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Which Are More Nutritious
19 Jul 2004Traditional or Modern varieties of fruits and vegetables?
Amy Glastonbury,
The Seed Savers Network, 19th July 2004.
It is our belief at Seed Savers that older varieties of fruits and vegetables are more nutritious than modern varieties. Over the last century plant breeders have focused their efforts on breeding plants that have high yields, are easily transportable, have a long storage life and are pest and disease resistant. Until the last few years, little or no attention has been directed towards breeding plants that are tasty and more nutritious. This has resulted in a selection of fruit and vegetables in our supermarkets that are bland, uniform and of little nutritional value.
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Recent Developments
19 Apr 2005Eden Seeds continues to make available by mail order the widest range of old traditional open pollinated seed.
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This reflects not only our interest in making available a wide range of traditional varieties but the growing awareness of many gardeners and cottage industry growers of the need to contribute something toward the preservation of our food heritage and the desire to learn the skills needed for seed production and storage. -
The Gene Ethics Network
21 Apr 2005Working to keep Australia GE-free
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The Gene Ethics Network was founded in 1988. This was done to promote critical community discussion and debate on the economic, market, environmental, social and ethical impacts of genetic engineering (GE) technologies. The Network campaigns for the precautionary principle to be rigorously applied to all uses of GE. We also promote... -
Composting
22 Apr 2005Whilst reading “Articles by Ehrenfried Pfeiffer” volume 2
I noted that by “composting proper”
(a) nitrogen content can be increased
(b) minerals are made available
(c) acidification is avoided
(d) a stable product is obtained
B-D compost out-performs NPK fertilizers in vitamin A & C tests and is above average protein.
In the field treatment with compost and 500
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1. Soil Structure is changed
2. Acidity of many soils is reduced
3. Within a few years organic matter doubles and moisture is retained -
Beating the GMO Future
23 Apr 2005By Alf Finch
Originator of Eden Seeds and Select Organic
Learning the simple art of seed saving is one way to beat GMO’s.
Another way to pressure producers to avoid using GMO’s is not to buy their produce. Home gardeners can ensure they use old traditional varieties by saving seed for themselves and others. Recent GMO’S are made from two unrelated species. The modern hybrid is a man made forced cross between two inbred varieties of the same species and as such is genetically modified. The result is a plant which will not grow true to type from seed and is usually bred for shelf life and appearance. What was our food heritage becomes patented by large companies, through this process of hybridization.
In taste and nutrition hybrids are usually far inferior...
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Biodynamic Field Day
20 May 20102010 Field Day, Bio-Dynamic Agricultural Association of Australia
by Alex Podolinsky. Monday 26/04/2010Condensed from tape. AGM 2010 Monday, farm field day opened to conventional farmers of Victoria’s mid western district on a well developed large Bio-Dynamic farm (grazing, sheep, modern flour mill). Estimated 200 farmers came, some 50 experienced Bio-Dynamic farmers present to answer question etc. after introductory lecture and after my departure. Not just a lecture by an individual, but a confrontation of the conventional farming system, which is based on Justin Von Liebig’s discovery that plants can take in only water soluble elements, which lead to the conventional system being increasingly hydroponic; almost totally disregarding soil and Nature’s organization.
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Airport Surprise
08 May 2011Recently while travelling to Victoria some interesting situations at the Airport showed how far changes have come for consumers and to me how much more we can still do.
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Eden Seeds was started 26 years ago to give home gardeners the choice of being able to obtain the old traditional open pollinated varieties of vegetable seed in addition to growing organically.
My old property in Gympie was the first NASAA certified property in Queensland. The present property is registered Demeter. In the 1980’s we dreamt of a local store selling organic produce. Now there are so many retail outlets and farmers markets that the supermarkets are now taking interest as well. -
Note from Bob Phelps - Director of Gene Ethics
19 Nov 2013Hello Alf:
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We are working hard on retaining South Australia's and Tassie's GM-free status till 2019, when it is due to expire on September 1, in the normal course of events. The GM moratorium in SA has had the support of all parties since its introduction in 2003, when the OGTR issued commercial GM canola licences to Monsanto and Bayer.
The following data supports the GM-free stance. On the figures we can secure, below, we conclude: -
The Answer is in the Seed
25 Nov 2013A small cartel of agrochemical and seed companies now owns much of the world's seed supply. They send seed and food where they are most profitable, not where they are most needed. So the work of independent heirloom and open-pollinated seed producers and seed savers is critical to food sovereignty and security for our children and grandchildren.
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Kialla: Pest Control Information
04 Apr 2014It is important to remember that organic grains and flours are most vulnerable to pest infestation in hotter month, as they do not have any chemical residue protection against pests. The purpose of this overview is to provide general information about pests, how we control them at Kialla and tips to protect your organic grain and flour stocks. Following our recommendations below will help reduce the risk of product infestation.
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Tomatoes For Everyone - a book by Australian horticulturalist Alan Gilbert
12 Aug 2014Early season tomatoes are in demand to be included in summer salads and cooking.
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There are many advantages to planting seed inside whilst it is too cold outside. First, work out when you can transplant outside and sow seed so plants will be strong enough to survive transplanting. Let’s say transplant mid October. So sow seed inside in early September. -
Plants of the Bible Lands
14 Aug 2014One of the delightful surprises I discovered on a recent visit to Canberra is the Plants of the Bible Garden 15 Blackall St Barton. The garden was establish from 2006 under the trust set up by Gerald Robinson and is on the west side and overlooking Lake Burley Griffin,
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Seed Saving
12 Feb 2015Eden Seeds and Select Organic are pleased to be the distributor for many local seed savers.
At present we can see an ongoing need for small and large quantities of seed to be distributed to home-gardeners Australia wide of the following;
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National Organic Standard - Zero Tolerance for GM contamination to go?
04 May 2015Closed.
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Hello All,
Public comment is open till May 7th (or maybe 14th) on application 5 (c) to amend Section 3.3 of the National Organic Standards – Genetic Modification: -
Eden Seeds donates seeds to TAFEA and DARD Vanuatu
05 May 2015To Everyone at Eden Seeds,
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Thank you so much for the generous donation of seeds you made to support the recovery efforts on Tanna Island Vanuatu in the wake of Cyclone Pam.
Your seeds have been delivered to my team at the TAFEA Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) who then distributed them to villages across West and North Tanna where there was a significant shortfall of seeds distributed by the FAO. -
Spring Garden at Eden Seeds
16 Oct 2015Spring garden at Eden Seeds
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The Four Elements
26 Feb 2016To promote balance, and a healthy environment for healthy food production loosen soil with a garden fork and do not turn it over. Keep soil moist and healthy soil life will flourish. Plant roots will benefit, some green leafy vegetables will tolerate partial shade though most plants benefit from a sunny airy position.
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Excepts from “Culture and Horticulture” by Wolf Storl.... -
Our Aim
01 Sep 2016Our aim has always been to make old traditional open pollinated seed commonly available to home gardeners.
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To Seed Save
05 Sep 2016These plants will cross with their own kind (species)
So to save seed of these varieties there needs to be a distance sufficient to prevent insects from visiting for similar varieties. This is usually considered to be 3 kilometres.
Read More...Amaranthus hypochondriacus Amaranth Grain Asparagus officinalis Asparagus Beta vulgaris Beetroot -
Getting Carrots to Germinate
25 Oct 2016Efforts must be made to keep seed moist for 5 to 7 days. Seeds can be covered with cardboard or plastic for this time that is a good method to keep seeds moist. Water daily. As germinated seed will need light at about 7 days after sowing uncover them and still keep moist.
To get seeds to poke through the soil use...
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Lost Seed
27 Oct 2016By using old traditional open pollinated vegetable varieties and learning to save seed for distribution to other growers we can be part of the support movement to save our food heritage varieties.
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From the Garden Seed Inventory between 1987 and 2004 there were 1791 varieties of vegetable seeds no long available in North America which represents a loss of 24.5% in 14 years. -
How to make Globe Artichokes perennial
28 Oct 2016Sow seeds in Spring or Autumn in warmer areas. Young flower buds can be harvested in late spring.
In winter cut the biggest stems back to 30cm and remove smaller ones. Add compost or manure and mulch.
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Saving Tomato Seeds
01 Nov 2016Once a Tomato is ripe then so are the seeds mature.
It is best when saving seed to let the tomatoes over ripen on the bush - but start the process as soon as any damage appears.Tomato seeds have a jelly around the seeds which makes them difficult to handle and acts as an inhibitor to germination until it is rotted away.
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Visitors from the Pacific Islands
07 Nov 2016Eden Seed received a welcome visit from the Pacific Open Pollinated Seed Exchange Learning group.
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The group is in close contact with Seed Savers Network (Australia) and Emma Stone has been co-ordinating activities for many years. -
Compost Making
14 Feb 2017For the autumn planting a new compost was made in early summer.
Sandra Frain and Alf Finch demonstrated the bio-dynamic method. Sandra spoke of the preparations added to the heap and their connections with minerals and the ruling planets.
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Solar Electricity at Eden Seeds
15 Feb 2017At Eden Seeds Alf Finch has used solar hot water from the beginning. Solar Electricity has always been considered. Recently a new large shed was built and the desire to have battery storage was explored. The decision however is to proceed with a 16kW system and add batteries as these improve in the near future.
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Freezing Vegetables
16 Feb 2017Blanch them in boiling water 2-3 minutes.
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Take out of the water and dunk them in icy water
Place in freezer bags and then into the freezer
The best are firm vegetables 3-4 minutes) and leafy greens (2-3 minutes)
Tomatoes are best cooked before freezing. -
Growing Sweet Cicely from seeds
17 Feb 2017An important use for Sweet Cicely is to reduce the use of sugar when cooking sweet foods. The leaves and stems are used to reduce sugar use by half. It has a taste reminiscent of anise.
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The plant is a hardy perennial which prefers a deep well drained soil but will tolerate harder conditions. -
Nasturtiums
18 Feb 2017Nasturtiums originate in South America where they were used to prevent scurvy and a nutritious supplement and flavour in salads.
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In the 17th century England it was called Indian cress. It has a flavour similar to watercress. It is recognized as a source of vitamin C and antibiotics. -
Tree Lucerne
19 Feb 2017Tree Lucerne is often called Tagasaste. It is a stock food and good windbreak to 4m tall. Pruning may keep it to 2m for easy access.
As a highly nutritious legume it can be cut and fed to stock and is good all-round with poultry and winter bee fodder.
Tagasaste is frost tolerant evergreen when mature and prefers well drained slightly alkaline soils but is hardy in other situations once established. Mature plants tolerate drought and frost. It is thought of as the temperate equivalent of leucaena.
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The Benefits of Non-Hybrid Artichoke Seeds (And Where to Buy Them Online in Australia)
21 Feb 2017Artichokes are a fantastically healthy food, known for their high quantities of antioxidants, dietary fibre, manganese, folic acid and other essential nutrients. They are also delicious, known particularly for their hearts, and also working wonders as ingredients in dips, and pasta dishes.
If you are interested in incorporating artichokes into your diet, you might consider growing your own.
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Get More out of Your Asparagus Crops; Buy Non-Hybrid Asparagus Seeds Online in Australia
21 Feb 2017Few crops say spring or summertime quite like asparagus. Nutritious and delicious—and easy to season to capture a variety of flavours—asparagus is a vegetable that seems most people favour. It can compliment any number of dishes or stand alone
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Buy Basil Seeds Online and Start Your Own Herb Garden in Australia
21 Feb 2017From meat to pasta to pizza to casseroles and beyond, many dishes call for small quantities of herbs to provide extra seasoning and flavour to the mix. When you see a recipe that calls for herbs, you have a few different options. First, you can go
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Start Reaping the Health Benefits of Beans: Buy Bean Seeds Online in Australia from Eden Seeds
21 Feb 2017There are people out there who have concerns about getting enough protein in their diet. Even if you aren’t a vegetarian, finding time to prepare meat dishes is difficult to do when balancing the responsibilities of home and work and everything
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Look No Further than the Online Shop at Eden Seeds to Buy Heirloom Beetroot Seeds in Australia
21 Feb 2017When it comes to growing your own food, there are many important decisions you'll need to make. Not only will you have to decide where to place your garden and how to plan for it, but you'll also have to decide what to grow and what types of seeds
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Looking to Fit More Green Vegetables into Your Diet? Buy Bok Choy Seeds Online in Australia
21 Feb 2017If you are looking for a way to fit more green leafy vegetables into your diet—but don’t consider yourself a fan of some of the more ‘obvious’ options—then you might consider trying bok choy. This type of vegetable, which is known more commonly as
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Buy Non-Hybrid, Non-GMO Broccoli Seeds in Australia by Shopping Online at Eden Seeds
21 Feb 2017Do you want to add broccoli to your garden? You’re not alone: broccoli is known around the world as one of the healthiest of all vegetables, with components that can help promote good bone health, combat the effects of ageing, boost the immune
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Buy Seeds Online and Raise Homegrown Watermelon in Australia
21 Feb 2017Most people love the taste of watermelon, which is why you see watermelon flavouring in so many different products. Of course, watermelon flavouring arguably tastes very little like real watermelon, which owes part of its broad appeal to
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Searching for Heirloom Cabbage Seeds in Australia? Buy Online from Eden Seeds for the Best Selection of Old Traditional Heritage variety Seeds in Australia
21 Feb 2017As industrial farming grows larger and larger, the world is seeing an increase in small, local farms and residential gardens. Here in Australia, the demand is no different. Many people are paying more attention to where their food comes from
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Searching for non-hybrid Capsicum Seeds in Australia? You Can Buy Old Traditional Open Pollinated Capsicum Seeds Online from Eden Seeds
21 Feb 2017Are you considering growing some of your own food for fresher, more flavourful herbs and vegetables? Many people begin growing their food for their families out of sheer convenience. Having your own home garden will not only encourage you to eat
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Find a Variety of Natural Carrot Seeds in Australia when You Buy Your Seeds Online at Eden Seeds
21 Feb 2017Many Australians these days are looking to make their lives more relevant by focusing more on downsizing or retailoring their lives to include the things that matter most to them. When it comes to the high price tag of organic vegetables
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Add Chilli Seeds to Your Garden ā Buy Natural Seeds Online with Delivery Anywhere in Australia
21 Feb 2017Modern hybrid vegetable food varieties are a man-made cross between two closed in-bred varieties. The selection is usually to achieve a patent. Varieties are selected to achieve colour and shelf life. The down side is that taste and nutrients are
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Support Your Body with Fresh, Local Produce in Australia ā Buy Chives Online at Eden Seeds in Australia
21 Feb 2017Did you know that many of the herbs we eat every day have healing properties that can be beneficial to both our physical and mental health? Many studies have shown that eating fresh, local, or homegrown fruits and vegetables can be extremely useful
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Delicious cucumber seeds in Australia when you buy online from Eden Seeds
21 Feb 2017Whether you are a keen gardener or an aspiring one; whether you have a plot in the local community garden or your own hobby farm, consider cucumbers as a great spring planting with summer harvesting. They are a great way to expand an already growing
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Easily Grow Your Own Dill in Australia When You Buy Seeds Online
21 Feb 2017When cooking, having the right herbs in your kitchen can make all the difference to the taste and enjoyment of a meal. Relying primarily on dried herbs, though, can sometimes leave you wanting for a burst of fresh flavour. If you have a bit of a
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Grow Your Own Microgreens When You Buy Online in Australia Through Eden Seeds
21 Feb 2017Whether used as a simple sandwich topping or to form a final elegant touch to a plate you've prepared for guests, microgreens have indeed exploded in popularity. Not just crisp and tasty, they're full of more vitamins and minerals than when microgreens
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Love Okra? Buy Seeds for Your Garden in Australia Online
21 Feb 2017Even though it looks a little weird both inside and out, okra is an incredible vegetable with all kinds of culinary applications and nutritious benefits. From fried okra to more light and crisp presentations, there's no shortage of ways to prepare
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How to Use the Onion Seeds from Australia You Can Buy from Eden Seeds Online
21 Feb 2017The humble onion might not be the most glamorous vegetable, but it's certainly one of the most fundamental to flavourful cooking. Not just filled with excellent nutrients, onions are also packed with flavour. Whether sautéed in butter, sliced
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Pak Choi seeds in Australia are healthiest when you buy from us online
21 Feb 2017So your hobby farm is coming along nicely. You have mastered your squash varieties, and your peas are scrumptious. You look out over your growing crops and you feel proud. Truly, when you left the city a few years ago to pursue country life and
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Starting an Herb Garden? Buy Parsley Seeds Online for Shipment Around Australia
21 Feb 2017When growing many different things at home, one begins to find all kinds of interesting information on how to improve your yields. Have you heard about companion planting? In this practice, we always plant certain vegetables or herbs together
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Expand Your Hobby! Buy Seeds Online and Plant Your Own Pumpkin in Australia
21 Feb 2017What could be more fun than growing your own pumpkins? From the massive variety of the species to the massive size they can reach when mature, pumpkins represent a fun and exciting challenge for any home gardener. They require attentive care and
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Trying to Buy Rhubarb Seeds in Australia? Look Online!
21 Feb 2017Rhubarb has many exciting applications, in both food and medicine. This plant has long been used to address a variety of common health concerns, including heartburn, stomach pain, constipation and even diarrhoea. It also happens to be a delicious
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Buy Chemical Free Rosemary Seeds in Australia Online
21 Feb 2017Ah, rosemary—a crucial and yet often overlooked plant with a surprising number of uses. Many people associate rosemary with cooking, and there are good reasons for doing so. After all, rosemary comes from the mint family, which means that it
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Rely on Australian Seed Companies to Deliver Outstanding Quality Non-hybrid Seeds
21 Feb 2017It comes as no surprise that much of the seeds our food is grown from are hybridised in some form or chemically treated. In fact, finding seeds that have been left untouched can be rather difficult for farmers and gardeners. Heirloom
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Why You Should Buy Non-Hybrid Spinach Seeds in Australia Online
21 Feb 2017If you ever saw a Popeye cartoon as a kid, you probably grew up with very firm ideas about how good spinach is for you. Well, those ideas are mostly right! Of course, spinach won't give you a temporary boost of superhuman strength and speed
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Want Sprouting Seeds in Australia? Buy Sprout Seeds Online for Best Results
21 Feb 2017If eating healthy is important to you, you should take care to include sprouts in your diet. Sprouts are an everyday staple of the raw food diet and widely used in a variety of dishes from around the world. This is because they contain a large range
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Shop Online and Buy Open Pollinated Squash Seeds in Australia
21 Feb 2017Squash isn’t just a delicious vegetable—it’s also incredibly good for you. If you want to reap the maximum number of benefits from the squash you eat, you might consider growing it by yourself. Growing your own squash helps to ensure that you
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Buy the Best Zucchini Seeds in Australia with Eden Seedsā Online Selection
21 Feb 2017Are you trying to make sure your family eats healthier this year? One of the easiest ways to boost the health factor in your family’s dietary routine is by increasing the amount of fresh vegetables and fruits you eat. Adding vegetables
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Old Traditional Vegetables
01 May 2017Thank-you for your interest in the old traditional vegetable varieties. It has now been over 30 years since the hobby of saving our endangered food heritage became a registered business as Eden Seeds. In the late 1980's plant variety right legislation brought Australia in line with other Western nations to enable greater patenting of newly bred varieties for those who could afford it and had an interest in new hybrids.
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In that time an estimated 60% of open pollinated varieties have disappeared from -
Loss of Variety
15 May 2017Whilst the work done by many seed savers to save the heirloom vegetable varieties has slowed down the ever continuing loss of excellent old traditional vegetables it is very sad when I think of the fruits I used to eat compared to the varieties offered today.
I grew up in an irrigation area in northern Victoria where there were three fruit preserving canneries nearby. Whilst some fruit for canning were used for cooking there were many tasty and delicious fresh fruits on offer in season.
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Lucerne
09 Jun 2017Lucerne (Alfalfa) Medicago sativa
Attractive cool weather legume. Excellent for stock grazing in mixed pasture and use as a high quality bailed hay.
Does best in deep well drained soil as plants themselves are deep rooted and as such plants are excellent for producing organic matter into the soil. As a legume it is used to add nitrogen to the soil in its root nodules. Deep roots can access sub-soil moisture and respond quickly after rain.
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Canberra Show Prizes
09 Jun 2017Keen gardener Reginald Jenkins has won the Champion Vegetable at the Canberra Horticultural Autumn Flower Show.
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Reg had 17 winners, 7 seconds and Champion Vegetable with Pumpkin Musque de Provence. Locals were astounded by the colour of the pumplkin.
Eden Seeds are used in Reg's garden.
Photo: Reg and Olivia with the champion pumpkin. -
Pan-Asia Bio-Dynamic Association
10 Jun 2017Darren Aitken is an Australian Demeter Biodynamic farmer, and owner of Vortex Vegies, in Inverleigh Victoria.
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Darren has been involved in Australian Demeter Biodynamic agriculture, with the Biodynamic Gardeners Association and the Biodynamic Agricultural Association Australia since 1998, and from 2002 he has been providing training and mentoring to new biodynamic practicians. -
Seed: The Untold Story
12 Jun 2017http://www.seedthemovie.com
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Thanks for offering to include an item in your next news, on new GM techniques - CRISPR/Cas9; ZFN; Talen; RNAi; etc. - (the GM industry calls them gene-editing). We need tough regulation, at least until their impacts are known and understood but the industry wants them and their products deregulated.
The GM-free Shopping List also attached FYI. -
Perth Outing
12 Sep 2017When Alf and Nansi recently travelled to Perth to attend the Orchid Conference and bus tour of WA’s renowned ground orchids and wildflowers a delightfully surprising find was the Cultural Centre Urban Orchard.
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Solar Power Update
13 Sep 2017At present our 16kw system installed earlier this year is producing as much excess power as we are using.
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Cool-room De-humidification
13 Sep 2017Two additional de-humidifying units are now in operation and humidity for seed storage in these cool-rooms is now 20% lower. We expect this will allow us to better store scarce seed and give high germination rates for longer.
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Bandicoot Exclusion
14 Sep 2017Read More... -
Compost In Our Garden
15 Sep 2017The grass is greener on the other side.
These Jersey calves will produce manure to be added to horse manure and grass cuttings as the main ingredients. Lime, wood ash and rock phosphate are also added as well as a little soil.
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Seed Curators Needed
18 Sep 2017Seed saving is an increasingly important need to enable us to have access to the widest range of old traditional open pollinated seed. This is necessary for the continuing of nutritious, hardy plants from which we can save seed of our food heritage vegetables which will grow true to type in the next generation. Truly these are some of the many good reasons to participate in saving for future generations.
Rowan is a great example of a..
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Survival Story - Kaneās Experience
07 Feb 2018I was raised surrounded by the forest of the Blue Mountains National Park, wearing clothes when only in society. I spent my early years frolicking in the woods, climbing trees, and crossing fallen log bridges over streams. I stopped wearing shoes when I was at University. I got bored with University and began learning survival skills.
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Reading books, talking with elders, watching videos and practising. A series of events left me homeless and I realised if I did nothing my situation would remain the same. However, if I planted seeds, then in 3 months or less, I could have a free meal... -
How to Improve a Vegetable Garden
08 Feb 2018Site selection
Roots from adjoining trees and shrubs will thrive when the garden is watered and fertilised to the detriment of your vegetables.
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So a site must be free of invading roots.
Vegetables thrive in sunshine. Only green leafy vegetables can best be grown under various levels of shade though it will alter their growth and flavour so a gardener ha to decide if this is beneficial. Consideration of roots and sunshine are crucial in the planning stage... -
Growing Scabiosa
10 Apr 2018Scabiosa is a member of the Capriloliaceae (honeysuckle) family, they are more commonly known as pincushion flowers. The stamens in the centre of the flower looks like pins in a cushion. Some Scabiosas are annuals and some perennials, the flowers are most commonly shades of mauve/purple but also can be shades of pink, white and even yellow. The flowers comprise of many small florets. They are native to Africa, the Mediterranean, Europe and Asia.
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Growing Buckwheat
10 Apr 2018Buckwheat, Fagopyrum esculentum, is not wheat or a relation of wheat, it is not even a grain, it is the fruit/seed of a plant actually related to rhubarb and sorrel.
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Growing Rosellas
10 Apr 2018This is a plant that you can grow anywhere in your garden, the ornamental garden or even in a pot and add to this that it can feed us as well, now is the time to add a couple to your garden.
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Growing Broccoli
10 Apr 2018Nutritionally, Broccoli is one of the most nutritious of all vegetables, containing complex carbohydrates, protein, vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, folic acid, calcium, iron, and fibre.
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Growing Cucumbers
10 Apr 2018Cucumbers are members of the Cucurbit family which includes other family favourites such as pumpkins, chokos, zucchinis and gourds.
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Growing Sweet Corn
10 Apr 2018I really look forward to the hot weather so I can plant some sweet corn. Nothing tastes better than that first cob of the season. Now is the best time to grow sweet corn, during summer months when it is delicious to eat with our summer meals.
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Growing Celery
10 Apr 2018The plant species Apium graveolens includes 2 vegetables which are not grown by many gardeners. These are celery and celeriac.
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Getting into a Cob - Sweet Corn Growing and Eating
10 Apr 2018Sweet corn tastes best when it is freshly picked just before cooking.
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Growing Strawberries
10 Apr 2018The ideal fruit that we can all grow a home, a fruit that can be grown in any type of home - in a small pot, large pot, a hanging pot, a polystyrene box, a garden bed or even in a bag of potting mix.
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Growing Rhubarb
10 Apr 2018The first question that comes to mind "Is this perennial a vegetable, fruit or herb?". I tend to call it a vegetable, as that is what it looks like (e. g. Iike celery), but it is also a herb and can probably classed as a fruit it is up to you.
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Growing Legumes
10 Apr 2018When talking about growing legumes the first plants which come to mind are beautiful pods of peas (Snow, Sugarsnap, Green) and beans (Broad, Bush, Climbing) however, the term legume applies to a much larger group of plants which all belong to the Fabaceae family. Most of the members oft his family store nitrogen in the nodules on their roots. They also produce their fruit or seed in a pod.
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Growing Cape Gooseberries
10 Apr 2018How can you use the Cape Gooseberry if you decide to grow It? They taste great either raw as fruit, in salads, great with cheese trays or cooked in deserts, stewed, tarts, pies, delicious jams, chutneys, dipped In chocolate and can even be dried, probably a very under used fruit to date.
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Colour My World with Sweetpeas
10 Apr 2018The modern sweetpea, Lathyrus odoratus, is descended from the wild sweetpea of Sicily.
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Growing Water Chestnuts
10 Apr 2018Most of us would have seen tins of Water Chestnuts in the Asian Supermarkets of the Asian food section of our local supermarket. Those ones are fine but they taste even better when they are fresh.
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Growing Chives, Shallots and Spring Onions
10 Apr 2018We use a lot of plants from the Allium group to flavour our meals, the most popular members of this group include onions, garlic, leeks, spring onions, shallots and chives. Of these the easiest to grow would have to be chives, shallots and spring onions, but there is often some confusion as to which is which.
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Is It A Cabbage Moth or Cabbage Butterfly?
10 Apr 2018Well it could be either. Both attack our brassicas. The cabbage moth (Plutella xy-lostella) is about 10mm across and greyish in colour, while the cabbage butterfly (Pieris rapae) is about 45 mm across, white in colour with a couple of black spots. The female has 2 black spots and the male 1 on each wing.
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Colourful Cosmos
11 Apr 2018Add a splash of colour to fill those little bare spots in your garden, plant some cosmos, do it once and you’ll always have a garden full of colour.
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Growing Tomatillo's
12 Apr 2018It is an annual that grows a thin paper like husk (like a cape gooseberry) with a small spherical fruit inside which can be either green, purple, yellow or red when ripe, depending on variety, with green being the most common
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Colour My World with Calendulas
12 Apr 2018Calendulas give a splash of sunshine in the garden and as cut flowers they bring some sunshine into the house.
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Growing Kohl Rabi
12 Apr 2018It is not a root vegetable, the bulb is actually the stem just above soil level which swells into a quite delicious vegetable.
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Growing Globe Artichokes
12 Apr 2018The Globe Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) also known as French Artichoke or Crown Artichoke is a large perennial plant. They grow up to 1½ metres tall and a metre across, have striking silver grey foliage and spectacular purple thistle flowers which would be very attractive in any garden, but it is its delicately flavoured, edible flower bud that is most sought after. This flower bud is picked and eaten before it blooms
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Colour My World with Pansies
12 Apr 2018Some pansies selections, usually the yellow or blue ones, have a delicate perfume which is noticeable in the early morning, this was stronger in the original varieties.
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What Herbs are in Your Garden? How About Some Borage
12 Apr 2018In the garden borage leaves can be used much like comfrey and yarrow as a compost activator. Its vibrant blue flowers are not only very attractive but also full of nectar which attracts bees of all persuasions to your garden. It is handy to plant it near any plants with flowers needing pollination like passionfruit vines, citrus and many of your vegetables. Butterflies also find the flowers very attractive.
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Growing Leeks
12 Apr 2018Leeks, (Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum), are a biennial vegetable that are usually grown as an annual. They are closely related to kurrat (Egyptian leeks), onions, garlic and elephant garlic. Leeks have been cultivated in Egypt and the Middle East for over 3000 years.
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What Herbs are in Your Garden? How About Some Rosemary
12 Apr 2018Rosemary comes in various sized bushes most commonly up to a metre high but some varieties up to 2 metres and also in a prostrate form.
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Colour My World with Dianthus
12 Apr 2018There are over 300 species of Dianthus. They are native to various parts of Asia, Europe and North Africa. The Dianthus group of flowers include Carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus), Pinks (Dianthus plumarius) and Sweet Williams (Dianthus barbatus).
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Growing Okra
12 Apr 2018Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) a close relation of hibiscus, cotton, hollyhocks and rosellas is also known as Gumbo, Lady’s Fingers, Bamiyas, kok-tau, kacang bendi and several other names in various countries.
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Colour My World With Zinnia
12 Apr 2018The Zinnia is an annual, part of the Asteraceae family, varieties of which are native from the American Southwest to South America, but were primarily found in Mexico where the Aztecs referred to them as ‘mal de ojos’ (hard on the eyes) because of their bright flowers.
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Growing Echinacea
12 Apr 2018Echinacea plants will tolerate drought, frost and some varieties also do well in our humid summers. They are a deciduous perennial which grow up to 1.5metres tall and will bloom from early summer to late autumn.
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Growing Jicama
12 Apr 2018Rosemary comes in various sized bushes most commonly up to a metre high but some varieties up to 2 metres and also in a prostrate form.
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Tarragon? Which Tarragon?
12 Apr 2018There are 3 common forms of Tarragon, French Tarragon, Russian Tarragon and Mexican or Winter Tarragon. Mine was actually Mexican or Winter Tarragon, Tagetes lucida, which is native to Mexico and does very well in our climate and not closely related to French and Russian Tarragon.
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Growing Watercress
12 Apr 2018Watercress is used largely as a vegetable but is even more important as a herb, the term ‘officinale’ as part of its name refers to it being noted in the ‘official list’ of the most important medicinal herbs.
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One Morning in May
12 Apr 2018Several BOGI members took time to browse through Jocelyn garden. Although in the middle of suburbia Jocelyn’s garden is fully A Grade Certified Organic, this process has taken the past 3 years to complete but now allows Jocelyn to sell her produce as ‘Certified Organic’.
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Try a little Fenugreek
12 Apr 2018Fenugreek, Trigonella foenum-graecum, also known as Greek Hay, Greek Clover, Menthi, Cooper's Clover, Alhova cow's horn, goat's horn and Bird's Foot, is a legume and closely related to many varieties of beans and peas.
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Seed
12 Apr 2018SEED SAVING
This article evolved from a list of seeds from an old BOGI newsletter sent to me by Margaret and an insert in a recent edition of the Courier mail. Without getting technical a seed is the result of a flower having a sexual interaction, either with itself or with another flower of the same family. This seed is part of the developing fruit which when ripe becomes mature and ready to grow into an offspring of the parent plant/s.
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Violets
12 Apr 2018The violet will grow in most soils but does best in well-drained, fairly rich soil, with a good helping of compost and some blood and bone. It will grow in full sun or part shade and prefers our cooler months. It is an ideal plant for the general garden, borders, rockeries and also pots and hanging baskets.
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Chervil - Grow a Little Something That Bestows Youth Upon the Aged
12 Apr 2018CHERVIL - GROW A LITTLE SOMETHING THAT BESTOWS YOUTH UPON THE AGED
Chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium) is an annual herb related to parsley and carrots and is also known as garden chervil, gourmet's parsley and French parsley and was once known as ‘myrrhis’ because it has a similar aroma to myrrh (you remember the 3 wise men).
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An Old, Chemical Free Way to Help Control Flies
12 Apr 2018A number of years ago when listening to afternoon ABC radio (612), there was a recipe given for making your own fly paper. This being the time of the year for the fly population to increase I thought I might give it a go.
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How do you germinate your seeds?
12 Apr 2018Some seeds can be planted directly into the garden beds, some do better in seed trays and sometimes we want to get an early start on seedlings when the weather is not suitable for them to go directly into the garden bed.
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Coreopsis Adds Glow to your Summer Garden
12 Apr 2018Coreopsis, also known as tickseed, is a member of the Asteraceae family, most species of which are native to various areas of North, Central or South America. The name Coreopsis is from the Greek koris, meaning "bug," and opsis, meaning "view”, the seed looks like a bug and many say like a tick. Some varieties are perennials and others annuals.
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The Cape Gooseberry Bettle
12 Apr 2018For many years the cape gooseberries would self seed in my garden and the only pest to affect them would be the red spider mite, but, one morning a couple of years ago every leaf of my cape gooseberries had been eaten.
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Growing Turnips
12 Apr 2018The turnip (Brassica rapa) is an annual which is thought to be a descendant of wild turnips in western Asia, Europe and the Mediterranean. They have been cultivated in these areas for thousands of years. In Australia they arrived with the first fleet. The turnips close relatives include the mustards and radishes.
Rosemary comes in various sized bushes most commonly up to a metre high but some varieties up to 2 metres and also in a prostrate form.
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Shade Tolerant Edible Plants
12 Apr 2018Basically most plants that produce flowers and/or fruit need at least 6 hours of sunlight per day to prosper but they will often produce some flowers and fruit with less. If your kingdom suffers with too much shade at certain times of the year or all year round plant selection is one way to deal with it but there are also other ways.
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Another Great Spinach for Our Summers ā Egyptian Spinach
12 Apr 2018Egyptian Spinach, Corchorus olitorius, is becoming very popular as a summer vegetable in our part of the world. It goes under many names Molokhia/Molokheiya (and several other ways of spelling it), salad mallow, Jew's mallow, jute mallow and West African sorrel to name but a few.
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Growing Zucchini
12 Apr 2018The zucchinis are also known as courgettes, marrows or summer squash. The earliest zucchini was brought from the Americas by early explorers and over many generations of growing in Italy developed/mutated into the modern day zucchini.
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Salvia - There's One For Every Garden
12 Apr 2018A large majority of Salvias originated from America but others originated from Europe, Africa and Asia, because of this there are Salvias to suit all situations and climates. The name salvia comes from the Latin ‘salvere’ which means to feel well and healthy, to heal, which refers to the healing properties of some members of this genus.
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Growing Beans
12 Apr 2018Do you like beans? The answer is not a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’, first we have to specify the type of beans. There are broad beans, runner beans, green beans, baked beans, dried beans, soybeans, mung beans, madagascar beans, lima and kidney beans just to name a few, they all belong to the legume family. This month we are looking at the green, French, string, round or common bean, which we find in many home gardens - maybe you have another name for this vegetable.
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The Green bean originated in Central America and is thought to have been brought to Europe by Columbus. At the time the broad bean was the only commonly grown bean in Europe, therefore, the green bean was originally grown for its seed and only later, around the 18th century, it was found the fleshy shell of the younger bean was indeed very flavoursome... -
Bean Fly
12 Apr 2018If you see a shiny black fly about 3mm long sitting on a bean leaf, it is probably a bean fly. Look for pale yellow spots on bean leaves close to the stalk. This is where the bean fly punctures the leaf to lay its eggs
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What am I planting now? Quite a lot actually but now is the time to plant your strawberries.
12 Apr 2018The ideal fruit that we can all grow at home, a fruit that can be grown in any type of home – in a small pot, a large pot, a hanging pot, a polystyrene box, a garden bed or even in a bag of potting mix.
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Growing Broad Beans
12 Apr 2018The broad bean, Vicia Faba, is part of the vetch type of legumes and a distant relative of the French bean. Broad beans are also known by the names Horse bean, English beans, Windsor beans, Fava bean, Faba bean or Tic bean.
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Green Manure Crops
12 Apr 2018The 'Green Manure Crop' plants may vary as to the reason you are planting them, the time of year and what you hope to get out of the crop. Most commonly 'Green Manure Crops' consist of a 'grass' and a 'legume'. The 'grass' for organic matter and nutrients and the 'legume' to add nitrogen and other nutrients.
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Spring is the Time to Select Your Chrysanthemums
12 Apr 2018What we call a chrysanthemum, chrysanthemum morifolium, commonly referred to as Mums or Chrissies are an easy to grow perennial, native to Asia. The name Chrysanthemum comes from the greek word 'chrysos' meaning gold and 'anthemon' meaning flower, the original chrysanthemums were yellow.
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My Blueberry Tub
12 Apr 2018Blueberries are members of the Ericaceae family and the Vaccinium genus then below this are many sections and within these sections are even more species.
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Silverleaf Whitefly
12 Apr 2018Over September and October I’d been having a problem with silverleaf whiteflies. A couple of years before when my neighbours yard was overgrown and full of weeds, I had silverleaf whiteflies on my cucumbers but after a good dose of Soap Spray I had no more problems until 2009
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Growing Portulacas
12 Apr 2018Portulacas in their various forms are annual succulents but under the right conditions can sometimes grow as perennials. Their leaves vary in shape from cylindrical to flattish and long or flattish and round but all are fleshy.
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Bring in the (Fruit Fly) Rellies
12 Apr 2018I started writing this article twelve months ago when as usual I had been hand pollinating my pumpkins, but, last year they would grow for a couple of days and then start to shrivel and drop off, as if they haven’t been pollinated. This could have been the case and maybe the pollen being transferred was of poor quality or maybe it was too hot for them to set, I wasn't sure.
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Possums - How Can We Protect our Produce?
12 Apr 2018While I fully believe in sharing with the local native animals there are times when the possums go too far so I am always looking for ways to protect what I don't want to share.
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Growing Radishes
12 Apr 2018The radish (Raphanus sativus) is an edible root vegetable which is part of the Brassicaceae family.
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Cucurbits
13 Apr 2018The most commonly grown cucurbits in the home garden are zucchini, pumpkins, cucumbers, squash, melons and gourds.
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Those Other Annuals Your Garden Needs
13 Apr 2018Many organic growers concentrate on growing vegetables, herbs, fruit trees - edibles, edibles and more edibles - these are all very good but remember to feed your other senses.
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Pea
13 Apr 2018Peas are a legume, part of the Fabaceae or Leguminosae family of vegetables, which extract nitrogen from the air and store it in little nodules along their roots.
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Nasturtium
13 Apr 2018The nasturtium, Tropaeolum majus, is native to Peru but is found in many countries around the world. It is also known as Indian cress. The nasturtium got its common name because it produces an oil similar to watercress (Nasturtium officinale).
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Raising Seedlings
13 Apr 2018Now my main method when not planting directly into the garden bed is in paper pots, made with the 'Pot Maker' in mini green houses. Even without a 'Pot Maker' it is easy to make paper pots.
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Chilli
13 Apr 2018In 1492 Columbus ‘discovered’ chilli a spice that would rival black pepper. He wrongly thought that chilli was from the same family as black pepper and proceeded to call them ‘peppers’. By 1650 the cultivation and use of chillies had spread throughout Europe, Asia and Africa.
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Trees for Butterflies
01 Aug 2018The butterfly effect is a parable for our thinking. The butterfly is a cosmic being. Thoughts cannot be measured or weighed; they are spiritual activity and not even our own until we choose them to be.
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Phoenix Seeds
04 Sep 2018We are saddened to here of the passing of Michael Self in early August after a long illness.
Michael worked with Bill Mollison to start Self Reliance Seed Co which later became Phoenix Seeds.
When I moved from Brisbane in 1982 to Sandy Creek, Gympie, to build an adobe mud-brick house the garden often took precedence over building and seeds came from Phoenix Seeds. We extend our condolences to family and friends.
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Storing valuable seeds to maintain best germination
12 Feb 2020It’s not uncommon to take seeds out of storage after 3 years and get over 90% germination. In fact we expect this will be the case after 7 years.
Seeds in correct storage must first be dry.
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Recommended onion growing seasons
13 Feb 2020Apart from some overlapping tree growing seasons are recommended
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Veggie Spotlight - Collard Greens
31 May 2023Collard greens growing and nutrition information, and a recipe for soup!
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Making the most of your precious harvest
31 May 2023How to process, store, and use your healing roots
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Grow Your Own Healing Herbal Teas
07 Jul 2023Herbalism offers a natural and gentle approach to healthcare, promoting harmony and wellness through the power of plants. It fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of nature's healing gifts, allowing individuals to take an active role in their health and well-being. Herbal Teas are a great place to start.
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Seed Starting Tips and Tricks for a Successful Spring Garden š±š·š»
18 Aug 2023De-mystify successful seed starting in the early Australian spring with these tips - from choosing the right containers to maintaining proper records and ensuring optimal conditions for your burgeoning garden.
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Bespoke Bio-Regional Herbs and Weeds Pesto! šæ
18 Aug 2023Crafted from locally grown and foraged herbs and wild weeds, this bio-regional pesto recipe captures the essence of the land it has sprung from in a unique-to-you sustainable, flavourful blend, embodying the true spirit of the region's culinary diversity. Enjoy a taste of the local terroir as you spread this verdant and health-boosting condiment on your favourite dishes.
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Determinate vs. Indeterminate Tomatoes: Understanding the Differences
05 Oct 2023Breaking down some of the terminology used with growing tomatoes.
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Planting for Resilience: Drought-Tolerant Plants Thriving in Harsh Conditions
09 Nov 2023What to plant when the going gets tough
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Vibrant Garden Salad for your Holiday Table
30 Nov 2023Read More... -
Blooms on Your Plate: A Culinary Adventure with Edible Flowers
19 Jan 2024Read More... -
Late Summer Chilli Harvest: What to do with all that Heat!
14 Feb 2024Some wise ideas to put your chilli pickings to their best potential.
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Garlic Planting Guide
22 Feb 2024Garlic (Allium sativum) is a versatile and essential addition to any home or market garden. Not only does it add rich flavour to a variety of dishes, but it also offers a plethora of health benefits. Growing garlic in your garden is a rewarding experience, and with the right care, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest to last you through to the next season. This guide will take you through the steps of successfully cultivating garlic in the unique Australian climate.
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From Luffa to Lather: The Magical Metamorphosis of Nature's Best Bath Buddy
03 Apr 2024Dive in to the remarkable evolution of this incredible edible gourd. From tender green vegetable to exfoliating master!
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Beyond the Mustard Jar: An intriguing tale of vegetable evolution
02 May 2024In the gentle sway of a farmer's field, lies a silent lesson in resilience and adaptation, echoing the timeless wisdom of Darwin's theory.
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Soup Season!
29 May 2024Things to grow and cook to keep your internal fires stoked this chilly season
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Fermenting Winter Produce: A Simple Guide
04 Jul 2024What to do with winter's bounty
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Enchanted Nightshades
13 Aug 2024Myths, Magic and Nutritional Wonders of the Solanaceae Family
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Spring Herbs Compound Butter
04 Sep 2024A simple recipe to use your abundance of spring herbs in an easy and nutritious way
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Gardening with Children
18 Sep 2024Getting kids involved in gardening helps foster a love for nature and an appreciation for where food comes from. These simple seed projects are perfect for little hands and curious minds, offering a fun way to spend time outdoors this spring.
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Companion planting for garden symbiosis
18 Sep 2024One of the most effective and eco-friendly gardening techniques you can implement is companion planting. This method involves strategically planting different crops together to support each other’s growth, deter pests, attract beneficial insects, and improve yields—all without the need for chemicals or artificial fertilisers.
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Composting 101
03 Oct 2024Simple Steps to Start Composting
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