September is the real start of Spring, often accompanied by highly unpredictable weather! The 2022 Winter has been one of plenty of rain along with some hard frosts, leaving the ground wet and cold and making it difficult to ready the soil for planting. I think it will be advisable to wait until ground conditions … Read More
This month we notice longer days and the promise of Spring! However, the soil will be at its coldest and wettest so working it should wait until conditions improve. Winter pruning should be completed by the end of the month and if spraying, treatments done as the buds begin to swell to give the best … Read More
Welcome to July in the garden. Most of the work needed to be done at this time of the year involves pruning and maintenance around the property. Pruning Before you start pruning make sure you have good tools which are sharp and clean. Spray the plants to be pruned first to help stop the carry … Read More
Bay Leaves Bay leaves have become almost ubiquitous in the kitchen due to their ability to enhance a wide variety of dishes, but they are also surprisingly good for our health. The bay (Laurus nobilis) is an aromatic evergreen tree that belongs to the Lauraceae family. It has smooth green leaves that can be used … Read More
May is the time that the garden slows down ready for the colder winter months. Many of the month’s tasks involve preparing the plants for frosts and wet weather. Spring bulbs should now be planted and once the harder frosts have started, summer flowering bulbs and tubers should be lifted and dried off to be … Read More
Thyme Thyme, which has for many, many years been valued for its smell, flavour, and medicinal value, also happens to attract bees to the garden. Thyme is a versatile herb in the kitchen. It can be used fresh, or can be added to stocks, stuffing, and sauces. Thyme’s aroma works wonderfully in most savoury dishes: … Read More
Sage Common sage (Salvia officinalis) is a popular culinary, medicinal and ornamental herb with a multitude of uses It have silver-greyish leaves and bears attractive flowers which are purple-blue in colour. It is also a versatile drought-tolerant grey foliage plant and is very hardy as it often bounces back in the spring even after a … Read More
Sweet Basil Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum) When we think of basil, chances are that we have Italian Genovese basil in mind, which is often used in pesto and tomato-based dishes. It has shiny dark leaves, and is very aromatic with a sharp, strong taste that compliments the sweet-tangy taste of vine-ripened tomatoes. Other species and hybrids of … Read More
February has been a month of record rain fall and below average sunshine hours but the plants have grown and so have the weeds. March is the end of summer and what I call the harvest month as much of the fruit is ready for picking along with the summer vegetables such as the tomatoes … Read More
Lemon Verbena (Lippia citrodoro or Aloysia citrodora) When brushing past the foliage of a Lemon Verbena shrub, you are surrounded by a most refreshing perfumed fragrance, redolent of lemons. The leaves are light green, thin and pointed with a slightly sticky feel and a wonderful citrus aroma. This versatile plant which originates from Chile, could … Read More