Traditional 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.

Eden Seeds continues to make available by mail order the widest range of old traditional open pollinated seed.
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.

Working to keep Australia GE-free
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...

Whilst 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
1. Soil Structure is changed
2. Acidity of many soils is reduced
3. Within a few years organic matter doubles and moisture is retained

By 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...

2010 Field Day, Bio-Dynamic Agricultural Association of Australia
by Alex Podolinsky. Monday 26/04/2010

Condensed 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.

Recently 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.
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.

Hello Alf:
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:

A 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.

It 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.

Early season tomatoes are in demand to be included in summer salads and cooking.
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.

One 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,

Eden 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;

Closed.

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: 

To Everyone at Eden Seeds,

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

To 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.
Excepts from “Culture and Horticulture” by Wolf Storl....

Our aim has always been to make old traditional open pollinated seed commonly available to home gardeners.

These 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.

Efforts 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...

By 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.
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.

Sow 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.

Once 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.

Eden Seed received a welcome visit from the Pacific Open Pollinated Seed Exchange Learning group.
The group is in close contact with Seed Savers Network (Australia) and Emma Stone has been co-ordinating activities for many years.

For 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.

At 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.

Blanch them in boiling water 2-3 minutes.
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.

An 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.

The plant is a hardy perennial which prefers a deep well drained soil but will tolerate harder conditions.

Nasturtiums originate in South America where they were used to prevent scurvy and a nutritious supplement and flavour in salads.
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 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.

Artichokes 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.

Few 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

From 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 

There 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

When 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

If 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 

Do 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 

Most 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 

As 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

Are 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 

Many 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 

Modern 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 

Did 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 

Whether 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 

When 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

Whether 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 

Even 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 

The 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

So 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 

When 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

What 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 

Rhubarb 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 

Ah, 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 

It 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

If 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 

If 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 

Squash 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 

Are 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 

Thank-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.

In that time an estimated 60% of open pollinated varieties have disappeared from

Whilst 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.

Lucerne (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.

Keen gardener Reginald Jenkins has won the Champion Vegetable at the Canberra Horticultural Autumn Flower Show.
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.

Darren Aitken is an Australian Demeter Biodynamic farmer, and owner of Vortex Vegies, in Inverleigh Victoria.
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.

http://www.seedthemovie.com

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.

When 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.

At present our 16kw system installed earlier this year is producing as much excess power as we are using.

Two 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.

The 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.

Seed 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..

I 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.

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...

Site selection

Roots from adjoining trees and shrubs will thrive when the garden is watered and fertilised to the detriment of your vegetables.
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...

Scabiosa 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.

Buckwheat, 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.

This 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.

Nutritionally, 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.

Cucumbers are members of the Cucurbit family which includes other family favourites such as pumpkins, chokos, zucchinis and gourds.

I 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.

The plant species Apium graveolens includes 2 vegetables which are not grown by many gardeners. These are celery and celeriac.

Sweet corn tastes best when it is freshly picked just before cooking.

The 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.

The 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.

When 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.

How 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.

The modern sweetpea, Lathyrus odoratus, is descended from the wild sweetpea of Sicily.

Most 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.

We 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.

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.

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.

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

Calendulas give a splash of sunshine in the garden and as cut flowers they bring some sunshine into the house.

It is not a root vegetable, the bulb is actually the stem just above soil level which swells into a quite delicious vegetable.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Several 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’.

Fenugreek, 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.

SEED 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.

The 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.

CHERVIL - 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).

A 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.

Some 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.

Coreopsis, 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.

For 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.

The 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.

Basically 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.

Egyptian 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.

The 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.

A 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.

Do 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.

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...

If 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

The 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.

The 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.

The '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.

What 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.

Blueberries are members of the Ericaceae family and the Vaccinium genus then below this are many sections and within these sections are even more species.

Over 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

Portulacas 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.

I 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.

While 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.

The radish (Raphanus sativus) is an edible root vegetable which is part of the Brassicaceae family.

The most commonly grown cucurbits in the home garden are zucchini, pumpkins, cucumbers, squash, melons and gourds.

Many 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.

Peas 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.

The 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).

Now 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.

In 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.

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.

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.

It’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.

Apart from some overlapping tree growing seasons are recommended

Collard greens growing and nutrition information, and a recipe for soup!

How to process, store, and use your healing roots

Herbalism 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. 

De-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.

Crafted 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. 

Breaking down some of the terminology used with growing tomatoes. 

What to plant when the going gets tough

Some wise ideas to put your chilli pickings to their best potential.

Garlic (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.

Dive in to the remarkable evolution of this incredible edible gourd. From tender green vegetable to exfoliating master!

In the gentle sway of a farmer's field, lies a silent lesson in resilience and adaptation, echoing the timeless wisdom of Darwin's theory.

Things to grow and cook to keep your internal fires stoked this chilly season

What to do with winter's bounty

Myths, Magic and Nutritional Wonders of the Solanaceae Family

A simple recipe to use your abundance of spring herbs in an easy and nutritious way

Getting 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.

One 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.

Simple Steps to Start Composting

Tales of seeds from times long past...

An approach to controlling garden pests that leverages natural, mutually beneficial relationships within the ecosystem, promoting biodiversity and healthier, more resilient gardens.