Innholdsfortegnelse for Spring / Summer 2024 i Grow to Eat

Each season offers something new in the veggie patch. In spring, big juicy peas, fresh tarragon, parsley, dill, onions, and garlic are ready to be dug up and stored. When we hit the heat of summer, some perfectly ripe tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers to add to a nice bright salad are the order of the day. And that’s just a few of what we can grow in these abundant seasons. To add something extra to the food garden this year, why not try some new veggies and herb varieties and maybe something a little different? Who knew that pigeon peas were the first legume crop to have their entire genetic makeup sequenced or that you could plan a garden to harvest and keep for three years or more by canning?…

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When people consider a veggie garden, they think immediately of rows of veggies in a designated space, usually near the utility section of the garden, so if it’s untidy, it won’t matter too much. If there is not a very expensive irrigation system put in place, it gets a round of watering with the sprinkler, which then causes mildew on the leaves, and we have another issue to deal with. It’s no wonder people often give up on the veggies and head to the farmers’ market. But what if we considered self-watering at the planning stages? That would make a huge difference to the water bills and the amount of time it takes to water thirsty vegetables and herbs. What is a self-watering garden bed? For our purposes, we are…

1. Diversity is key Aim for a diverse mix of plants in your vegetable garden. Avoid monoculture (planting large areas with the same crop) as it can attract specific pests and deplete soil nutrients. Foster biodiversity; a diverse ecosystem is more resilient and can draw a range of beneficial insects that contribute to natural pest control. 2. Beneficial herbs Plant herbs like basil, coriander and dill among your vegetables. These herbs can help deter pests and attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and predatory wasps. You can also plant aromatic herbs like oregano, sage, and mint – apart from helping deter common pests, these herbs add amazing fragrance to the air. 3. Crop rotation Practice crop rotation to prevent the build-up of soil-borne diseases and pests. Implement a thoughtful and strategic…

1. One the side Homemade Hot Sauce: Blend fresh chillies with vinegar, garlic, and salt. Allow to ferment for added depth of flavour. Sambals: A spicy condiment made from crushed chillies, garlic, and lime juice, popular in many South African dishes. 2. In dishes Cape Malay curry: Incorporate fresh or dried chillies into this flavourful curry, balancing heat with sweet and savoury spices. Chakalaka: A spicy vegetable relish made with tomatoes, onions, and chillies – often served with bread or pap. 3. Deliciously stuffed Jalapeno poppers: Stuff jalapenos with cheese, bread them, and deep-fry for a delicious snack. Stuffed sweet peppers: Use larger, milder chillies for stuffing with meat, rice, and vegetables. 4. As a dry spice Chilli flakes: Dry and crush chillies to make flakes for seasoning pizzas, pasta…

Strawberries If you enjoy harvesting fruit from your garden, then it’s time to make your choice for this coming summer and start collecting and sowing seed so the seedlings can be planted when it warms. Strawberries, Cape gooseberries, and the different varieties of melons, including watermelon, can all be sown quite easily from seed. Most of the larger seed merchants stock seed for these fruit varieties, but if you enjoy harvesting seed from your own crops, it makes the end result much more special. Strawberries Strawberry seedlings should be planted from March to April and will produce fruit from June to December, depending on your climate. If your region experiences frost, you will need to use a light frost cloth to protect your crop during the coldest months. Young seedlings…

WHY AND HOW? Ostrich meat is incredibly lean, which, unfortunately, has led to the common assumption that it’s tough. However, this is not the case! It’s surprisingly tender and juicy, and when cooked well, it can literally melt in your mouth. Ostrich tastes more like beef than poultry and has many health benefits. It’s low in calories, cholesterol and fat but still high in iron and protein. Because of its low-fat content, ostrich meat can be dry if overcooked. For a quick and easy, fool-proof cooking method, we suggest basting it with olive oil, browning it on both sides over hot coals on the braai, and sprinkle with seasoning once it’s sealed. WHAT TO SERVE IT WITH? Pairing your braaied ostrich meat with complementary side dishes is a must. We…

200 g crumbled feta½ cup cream2 tablespoons mayonnaisePepper500 g frozen chips1 pack of streaky bacon,cooked and crumbledHandful chives, finely choppedOlive oil Defrost the frozen chips and then chop them up into small pieces. Evenly spread out the mixture in a greased 12-hole muffin tin. Take a small glass or anything that can be used to press into the potato to create a cavity for the filling to sit when it’s baked. Use about half a teaspoon of olive oil per cavity and bake in a medium oven at 180 °C for 30-40 minutes until browned and crispy. Mix together feta, cream, mayonnaise and season with pepper. Get the mixture so it’s nice and creamy. If you want a quicker recipe, substitute this mix with straight sour cream. To serve, cool…

More to do and plant • Plant more seed potatoes and fertilise those you have growing already. Remember to earth them up as they grow taller.• Stake beans with tepees.• Sow sweetcorn, cucumbers and melons.• Plant the seedlings of tomatoes, eggplant and peppers.• Sow sweet basil and coriander in trays. Shade protection Make a temporary sunshade for leafy vegetables in beds when it becomes too hot for them in full sun by driving stakes into the soil. Place a wooden pallet on top of the stakes to form a cover to shade them in the hottest part of the day. The first asparagus harvest Asparagus takes two years to give you a first harvest of spears, but even then, you should take it easy. Only cut some of the thicker…

Grow more artichokes Artichokes are short-lived perennials, being productive for only four to five years. If you have established plants, check around their bases for suckers (side shoots) which can be removed to replant elsewhere. Basil for longer… Pinching back the shoots of strong growing plants will give you bushy and long-producing basil. Pinch off the stem and leaves just above the point where two side branches leave the stem. Do not allow your basil to flower, as it diverts energy from the leaves. Avocado tree from a pip? Although growing an avocado tree from a pip suspended over water is possible and interesting, do not expect it to fruit soon, well, or at all. Grafted varieties, depending on the variety, will award you with fruit within three to four…

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Permaculture 2 Chamomile is one of those concepts that we often hear about or read about – it’s an ideal that looks and sounds absolutely brilliant. The problem is, it’s not always easy to bring these ideals to life – it’s hard work! Well, Food and Trees for Africa recently had an ecopreneur workshop at an out-of-the-way retreat, and I was lucky enough to put my FTFA hat on and attend. What an experience, seeing the ideology of permaculture brought to life and lived every day, in every way! Just outside the Eastern Cape village of Haga Haga is the permaculture retreat and natural farm of Khula Dharma. The name means ‘to grow’ (khula) ‘in the right way’ (dharma), and it has one of the very best permaculture gardens I’ve…

Many long-lost techniques in food preparation made a comeback during Covid, including the art of canning. Today, it’s not used for getting through a long cold winter, but this method of preserving food is a fun food prep day for a cook, and once you have all your favourite sauces and ingredients packed in the pantry, it’s quick and easy to prepare a meal. What is canning? For those who don’t know, canning is a way of preserving bottled food for a long shelf life, but it is not always in a metal can. Although there is a way to home can in tins, this article focuses on glass bottle canning. Reports show 2 Chamomile that food canned correctly by sealing and sterilising with heat can last more than ten…

It’s not by accident that the Latin name for radishes, Raphanus, comes from the Greek expression raphanos, which relates to being ‘easily reared’. Radishes are one of the easiest root vegetables to grow and are often given to children as a first plant to grow from seed, popping up in only 7-10 days and ready for picking in a month. Growing tips • Sow seed in spring or summer in cooler area, or any time of the year in warmer climates. Sow small, regular batches for a consistent harvest.• Plant in full sun with afternoon shade.• As a quick-growing plant they don’t require feeding, but always add loads of compost to the soil before planting.• Keep the soil consistently damp until harvest, particularly in hot weather.• There should be no…

Cabbage and Onions How it works: Onions, garlic, and other alliums help deter common cabbage pests – including aphids and cabbage worms. Interplanting these alliums with cabbage family crops (such as cabbage, broccoli, or cauliflower) can reduce the risk of pest infestations in your garden. Carrots and Radishes How it works: Radishes can act as a natural repellent for carrot fly. By interplanting radishes with carrots, the strong scent of radishes can confuse and deter carrot flies, reducing the likelihood of damage to the carrot crop. Peppers and Basil How it works: Basil is known to enhance the flavour of peppers and can help repel pests such as aphids and spider mites. Planting basil near pepper plants in your garden can improve the overall health and flavour of the pepper…

For whatever growing space you have (garden space, balcony, patio, sunny windowsill, or a spot of sun by your door), plan your garden and keep the plan so that in the following seasons, you can institute crop rotation to give you the best production possible. Using Franchi Sementi and Linda’s Original Seed gives you the good start that you need. Tips to make it work • Consider shadows that will impact your garden space, such as buildings and neighbouring buildings, trees, and walls.• Set up proper irrigation. If it’s initial, the cost is a one-time expense and worth it. Add, at the minimum, a battery-operated timer attached to your water supply to ensure regular watering.• Look for opportunities to add to your potential growing space. Hanging baskets and walls for…

The combination of smokey bacon, sweet pineapple, and tender ostrich meat creates a flavour explosion! Here’s what you do: Cut the ostrich meat into cubes and marinate it in a Jimmy’s Sauces Steakhouse Sauce for at least one hour or overnight in the fridge. Cut the bacon slices into smaller pieces roughly the same size as the ostrich cubes. Cut fresh pineapple into cubes or chunks similar in size to the ostrich and bacon pieces. Thread the marinated ostrich cubes, bacon pieces, and pineapple chunks onto skewers, alternating between them to achieve a balanced flavour combo. Leave a little space between each ingredient to ensure even cooking. Once the braai is hot, place the assembled kebabs on the grid. Cook them for about 3-4 minutes per side, turning them occasionally,…

What you need 2 x wire hanging baskets (without lining)A basket chainCable tiesCoirSphagnum mossPine conesBamboo stakesFibre potsSmall terracotta potsCrocks (broken terracotta pots) Tools: Secateurs STEP BY STEP 1. Start by placing a layer of pinecones and coir in the first hanging basket. 2. Layer broken crocks and more coir and hold in place by pushing through pieces of bamboo stakes, making sure the holes are facing outward. 3. In the second basket, add fibre pots and terracotta pots with openings facing outwards. Fill gaps with coir to keep the pots snug. 4. Join the two halves with cable ties and attach chain to the top basket. Hang on a nearby tree. Try this Use a 2 m x 38 mm x 38 mm wooden pole and plant it in the…

Triangles give you more Planting seeds or seedlings in triangles rather than rows or squares will yield a bigger harvest because more plants can fit in the same space. Crops that do not mind touching each other as they grow include salad greens, rocket, spinach, Swiss chard, parsley, and bush beans. Beetroot can also be planted close together if you intend to harvest alternate roots and use the leaves of the others as vegetables. Let them climb Allow climbers like tomatoes, runner beans, cucumbers, squashes and butternuts to grow over sturdy supports to allow more space for other crops around them. This can prevent disease as there will be better air circulation around their leaves. It will also make irrigation easier, preventing water on the leaves (often the cause of…

Sow for winter already! If you have your seedling trays at the ready and sparkling clean, fresh seedling mix nearby and feel a tinkle in your fingertips, start sowing brassicas like broccoli, cabbages, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts to have a long and steady supply over winter. Allow 3-4 weeks between plantings to space the harvest over time. Red spider, a mite you cannot see… Hot and dry weather encourages this pest which results in mottled and unhealthy leaves – often a problem with container-grown vegetables. Spray with Biogrow Pyrol to kill off heavy infestation and thereafter every 7-14 days if needed with Biogrow Neudosan. This will also control most other soft pests like white fly and aphids. There is no withholding time after spraying and harvesting the fruit. This is…

Pigeon peas may not be a common sight, but they’re definitely an up-and-comer. They provide an edible crop as well as shade, they enrich the soil with nitrogen, and they can also be used as fodder for animals – an all-round winner (and tasty too!). We live in an arid country, so we’re always on the lookout for a plant that not only survives with little water but actually thrives, that can be grown in a variety of soil conditions and also produces a good food crop. That is where the pigeon pea comes in. Background The pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) is a perennial legume with its origins in India, Myanmar and Africa, but which is also now grown in South America and the Caribbean. It prefers sub-tropical regions but…

We are always fascinated by tomatoes. They have been grown as a crop since they were first discovered growing wild in the Andes by the Incas and Aztec civilisations. By the 16th century, they had migrated to Europe and the Americas. Today, there are over 10 000 varieties available worldwide, which makes choosing just ten a challenge. This is where we turn to the seed suppliers who have gone to great lengths to choose good seed and cultivars that produce the best results. Here are our favourites based on the various types of tomatoes you can grow. Classic tomatoes The range of the classic tomatoes – the big round juicy ones – has to include the popular varieties ‘Heinz’, ‘Moneymaker’ and ‘Rodade’. ‘Heinz’, as you probably guessed, is the main…

What is companion planting? Most avid gardeners are in one way or another familiar with the wonderful art of companion planting – an age-old technique which goes beyond the simple act of placing plants side by side. Despite limited scientific research, companion planting has a rich history dating back to the agricultural practices of North American Indians – who traditionally cultivated corn, beans, and squash together, referring to this symbiotic planting method as the ‘Three Sisters’. With companion planting, certain plants are chosen to grow together for the benefit of each other – forming a biodiverse community and fostering symbiotic relationships that enhances growth, improves soil structure and quality, deters pests, and ultimately leads to a bountiful harvest. Companion planting made simple By understanding the unique properties of various plants…

It’s the best time of the year to spice things up in the kitchen. Who doesn’t love creating and devouring those ultimate comfort dishes that fill your belly and warm your heart at the end of a hard day? But before we give you the perfect recipe, let’s look at different ways of growing your chillies. Because, let’s be honest, nothing tastes better than homegrown. Choosing the Right Chilli South Africa’s climate is suitable for various chilli types, from mild to extremely hot. It’s entirely up to you to choose the one that suits your tastebuds the best. Or perhaps you can grow a few varieties for different uses? Popular chillies include: • Jalapenos: Mild to moderate heat, ideal for stuffing and sauces.• Bird’s eye: Very hot, commonly used in…

If your carrot seeds have germinated well and you lovingly cared for them, but the harvest has not been up to scratch, it can be due to the following issues: Soil conditions Carrots like slightly acid to neutral, poor, sandy and very well-draining soil. Before sowing, the soil should be cultivated as deeply as 30cm at least, removing any stones, old plant roots and other debris. Hitting stones or any other resistance as they grow down, will cause misshapen roots. If using virgin soil to grow carrots for the first time, you can add a little compost to aid draining and microbes but do not use kraal manure or any other nutrient-rich fertiliser, as it will cause cracking and forking roots. A good place to grow carrots is in a…

The pairing of sweet or savoury fruit and vegetables enhances the richness of the pork. One of my favourite braai recipes is roast pork with a nice layer of crispy crackling, finished off in the kettle braai with a glaze of orange marmalade. Simple and yet delicious. There is also nothing quite like a braaied pork banger to add smoky char to the flavour. All in all, pork is an excellent meat to braai and match up to fruit and vegetables for a meal worth adding to the recipe book. Before we begin, we teamed up with SAPPO, the South African Port Producers’ Organisation, which looks after the interests of the pork producers and ensures we get the best quality pork on the market. All the recipes here are available…

Grow lots of spring onions Spring onions can be sown throughout the year. Sow them directly and thin them out as required. Repeat-sow at threeweek intervals. Harvest them about 8 to 12 weeks after planting the seeds. Go for seedlings To fast-track your crop, plant commercially grown seedlings in punnets. Seedling growers love to mix different varieties in trays to give you a nice selection. ‘Simply Salad City Garden’ includes a mix of red and green lettuces that are as pretty on the eye as they are delectable to eat. ‘Simply Salad ‘Summer Picnic Mix’ is a heat-resistant late bolting mix which includes red and green lettuces. Rocket is a popular leafy green with a peppery flavour. Pick the leaves regularly to prevent them from bolting. Protect your fruit Start…