WCLfDFbo/U7nsSz2GwpI/AAAAAAAAE5U/TYSlw3NtZSw/s1600-h/roastedchestnuts005small4.jpg"><img title="roasted chestnuts l" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="roasted chestnuts l" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tB1wSRyImE4/U7nsUALBFoI/AAAAAAAAE5c/1hHDaj96P0U/roastedchestnuts005small_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a>The wonderful aroma of roasting chestnuts can be experienced every weekend in Stirling in the Adelaide Hills. Between May and July and sometimes into August you can experience local produce , grown at <a href="http://nirvanaorganicfarm.blogspot.com.au/">Nirvana  Organic Farm</a> just 3km down the road at Heathfield and expertly roasted by owner Quentin. And if you enjoy them roasted why not visit the farm to purchase some fresh ones to take home.   </p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33456225.post-66548322794692677052013-06-30T11:31:00.001+09:302013-06-30T11:32:39.251+09:30Spring 2013 workshops at Nirvana<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OQAgor6dMvQ/Tko0B7RAdSI/AAAAAAAACJ8/J6RZoWfO5T4/s1600-h/BD%252520COVER%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="BD COVER" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="BD COVER" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nVS7elKIbFo/Tko0O0bg1QI/AAAAAAAACKA/4qnaSYR_7Ow/BD%252520COVER_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="174" height="245" /></a></p> <p align="center"><strong>BIO- DYNAMIC AGRICULTURE </strong></p> <p align="center"><b><i>BEYOND ORGANICS</i></b></p> <p align="center"><i><strong>Bring your garden to life.</strong></i></p> <p align="center">A workshop to introduce the practical concepts of the biodynamic methods to farmers and gardeners.The Bio -Dynamic method is a modern organic method that creates a holistic approach to building healthy soil, plants animals and humans.The course covers history, concept of a living organism, soils, compost, special preparations that enhance nature and equipment required.</p> <p align="center">Sunday, September 22nd </p> <p align="center">8.30 am. -4.30 pm.$160</p> <p align="center">Early bird $150 before August 10th</p> <p align="center">Includes: notes, lunch, Membership of Adelaide Hills Biodynamic Group..</p> <p align="center">   </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_l74aHlBr6A/Tko0cu21L_I/AAAAAAAACKE/__0C2kP9hlM/s1600-h/veggies%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="veggies" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="veggies" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EOW_ML5S-lY/Tko0jrzHHzI/AAAAAAAACKI/ARH6MSCCf1Y/veggies_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="251" height="354" /></a></p> <p align="center"><strong>YEAR ROUND VEGETABLES FOR YOUR TABLE.</strong></p> <p align="center">A workshop for those serious about growing vegies in your backyard and want to move beyond summer tomatoes and brought in seedlings and towards a more sustainable and satisfying system. A practical guide to establishing and maintaining a productive and healthy vegetable garden. Topics include design, soil improvement, tools, growing from seeds, seed saving, raising seedlings ,creating a seasonal planting guide, extending the season</p> <p align="center">Sunday, September 8th </p> <p align="center">9.00—4.30 $120</p> <p align="center">Early bird before August 10<sup>th</sup> $110</p> <p> </p> <p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CXYw-E0FnUQ/Tko0zOsSyjI/AAAAAAAACKM/BVnLlWNh7q4/s1600-h/compost%252520cover%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="compost cover" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="compost cover" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xJAddju6cx4/Tko06EQzItI/AAAAAAAACKQ/BpPpclqG0hc/compost%252520cover_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="303" height="354" /></a></p> <p><b><strong>THE CRAFT OF COMPOSTING</strong> </b></p> <p>Good quality compost is the key to successful gardening. This workshop explores the principles of composting, techniques, materials used and how they can be used most effectively, worm farms, liquid composts and mulching.</p> <p>Sunday, September 15th </p> <p>9.00 – 4.30 $120</p> <p>Early Bird before August 10<sup>th</sup> $110</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pfj502spqjc/Tko1PRmDB4I/AAAAAAAACKU/-UqMCuAfTRo/s1600-h/planting%252520cal.cover%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="planting cal.cover" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="planting cal.cover" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-a_EfxVQWKsU/Tko1Vyi1feI/AAAAAAAACKY/pswisWXzdoo/planting%252520cal.cover_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="251" height="354" /></a></p> <p><strong>INTRODUCTION TO MOON PLANTING AND USING THE PLANTING CALENDAR</strong></p> <p>Working with the rhythms of nature can develop your skills in fine tuning your garden and can add a new dimension to your gardening experience.</p> <p><b>Sunday, September 29th 9.00-12.30</b> $60<b> </b></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>. <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zVDKHAfhS5U/Tko1i0JiPdI/AAAAAAAACKc/a0A9RZqBgfk/s1600-h/orchard%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="orchard" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="orchard" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-muf2w2hP_JM/Tko1pCkm-iI/AAAAAAAACKg/-OsAgc7GZk8/orchard_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="251" height="354" /></a></p> <p><u><strong>ORGANIC FRUIT, NUTS & </strong></u><u><strong>BERRIES.</strong></u></p> <p>Sunday, October 6th<sup>t</sup></p> <p>9.00 -12.30 $60</p> <p>Practical guide to orcharding. Includes establishment, soils, ground covers, maintenance & pruning.</p> <p><b><u></u></b></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-us8TI3GwxQ0/Tko111A1XTI/AAAAAAAACKk/uuioI1OsgNQ/s1600-h/poultry%252520cover%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="poultry cover" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="poultry cover" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2FKmHus7MJw/Tko17nPw1OI/AAAAAAAACKo/bKk7UsnZIlw/poultry%252520cover_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="251" height="354" /></a></p> <p><u><strong>POULTRY KEEPING.</strong></u></p> <p>Sunday October 13<sup>th</sup></p> <p>9.00 pm – 12.30 $60</p> <p>All you need to know about getting started with poultry. Includes selection, housing, feeding, breeding, pests.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ShSs8wIPiNE/Tko2LjY2zsI/AAAAAAAACKs/ln5mTWBgcxo/s1600-h/weaving%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="weaving" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="weaving" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rEkkuw3ImAU/Tko2RpDDOmI/AAAAAAAACKw/tr1uxLXzgnw/weaving_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="251" height="354" /></a></p> <p><u><strong>WEAVING A BIT OF MAGIC</strong></u></p> <p>Sunday October 20th<sup></sup></p> <p>9am – 4pm</p> <p>$150</p> <p>.The ideal way to recycle your garden prunings. This introduction to natural fibre weaving will show you the essential techniques, suitable plants & other materials to make baskets, fences, or trellises.</p> <p>Course includes all materials, lunch, morning & afternoon tea.</p> <p>All courses are held at <b></b><b>NIRVANA ORGANIC FARM </b></p> <p><b>184 LONGWOOD ROAD</b><b>, HEATHFIELD</b></p> <p>UBD 157:G7. Exit from SE Freeway at Stirling, turn right at roundabout & travel 3.5 km. </p> <p>The courses are practical, ‘hands on’ conducted by experienced biodynamic/organic farmers, Deb & Quentin. Their successful small holding has been run under BIO-DYNAMIC principles since 1983.</p> <p>The 4.5 ha property provides the ideal classroom filled with practical examples of how goals can be achieved & gives inspiration into this <i>GARDEN QUALITY FARMING </i>to both gardeners & farmers alike.</p> <p><b>FOR BOOKINGS & <a href="http://nirvanaorganicfarm.blobspot.com">FURTHER INFORMATION</a> CONTACT</b></p> <p>DEB OR QUENTIN PHONE<b>/ (08) 8339 2519 nirvanafarm@gmail.com</b></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33456225.post-7162132757653851062012-11-24T14:56:00.001+10:302012-11-24T14:56:07.256+10:30What’s Happening in Adelaide Today?<h5>Well a lot of us are relaxing watching the cricket from the Adelaide cricket ground. Australia v South Africa 2012 test series.</h5> <p>Lots of folks are at the beaches or starting to celebrate the festive season with friends.</p> <p>Some of us are stocking up on goods from many of our local farmer’s markets.</p> <p>A friend has been making rich dark fruitcakes to share with family and friends and I am gathering ingredients to make my easy boiled in a bowl Christmas pudding which I have made for years. This is also a great recipe for young cooks to stir together ready for adults to then cook.</p> <p>Jacaranda trees colour the Adelaide suburbs with their magnificent purple blooms. Many residents tie huge purple bows around the massive jacaranda trees to decorate the trees ready for street parties with neighbours.</p> <p>Gardeners are still planting up their Mediterranean summer veggie gardens, tomatoes, corn, basil, zucchinis, eggplant, cucumbers, lettuce and lots more greens.</p> <p>This year we still have lots of lemons and now baby figs and grapes on the trees.</p> <p>Our Mulberries and loquats have just finished but I have seen an old English mulberry tree in Unley which still has fruit.</p> <p>It is very hot today over 30 degrees Celsius.</p> <p>Well siesta time now for some, enjoy your weekend and your festive season wherever you are.</p> <h5> </h5> <p><img title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_npchXumDNoo/TQ8JlZ5-qaI/AAAAAAAADAU/zO-PoNt7e1s/image1.png?imgmax=800" width="504" height="379" /></p> <p>I have made this easy Christmas pudding recipe for years ever since my Auntie Win gave it to me. <br />So it is really called Auntie Win’s Overnight Christmas Pudding. It is a light flavourful pudding and is great eaten cold the next day. Lots of Adelaide folks dry their own fruits so this would be a great recipe for them.</p> <p> <br />Ingredients <br />1  375 gram pkt of Mixed Dried Fruit <br />1 cup of water <br />1/4 cup of sherry or rum or brandy <br />Mix the above ingredients together and stand all day. <br />Then add <br />1 cup of freshly made breadcrumbs <br />1 cup of Self Raising Flour <br />1 teaspoon of mixed spice <br />2 tablespoons of melted butter <br />1 small teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda <br />1 tablespoon of honey or golden syrup <br />1 or 2 beaten eggs <br />Mix well . <br />Spoon into a greased pudding basin. <br />Cover with buttered greaseproof paper. <br />Cover with aluminium foil. <br />Tie these around the lip of the bowl with cotton string. <br />Leave to stand in the refrigerator overnight. <br />Next day boil the pudding for 3 hours in a pan with boiling water and a lid. <br />Remove from the pan, allow to stand for 15 minutes, turn pudding onto a plate and serve with custard, cream and seasonal berries. <br />This pudding keeps for months in the refrigerator or it can be frozen. <br />The original recipe had 1 cup of sugar which I leave out. Dried fruit, honey and sherry add ample sugar. I usually multiply the recipe by 4 to make 4 puddings and I substitute 1 375 gram pkt currants for the mixed fruit. Dried black currants add a wonderful flavour and richness.</p> Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17155210756905386478noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33456225.post-21157906385756915912012-09-26T16:22:00.001+09:302012-09-26T16:22:58.557+09:30HEATHFEILD PRODUCE SHARE<p>An opportunity for our Heathfield community to come together to share surplus home grown or homemade produce. </p> <p><font style="background-color: #ffff00" color="#00ff00" size="4"></font><font size="4"><font color="#ff0000">3rd Saturday of the month from 3pm – 4pm </font><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8ITfpo3VYBc/UGKmBVfjhJI/AAAAAAAADXU/Y7f-Pgigl4E/s1600-h/7%252520july%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font color="#ff0000"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="7 july" border="0" alt="7 july" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-B4AFiem6VG8/UGKmDkVcG_I/AAAAAAAADXc/Zsbkvz7W7QM/7%252520july_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="229" /></font></a></font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff" size="3">at</font></p> <p> <font color="#ff0000" size="4">Nirvana Organic Farm’s classroom</font></p> <p><font color="#ff0000" size="4">184 Longwood Rd  Heathfield. </font></p> <p><font size="2">Dates and times may change according to seasonal conditions and community needs. </font></p> <p><font size="2">First swap OCTOBER 20th 2012</font></p> <p> <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aaFfKqGKKRw/UGKmKj9sK6I/AAAAAAAADXk/-fMqe-xjHOw/s1600-h/12%252520December%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="12 December" border="0" alt="12 December" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8AkvaV1_XpA/UGKmM8Cp6jI/AAAAAAAADXs/tS6cux0gxP4/12%252520December_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="229" /></a><font color="#ff0000">COME ALONG AND SWAP <br /></font>Fresh home grown fruit and vegetables <br />Herbs <br />Home Baked goods <br />Homemade jams and preserves <br />Plants, seeds, seedlings and cuttings</p> <p> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody> <tr> <td><i>Or just come along for a chat and a cuppa</i></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <i></i></p> <p><i></i></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Run by local residents <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PSvYmXe38AQ/UGKmPvROnhI/AAAAAAAADX0/Kke3AvQvwis/s1600-h/test%252520sept%252520005%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="test sept 005" border="0" alt="test sept 005" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MQzjTMFYQX4/UGKmRugFOHI/AAAAAAAADX8/ZDMPNHXHEqc/test%252520sept%252520005_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="229" /></a> <br />totally not for profit <br />no money changes hands <br />no cost, no strings attached <br />everyone welcome <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody> <tr> <td> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <br />People come to this with a spirit of generosity and community. All produce goes onto a communal table and then we can all take what we would like and what we think is a fair swap. No money is to be exchanged for goods. It’s not a barter system where x many of one thing is swapped for y many of another .Just sharing our surplus.</p> <p>Bring along your own cup to share a chat over tea or coffee.</p> <p>By swapping your home grown and homemade produce you will add variety to your diet, save money, reduce food miles, eat fresh local food, meet new people, catch up with old friends and gain knowledge about cooking and gardening.</p> <p>Enquiries 83392519</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33456225.post-7891025460612349452012-09-19T16:04:00.001+09:302012-09-19T16:04:33.928+09:30UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY AT NIRVANA ORGANIC FARM AT HEATHFIELD<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6Ykte3FBUuU/UFlnMQI5IZI/AAAAAAAADU4/RZtL0RC9A24/s1600-h/Living%252520classroom%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Living classroom" border="0" alt="Living classroom" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bxR3kHveja0/UFlnOcnWjMI/AAAAAAAADVA/nl-bAPct6GU/Living%252520classroom_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="230" /></a>FOR A LOCAL,RESPONSIBLE, ENERGERIC AND ENTHUSIASTIC PERSON.</p> <p>A position is available for a 12 month part-time internship which offers an opportunity to learn from 30 years biodynamic growing and small holding lifestyle in the Adelaide Hills.</p> <p>2 days a week – negotiable times and days. Can be made of some ½ days (week days only) Times may vary depending on season and conditions. (this is farming which is not 9-5) There is no money exchange only skills and knowledge.</p> <p>For more information on <a href="http://nirvanaorganicfarm.blogspot.com.au">Nirvana Organic Farm</a> <a href="http://nirvanaorganicfarm.blogspot.com.au">http://nirvanaorganicfarm.blogspot.com.au</a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7YzrvPzjmqQ/UFlnSNTFUFI/AAAAAAAADVI/3tHX6-Yteho/s1600-h/collage%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="collage" border="0" alt="collage" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_dTHmN-hb2g/UFlnXP9OX4I/AAAAAAAADVQ/PWgRRTTm_aw/collage_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="304" /></a></p> <p>Application in writing by October 30<sup>th</sup> to:</p> <p>Nirvana Farm 184 Longwood Rd, HEATHFIELD 5153 </p> <p>Further information Deb or Quentin 83392519 after dark, before 9pm.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WUBTiUJL4Qs/UFlnYn5fLWI/AAAAAAAADVY/HuDcA4FIpdE/s1600-h/clip_image001%25255B4%25255D.gif"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="clip_image001" border="0" alt="clip_image001" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3Qu_gncBYBU/UFlnaMsd4uI/AAAAAAAADVg/K8pgwiUl8uw/clip_image001_thumb%25255B1%25255D.gif?imgmax=800" width="178" height="66" /></a></p> <p><b><u><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xFfdbQvRRz8/UFlnca-KOaI/AAAAAAAADVo/ueOEri9vsiQ/s1600-h/Copy%252520of%252520Garden%252520Quality%252520Farming%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Copy of Garden Quality Farming" border="0" alt="Copy of Garden Quality Farming" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vJTMRaCziyo/UFlnd3yIkQI/AAAAAAAADVw/wyfQ4wdkzyo/Copy%252520of%252520Garden%252520Quality%252520Farming_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="223" height="354" /></a>BIO- DYNAMIC AGRICULTURE </u></b></p> <p><b><i>BEYOND ORGANICS</i></b></p> <p><b><i>Improve your soils water holding capacity.</i></b></p> <p>A one day course to introduce the practical concepts of the biodynamic methods to farmers and gardeners.</p> <p>The Bio -Dynamic method is a modern organic method that creates a holistic approach to building healthy soil, plants animals and humans.</p> <p>The course covers history, concept of a living organism, soils, compost, special preparations that enhance nature and equipment required.</p> <p> </p> <p>Sunday, Sept 23<sup>rd</sup> 2012.</p> <p>8.30 am. -4.30 pm.</p> <p>Cost: $140</p> <p>Includes: notes, lunch, Membership of Adelaide Hills Biodynamic Group..</p> <p><b><u>COMPOSTING AND MULCHING</u></b></p> <p>Sunday, October 7<sup>th</sup></p> <p>9.00 - 12 30 $50</p> <p>Principles of composting and mulching, techniques and materials used and how they can be used most effectively on your garden or farm.</p> <p><u><b>ORGANIC VEGETABLES </b><b>FOR YOUR TABLE</b></u></p> <p>Sunday, September 30<sup>th</sup></p> <p>9.00—12.30 $50</p> <p>Practical guide to establishing and maintaining a productive and healthy </p> <p>vegetable garden.</p> <p><b><u>INTRODUCTION TO MOON PLANTING AND USING THE PLANTING CALENDAR</u></b></p> <p><b>Sunday, October 14<sup>th</sup> 9.00-12.30</b> $50<b> </b></p> <p>Working with the rhythms of nature can develop your skills in fine tuning your garden and can add a new dimension to your gardening experience.</p> <p><b></b></p> <p><b><u>ORGANIC FRUIT, NUTS & </u></b><b><u>BERRIES.</u></b></p> <p>Sunday, October 21<sup>st</sup></p> <p>9.00 -12.30 $50</p> <p>Practical guide to orcharding. Includes establishment, soils, ground covers, maintenance & pruning.</p> <p><b><u>POULTRY KEEPING</u></b><b><u>.</u></b></p> <p>Sunday October 28<sup>th</sup></p> <p>9.00 pm – 12.30 $50</p> <p>All you need to know about getting started with poultry. Includes selection, housing, feeding, breeding, pests.</p> <p><b><u>WEAVING A BIT OF MAGIC</u></b></p> <p>Sunday November 4<sup>th</sup> <sup></sup></p> <p>9am – 4pm</p> <p>$140</p> <p>.The ideal way to recycle your garden prunings. This introduction to natural fibre weaving will show you the essential techniques, suitable plants & other materials to make baskets, fences, or trellises.</p> <p>Course includes all materials, lunch, morning & afternoon tea.</p> <p>.<b><u>GUIDED FARM TOURS</u></b><b></b></p> <p><b>Book your own tour anytime</b></p> <p>An ideal opportunity to gain an insight into a successfully run biodynamic farm .This <i>Garden Quality Farm</i> demonstrates an integrated system incorporating orchards, poultry, native habitat & wetlands, home food production & hardy cottage gardens all rolled into a unique lifestyle.</p> <p>minimum charge $60 for up to 5 persons </p> <p>extra’s @ $12/ head)</p> <p>SCHOOLS; Secondary $8 Student with 1 adult/15 student’s Primary $7 Student with 1 adult/10 students</p> <p><b></b>CLUBS & GROUPS; 15 + @ $10/ head </p> <table border="1" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" width="399"><tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="399"> <p align="center"><b>WORKSHOPS</b> </p> <p align="center">Held at </p> <p align="center"><b>Nirvana Organic Farm</b> </p> <p align="center">184 Longwood Road </p> <p align="center">Heathfield </p> <p align="center"><b>Phone 83392519</b> </p> <p align="center">Practical, ‘hands on’ courses </p> <p align="center">conducted by experienced </p> <p align="center">biodynamic/organic farmers, Deb and Quentin. Their successful small holding, which has been run organically/<b>Bio-Dynamically</b> since 1983. </p> <p align="center"><b>National winner of the Organic Federation of Australia Awards of Excellence as the leading Organic Educator</b> </p> <p align="center"><b></b></p> <p align="center">The 4.5 ha property provides the ideal classroom filled with practical examples of how goals can be achieved and gives inspiration into this <i>GARDEN QUALITY FARMING </i>for both gardeners and farmers alike. </p> <p align="center">Courses are aimed to maximise opportunities for participation and discussion. The number of participants will be limited so you will need to enrol ASAP</p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33456225.post-64649763491309184532012-01-20T20:43:00.001+10:302012-01-20T20:43:56.320+10:30ATG Table of Moveable Feasts<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SQoqwOvWQQc/Txk-T1y8RMI/AAAAAAAADXw/irTrLjwVfGE/s1600-h/image1.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZncsqYBR8NY/Txk-V2ZDHVI/AAAAAAAADX4/_7ejQooVDVw/image_thumb1.png?imgmax=800" width="504" height="287" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>One of my favourite recipe books this summer is the ATG (Ad Terrae Gloriam – Glory to the Earth) Table of Moveable Feasts, the best recipes from 30,000 ATG picnics.</p> <p>Here is a link to ATG and the cookbook <a href="http://www.atg-oxford.co.uk/trust_salad.php">Table of Moveable Feasts</a>.</p> <p>I love this book purchased from a local op shop for $2 obviously donated by a non gardener, non cook!</p> <p>No proper cook would dare to part with it. It is full of lovely fresh salads to please all.</p> <p>The recipes are simply prepared, transportable if necessary and include basic ingredients one has in the pantry.</p> <p>My salad choice to make today from this book is Carpaccio di Zucchini.</p> <p>Why ? because we have some beautiful young yellow zucchinis which yell to me just eat us RAW!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YD_jOJBUzTs/Txk-Xhs7QFI/AAAAAAAADYA/kkYQRIStAm4/s1600-h/Yellow-Zucchini-64.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Yellow Zucchini-6" border="0" alt="Yellow Zucchini-6" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-u700xN4D2uw/Txk-YuPtilI/AAAAAAAADYI/nW05bbiSAII/Yellow-Zucchini-6_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="379" /></a></p> <p>You simply slice the zucchini very thinly lengthways sprinkle it with salt, pepper, olive oil and parmesan cheese shavings. Repeat the process with another layer of the above ingredients then chill the salad for 1 to 2 hours.</p> <p>Place the zucchini in curls on a plate with the marinade and extra parmesan shavings.</p> <p>Serve with crusty bread, a fresh tomato and basil salad or smoked fish. </p> <p>How easy is that!</p> <p>At the moment  we are picking cucumbers, tomatoes, zucchinis, grapes, pepinos, all our amazing herbs plus the summer favourite sweet basil.</p> <p>I have so much basil I am using it as a green vegetable and just adding handfuls to  Italian casseroles, Spanish rice dishes, pizzas and of course garden fresh  gazpacho.</p> <p>Enjoy your summer gardens and stay cool or if you live in the Northern Hemisphere stay warm.</p> <p>And Happy New Year to all our Chinese neighbours and friends.</p> Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17155210756905386478noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33456225.post-71467921198096681792011-09-10T21:42:00.001+09:302011-09-10T21:45:01.846+09:30Colourful Spring Flower Salad<p>It is Spring here on the Adelaide Plains, there are flowers everywhere and trees are bursting with beautiful blossoms.</p> <p>We are still having lots of rain and it is cold at night so our Kale is still growing well and the lemon tree is bursting with large juicy lemons.</p> <p>The cows, sheep and goats in the paddocks near us are enjoying munching away on lush green pastures.</p> <p>Nasturtiums are making a colourful display in the garden. Eating nasturtiums helps prevent hay fever as well as making a colourful tasty salad.  </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Salad for Buddha House-1" border="0" alt="Salad for Buddha House-1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4HhXBOsXJWk/TmtULyMXnKI/AAAAAAAADXU/6z3Ly1p0tgA/Salad-for-Buddha-House-15.jpg?imgmax=800" width="604" height="454" /></p> <p>Borage flowers, pineapple sage flowers, garlic chive flowers, brassica flowers and calendula petals are all edible flowers. With all these gorgeous colours I am sure they all contain wonderful healing properties.</p> <p>When you let your herbs and veggies go to seed they just reappear next year and the joy of fresh seasonal produce is a pure delight.</p> <p>September is a lovely month here in Adelaide, check out the Australian Open Garden Scheme if you want to visit some amazing gardens.</p> <p>Happy Gardening and enjoy your greens and flowers.</p> Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17155210756905386478noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33456225.post-69286668797536309062011-09-05T13:41:00.000+09:302011-09-05T13:41:49.883+09:30Urban Leaves<br />
<object style="height: 390px; width: 640px"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hYfL4KA_HB4?version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hYfL4KA_HB4?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="390"></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33456225.post-29662429902777974222011-09-01T10:13:00.001+09:302011-09-01T17:41:02.679+09:30World Kitchen Garden Day 2011 at Glandore Community Garden<p>Last Sunday we all gathered at the beautiful Glandore Community Garden for an enjoyable World Kitchen Garden Day afternoon.</p> <p>When we arrived plot holders were busy working in their plots.</p> <p>Harry was busy working on the wood fired pizza oven which will be is going to have a mosaic added soon.</p> <p>Everyone chatted about what excess produce they had bought along as well as something they had cooked from their country of origin.</p> <p>Produce to share included Lebanese cress, bunches of coriander, Jerusalem artichokes, lima bean seeds, plum jams, chilli jams, lemons, fennel, chillies and a lot of different potted up plants.</p> <p>There were lots of seeds to share and a favourite seed we saved this year was chervil which is a lovely herb we are picking at the moment.</p> <p>We had an apple amaranth cake from Argentina, Indian Spinach and onion fritters, Irish pumpkin dip, German lemon cake, Middle eastern Humus, French Cheese and Biscuits, German raspberry muffins, Spicy Orange Muffins and an Aussie multicultural creation of brightly coloured Nasturtium flowers filled with humus and topped with sweet chilli jam.</p> <p>Daniel (from Gardening Australia fame) told us all about an Orchid show he had just entered in and his Mum said he was being very modest and had won 2nd prize in his Category.</p> <p>Thank you everyone who came and shared their knowledge, kitchen garden food and kitchen garden produce with us.</p> <p>We look forward to World Kitchen Garden Day 2011.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4-1-STgOAPE/Tl7VTNy023I/AAAAAAAADXE/n9CrCoNRJHM/s1600-h/World%252520Kitchen%252520Garden%252520Day%25252020111%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="World Kitchen Garden Day 20111" alt="World Kitchen Garden Day 20111" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-u7_p5naKr4Y/Tl7VUde9LHI/AAAAAAAADXI/jKExMiDi7As/World%252520Kitchen%252520Garden%252520Day%25252020111_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="604" /></a></p> Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17155210756905386478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33456225.post-11254207939771650662011-08-16T18:50:00.001+09:302011-08-16T18:50:12.696+09:30Spring workshops at Nirvana<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OQAgor6dMvQ/Tko0B7RAdSI/AAAAAAAACJ8/J6RZoWfO5T4/s1600-h/BD%252520COVER%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="BD COVER" border="0" alt="BD COVER" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nVS7elKIbFo/Tko0O0bg1QI/AAAAAAAACKA/4qnaSYR_7Ow/BD%252520COVER_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="251" height="354" /></a></p> <p><b><u>INTRODUCTION TO BIODYNAMIC METHODS </u></b></p> <p><b>Sunday, September 18th </b><sup></sup>8.30am – 4.30pm $120 </p> <p>One day course to introduce the practical concepts of the biodynamic methods to farmers & gardeners. The biodynamic method is a modern organic approach that creates a holistic approach to building healthy soil, plants, animals & humans. Includes notes, biodynamic preparations, lunch & teas.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_l74aHlBr6A/Tko0cu21L_I/AAAAAAAACKE/__0C2kP9hlM/s1600-h/veggies%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="veggies" border="0" alt="veggies" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EOW_ML5S-lY/Tko0jrzHHzI/AAAAAAAACKI/ARH6MSCCf1Y/veggies_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="251" height="354" /></a></p> <p><b><u>VEGETABLES FOR YOUR TABLE</u></b>. </p> <p><b>Sunday, October 2nd </b>9.00 -12.30 $50</p> <p>Practical guide to establishing & maintaining a productive & healthy vegetable garden. Our climate offers many opportunities to grow food for your table all year round. Discover what plants to grow, and when. Practical tips & ideas.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CXYw-E0FnUQ/Tko0zOsSyjI/AAAAAAAACKM/BVnLlWNh7q4/s1600-h/compost%252520cover%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="compost cover" border="0" alt="compost cover" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xJAddju6cx4/Tko06EQzItI/AAAAAAAACKQ/BpPpclqG0hc/compost%252520cover_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="303" height="354" /></a></p> <p><b><u>COMPOSTING & MULCHING</u></b><b></b></p> <p><b></b><b>Sunday,  October 9<sup>th</sup> </b>9.00 -12.30 $50</p> <p><b>Reduce water use</b> by learning the principles of composting & mulching, techniques & materials used & how they can be used most effectively on your garden or farm.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pfj502spqjc/Tko1PRmDB4I/AAAAAAAACKU/-UqMCuAfTRo/s1600-h/planting%252520cal.cover%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="planting cal.cover" border="0" alt="planting cal.cover" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-a_EfxVQWKsU/Tko1Vyi1feI/AAAAAAAACKY/pswisWXzdoo/planting%252520cal.cover_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="251" height="354" /></a></p> <p><b><u>INTRODUCTION TO MOON PLANTING AND USING THE PLANTING CALENDAR</u></b></p> <p><b>Sunday, October 16<sup>th</sup> 9.00 -12.30</b> $50<b> </b></p> <p>Working with the rhythms of nature can develop your skills in fine tuning your garden and can add a new dimension to your gardening experience.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>. <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zVDKHAfhS5U/Tko1i0JiPdI/AAAAAAAACKc/a0A9RZqBgfk/s1600-h/orchard%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="orchard" border="0" alt="orchard" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-muf2w2hP_JM/Tko1pCkm-iI/AAAAAAAACKg/-OsAgc7GZk8/orchard_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="251" height="354" /></a></p> <p><b><u>ORGANIC FRUIT, NUTS & BERRIES</u></b></p> <p><b>Sunday, October 23<sup>rd</sup> </b>9.00 -12.30 pm. $50</p> <p>Practical guide to growing fruits, nuts & berries. Establishing, maintenance, ground covers, soils.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-us8TI3GwxQ0/Tko111A1XTI/AAAAAAAACKk/uuioI1OsgNQ/s1600-h/poultry%252520cover%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="poultry cover" border="0" alt="poultry cover" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2FKmHus7MJw/Tko17nPw1OI/AAAAAAAACKo/bKk7UsnZIlw/poultry%252520cover_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="251" height="354" /></a></p> <p><b><u>POULTRY KEEPING</u></b></p> <p><b>Sunday October 30<sup>th</sup> </b>9.00 – 12 30 $50</p> <p>All you need to know about getting started with poultry. Includes breed selection, housing, feeding, breeding, pests.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ShSs8wIPiNE/Tko2LjY2zsI/AAAAAAAACKs/ln5mTWBgcxo/s1600-h/weaving%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="weaving" border="0" alt="weaving" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rEkkuw3ImAU/Tko2RpDDOmI/AAAAAAAACKw/tr1uxLXzgnw/weaving_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="251" height="354" /></a></p> <p><b><u>WEAVING A BIT OF MAGIC</u></b></p> <p><b>Sunday, November 6<sup>th</sup> 9am 4pm $120</b></p> <p>The ideal way to recycle your garden prunings .A introduction to natural fibre weaving. Includes techniques, suitable plants & other materials to make baskets, fences & trellises. Includes all materials, lunch & teas.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>All courses are held at <b></b><b>NIRVANA ORGANIC FARM </b></p> <p><b>184 LONGWOOD ROAD</b><b>, HEATHFIELD</b></p> <p>UBD 157:G7. Exit from SE Freeway at Stirling, turn right at roundabout & travel 3.5 km. </p> <p>The courses are practical, ‘hands on’ conducted by experienced biodynamic/organic farmers, Deb & Quentin. Their successful small holding has been run under BIO-DYNAMIC principles since 1983.</p> <p>The 4.5 ha property provides the ideal classroom filled with practical examples of how goals can be achieved & gives inspiration into this <i>GARDEN QUALITY FARMING </i>to both gardeners & farmers alike.</p> <p><b>FOR BOOKINGS & FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT</b></p> <p>DEB OR QUENTIN PHONE<b>/ (08) 8339 2519 nirvanafarm@gmail.com</b></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33456225.post-49327932811162469742011-07-24T11:26:00.001+09:302011-07-24T11:27:20.854+09:30Saving seeds... do we have a choice?<iframe frameborder="0" height="225" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/16508587?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="400"></iframe><br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/16508587">Natabar Sarangi - The Source</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user2550888">the source project</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33456225.post-17982791741837350122011-07-15T07:37:00.001+09:302011-07-15T07:37:54.227+09:30World Kitchen Garden Day<p>World Kitchen Garden Day is an annual, decentralized celebration of food produced on a human-scale. It is recognized each year on the 4th Sunday of August.  It is an opportunity for people around the world to gather in their gardens with friends, family, and members of their local community to celebrate the multiple pleasures and benefits of home-grown, hand-made foods.</p> <p><img alt="World Kitchen Garden Day - 28 August 2011" src="http://kitchengardeners.org/sites/default/files/imagecache/story/5488535055_fbf097690c_b.jpg" /></p> <p>Here is the logo.... when you organise a get together you can <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rogerdoiron/4950817377/sizes/o/in/photostream/?utm_source=Kitchen+Gardeners+International+List&utm_campaign=2d6231d67f-July_2011_Newsletter7_4_2011&utm_medium=email"><strong>download it</strong></a> and use it to attract attention.</p> <p><strong>Activities:</strong> <br />How people celebrate International Kitchen Garden Day and with whom is up to them. Some choose to do so in public ways with large gatherings of friends and neighbours, whereas others opt for a more intimate celebration with close family. Here are a few ideas for some activities you might consider organizing depending on the level of involvement you would like to have: </p> <p>-a walking tour of gardens in your area <br />-a kitchen garden or local agriculture potluck <br />-a kitchen garden taste-test <br />-a harvest or planting party <br />-a benefit for a local food/gardening charity <br />-a kitchen garden "teach in" <br />-a single food theme party <br />-an activity at a local farm <br />-etc </p> <p><img style="margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px" align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg367VQ0DQSEjze_6c1J5ToBgCI2_-PRaTMQzyNbY9jcbDqrFxq_lD3_gFRjx4d_MMn68j9pfKfJyjHHJvPvqM3w6V6v3E4SwvKgZ7gn0cVkNYt_ZJ73WtKX4JKh_qITY3cKCN2/s320/IMG_1803.JPG" /></p> <p>See what they are organising in India at <a href="http://www.urbanleavesinindia.com/2011/07/gearing-up-for-world-kitchen-garden-day.html"><strong>Urban Leaves</strong></a> ....<img align="right" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqF3TMbjNrdH0KN5ninQcYCrWypxB7n1Sg5-VNDAwv298DcswZ_7Sza-dP9y2qBFqGd1At5sBGVld6dHtagzFzIu8P3ejCdGobwUbvsSg6xAQGtxE_00sf2Y80qsWH0FnYysJo/s320/Picture+095.jpg" width="220" height="293" /></p> <p>where this young lad was worried about his pet snail eating his spinach leaves, at a recent celebration in the garden!</p> <p>  </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>  </p> <p><img style="margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px" alt="lady liberty" align="left" src="http://gallery.mailchimp.com/8b0ca4b64558ef6c805814e19/images/5835459756_c4a0990355_b.1.jpg" />In the USA its all about freedom.... freedom to grow food where you want to.... you won't believe this video.... it makes me feel sick to think that growing vegetables can be a finable offense!! </p> <p>You can watch the video and read more <a href="http://kitchengardeners.org/blogs/roger-doiron/kitchen-gardener-michigan-faces-legal-action-frontyard-garden?utm_source=Kitchen+Gardeners+International+List&utm_campaign=2d6231d67f-July_2011_Newsletter7_4_2011&utm_medium=email"><strong>here</strong></a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33456225.post-91834712359168220752011-06-05T19:07:00.003+09:302011-06-05T20:12:06.924+09:30If only every Suburb had a Community Garden and a Kitchen Gardeners Swap Meet.<img alt="Batty's Garden-8" border="0" height="304" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IpLEe8vyolI/TetOHFW9Z5I/AAAAAAAADT0/EvDvwGVL1og/Battys-Garden-8.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Batty's Garden-8" width="404" /><img alt="Allie & Steve's Visit-146" border="0" height="304" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5s9HBS--dO0/TetOIY0P-AI/AAAAAAAADT4/oDy9CT1xl0k/Allie--Steves-Visit-146.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Allie & Steve's Visit-146" width="404" /> <br />
Many people today are striving hard to fit into today's culture.<br />
Many of us vegetable gardeners feel a little out of place at social gatherings. We would much prefer to be in our gardens, pruning, planting, weeding, picking or preserving our produce.<br />
Our to do list is endless, sorting seeds, making sauerkraut, pickling olives, transplanting seedlings, propagating cuttings and there is always pruning to be done.<br />
I meet very few gardeners who are not keen to talk about what they have been growing or how the weather is affecting their garden.<br />
So we have this group of home gardeners who meet together every few months and we always have a good time.<br />
When we meet to swap seeds, excess produce and ideas, we also share part of our lives with each other.<br />
We may meet for just a couple of hours but friendships are formed, phone numbers exchanged and the promises are made to share produce as it ripens and matures.<br />
Someone has chokos to share, someone else has excess chillies, another has apples and firewood, the list goes on and on.<br />
Cuttings and prunings, excess seedlings, potted plants are brought and given away.<br />
Cuttings of herbs, curry leaves and berries, ginger, galangal, lemongrass and cardamom plants are divided and shared.<br />
Variety is being added to people's gardens, new plants and ideas are being introduced.<br />
People are taking things home to grow, things they had never heard about before. New flavours are introduced and as people try new things and use them at home, their palates change and they look forward to trying new and interesting plants.<br />
<img alt="Chesnuts-2" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QOCHs8X8c9A/TetOJM8tWMI/AAAAAAAADT8/zfHiY5kM29w/Chesnuts-2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Chesnuts-2" width="244" /><img alt="Beef, Beans & Basil-7" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AMT7QIjl0mY/TetOKOh_fZI/AAAAAAAADUA/t-n8hEl0kHs/Beef-Beans--Basil-7.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Beef, Beans & Basil-7" width="244" /><img alt="Curry Leaf Tree-2" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MM_TBWLRHs0/TetOLHA9OZI/AAAAAAAADUE/A-l_oUyrKBE/Curry-Leaf-Tree-2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Curry Leaf Tree-2" width="244" /><br />
And so for a few short hours people are introduced to new things, new ideas and new challenges.<br />
If we lived in any rural area in any other country it would be a natural thing to save seeds and share with neighbours. But in Australia the majority of people are buying their fruit and veggies from large supermarkets or fruit stores. These unknown, mass farms are often using many harmful chemical sprays and fertilizers to achieve a perfect looking product, which looks good but lacks the flavour and nutritional value of organically grown produce.<br />
Our priorities in life should be healthy pure rain water, fresh clean air, viable seed, local, organically grown food and a healthy lifestyle.<br />
<img alt="Lasagne-1" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SNAt5uQswf8/TetOMBoPYeI/AAAAAAAADUI/CIukLsAJFOY/Lasagne-1.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Lasagne-1" width="244" /><img alt="Seedlings & Purple Chilli-3" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TbMSGt5Pw_c/TetOM5C4gGI/AAAAAAAADUM/WGn_0gp_hZI/Seedlings--Purple-Chilli-3.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Seedlings & Purple Chilli-3" width="244" /><img alt="Brown Rice, Besan & Chive Cakes" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-M-R357zGjUY/TetON6ed2OI/AAAAAAAADUQ/eVk3lGy6vZg/Brown-Rice-Besan--Chive-Cakes.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Brown Rice, Besan & Chive Cakes" width="244" /><br />
A lifestyle which includes rest and relaxation, time to spend with others, time to share a simple meal or wander around a friend's garden.<br />
When you live in a city you see people constantly rushing around, driving children from one paid activity to another. Children who have been in child care all day are seen throwing tantrums in shopping malls and supermarkets as their hassled parents fill supermarket trollies with chemical laden foods, coloured beverages and other sugar laden sauces, cereals, sweets and cookies.<br />
I guess I am just getting to be a grumpy old granny, but to those of us who grew up in the forties or fifties we remember a much different world.<br />
<img alt="Seedsaver Maggie-20" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BBikKD6aCg8/TetOO9zvz_I/AAAAAAAADUU/SxwXWXfHZz0/Seedsaver-Maggie-20.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Seedsaver Maggie-20" width="244" /><img alt="Seedsaver Maggie-5" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TX26_HrgFZE/TetOQLtrGMI/AAAAAAAADUY/ptG-HMu6uO0/Seedsaver-Maggie-5.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Seedsaver Maggie-5" width="244" /><img alt="Colours of Autumn-14" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WLTOlWJsu1Y/TetOQy1NnVI/AAAAAAAADUc/8jJlHq2FLyY/Colours-of-Autumn-14.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Colours of Autumn-14" width="244" /><br />
Most families grew their own vegetables, had chickens for eggs and chicken for a special occasion. <br />
There was no television, people sat and chatted about their day, listened to the radio or read books, played cards or board games.<br />
All the neighbourhood children played cricket on the road, there were fewer cars and people rode their bikes, walked or caught public transport.<br />
Anyone remember going to work in an old steam train?<br />
I did. I caught the train from Liverpool Station to Central station in Sydney. A group of us teenagers met in the same compartment each day and played cards or just chatted.<br />
Now the people I see walking the streets are plugged into their iphones or ipods and don't even look at anyone. <br />
Time is money now, so people rush everywhere, drive like maniacs and have no concern for anyone but themselves.<br />
So it is with great pleasure that I look forward to when our garden group meets again.<br />
Our dream would be for every suburb to have a Community Garden and every Community Garden to have such groups meeting several times a year.<br />
<img alt="Seedlings & Purple Chilli-1" border="0" height="304" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-r3xMFagx_ts/TetOTQ0tdTI/AAAAAAAADUg/6YSx8nkcdkk/Seedlings--Purple-Chilli-1.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Seedlings & Purple Chilli-1" width="404" /><img alt="Colours of Autumn-7" border="0" height="304" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7hK_Bk02wzM/TetOUBRyYtI/AAAAAAAADUk/VENROJD-_Zs/Colours-of-Autumn-7.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Colours of Autumn-7" width="404" />Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17155210756905386478noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33456225.post-58295479206637619952011-05-28T17:01:00.001+09:302011-05-28T20:53:40.183+09:30Brilliantly Coloured Autumn Fruits and Leaves on the Adelaide Plains<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EW5MPg1zBOE/TeCkycgElgI/AAAAAAAADTg/UoHsnMRD12w/s1600-h/Colours%252520of%252520Autumn-2%25255B23%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Colours of Autumn-2" border="0" alt="Colours of Autumn-2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WuFD3oQzH1Q/TeCkzTne1xI/AAAAAAAADTk/qCHjJWxDsSk/Colours%252520of%252520Autumn-2_thumb%25255B23%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="604" height="454" /></a></p> <p>It is Autumn in Adelaide South Australia, nearly winter.</p> <p>Here are some of the gorgeous coloured fruits we are enjoying at the moment.</p> <p>Soft juicy beautiful flavoured persimmons we bought at the last Rare Fruit Society meeting.</p> <p>Beautiful mauve and purple lilly pillys we forage from local trees. They are large and juicy and we love eating them straight from the trees.</p> <p>The last of our excel figs  not as sweet as they were a month ago but still yummy.</p> <p>Beautiful jewel red pomegranate seeds just from our tree. Once again we just love these seeds.</p> <p>Peoples citrus trees are covered with mandarins, oranges, grapefruit and lemons almost ready to eat and make delicious marmalades from.</p> <p>As we take Niki and our grandson for walks it is wonderful to see brilliant trees covered with vibrant yellow, orange and golden leaves, red and purple coloured vines, rainbow coloured flowers and bushes, bright yellow and pale pink roses and bright green grass after the wonderful rain we have had.</p> <p>Autumn leaves are being raked and thrown under bushes for mulch or added to compost heaps.</p> <p>There are loads of birds around I guess they come down from the Adelaide Hills which are 5 minutes drive away but heaps cooler than here on the plains.</p> <p>Our winter green garden is starting to produce Asian greens, rapa and all the wonderful herbs we add to our meals.</p> <p>We still have capsicums and chillies ripening, lovely bunches of parsley and rocket.</p> <p>No longer am I sad that tomatoes have disappeared because Autumn and winter has replaced them with exquisite flavours, new recipes to try and enjoy.</p> Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17155210756905386478noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33456225.post-11293353970452538052011-05-09T09:18:00.001+09:302011-05-09T09:18:22.472+09:30Kookaburra in our Liquid Amber Tree<p>Yesterday there was a choir of kookaburras in a nearby tree laughing their heads off.</p> <p>By the time we got our camera out they were silent and flew off except for one lone kookaburra who sat silent in our aged liquid amber tree, just pondering and enjoying the moment, on a quiet sunny autumn afternoon in Adelaide.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_npchXumDNoo/TccrwBGYkGI/AAAAAAAADTM/1TkvvSMppZo/s1600-h/Kookaburra-in-the-Liquid-Amber-Tree4.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Kookaburra in the Liquid Amber Tree" border="0" alt="Kookaburra in the Liquid Amber Tree" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_npchXumDNoo/TccrxMpchSI/AAAAAAAADTQ/ib7kl0E_hKA/Kookaburra-in-the-Liquid-Amber-Tree_.jpg?imgmax=800" width="604" height="424" /></a></p> Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17155210756905386478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33456225.post-57852487831119432762011-05-08T09:22:00.001+09:302011-05-08T09:22:51.862+09:30Sunningdale Farm Open Day Today - Australia’s Open Garden Scheme<p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_npchXumDNoo/TcXbTSnp5DI/AAAAAAAADTE/dQwjvM0FN5g/s1600-h/image%5B2%5D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_npchXumDNoo/TcXbUvZTl1I/AAAAAAAADTI/_RfrU8EBJ5U/image_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <p>Sunningdale Farm is open today as part of South Australia's Open Garden Scheme.  Mosquito Hill Rd, Mount Compass <br />10am-4.30pm.  $6.00</p> <p>It is a lovely drive to Mt Compass and a lovely organic farm to visit.</p> <p>Kate visited Sunningdale Farm open day in 2007, here is what she wrote -</p> <p> <br />SUNNINGDALE FARM <br />Anne Duguid is a gardener after my own heart. Plants are allowed to come up and grow where they like and vegs and flowers co-exist happily together, making a carpet of intricate detail and fascination at every turn. The house is on a rise and is surrounded by a ring of garden so that every door of the house opens onto vegetables, herbs and flowers. They include such companion plants as parsley, yarrow, tansy, coreopsis, fever few, cosmos, leeks and buddleias which attract ladybirds, lacewings, hoverflies, beetles, wasps, bees etc. <br />Beyond the house are 190 rolling acres of organic / biodynamic vealer calves. Beyond this you can see the Murray and the lakes. Picturesque is inadequate to describe the property. The drive in is through scrub in which they have identified 45 varieties of birds. There is a trail mown through the bush for walking and, after the recent rains, everything is lush and green . Anne is a lovely person and very welcoming. Together with her husband Phil they run the property. If they have another open day I would suggest you go and soak it up. <br />The drive to Mt Compass via Hahndorf is beautiful after the rain and there are great venison hamburgers to be had at a cafe in Mt Compass ! A lovely mothers' day.</p> <p> <br />Chaiselongue from the blog Olives & Artichokes has a good post  <a href="http://olives-and-artichokes.blogspot.com/2008/08/why-do-we-garden.html">'Why do we garden?'</a>. Check it out. </p> <p>Happy Autumn Gardening and Happy Mothers Day.</p> <p>Maggie</p> <p>Labels: <a href="http://hillsandplainsseedsavers.blogspot.com/search/label/Biodynamics">Biodynamics</a>, <a href="http://hillsandplainsseedsavers.blogspot.com/search/label/Food%20for%20health">Food for health</a>, <a href="http://hillsandplainsseedsavers.blogspot.com/search/label/Garden">Garden</a>, <a href="http://hillsandplainsseedsavers.blogspot.com/search/label/Visits">Visits</a></p> Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17155210756905386478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33456225.post-25575075149073998552011-04-10T19:29:00.001+09:302011-04-10T19:29:36.482+09:30Goodbye Tomatoes, see you next Summer!<p>With only a few tomatoes left on our vines it is hard to say goodbye to fresh home grown tomatoes until next summer.</p> <p>Here are a few pictures of some of our favourite tomatoes, Black Krim self seeded, Eva Purple Ball from select organic seeds, tomato Riesentraube from Eden seeds, Pomodoro Red Cherry from Franchi seeds.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_npchXumDNoo/TaF_VNBalQI/AAAAAAAADSU/LQgjhvilfuE/s1600-h/Black%20Krim%20Self%20Seeded-7.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Black Krim Self Seeded-7" border="0" alt="Black Krim Self Seeded-7" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_npchXumDNoo/TaF_Vy9nC4I/AAAAAAAADSY/voDGX72b-V4/Black%20Krim%20Self%20Seeded-7_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_npchXumDNoo/TaF_XEOrtcI/AAAAAAAADSc/ukMug5Y0-PA/s1600-h/More%20Tomatoes-11.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="More Tomatoes-11" border="0" alt="More Tomatoes-11" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_npchXumDNoo/TaF_X9o3w8I/AAAAAAAADSg/I2UFF0JSNlo/More%20Tomatoes-11_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_npchXumDNoo/TaF_ZUTHs0I/AAAAAAAADSk/eP2PbH06SkI/s1600-h/Tomatoes-25.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Tomatoes-25" border="0" alt="Tomatoes-25" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_npchXumDNoo/TaF_aBvjUEI/AAAAAAAADSo/RgteHi0uuWs/Tomatoes-25_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_npchXumDNoo/TaF_bfsA-qI/AAAAAAAADSs/OB12dn4nk9M/s1600-h/Tomatoes-2.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Tomatoes-2" border="0" alt="Tomatoes-2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_npchXumDNoo/TaF_cSvtK-I/AAAAAAAADSw/5iWMcWDCfio/Tomatoes-2_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a></p> <p>We also had lots of other self sown tomatoes appear in our garden. We have 5 underground worm farms throughout our veggie patch.</p> <p>All our veggie scraps and some paper scraps go on these bins and the red wrigglers happily munch away. One a year when the worm farm (which is a large bucket with holes) is getting full we extract the worm castings. Then we dig the castings into the earth just before planting. So a lot of seed is spread through out the garden as we do this. But that is another story.</p> <p>Back to tomatoes, we have had delicious tasty tomatoes with each meal for months but soon it will be time to pull out the vines to make room for winter greens. </p> <p>We have lots of Asian greens, rapa, mustard greens, spring onions and broccoli seedlings to plant out. </p> <p>At the moment we are still having lovely sunny Autumn days and mild evenings but I guess winter is coming soon.</p> <p><a href="http://gardenamateur.blogspot.com/2009/02/too-easy.htmlhttp://">Here</a> are some more meals  we prepared using tomatoes and fresh basil this summer.</p> <p>Bruschetta with mozzarella and olives, Spanish Chicken casserole with chillies and cherry tomatoes</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_npchXumDNoo/TaF_d9Gd7-I/AAAAAAAADS0/_fYcxJlb_BU/s1600-h/Bruschetta-28.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Bruschetta-2" border="0" alt="Bruschetta-2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_npchXumDNoo/TaF_eyf4AUI/AAAAAAAADS4/yTCg1ZFuabc/Bruschetta-2_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a>     <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_npchXumDNoo/TaF_gzMqTNI/AAAAAAAADS8/c06NRd8Hm5I/s1600-h/Spanish-Chicken-106.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Spanish Chicken-10" border="0" alt="Spanish Chicken-10" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_npchXumDNoo/TaF_h5tz0gI/AAAAAAAADTA/FIY_-dL4Z4Y/Spanish-Chicken-10_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a></p> Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17155210756905386478noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33456225.post-10340916658734541762011-04-03T19:33:00.003+09:302011-04-04T07:18:57.465+09:30The Magic of Seeds<p>A few weeks ago I spent a lot of time processing dried seeds from their pods which we had saved from last winter and summer.</p> <p>What a treat to see escaped seeds sprouting everywhere in the back yard including sprouting in the cracks on the old BBQ table and stools.</p> <p>I must have saved thousands of seeds and now to see them germinating so well, MAGIC!</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_npchXumDNoo/TZhF_RMZH4I/AAAAAAAADO4/injiTwTQPt0/s1600-h/Growing-in-the-Cracks-24.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Growing in the Cracks-2" alt="Growing in the Cracks-2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_npchXumDNoo/TZhGARIUZUI/AAAAAAAADO8/mImZq-3z140/Growing-in-the-Cracks-2_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="644" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_npchXumDNoo/TZhGBuo6frI/AAAAAAAADPA/2B1o0ySCFQ8/s1600-h/Growing-in-the-Cracks-98.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Growing in the Cracks-9" alt="Growing in the Cracks-9" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_npchXumDNoo/TZhGCZ9m2HI/AAAAAAAADPE/u6TLcqgAj34/Growing-in-the-Cracks-9_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="484" width="644" /></a></p>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17155210756905386478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33456225.post-13102757277334437762011-03-27T09:45:00.001+10:302011-03-27T09:45:25.289+10:30Avocado, Basil, Rocket and Tomato Bruschetta<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_npchXumDNoo/TY5zh3Maj_I/AAAAAAAADOc/UEbPzaL5TVo/s1600-h/Bruschetta-34.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Bruschetta-3" border="0" alt="Bruschetta-3" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_npchXumDNoo/TY5zi0DOg4I/AAAAAAAADOg/0isFoRWTP3s/Bruschetta-3_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a></p> <p>Summer on a plate! To make this yummy bruschetta first plant some seeds.</p> <p>Watch them germinate, water and care for your plants for several weeks until finally you have beautiful tomatoes, basil and rocket.</p> <p>Harvest your creations and mix them together with some cracked pepper and a drizzle of local olive oil.</p> <p>Toast some Paolo’s Grain Sour Dough, rub it with fresh garlic and top with your garden creation.</p> <p>More to say? No just munch away!</p> Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17155210756905386478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33456225.post-25467839993091763462011-03-23T09:40:00.001+10:302011-03-23T09:40:02.814+10:30Seed and Produce Swap Days<p>We have been very fortunate to have 2 great Seed Swaps at Glandore Community Garden recently.</p> <p>We have had lots of new young gardeners join in as well as all the older folks who have been growing food for decades.</p> <p>There is nothing like getting together with like minded folks and sharing produce, seeds and home made afternoon tea.</p> <p>It is very easy to arrange seed swaps, just look for a community garden close to where you live.</p> <p>Find some gardeners who want to save seed and swap produce with each other.</p> <p>Make a time to do this and you will find it is lots of fun.</p> <p>This is a collage of our February gathering.</p> <p>Note : Bob took these photos and said Daniel and Harry were discussing tomatoes, what a great photo!.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_npchXumDNoo/TYksNUqPiqI/AAAAAAAADOM/PkCySyho_MA/s1600-h/Allie--Steves-Visit5.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Seedy Sunday at Glandore" border="0" alt="Seedy Sunday at Glandore" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_npchXumDNoo/TYksPNIvDuI/AAAAAAAADOQ/YEYNTpclzDU/Allie--Steves-Visit_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="964" height="772" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Last weeks gathering was also an absolute delight as everyone chatted about what they had brought and were planning to grow in winter.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_npchXumDNoo/TYksQ_cYdAI/AAAAAAAADOU/1SyElFuaQao/s1600-h/Seedsavers4.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Seedy Saturday at Glandore" border="0" alt="Seedy Saturday at Glandore" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_npchXumDNoo/TYksSSp1qWI/AAAAAAAADOY/_GE_eQStpyo/Seedsavers_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="964" height="772" /></a></p> Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17155210756905386478noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33456225.post-73061446977679437042011-03-16T20:14:00.001+10:302011-03-16T20:14:28.813+10:30Bird’s Eye View<p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_npchXumDNoo/TYCGdrjcfmI/AAAAAAAADN4/_QyA5gD0tXA/s1600-h/Birds-Nest--Raindrops4.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Bird's Nest & Raindrops" border="0" alt="Bird's Nest & Raindrops" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_npchXumDNoo/TYCGe6vslHI/AAAAAAAADN8/gli8rWKlls0/Birds-Nest--Raindrops_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="604" height="454" /></a></p> <p>This friendly family of pigeons live in the Jacaranda tree in our garden.</p> <p>They forage in the garden, and wander around our lawn. </p> <p>It is wonderful to have a veggie garden for all creatures to share and enjoy.</p> Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17155210756905386478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33456225.post-27294228977630761172011-03-13T09:10:00.001+10:302011-03-13T09:10:59.572+10:30Basilico Olio<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_npchXumDNoo/TXv2dmahpDI/AAAAAAAADNw/60BoK1yeIFg/s1600-h/Basilico-Olio-74.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Basilico Olio-7" border="0" alt="Basilico Olio-7" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_npchXumDNoo/TXv2eryPBvI/AAAAAAAADN0/p5w4kZpat-E/Basilico-Olio-7_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="604" height="454" /></a></p> <p>Basilico Olio or basil oil is a great colourful oil to spoon over sliced tomatoes or to add to freshly boiled pasta or rice.</p> <p>It is also great drizzled over freshly baked pizza, tomato and onion bruschetta or sliced cucumber salad.</p> <p>It is a great way to prepare surplus basil and keeps for several days in the fridge.</p> <p>It is made by plunging a couple of handfuls of fresh basil leaves into some boiling water then draining them quickly and then plunging the leaves into iced water for a few seconds. Remove the leaves and pat them dry with a clean cloth.</p> <p>Place the leaves in a food processer and chop them adding a good quality olive oil , sufficient to make the mix pourable.</p> <p>To make the oil more flavoursome add a pinch of salt, some sliced chilli and some freshly sliced basil just before service.</p> <p>We are still having lovely warm weather here in Adelaide. We still have fresh basil although our tomatoes and cucumbers are nearly finished.</p> <p>We have thoroughly enjoyed our tomato season and now look forward to yummy peppers, spring onions and small lettuce that are growing well at the moment.</p> <p>We only have a small garden so we cannot grow everything we would like too but luckily we have an Organic Store called Doof Doof within walking distance and Hayden grows amazing veggies. At the moment we are enjoying his corn, eggplants, zucchini and lettuce.</p> <p>I love fresh organic fruit and vegetables and we are lucky here in Adelaide to have lots of organic growers close by.</p> <p>Happy gardening everyone.</p> Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17155210756905386478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33456225.post-29833529572845394652011-03-09T19:52:00.001+10:302011-03-09T19:52:01.916+10:30Local Fish and Chips, Garden Salad and Baked Excel Figs for Dessert<p>Dinner tonight all cooked by the gardener not the cook!  Pretty delicious!</p> <p>Thanks Julie for the potatoes.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_npchXumDNoo/TXdGqrhGBzI/AAAAAAAADM8/oiVlTIybdlg/s1600-h/Local%20Food-4%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Local Food-4" border="0" alt="Local Food-4" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_npchXumDNoo/TXdGrogTCuI/AAAAAAAADNA/3WvfbAmI8Qk/Local%20Food-4_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="604" height="454" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_npchXumDNoo/TXdGtPZWywI/AAAAAAAADNE/qJOPSSEtjQA/s1600-h/Local%20Food-12%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Local Food-12" border="0" alt="Local Food-12" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_npchXumDNoo/TXdGuHXGU5I/AAAAAAAADNI/6Yenv3I-mio/Local%20Food-12_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="604" height="454" /></a></p> Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17155210756905386478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33456225.post-3726723612721584222011-02-23T19:31:00.002+10:302011-02-24T08:38:14.855+10:30Summer Tomatoes – Yum!<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_npchXumDNoo/TWTM01ZUbWI/AAAAAAAADMY/MLEiSA0wyGk/s1600-h/Our%20Tomatoes%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px;" title="Our Tomatoes" alt="Our Tomatoes" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_npchXumDNoo/TWTM2H4PanI/AAAAAAAADMg/ZLXMXIwSZTE/Our%20Tomatoes_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="454" width="604" /></a></p> <p>I think home grown tomatoes are most kitchen gardeners favourite vegetable.</p> <p>We have tomatoes from seeds we germinated and a lot of self seeded tomatoes which just appeared in our garden when we spread out the contents of our worm farms.</p> <p>We eat the tomatoes as a snack straight from the vine, with our basil and rocket salads, add them to frittatas and just freeze them whole to be cooked with onion and thyme in autumn when the vines have wilted.</p> <p>We are having warm humid weather in Adelaide at the moment and new tomato self sown seedlings are appearing in the garden.</p> <p>March will be warm so I expect we shall have tomatoes and fresh basil for a while yet.</p> <p>The delicious pinkish tomato is called Eva Purple Ball, it is a gorgeous looking tomato.</p>Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17155210756905386478noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33456225.post-88299677530438678802011-02-08T13:53:00.001+10:302011-02-08T13:53:36.326+10:30Crunchy Summer Green Bean Salad<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_npchXumDNoo/TVC3MvysNVI/AAAAAAAADLk/LsCv4DVB98c/s1600-h/Green-Bean-Salad-75.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Green Bean Salad-7" border="0" alt="Green Bean Salad-7" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_npchXumDNoo/TVC3NnIUVaI/AAAAAAAADLo/6OBbsLl8Rn0/Green-Bean-Salad-7_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a></p> <p>Summer crunch for lunch, straight from our garden.  Blanched green beans, green peppers, tomatoes and crispy red onions tossed with fresh garden herbs, olive oil and cider vinegar. YUM!</p> <p>Makes all the seed saving, nurturing of seedlings, preparing garden beds, planting and watering worth the time and effort.    </p> Maggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17155210756905386478noreply@blogger.com3