#whatsgrowing

[dianehoffmaster]

What are you planting this month? Im filling the patio with a nice balance of pretty things and tasty things! Not much yet since it’s still early but I am looking forward to getting my hands dirty in the coming weeks! #springplanting #flowerstagram #flowerpotsofinstagram #whatsgrowing #gardeningideas https://www.instagram.com/p/CNbEVa2n7-A/?igshid=186dtj3pj9t8b

[boxerwhisperingchickenfarmer]

Day 7: Here's what's packed into our little garden: sunflowers, okra, green beans, onions, cabbage, broccoli, yellow squash, zucchini, cucumbers, jalapenos, cayennes, bell peppers and more tomatoes than I can bring myself to think about. In the raised beds we have more onions, culinary and medicinal herbs, strawberries, cheese and pie pumpkins, luffa gourds, and radishes. In the chicken container garden we have potatoes, carrots, lettuces, blueberries and more tomatoes. Not to mention the peppers growing in my flower beds 🤫 It's been a fantastic garden season so far, and definitely making up for last year. #homesteadersofigchallenge #day7 #whatsgrowing #GrowSomething #plantsomething #growveggies #growvegetables #homegrown #ohiogardening #ohiohomestead #smallfarmohio #farmlife #homesteadlife #ohiohomestead #growyourownfood #onbakerroad (at Stoutsville, Ohio) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCWv2BSgXmw/?igshid=r62wxb0flx2h

[eatmovesmile]

Growing Garlic

Growing garlic is truly the simplest crop to grow, you just need some patience as it takes 6 months! Generally I plant my garlic in June for a December harvest, then I have enough delicious fresh stock to go with my summer tomatoes, basil and zucchini.

This year I bought my garlic bulbs to plant from a gardening supplier, however I have also planted a bulb that has just started sprouting in my kitchen store and that worked well too.

To plant garlic, break up the bulb into cloves and plant out in your veggie garden, top planted up. The plants will brown off and fall over when they are ready to pick. Give them a rinse and hang in a cool, dry spot for a little while until completely dry, then chop off the stalks and store in your usual way.

Learn more food gardening tips at our Food For All - Swan Hill Region site www.foodforall.community

[eatmovesmile]

What’s growing: capsicums and chillies

Some vegetables are surprisingly easy to grow and last a long time in the garden so you can just pop down and pick them whenever your recipe calls for them! Capsicums and chillies are in this category.

Chillies come in many different varieties and varying heat intensities. These pictured above are Habanero which rate within the world’s 10 hottest chillies! You only need a tiny bit if using and it is helpful to wear gloves when chopping or wash your hands several times afterwards, and don’t touch your eyes!

Jalapeno chillies (the long green ones) are popular in Mexican dishes and are a little milder in heat and have a different flavour. The smaller long red chillies have a more intense heat. There are many other varieties such at Thai chillies that grow on a bush that can continue to provide chillies for many years. Chillies can be grown successfully in pots as well as in the garden.

Capsicums pictured at the back above, are initially green on the bush, then go red with time. They are seasonal but can last several months in the garden. Generally they are grown from seedlings but can also be planted as seeds.

Capsicums, available in a multitude of colours, are an excellent source of vitamins A, C, B group and K. They can be stuffed (recipe on our blog this week), roasted, used in stir-fries or simply eaten raw. In Victoria, capsicums are at their peak between March and November.

For more gardening posts search #whatsgrowing or follow us on https://www.facebook.com/FoodForAll.SwanHillRegion/

[eatmovesmile]

Basil pesto

Summer is for growing basil in abundance! Recently I was given a bucket full of freshly picked basil for some Passata I was making. I had enough left over to make this quick pesto for a simple Sunday night pasta dish.

Pesto

1-2 cups of basil leaves

100g pine nuts

2-3 cloves of garlic

pinch of coarse salt

1 tbsp finely grated Parmesan cheese

4-6 tbsp olive oil

squeeze of lemon juice

Using a mortar and pestle, mash basil leaves with salt and garlic, add pine nuts and continue to mash until blended. Add oil, cheese and lemon juice and mix to taste. The pesto can be as chunky or smooth as you prefer. Adjust to suit your taste by adding extra lemon juice.

Pasta to serve 2-3 people, cooked al dente, drain reserving 1/2 cup of cooking liquid, add pesto to pasta in cooking pan with reserved liquid and warm through, tossing until pasta is well coated.

Serve with extra Parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper.

[eatmovesmile]

What’s growing: Tomatoes

Summer is a perfect time for growing and eating tomatoes! Not only are they so good for you, full of vitamins and antioxidants, but also they are so versatile, delicious straight from the bush, in salads, on toast, in cooking and in homemade preserves like relish and sauce. 

This year I have planted a few seedlings of a variety of tomatoes including the smaller bright red ‘Tommy Toe’ and a new ‘Heirloom Black Cherry’ one (top of the dish, look like grapes), and some normal sized ones like ‘Apollo’, ‘Mighty Red’, and ‘Oxheart’.

I am currently making my first batch of relish, a mixture of tomatoes, onions, vinegar, sugar and spices. I plan to also have a go at making some traditional Aussie tomato sauce and some Italian style passata for use over the year.

Do you have a favourite way of preserving your tomatoes, or a recipe to share? Let us know about it!

Go to our recipe section for more inspiration.

[eatmovesmile]

Christmas gift idea?

A friend recently asked me for my Cucumber Pickles recipe as she wanted to make it as a Christmas gift for her work mates, so I thought what a great idea, I will share it! Very simple to make and cheap, especially if you are growing your own cucumbers. I am growing cucumbers but they are not actually up to the picking stage as yet, I usually make this recipe in late December, early January.

1kg Lebanese cucumbers, thin sliced

2 onions or 4 small onions, thin sliced

3tbsp salt dissolved in 1/2 cup hot water Pickling Liquid:

2 cups white vinegar

2 cups sugar

4tsp mustard seeds

4tsp fresh dill, chopped

1/2 tsp tumeric

2-4 hot chillies, chopped

Combine sliced cucumber and onion in bowl with salt solution and leave 3 hours. 

Add all pickling liquid ingredients to a clean saucepan and bring to a simmer, stirring until all sugar is dissolved. Drain cucumbers and onion in a colander. Add to pickling liquid and simmer 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and spoon into sterile jars, ensuring cucumber is covered with liquid. 

Makes 4-5 small jars.

Delicious with crackers and tasty cheese.

[eatmovesmile]

What’s growing: Veggies that kids will love to grow and eat!

Peas are always a fun vegetables to grow with children as you can eat them straight from the plant! They are actually quite simple to grow from seedlings and do not take too long to mature to pods full of edible peas. 

Peas are a good source of fibre, vitamins including the B group, C and K, and minerals and can be eaten raw or cooked.

Small children often like to grow and pick carrots. They grow best from seed and prefer not to be transplanted or moved once established. As the seeds are very tiny try mixing the seeds with sand to help evenly spread out the plantings. Children will love to help with sprinkling the seeds along a narrow channel in the garden and covering gently with soil and patting down. Make sure you keep them damp and they will start to pop up through the soil in no time. Carrots and other root vegetables like parsnip do not need any fertiliser (such as blood and bone or manure) as fertiliser will cause the vegetables to develop odd shapes. 

For more carrot growing tips see here

Carrots are a great source of Vitamin A, as beta-carotene, and other vitamins and minerals, and like peas can be eaten raw or cooked.

Beetroot are fun to grow as well as they are a very colourful root. They are easily planted as seeds or seedlings and can be grown all year round. They are good sources of dietary fibre, Vitamin C, folate, iron, magnesium and anti-oxidants. Beetroot can be eaten raw or cooked and can also be pickled and enjoyed as part of your summer salads or in a salad sandwich. 

For more information see here.

There are many other vegetables that children will love to help growing in the garden, including a range of herbs! See more by searching our site #whatsgrowing