Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue#9.5 - 2018 i Good Organic Gardening

Becoming a gardener makes you both more wary and more accepting of insects and other creepy-crawlies. Wary because you get to know the harm some can do to your plants or you; accepting because you get to know the good they do and their important place in the world. You even fall in love with some — bees, for instance. One of the books reviewed this issue, Minibeasts, by Alan Henderson (Exisle Publishing), showcases beautiful Mr DeMille close-ups of minibeasts such as the peacock jumping spider, pictured opposite. Seriously, you cannot look at this photo and not think that is adorable! Where is your horror of spiders now? After all, it is one. When we were doing our story on Simon Carroll and Kelly Eaton’s lovely property, Little Hill Farm,…

Common or green beans have been a staple on Australian dinner plates for generations and for good reason. They’re easy to grow, jam-packed with protein, dietary fibre and disease-fighting antioxidants and they climb (unless you plant bush varieties), so they don’t take up much ground space in the garden. In the kitchen they can be grilled, steamed, added to a casserole, combined with toasted garlic and roasted almonds or stir-fried to add a bit of Asian-inspired flair. VARIETIES ‘Blue Lake’ has been a garden favourite since 1885. It’s one of those round, stringless dark-green climbing beans that gives it all, producing masses of tasty beans over a long season. The pods are plump, long and tasty, so try serving them lightly steamed with a dipping sauce as a healthy alternative…

To most people, the Hunter Valley means vineyards, horse studs, coal mines and power stations. City slickers would no doubt add gourmet dining and spa retreats. Not many would think of chicken farming, though there are several large-scale poultry operations in the region. But Little Hill Farm, in the rolling foothills of the Lower Hunter’s Watagan Mountains, is about as far as you can get from industrial-scale egg and meat production. In just over five years, Simon Carroll and Kelly Eaton — with the help of daughters Mia and Asta — have transformed their 83 acres of typically empty Hunter pastureland into a productive free-range chicken farm and organic market garden, supplying top-end kitchens throughout the valley and as far away as Sydney. The first thing you notice as you…

Brussels sprouts are not everyone’s favourite vegetable and they can be a challenge to grow. But if you enjoy eating this much-maligned vegetable and harvest it fresh from your garden, you’ll feel a real sense of achievement and have a delicious meal as well. These vegetables are part of the cabbage family, collectively referred to as brassicas from the genus name. Although there’s nothing in the records to say Brussels sprouts came from the capital of Belgium, they have been known by this name since the mid-18th century and probably did originate in northern Europe in the general area of the low countries where they grow very well. BEST GROWING CONDITIONS If you are used to buying sprouts loose like miniature cabbages, seeing them grow in the garden is a…

Papayas or pawpaws, as we call them, deserve a place in the garden, as much for their large tropical-looking leaves as for their sweet, exotically flavoured fruit. They originate from southern Mexico and Central America, so they flourish in tropical and subtropical areas and produce a bumper crop of fruit that can be appreciated fresh or used to bring a tropical flavour to everything from fresh summer salads to smoothies. You can even use the unripe green fruit in Asian-inspired salads, stir-fries and curries. Papaya trees can be male, female or bisexual. Males don’t bear fruit, female trees need a male to produce a good crop, and bisexual trees are mostly self-pollinating, so always check the label to see if you need a compatible planting partner. Pawpaws are fast-growing trees…

Ingredients • 800g main fragrance item (eg rose petals, lavender flowers, lemon verbena leaves)• 300g complementary herbs and leaves (eg lemon balm, mint, bay leaves)• Up to 50g whole spices (eg cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, star anise, nutmeg)• 50g dried citrus round or peel (can be purchased or dried in a low oven)• 40g orris root powder (fixative to help hold scent)• Essential oils or fragrance of choice Note: Essential oils are more volatile than fragrance, so if using these to complement the botanicals, you’ll need to freshen the mix frequently. (This is only a guide or base recipe to work from.) Method 1 Mix together all the petals and leaves in a large mixing bowl, preferably not plastic or one you won’t need to cook with again. 2 Slightly crush…

With traditional vegie gardening, beds are planted, cleared and replanted, alternating between warm-season crops and cool-season crops, season after season, ad infinitum. While plants are still growing, we have considerable slack time when nothing is produced, so productivity follows a boom and bust cycle, which is quite inefficient. In the design system of permaculture, which is essentially ecological engineering, we look to construct food production systems that are as efficient as possible, and look to nature for solutions. PLANT STACKING IN NATURE Nature is fond of stacking plants for the purpose of creating stable ecosystems, stacking in space vertically to create the various layers of a forest, for example, from the groundcover plants through to the canopy overhead. The microclimates that are created support and protect plants that would otherwise…

The curious name of olive herb reflects the slightly olive-like smell and taste of this plant. The botanists, however, were commenting not on the fragrance, but the appearance of the narrow leaves when the species was named rosmarinifolia, which means this plant — or at least its leaves — looked like rosemary to the botanist who named it. To me, the narrow, finely toothed leaves look more like a green form of French lavender. This herb doesn’t really look much like rosemary and certainly looks nothing like olive. Olive herb forms a low, flat, soft mound of green leaves. It grows to about 30–50cm high and wide and in summer is likely to be a mass of round, bright-yellow flower heads. The flowers are highly attractive to insects, including bees,…

The lemony fragrance of the leaves of this rainforest tree is unmistakeable, especially when they’re crushed. It’s one of the reasons florists use branches as fillers in bouquets and why the dried leaves can be used as an air freshener in small enclosed spaces such as wardrobes and caravans. Lemon myrtle essential oil is said to have a stronger lemon fragrance than any other oil, which is why it’s used in the cosmetics industry as well as the pharmaceutical and food industries. Its heavenly fragrance enhances soaps, moisturisers, hair products, lip balms and shower gels, not just in Australia but all over the world. It’s the citral in the plant that gives it its lemon fragrance and, incidentally, many of its health benefits. In fact, lemon myrtle is said to…

You may be surprised to learn that you can grow coffee in gardens in many parts of Australia. Coffee is associated with places like Ethiopia, as it evolved in elevated subtropical to tropical parts of Africa and Asia. With shelter and patience, it grows beyond its natural equatorial region. If gardenias grow well at your place, so too will coffee. At the very extremes of its ideal climate zone, the plants may grow but will not flower and fruit every year. Don’t imagine you’ll be self-sufficient in coffee with just a few shrubs. A cup of coffee uses a lot of beans — just watch your local barista grinding the beans for your next espresso. Even a well-known instant coffee boasts 43 beans in every cup. Beans are the seeds…

Nothing conjures up images of the tropics quite like sweet, juicy pineapples. They might look like prickly characters, but this iconic fruit is surprisingly easy to grow. You just need a healthy dose of patience and the right climate. Pineapples are members of the bromeliad clan and have their origins in South America, so they like to be grown in tropical and subtropical climates. In garden beds the spiky plants look striking planted en masse and they make a real talking point in pots on a patio or balcony. There are both smooth and rough-leaf pineapples. ‘Smooth Cayenne’ varieties are larger than rough-leaf types and have pale, juicy flesh perfect for summer juices and fruit salads. Rough-leaf types, like the ‘Queen’ collection, produce smaller pineapples on smaller plants, and the…

COOL & TEMPERATE VEGIES Fruit fly becomes more active as summer progresses and crops ripen. Use organic fruit fly baits and traps or cover individual fruit with exclusion bags. Clean up fallen fruit. As fruit fly is spreading to fruit-fly-free areas, watch for signs of attack in all areas. Use fruitfly traps to monitor for their presence. Set up systems to manage heat stress so plants can grow for longer and remain healthy. A temporary shade screen prevents sun damage and reduces the effects of hot, dry winds. On heatwave days, move potted plants into a shaded spot, check vertical and hanging gardens and cover nearby hard surfaces to stop reflected heat damage. If some crops are failing to form fruit — particularly cucurbits — try hand pollination (transferring pollen…

Images & recipes from Simply Lebanese: 30 Recipes from the Heart of Lebanon By Ghada Basma, available online globally through Amazon and Barnes & Noble and as an eBook in Australia through Angus & Robertson Ghada Basma is a Lebanese native, a passionate cook, mother and grandmother. Ghada has always dreamed of helping to introduce the rest of the world to traditional Lebanese cuisine, with its abundant flavours and myriad health benefits, and with this book she does just that. Taking her modern approach to Lebanese cuisine one step further, Ghada has also infused traditional favourites with healthful alternatives for a truly inspired take on the already plentiful benefits of a Mediterranean diet. Here are some classic salads.…

JOIN THE WAR ON WASTE Did you know that 39–45 per cent of household waste is organic and compostable? The sustainable revolution is here! Get your kids involved in the War on Waste at home by starting your own worm farm this Christmas. The Tumbleweed Can-O-Worms is great for teaching kids of all ages how nature recycles and, best of all, it’s fun. Put worms to work to turn your kitchen scraps into a nutrient-rich organic fertiliser that your ornamental plants and home-grown vegies will love. Tumbleweed is a proud Australian manufacturer, designing and making environmental products right here in Australia from 100-per-cent recycled plastic, giving waste material a new and long-term second life. As Australia’s favourite organic recycling innovators, Tumbleweed products are designed to work and made to last.…

Pyrethrum is a type of small daisy that is used to produce a natural insecticide also called pyrethrum, found in garden pesticides used to control aphids and other sap-sucking pests as well as caterpillars. It is also in fly sprays and is a contact spray. Although pyrethrum is a natural insecticide that’s not dangerous to humans or animals and is acceptable to organic gardening, it should be used with caution. As well as killing target pest species such as aphids or caterpillars, it can also kill beneficial insects such as bees. To avoid accidently killing other insects, apply pyrethrum insecticide in the early evening when bees and other beneficial insects have finished foraging for the day. It breaks down quickly in the environment so should be gone by the time…

This is a story about a woman who has only recently discovered the joys of gardening — 2012 was the turning point, to be exact — and, in particular, growing edibles. She has now turned this newfound passion into a fully fledged business called Pretty Produce. Simone Jelley’s garden is half an acre on subtropical Macleay Island, off the coast of south-east Queensland. It may sound all very exotic, but there are lots of trials and tribulations when it comes to gardening and farming on an island, as you will soon see. When asked what she does for a job, Simone can joyfully state that she’s an urban farmer specialising in edible flowers, pioneering garnish plants for chefs. In her spare time Simone is happily consumed by researching (she calls…

When basil is in full growth and scenting the garden with its large, slightly aniseed-smelling leaves, you know summer is here. Basil grows well while temperatures are warm, thriving in a sunny garden, in a raised vegetable garden or in a pot on a sunny windowsill. It is a must-have herb for summer eating and is easy to grow from seed or seedling. Grow as much as you have room for and harvest large amounts to make into pesto, or pick a few leaves to garnish a salad or a sandwich. As well as tasting good, basil is also rich in vitamin A and C and contains calcium, iron and magnesium. It’s also used for its antibacterial properties. VARIETIES While annual basil (Ocimum basilicum) is the variety seen most often…

The sunflower, in common with all daisy-type flowers, is not one single flower. It is made up of many small flowers known as disc florets, which are packed into a large flat head. There are some 4000 individual flowers in each sunflower head. The fringe of petals around the edge of most daisies — and very obvious in a sunflower — forms a secondary type of flower known as a ray floret. The formation of the flower head becomes more obvious as the seeds form. Each seed represents one flower within the flower head. For a short-lived plant, the sunflower has a long history. These vibrant yellow flowers may look young and fresh, but fossil records reveal they have been turning their cheery faces to the sun for the best…

COOL & TEMPERATE VEGIES Reduce mozzie numbers by regularly emptying water that’s collected in containers and the saucers under potted plants, which removes breeding grounds and so reduces numbers. Even pet water should be replenished daily to avoid it being used by mosquitoes to breed in. Stay ahead of pests, diseases and weeds by inspecting plants daily and taking fast action if problems are seen. In particular, search for 28-spotted ladybirds and pumpkin beetles. These pests skeletonise leaves on squash, pumpkins, zucchini and their relatives. To control numbers and reduce damage, squash adults, larvae and eggs. Edible plants need daily watering while it’s hot, dry or windy. Leafy crops may bolt (begin to flower and seed) if they dry out. Tomatoes may develop blossom end rot (a nutrient deficiency). Feed…

This classic Lebanese salad is unique in its flavoursome blend of bulgur, mint and parsley. Serves 3–4 INGREDIENTS • 1/4 cup bulgur • 4 cups chopped parsley • 2 cups chopped tomato • 1/2 cup chopped mint leaves • 1 tsp chopped red chilli • 1/2 cup sliced spring onion • Lemon wedges, to garnish Dressing • 1/2 tsp cinnamon • 1 tsp lemon zest • 1 tsp salt • 1/3 cup lemon juice • 2 tbsp pomegranate molasses • 1 tsp apple-cider vinegar • 1/2 cup olive oil METHOD In a small bowl, soak the bulgur in cold water for 5 mins until soft, then drain. Whisk all dressing ingredients in a medium bowl and set aside. In a separate large salad bowl, mix bulgur, parsley, tomato, mint, chilli…

This is a simple yet filling salad. It bursts with flavour due to the combination of garlic, cumin and parsley. Add pomegranate seeds and chopped vegetables of your choice for a more colourful dish. Here, we’ve used capsicum, spring onion and tomato. Serves 4 INGREDIENTS • 6 cups water • 2 cups dried brown lentils, rinsed • 2 tsp minced garlic • ½ cup lemon juice • 1 tsp salt • 1 tsp cumin • ½ tsp cayenne pepper or red chilli flakes • ¼ cup olive oil • ¼ cup chopped parsley, to garnish • Chopped capsicum, spring onion & tomato (or vegetables of choice), to serve (optional) METHOD In a large pot, bring the water and lentils to a boil over medium–high heat. Cover, reduce heat and simmer…