Real World Gardener-Horticulture, Gardening, Learning to Grow

TOOL TIME

Topiary Shears

During the warmer months of the year, your garden can start looking like a jungle because it’s growing so fast.More so because of la nina bring welcoming rains to drench the parched soil.What things can you do in the garden to tame it somewhat other than a short back and sides?Have you thought of a bit of topiary?

You don't have to go all out and doing something like in this photo, although it is rather nice.

You could just do a few simple balls on a stick instead. 

But what tools help you do the job properly?Let’s find out what needs doing

I'm talking with Tony Mattson general manager of www.cutabovetools.com.auNormally you need to do the trimming fairly regularly and you're trimming the newer growth. 

Older wood may need a nip with secateurs.The single handed topiary shears are great for small jobs such as perfecting that topiary ball. Topiary shears are similar to sheep sheers. (pictured

Two handed topiary shears are a lightweight hedge shear usually weighing less than 1 kg. 

The blades are straight and vary between 20-25cm (8-10 inches) in length.

There's also battery operated one handed shears.

Starting your own topiary from scratch like the balls in the photo,  you need to choose the right type of plant that responds well to topiary. 

Think buxus species, lilly pillies, or the common myrtle,  (Myrtus communis) are great starting points to kick off your topiary garden.

Between each trim, step back and look at how you are progressing so it ends up symmetrical.  If you have any questions either for me or for Tony you can email us [email protected] or write in to 2rrr, PO Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675.

PLANT DOCTOR    

What's Going On With My Seedlings?

People have been turning to gardening in droves this year, and for one reason or another, they’re into growing their own food.A lot of new gardeners, though, are finding it difficult to either get those seeds to germinate, or keep those seedlings going.Here are some of the common problems:

Seeds germinate and grow for a while then die. Number 1 culprit is drying out.Seedlings are for the most part growing in a shallow soil and all it takes is for a bit of warm weather, then unless you're there on the spot to water them, they shrivel up and die.

Seedlings growing in moist soil because you've somehow managed to keep them hydrated. If they keel over at this point, it's due to 'damping off.' The seedlings is attacked by fungal or bacterial infection, the end result of which is death of your seedlings.

Overwatering and poor airflow is another possibility.

Seaweed solution may help with overcoming this problem.

Watering with a tea with strong antimicrobial properties, such as strong chamomile or cinnamon tea may work as a preventative. 

Create a clean environment as possible by (a)sterilising your soil by placing it in the oven for 30 minutes at high temperatures and (b) wipe down pots and benches with a 10% solution of bleach. 

Seedlings just sitting with no growth for weeks are a sign of insufficient fertiliser. Water in a liquid fertiliser immediately and follow up as per dosage instructions. 

Although, one thing to watch out for:The seeds have germinated but mysteriously, the tops get chewed off. I’m still wondering how the slug go into the closed mini-greenhouse and ate my basil seedlings.

Hopefully you’ll be inspired to get back into growing from seed and have all the information you need to get those seedlings going.

 So what help do they need? Let’s find out more by listening to the podcast.I’m talking with Steve Falcioni from www.ecoorganicgarden.com.auIf you have any questions about seedlings, drop us a line to [email protected] or write to 2rrr PO Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675

SPICE IT UP

Mulled Wine and Mulled Wine Jelly

Are you missing the Christmas spirit? In Australia it was mostly too hot around Christmas time to partake in mulled wine. Winter isn't that far away, and for some people, Christmas in July is a thing.

That would include mulled wine.

Right now though, you could make some mulled wine jelly to relive some of that Christmas cheer which just seems like a faded memory.You may have heard of the spices that go to make mulled wine, a traditional drink in the northern hemisphere at that time of year.But here in Australia, it’s too hot, so what else can we do with these spices?Traditional mulled wine spices contain allspice berries (ground), cassia bark (Asia version of cinnamon), ginger, dried orange peel, and cloves.

 

METHOD: Mulled Wine

In a saucepan 

POUR 1 bottle of red wine

ADD1 cup of brown sugar,

ADD 1 fresh lime

ADD 1 fresh quartered orange.

ADD2-3 tablespoons of mulling spices.

SIMMER gently for 30-40 minutes DO NOT BOIL

STRAIN: into a jug and serve while warm.

If you’re keen to experiment with your own recipe, then use real vanilla pods, cinnamon quills, fresh citrus and star anise at the very least.Apart from mulled wine jelly, and mulled wine fizz, there’s also mulled wine glazed ham. So experiment away. Listen to the podcast to find out more.I’m talking with Ian Hemphill from herb and spice expert from www.herbies.com.auPLAY: Mulled wine jelly_9th December 2020If you have any questions about spices in mulled wine spice mix, drop us a line to [email protected] or write to 2rrr PO Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675

SPICE IT UP

Mulled Wine and Mulled Wine Jelly

Are you missing the Christmas spirit? In Australia it was mostly too hot around Christmas time to partake in mulled wine. Winter isn't that far away, and for some people, Christmas in July is a thing.

That would include mulled wine.

Right now though, you could make some mulled wine jelly to relive some of that Christmas cheer which just seems like a faded memory.

You may have heard of the spices that go to make mulled wine, a traditional drink in the northern hemisphere at that time of year.

But here in Australia, it’s too hot, so what else can we do with these spices?

Traditional mulled wine spices contain allspice berries (ground), cassia bark (Asia version of cinnamon), ginger, dried orange peel, and cloves.

METHOD: Mulled Wine

In a saucepan 

POUR 1 bottle of red wine

ADD1 cup of brown sugar,

ADD 1 fresh lime

ADD 1 fresh quartered orange.

ADD2-3 tablespoons of mulling spices.

SIMMER gently for 30-40 minutes DO NOT BOIL

STRAIN: into a jug and serve while warm.

If you’re keen to experiment with your own recipe, then use real vanilla pods, cinnamon quills, fresh citrus and star anise at the very least.

Apart from mulled wine jelly, and mulled wine fizz, there’s also mulled wine glazed ham. So experiment away. Listen to the podcast to find out more.

I’m talking with Ian Hemphill from herb and spice expert from www.herbies.com.au

PLAY: Mulled wine jelly_9th December 2020

If you have any questions about spices in mulled wine spice mix, drop us a line to [email protected] or write to 2rrr PO Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675

FERMENTATION PART 2

Dry Fermentation Process: we're doing a cabbage.

The whole leaf on top of the shredded cabbage is the 'plug.'

Leave some headroom in the jar so the fermenting process doesn't bubble over.

The cabbage should start bubbling which is the fermentation process.

LEAVE it out of the fridge but in a cool spot such as a tiled floor.

WAIT ten days then taste it. Before this time it doesn't taste very nice.

You can leave it longer if you like.

PROBLEMS:

White yeast growing on the surface needs to be removed otherwise it will spoil the flavour.

If you see mould, throw it out and start again.

Once you like the flavour, put it in the fridge, it will slow the fermenting process.

Let's find out more.

FERMENTATION PART 2

Dry Fermentation Process: we're doing a cabbage.

The whole leaf on top of the shredded cabbage is the 'plug.'

Leave some headroom in the jar so the fermenting process doesn't bubble over.

The cabbage should start bubbling which is the fermentation process.

LEAVE it out of the fridge but in a cool spot such as a tiled floor.

WAIT ten days then taste it. Before this time it doesn't taste very nice.

You can leave it longer if you like.

PROBLEMS:

White yeast growing on the surface needs to be removed otherwise it will spoil the flavour.

If you see mould, throw it out and start again.

Once you like the flavour, put it in the fridge, it will slow the fermenting process.

Let's find out more.

THE ART OF VEGETABLE FERMENTATION

Have you ever wanted to ferment vegetables but thought it was a bit too hard?Perhaps you’re an avid fermenter but need to know more.In this new segment I find out that it’s actually easy to start fermenting.

Holly describes herself as an 'old fermenter.'

Jokes aside, what's the first thing you need to know before you start fermenting any vegetable.

Do you need high end equipment?

Let’s find out more.

 

Fermenting is a process that happens in the absence of air.

It turns out that a clip lock jar or a glass jar with a screw top lid would suffice. Or you can use a plastic jar.

NOTE: the lid needs to have a coating on it which most would have if they were on jars that were bought with food in them. These jars are perfect for re-purposing for fermenting.

Cabbages and other root vegetables are ideal for fermenting.

METHOD:

PICK a cabbage that is heavy for it's size, preferably an organic one.

Should be dense and tightly packet.

STRIP off outer leaves.

CUT the cabbage into four and cut the heart out of it.

SHRED your cabbage finely, Holly likes it between 3-5mm in width so it has some crunchy.

If your ferment comes out mushy then air has entered into the process.

ADD 20gms of fine ground sea-salt to every kilo of cabbage.

RUB sea salt into cabbage until it releases moisture-make sure it's vigorous , releasing plenty of liquid.

There should be enough liquid to completely submerge the cabbage in the jar.

STUFF into a jar and cover with the liquid.

PLACE one of the previously discarded whole leaves on top of the shredded cabbage in the jar.

I’m talking with Holly Davis, whole food chef, and educator.PLAY: Fermentation Part 1_25th November 2020

THE ART OF VEGETABLE FERMENTATION

Perhaps you’re an avid fermenter but need to know more.

In this new segment I find out that it’s actually easy to start fermenting.

Holly describes herself as an 'old fermenter.'

Jokes aside, what's the first thing you need to know before you start fermenting any vegetable.

Do you need high end equipment?

Let’s find out more.

 

Fermenting is a process that happens in the absence of air.

It turns out that a clip lock jar or a glass jar with a screw top lid would suffice. Or you can use a plastic jar.

NOTE: the lid needs to have a coating on it which most would have if they were on jars that were bought with food in them. These jars are perfect for re-purposing for fermenting.

Cabbages and other root vegetables are ideal for fermenting.

METHOD:

PICK a cabbage that is heavy for it's size, preferably an organic one.

Should be dense and tightly packet.

STRIP off outer leaves.

CUT the cabbage into four and cut the heart out of it.

SHRED your cabbage finely, Holly likes it between 3-5mm in width so it has some crunchy.

If your ferment comes out mushy then air has entered into the process.

ADD 20gms of fine ground sea-salt to every kilo of cabbage.

RUB sea salt into cabbage until it releases moisture-make sure it's vigorous , releasing plenty of liquid.

There should be enough liquid to completely submerge the cabbage in the jar.

STUFF into a jar and cover with the liquid.

PLACE one of the previously discarded whole leaves on top of the shredded cabbage in the jar.

I’m talking with Holly Davis, whole food chef, and educator.

PLAY: Fermentation Part 1_25th November 2020

PLANT OF THE WEEK

Scientific Name: Bickinghamia celsissima

Common Name: Ivory Curl Tree

Family: Proteaceae

Etymology:Buckinghamia....after Richard Grenville, Duke of Buckingham.

celsissima....from Latin celsus, high or lofty, a reference to the habit of the plant in the wild.

Origins: Rainforests of Queensland.

Height: grows to 30 m in natural environment, but 7-8 metres in the home garden. Often used as a street tree.

Flowering: Summer to late Autumn, depending on the location, when the entire crown can be almost entirely covered with spectacular and large (30cm )  racemes of pendant white to cream sweetly perfumed flowers. Often covered in bees happily taking in the nectar and pollen.

pendant white to cream sweetly perfumed flowers. Often covered in bees happily taking in the nectar and pollen.

Fruit: Wooden follicles that contain several seeds. Fresh seed germinates fairly easily, producing plants that can flower within three years. 

You will find that it can be grown throughout most of Australia, including as far south as Melbourne. However Buckinghamia celsissima doesn't do well in Canberra, because it hates frosts, and it won't flower in the humidity and heavy rains of the northern tropics.

If left to it's own devices it will go straight up like a telegraph pole and you will miss the spectacle of the flowers.

Tip pruning judiciously will give you a shrub as in the picture where the flowers can be observed at close quarters.

It can be pruned reasonably hard, but be warned, it will recover slowly.

I'm talking with native plant expert Adrian O'Malley

PLANT OF THE WEEK

Scientific Name: Bickinghamia celsissima

Common Name: Ivory Curl Tree

Family: Proteaceae

Etymology:Buckinghamia....after Richard Grenville, Duke of Buckingham.

Origins: Rainforests of Queensland.

Height: grows to 30 m in natural environment, but 7-8 metres in the home garden. Often used as a street tree.

Flowering: Summer to late Autumn, depending on the location, when the entire crown can be almost entirely covered with spectacular and large (30cm )  racemes of pendant white to cream sweetly perfumed flowers. Often covered in bees happily taking in the nectar and pollen.

pendant white to cream sweetly perfumed flowers. Often covered in bees happily taking in the nectar and pollen.

Fruit: Wooden follicles that contain several seeds. Fresh seed germinates fairly easily, producing plants that can flower within three years. 

I'm talking with native plant expert Adrian O'Malley