Spicy Poached Quince

With Vanilla & Coconut Rice Pudding

Things To Do In June

JUNE MARKS THE BEGINNING OF WINTER AND HERALDS A TIME OF SETTLED WEATHER AND SHORT BUT OFTEN MILD, PLEASANT DAYS —IDEAL CONDITIONS FOR GARDENING

Things To Do In May

IT’S FINALLY TIME TO BREATHE IN THE COOL, DAMP AIR OF LATE AUTUMN AND ENJOY THE CHANGING SEASONS AS SUMMER MOVES TOWARDS WINTER

Wandering Busybodies

IN A RURAL LIVING SITUATION, GUINEA FOWL HAVE A LOT TO OFFER AND WILL PUT IN A GOOD DAY’S WORK

What Is Permaculture?

WORKING WITH NATURE HAS FINALLY BECOME A SCIENCE — AND IT WORKS SO WELL IT’S SPREADING WORLDWIDE AS A GRASSROOTS MOVEMENT!

The Heat Is On

THAT PUNGENT GREEN STUFF THAT GETS UP YOUR NOSE WHEN YOU ORDER SUSHI MAY NOT BE REAL WASABI AT ALL

Rhubarb Rhubarb

LET’S TALK ABOUT THE DESSERT FRUIT THAT’S REALLY A VEGETABLE — YOU THROW AWAY THE LEAVES AND EAT THE STALK

The Sweet Cereal

SWEET CORN IS A GRAIN, A VEGETABLE AND A FRUIT ALL IN ONE — NOT BAD FOR A PLANT THAT’S ESSENTIALLY A GRASS

The Grapevine

ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS AND UPDATES COMPILED BY JO IMMIG

Wild Apples

MEDIUM-SIZED DECIDUOUS TREES WITH ATTRACTIVE FLOWERS AND SMALL FRUIT, CRABAPPLES CAN HELP POLLINATE APPLES

What's Hot Right Now

PRESENTING SOME STUNNING-LOOKING PLANTS THAT WILL MAKE EXCELLENT ADDITIONS TO YOUR GARDEN AT THIS TIME OF YEAR

The Purple People Eat

Call it aubergine or brinjal or melanzana, the eggplant has many names and comes in many colours

Round The Mulberry Bush

Despite The Words Of The Nursery Rhyme, The Fruitful Mulberry Is Of Course A Tree, Not A Bush

Greens Party

Spinach And Silverbeet Look And Taste Like They’re In The Same Club But They Are More Different Than You Think

The Red Spinach

Until Largely Supplanted By Spinach, Fast-growing Red Orach Was A Popular Leafy Annual In Its Native Europe

Native Mint

A Prolific, Fast-growing Ground cover, River Mint Is A Case Of Plant, Add Water — Plenty And Often — And Stand Well Back

The Blue Lily

Sometimes Called Flax Lily, Dianella Is A Low-maintenance Native With Striking Blue Or Purple Berries And Flowers

The Peppy Pepper

Aussie Bush Tucker Doesn’t Come Much Spicier Than Our Native Mountain Pepper

The Sun Seeker

THE JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE DOESN’T COME FROM THE MIDDLE EAST AND IS ACTUALLY A SUNFLOWER — BUT DON’T LET THAT PUT YOU OFF

Backyard Vine

LIKE THE CHOKO, THIS HARDY, PROLIFIC MELON HAS A SENTIMENTAL PLACE IN AUSTRALIAN FOLKLORE

Lean Beans

LONG AND SKINNY AND DEFINITELY SERPENTINE, SNAKE BEANS HAVE A REPTILIAN HABIT OF CLIMBING ALL OVER THINGS

The Grapevine

ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS AND UPDATES

Lemon Balm For Calm

With Both Culinary And Therapeutic Uses, Including For Anxiety And Restlessness, This Is One Handy Herb

Icicle Radish

That’s Just One Of The Many Names Of This Peppery Root Veg Shaped Like An Oversized Carrot But White Like A Radish

Things To Do In July

USE THE WARMEST PARTS OF THE DAY TO HARVEST AND TEND THE VEGIES

Precious Petals

ARE THERE ANY FLOWERS MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN PEONIES? THE CATCH IS, TO GIVE YOU THE RESULTS YOU WANT, THEY’RE PRETTY DEMANDING ... BUT WORTH IT

The Uber Tuber

AFTER MAIZE, WHEAT AND RICE, THE HUMBLE SPUD IS THE WORLD’S FOURTH-LARGEST FOOD CROP

Golden Oldie

NOT MANY PLANTS CAN CLAIM TO IMPROVE YOUR MEMORY, HELP PREVENT ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND LIVE FOR A MILLENNIUM

The Tropical Cherry

ACEROLA IS A SELF-CONTAINED INDOOR OR OUTDOOR SHRUB WITH A SHINY RED EDIBLE FRUIT PACKED WITH VITAMIN C

The Buzz

MAKE YOUR GARDEN HOSPITABLE TO NATIVE BEES, AS WELL AS HONEY BEES, AND YOU’LL ALWAYS HAVE PLENTY OF POLLINATORS