Go Food Gardening tag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-1383442 2012-01-27T02:49:00+02:00 Tips, Recipes and Ideas, to Inspire and Equip South Africans to Become Self-Sufficient Food Gardeners. TypePad Food Gardening Guide - Week 5/2012 tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e398247d838833016760fe8db2970b 2012-01-27T02:49:00+02:00 2012-01-27T02:49:00+02:00 After a very busy Week 4, Week 5 is just as exciting in the food garden. It is perfect for a whole range of activities. Moon planting conditions are ideal for composting and mulching; sowing and planting leaf crops, fruiting... Di-Di Hoffman

After a very busy Week 4, Week 5 is just as exciting in the food garden. It is perfect for a whole range of activities.

Moon planting conditions are ideal for composting and mulching; sowing and planting leaf crops, fruiting crops and flowering crops; harvesting for storage; and fertilizing.

Remember that my garden is situated on the north-eastern side of Pretoria, so you may have to adjust some activities to suit your garden. If you want to understand the thinking behind these checklists, and get descriptions of the activities invest in the Go Food Gardening e-Class or 1-Day Workshop.

Weather permitting, and where possible, I try to garden by the moon. The days indicated with some activities are therefore the best moon gardening days.

Planning Activities

  • Adjust sowing quantities and bed allocations for succession sowings of leafy salad crops; flowering annuals and fruiting crops.
  • Start making tentative plans for the winter garden.

Digging

  • Remove all disease bearing plants, especially cucurbits that show signs of mildew infestation. Do the same with plants, like beans and cabbages, that have very high aphid populations. Don't compost diseased material, and don't use it as a mulch.

Planting Activities

  • Sow or plant fruiting crops. In most parts of South Africa it is too late to sow eggplant, sweet and green peppers. But there's still time to plant seedlings or potted plants. The same goes for tomatoes but if you sow a determinate variety you might just make it before winter. Best days: Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday.
  • Sow brassicas: broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower and kale. Best days: Monday - Tuesday.
  • Sow leaf lettuce to be harvested as baby leaves. Best days: Monday - Tuesday.
  • Plant chilli peppers.
  • Sow or plant flowering annuals. Best days: Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday.
  • Take cuttings of perennial herbs. Best days: Monday.

Growing Activities

  • Do your daily observations. First note the general appearance of crops, and then start looking at detail. Note any pests and tasks such as watering, thinning and weeding that needs to be done.
  • Water daily if needed. Best days: Saturday & Sunday.
  • Weeding. Don't miss a weed.
  • Trim plants where needed to increase their growth. Best days: Thursday & Friday.

Harvesting Activities

  • Daily Needs. Harvest daily for the table as needed.
  • Harvest for storage (those crops that store well). Best days: Thursday & Friday.

Composting and Mulching

  • Sow green manures and compost crops. Best days: Monday & Tuesday.
  • Make compost and mulch beds. Best days: Monday - Wednesday.
 Thai Sweet & Sour Chilli Sauce tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e398247d838833016760fe806e970b 2012-01-24T14:48:58+02:00 2012-01-24T14:48:58+02:00 "Recipe: A series of step-by-step instructions for preparing ingredients you forgot to buy, in utensils you don't own, to make a dish the dog wouldn't eat." - Author Unknown According to my original source this recipe is called "Nam jim... Di-Di Hoffman

"Recipe: A series of step-by-step instructions for preparing ingredients you forgot to buy, in utensils you don't own, to make a dish the dog wouldn't eat." - Author Unknown

According to my original source this recipe is called "Nam jim priaw wahn" in Thai. And it is really nammies. It's also been the inspiration for many great sweet and sour chilli sauces.

Serves about 4
½ sweet red pepper, de-ribbed, de-seeded, and sliced
1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed
2 fresh red Thai chilli, or any red chilli you like, sliced
1 cup water
10 tbs rice vinegar, or white wine vinegar
10 tbs sugar

Crush the sweet pepper, garlic and red chilli peppers with a pestle and mortar, then transfer to a small saucepan. Add the water, rice vinegar and sugar, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, uncovered, for about 30 minutes, until the sauce thickens slightly.

 Food Gardening Guide - Week 4/2012 tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e398247d838833016760ab15da970b 2012-01-20T05:37:00+02:00 2012-01-20T05:37:00+02:00 Week 4 (23 January to 29 January) is going to be a very busy week in my food garden. Moon planting conditions are ideal for bed preparation and sowing leaf crops, so I want to use the opportunity to clear... Di-Di Hoffman

Week 4 (23 January to 29 January) is going to be a very busy week in my food garden. Moon planting conditions are ideal for bed preparation and sowing leaf crops, so I want to use the opportunity to clear out non-productive plants and get the last of the summer successions in the soil.

My activity checklist follows below. I've also included some general gardening activities for your convenience. Use this checklist to inspire your own gardening activities. Remember that my garden is situated on the north-eastern side of Pretoria, so you may have to adjust some activities to suit your garden. If you want to understand the thinking behind these checklists, and get descriptions of the activities invest in the Go Food Gardening e-Class or 1-Day Workshop.

Weather permitting, and where possible, I try to garden by the moon. The days indicated with some activities are therefore the best moon gardening days.

Planning Activities

  • Adjust sowing quantities and bed allocations on crop planning worksheet for succession sowings of beetroot, carrots and bush beans, and for first sowing of turnips; as well as for leafy salad crops.

Digging

  • Prepare beds for planting using 'subsequent bed preparation' technique. Best days: Monday to Friday.

Planting Activities

  • Sow successions of beetroot, carrots and bush beans. First sowing of turnips.
  • Sow brassicas: broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower and kale. Best days: Wednesday - Friday.
  • First sowing of leaf lettuce to be harvested as baby leaves. Best days: Wednesday - Friday.
  • Plant chilli peppers. Best days: Saturday - Sunday.
  • Rogue out all disease bearing plants, especially cucurbits that show signs of mildew infestation. Do the same with plants, like beans and cabbages, that have very high aphid populations. Don't compost diseased material, and don't use it as a mulch.

Growing Activities

  • Do daily observations. First note the general appearance of crops, and then start looking at detail. Note any pests and tasks such as watering, thinning and weeding that needs to be done.
  • Water daily if needed. Best days: Wednesday - Friday.
  • Weeds can become troublesome in January as it is at the height of their growing season. Start with weeds that are in flower, don't allow them to seed. And don't compost any seed bearing weeds. Don't let up your guard.
  • Trim plants where needed to increase their growth. Best days: Saturday - Sunday.
  • Fertilize. Check condition of heavy feeders and fertilize them if needed with a good quality, water soluble, organic fertilizer. Best days: Wednesday - Friday.
  • Pest and Diseases. Check for aphids, red spider mite and mildew.

Harvesting Activities

  • Daily Needs. Harvest daily for the table as needed.
 Savoury Mashed Potatoes tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e398247d8388330168e5abd0a5970c 2012-01-17T09:33:59+02:00 2012-01-17T09:33:59+02:00 "A gourmet who thinks of calories is like a tart who looks at her watch." - James Beard I'm a sucker for mashed potatoes. Made with freshly harvested potatoes from the food garden they are just plain yummy. What's more,... Di-Di Hoffman

"A gourmet who thinks of calories is like a tart who looks at her watch." - James Beard

I'm a sucker for mashed potatoes. Made with freshly harvested potatoes from the food garden they are just plain yummy. What's more, they are the perfect vehicle for other flavours from the food garden. This recipe serves four (or just me).

Your favourite mashed potatoes to serve 4
1 tbs butter
4 ripe (red) Jalapeno chillies, deseeded and finely chopped
6 spring onions, trimmed and finely chopped
1 tbs chives, finely chopped
1 tbs Italian parsley, finely chopped

Make your favourite mashed potato recipe. Melt the butter in a pan and gently sauté the chillies and spring onions for 3 minutes. Add the mashed potatoes and stir well. Heat through for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally until piping hot. Place in a serving dish and fork the top. Sprinkle with chives and parsley. Serve immediately.

What's your favourite way to serve mashed potatoes?