Innholdsfortegnelse for Autumn/Winter 2018 i Grow to Eat

Hessian bags filled with soil In addition to planting into the top of the bag, holes can be made on the side and seedlings inserted into the holes. Lettuce and other compact greens, strawberries or herbs can be grown in this way. Guttering bolted to the side of a wall Most gutters are about 10cm deep, which is just deep enough for shallow-rooted plants like strawberries, lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard and rocket, as well as most herbs, spring onions and even root crops like radishes. Wooden pallets filled with soil Lay the pallet flat and fill it with soil, packing it in firmly but not so tight as to make it difficult for the roots to penetrate. While the pallet is flat, plant vegetable seedlings in the spaces between the…

It’s not necessary to have read Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland to identify with the Mock Turtle’s song, Soup of the evening, beautiful soup! For as long as people have put fire and edibles together to make food, soup has been on the menu, flavoured with herbs that were originally there for the picking. Soup is still our number one comfort food, and it is no coincidence that winter soup recipes contain herbs that can weather the cold: chives, celery, parsley, thyme and winter savory. Lovage and sorrel are also on the list, especially in winter-rainfall regions and subtropical areas where they don’t die down. All of these are the savoury-flavoured herbs that can withstand long cooking, which allows their flavour to subtly infuse a dish. In this herb column with…

The best herbs to freeze are those that tend to be tasteless when dried. These are basil, coriander, parsley and mint. Lovage and tarragon freeze or dry equally well. Pick and rinse fresh herbs. Chop them finely and spoon them into ice-tray cavities, making sure to pack the herb in tightly. Pour water in slowly and gently to prevent the herbs from splashing out. Place the ice-tray in the freezer and allow to freeze solid. Empty the herb ice cubes into a labelled and dated plastic bag and store it in the freezer. To use, drop the frozen herb into the soup, stew or sauce during cooking.…

Interesting facts • Due to the high tannic acid content in the skins of pomegranates, the Ancient Romans used the skins in the leather-tanning process. • Pomegranate fruit is high in antioxidants. • Pomegranate juice formed the base of the original French grenadine – a thick, non-alcoholic, red-coloured syrup used in cocktails. Not any more though – today’s grenadine does not contain any pomegranate. • In certain cultures the juice is used as a dye, so take care because it also stains fingers and clothes. Propagation There are several ways to propagate pomegranates. They will grow easily from seed, even when it is simply thrown onto loose soil, but the trees do better when propagated from 25 – 50cm-long hardwood cuttings. It is important though to start with a named…

If you haven’t visited Babylonstoren near Franschhoek yet, put it on your bucket list. I doubt there’s a more stylish food garden in the land, nor one that is doing as much to change perceptions about the aesthetic appeal of food gardening. When you enter the garden through the thick, old, white-washed walls of the Cape Dutch werf, one of the oldest and best-preserved farmyards in the country, you enter a world of abundance that’s literally there for the taking. In front of you lie elegant allées of beautifully formed fruit trees, intersecting others in an intricate geometry of squares that make up quarters of larger squares, going on as far as the eye can see. Reach up and pluck a succulent plum as you pass, or lean down and…

Loose-leaf lettuce is the most rewarding for home gardeners. The various cultivars are fast growing, nutritious, tolerate heat, and are long lasting. Harvest the outer leaves individually or cut the entire head at once. Plants have red or green leaves that are either frilly or more like an oak leaf, and are pretty enough to also be planted in the flower garden or in a container. Butterhead has soft, green outer leaves and a yellow-green heart. It is very nutritious and tasty and the leaves can be harvested at any time in their development, or left until a head forms. The ‘All Year Round’ variety is more tolerant of hot weather. Crisphead or iceberg lettuce takes the longest to mature, about 70 – 100 days. It has the thickest, crunchiest…

Situated in the growing urban suburb of Bryanston, Johannesburg, GardenShop Bryanston’s Organic Food Garden showcases a working and established food garden to introduce the public to a world of possibilities when it comes to growing their own healthy organic herbs and vegetables. This beautiful edible space aims to encourage, educate and inspire people to grow their own healthy food in large and small spaces. This open and accessible food garden was designed and implemented by Linda Galvad of Sought After Seedlings, an experienced organic vegetable landscape gardener, and supplier of Franchi Sementi Heirloom Organic Seeds and Victory Ticket Organic Seedlings. Galvad is driven by a passion for wellness. Coming from a psychology background and realising the essential needs of the body/brain/gut nutritional link, the phrase 'you are what you eat'…

Marjoram or sweet marjoram bears lightish green or green grey leaves, on greyish stems. The plant’s growth is delicate and the taste of the leaves is light and aromatic. Many cooks prefer marjoram because it has the taste of oregano but without the pungency. Growing conditions Being native to the Mediterranean, marjoram likes full sun and well-drained soil. It grows easily into compact bushes between 30cm and 60cm high, and grows well in pots. For best growth feed monthly with a liquid fertiliser at half strength. Marjoram is more often grown as an annual as it’s sensitive to frost. It also prefers more fertile soil and can do with some afternoon shade. Water every second day, pick tips regularly, and remove the flowering heads to prevent it from getting scraggly.…

Maidenhair fern has an interesting history. Legend has it that the ancient Romans were so fascinated by its ability to come out of water perfectly dry that they named it after Venus when she ‘arose from the foam of the sea’. The Latin ‘adiantum’ comes from the Greek word meaning ‘unwetted’. The plant is also believed to have many medicinal values from clearing coughs and colds to preventing hair loss. In the 1800’s it first appeared in print in the form of capillaire – a syrup infused with maidenhair fern and flavoured with orange-blossom extract. Jerry Thomas’ Bartender's Guide, first published in 1862, features this recipe to make the syrup: “Cut the capillaire into little pieces, then infuse them in boiling water, covering the pan over. Add the sugar and…

Many of us don’t have the space for growing fruit trees in the conventional manner. Training fruit trees into an espalier against a wall or a fence not only allows us to grow certain fruits in a small space, but also provides aesthetic value and increased fruit production. It may take a while, but it is well worth the effort. Espaliered trees were originally grown in marginal temperate climates where fruit production was low. By bending branches horizontally, fruit growers could direct energy away from the vertical growth and into producing spurs (the lateral branches that will flower and produce fruit), thereby increasing fruit production. They also discovered that by growing a tree flat against a wall or fence, a microclimate was formed that radiated heat and provided shelter. A…

A vegetable patch doesn’t have to be merely functional. Planting a rose bush here and there livens up the greens, inspires the tomato’s reds, contrasts with the eggplant’s purples, and accents the pumpkin’s oranges. It all boils down to utilising space cleverly and colourfully. Compact Floribundas down the middle of a bed of carrots planted in rigid rows will please the eye. ‘Happy Home’ will blend in nicely with the orange of the carrots and form a neat hedge covered with beautiful buds and blooms. If your vegetables are grown in boxed beds and there isn’t too much space, a compact miniature amongst the lettuce will shake things up a little. ‘Dazzling Beauties’, ‘Ocarina’ or ‘Zephelene’ would do the trick. A 2m-high wire obelisk placed in the centre with a…

What you need □ 2 x 200mm x 180mm x 30mm wood (ends) □ 4 x 12mm x 420mm dowels □ 25mm x 25mm mesh fencing wire (410mm x 555mm) □ Branch or wooden handle (see next page on how to make one) □ Wood glue □ Spare block of wood to help with shaping (approximately 15mm x 15mm x 410mm) □ 2 x 4mm x 50mm wood screws Tools Tape measure, jigsaw, sandpaper or sander, drill and 12mm drill bit, carpenter’s square, pencil, metal snips, pliers, circular plastic lid What you do 1 Round off the corners of the two end pieces with a jigsaw. A good stencil to use for the rounded corners is a circular plastic lid – just make sure the corners are symmetrical by starting…

Butter lettuce is such a wonderful flavourful lettuce to use for this untraditional Caesar recipe. 1 butter lettuce, cut in half250g streaky bacon, grilled until crispy and cut in pieces4 slices of baguette, brushed with olive oil and toasted4 soft-boiled eggsShaved parmesan to serve Dressing 1 egg yolk2 anchovies (optional)½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce Squeeze of lemon juice¾ cup vegetable oilSalt and pepper For the dressing, add the egg yolk, anchovies, Worcestershire sauce and lemon juice in a food processor and blend well. Add the vegetable oil in a thin stream as you would for mayonnaise. Season with salt and pepper. Pour over halved butter lettuce, top with bacon, eggs and parmesan and serve with toasted baguette on the side.…

A sprout from Brussels? Brassica oleracea variety gemmifera, the vegetable we know as Brussels sprouts, arose from the same parent plant as cabbage, kale, broccoli, kohlrabi and cauliflower, and thus shares the same genus and species names as them. The ‘Brussels’ in the common name comes from the capital of Belgium – the plant probably first attained importance in that area, or may even have been developed there. According to commercial vegetable growers, the reason for the sometimes bitter taste of Brussels sprouts is that it was stressed at some stage (by drying out) or that the sprouts were picked past their prime. Brussels sprouts like cool, moist growing conditions, and if these requirements are met they have a distinctive nutty sweet taste, as long as they are not overcooked.…

Garlic (Allium sativum) planting time is from mid-February to the end of March, but extends into April for giant garlic. For best results use organically grown garlic, obtainable from farmer’s markets or heirloom seed suppliers. It’s risky to use treated garlic from supermarkets because it may not sprout. Good for you Garlic’s healing properties are legendary. It acts as an antibiotic, is a remedy for all kinds of chest infections, it lowers cholesterol and blood pressure and prevents strokes by keeping the blood thin. Best of all, it makes everything so tasty to eat – even if the morning after is not pleasant for your colleagues! Planting garlic • Garlic grows best if planted in full sun, in soil that drains well and has been enriched with compost. • Break…

This simple spiced up cheese and bread dish makes for a delightful beginning to a meal. 1 round of Camembert (you can use any cheese that melts – Brie, Provolone, etc.)6 or so cherry tomatoes, quartered1 clove garlic, crushed1 tablespoon finely chopped red onionSplash of balsamic vinegarSplash of olive oilSalt and pepperA handful of marjoram, the leaves picked off the stalksCrusty bread to serve Place the cheese on a serving plate and pop under the grill until the cheese is oozing and melted. Mix the tomatoes, onion, garlic, balsamic, olive oil and marjoram, and season with salt and pepper. Toast some crunchy bread and serve with the cheese and tomatoe mix. Serves 4.…

March • Start harvesting and preserving your herbs for winter. Pick small quantities at a time. • Chop the leaves of mint, parsley, basil, and lemon balm, put them in an ice tray and fill with water. When frozen, store the ice cubes in a plastic bag or re-sealable plastic box. • Aromatic herbs like oregano, marjoram, thyme, sage, bay and rosemary are better air-dried. • Continue to feed monthly with a half-strength liquid fertiliser and water regularly. APRIL • Keep harvesting chillies and keep some fruit aside for drying or make sauces, which can be frozen. • Trim and shape lavender in preparation for spring flowering. Use the trimmings to make cuttings. • Mulch beds in frost areas to protect the roots of herbs. • In preparation for spring,…

Mushroom house Together with six engineering students from the US, we are building a mushroom house from wood, bamboo, willow and broom branches, and clay. This is a pilot project for us and we’re looking at it as a way for our home gardeners to create some income from their homes. We’re growing oyster mushrooms to start, and we already have a buyer! Compost heater We’re using an old geyser and PVC pipes to create a system that spirals through a compost heap so that we have hot water on tap for our kitchen and for washing clothes, and bucket-bathing for our garden team. Eating ‘weeds’ in winter You may turn up your nose at the thought of eating ‘weeds’! They are packaged very differently to the greens you purchase…

3-BIN COMPOSTERS A highly recommended structure is the three-bin system. It consists of three compartments of ascending sizes. The first bin is the largest, designed to take fresh kitchen and garden waste that tends to be bulky before it breaks down. Once this bin is full, it is transferred to the smaller second bin and simultaneously turned for aeration. Once the first bin is full again, the more advanced contents of the second bin are transferred to the third and smallest bin, and simultaneously turned again, to create space for the contents of the first bin to be transferred to the second bin. By the time the first bin is full yet again, the contents of the third bin should be ready for return to the garden soil, and so…