Articles and Information
Articles and Information
by Eden Seeds on Mar 21 2025
Watercress 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.
Articles and Information
by Eden Seeds on Mar 21 2025
There 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.
Articles and Information
by Eden Seeds on Mar 21 2025
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.
Articles and Information
by Eden Seeds on Mar 21 2025
Echinacea 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.
Articles and Information
by Eden Seeds on Mar 21 2025
The 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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by Eden Seeds on Mar 21 2025
Okra (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.
Articles and Information
by Ambre Whatley on Mar 21 2025
There 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).
Articles and Information
by Eden Seeds on Mar 21 2025
There 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).
Articles and Information
What Herbs are in Your Garden? How About Some Rosemary
by Eden Seeds on Mar 21 2025
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.
Articles and Information
by Eden Seeds on Mar 21 2025
Leeks, (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 Borage
by Eden Seeds on Mar 21 2025
In 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.
Articles and Information
by Eden Seeds on Mar 21 2025
Some 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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by Ambre Whatley on Mar 21 2025
The 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
Articles and Information
by Ambre Whatley on Mar 21 2025
It 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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Colour My World with Calendulas
by Ambre Whatley on Mar 21 2025
Calendulas give a splash of sunshine in the garden and as cut flowers they bring some sunshine into the house.
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by Ambre Whatley on Mar 21 2025
It 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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by Ambre Whatley on Mar 21 2025
We 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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by Ambre Whatley on Mar 21 2025
The 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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Is It A Cabbage Moth or Cabbage Butterfly?
by Ambre Whatley on Mar 21 2025
Well 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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by Ambre Whatley on Mar 21 2025
Add 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.