June 2015 Issue #118

Hello,

What fun that we both love gardening. Thanks for joining me.

1) Ouch! Stakes
2) Eco gardening tips
3) Cheese and Parsley Muffins

"Gardening is a kind of disease. It infects you, you cannot escape it. When you go visiting, your eyes rove about the garden; you interrupt the serious eating and drinking because of an irresistible impulse to get up and pull a weed."
~ Lewis Gannit

Raring to grow

The FAQ section is the place where the beautiful people hang out... earthy and raring to grow.

Here's a curly one for any readers who can help?. Plants suffering and leaves curling

Eco gardening tips

• Ouch! Stakes
  It's not until it happens to you, that you realise the value of some tips. Trust me, put a white plastic cream bottle, tin, old tennis ball or similar over your garden stakes... a broken tooth is not CUTE.


• Mulch on the move
  If you're wanting your soil to warm up for Spring planting and you've still got a layer of dry mulch on your garden, it helps to move this light layer of straw, leaves or whatever aside, and let the sun shine on the bare patch. This may raise the soil temperature a few degrees and you can then plant say, tomatoes, then put the mulch back when everything's nice and warm. Here's plenty of ever helpful advice on Garden mulches



If you use grey water on your garden, remember it is usually quite alkaline, especially water from dishwashers and other soapy sources. Don't use grey water on acid loving plants, such as blueberries; they will turn up their toes. The ideal pH for blueberries is 5.5, so if you're unsure, have your soil tested or buy a kit from a garden centre to test it yourself — always handy.

Sure you can... have an awesome garden!

If you'd like to simplify your gardening by knowing when, what and how to plant, I'm willing to bet this garden planner will be a hit with you, like it is with me.

"I know WHEN to plant, I know WHAT to plant, as well as a load of tips and tricks! I'm now into my 2nd year of this planner, and like an excited kid. I'm experimenting with some of the suggested veges for my area, will let you know how I go. One happy vege grower in LA."
Timor Arundle

Paprika, Cheese and Parsley Muffins

Perfect with a nice bowl of vegetable soup.

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp butter
• 1 large onion, chopped finely
• 1½ cups self-raising flour
• 1 tomato, chopped finely
• 1 cup tasty cheese, grated
• 2 tsp mixed fresh herbs or 1 tsp dried (thyme, oregano, basil, rosemary are good ones) thyme
• Approx 1/3 cup parsley, chopped finely
• 2/3 cup milk
• 1 egg
• Paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste.

Method

• Cook onion with butter on medium heat in pot. Let cool a bit.
• In a bowl mix together flour, tomato, half the cheese, herbs including parsley, salt and pepper.
• Add to the bowl the cooked onion, milk and egg, and mix gently until just combined.
• Grease a 12 muffin tray and fill each ¾ full. Sprinkle a bit of cheese on top and dust with paprika.
• Bake in moderate oven (approx. 175°C (350°F)) for 15-20 minutes.

Preparation: 20 minutes

Cooking: 30 minutes

Makes: 12 muffins

Happy gardening
Megan