Swapping Veggies in Recipes

Recipes are a great way to explore new foods, but what happens when you do not have an ingredient for the recipe? Do not worry - you probably have a good option in your kitchen already. Put a fun twist on your recipe, have some fun in the kitchen, and use this simple list to help you swap ingredients for those you have on hand.Make some of these recipes your own by swapping...

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Australia's Kauri Pine:Agathis robusta

PLANT OF THE WEEKKauri Pine: Agathis robusta-an Australian nativeOver the last few weeks in this segment, we’ve been talking about big, big trees, and today’s offering is no exception. Kauri pine, like it's name states, is a conifer in the Araucariaceae family.Also considered a dinosaur tree because it evolved millions of years ago when Australia was largely subtropical...

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Prepare for Spring Bulb Planting and Sow Cauliflower Seeds

DESIGN ELEMENTSSpring Bulb Preparation: No Time Like NowHave you ordered your spring bulbs yet?Spring might seem far away, but for the prepared gardener there’s planning and preparation to be done right now.Especially if you like spring flowering bulbs such as tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, freesias and many more.photo M CannonSome of the planning involves looking at bulb catalogues,...

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Silky Oak: Nectar for the Gods

PLANT OF THE WEEKSilky Oak: Grevillea robustaHere’s a semi-deciduous grevillea, that can grow into a big tree. Flowering at the same time as Jacarandas and just as spectacular. When you see one, you don't think the Silky Oak as being a large tree. But here it is.A bit messy, semi-deciduous, losing a lot of leaves from time to time.Grevilleas like this one are nectar rich,...

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Rain Gardens and Growing Celeriac

THE GOOD EARTHRain Gardens or Flood Mitigation.Rain isn’t always reliable so rather than letting it flow into the stormwater especially when there’s a deluge, there are ways to let slow the water. Of course there’s rainwater tanks, but you may need more than what they can hold. You need to change your thinking and work out a way to keep water in your garden longer.Let’s...

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Using Leftovers

Cooking a meal to have leftovers, such as extra vegetables or a protein, is a great way to save time and energy during the next day’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Does your family cook to have leftovers? If so, it is a good reminder that leftover foods will not keep the same flavor or texture over time, and could become a health (food poisoning) risk.Fun Facts:  Leftover...

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Simple Ways to Help Out In a School Garden

There are many reasons to get involved with school gardening. Fruits and vegetables grown in a school garden give students the chance to taste test new foods. Harvested produce can also be used in cafeterias, sent home, or donated to a local food pantry.  Gardening creates a fun and exciting way for people of all ages to learn about the environment and how plants grow....

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Cooking with Peanut Butter

Cooking with Peanut ButterPeanut butter can be enjoyed in so many forms and you may not even know it! This condiment spreads far beyond a simple peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Peanut butter is a great source of protein and fat that helps to curb hunger and help you feel fuller longer!Here are a few ways that you and your family can enjoy peanut butter as a snack or a meal:Peanut...

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Plum pines and Brussel Sprouts

PLANT OF THE WEEKPodocarpus elatus: Plum PineAre you of the opinion that all pine trees have pine cones and needle like leaves?Most gardeners associate pine trees with Christmas because after all, that’s a conifer. Right?Wrong?Podocarpus elatus:plum pineBefore the continents separated, there was a lot of rainforest over the earth and there was no need for trees or any plants...

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Red Flowers and Green Endive

TALKING FLOWERSAll Flowers that are redIn the studio, we held the flowers of Tiger Bay dahlia, Red Pierre rose, red geraniums, red gladioli, buds of flowering gum and a leucodendron.For all flowers that arise from tubers, cut the stems flush across the bottom. Mercedes calls these :male' flowers. Not to be confused with the male parts of flowers or male flowers on cucurbits.This...

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