August – Winter Curried Vegetables

Rain, Rain, Rain….

I know we are tired of the wet miserable days – but the rain has been great for the garden, and when it dries up a little we can go out and enjoy planting for the spring, as the soil is so soft and workable.  Use the pea straw to keep in the moisture and smother the weeds

Why not harvest some of the vegetables out of your garden to make this delicious warming vegetable dish. Use to accompany any other dinner dish, or even have on it’s own.

Winter Curried Vegetables

2 tsp Olive Oil

1 tsp each of  Mustard Seed, ground cumin and ground corriander

1 tsp ground turmeric

Dash of fish oil (or 1 tsp salt)

3 cups chopped vegetables e.g. carrots, pumpkin, leeks, broccoli, cauliflower

1/4 cup water

Fry mustard, cumin and corriander in olive oil for about 2 minutes.  Add in all other ingredients.  Mix.  Steam until vegetables are cooked (about 5 minutes)   Enjoy

Edible Garden

• Purchase new seasons potatoes – place in warm spot inside to encourage sprouting of tubers – Try a different variety like Purple Heart – higher in antioxidants and delicious too.
• Prepare ground for new vegetables – Plant new potatoes in frost free area
• Ideal time to plant fruit trees e.g. cherry trees, plums, apricots, apples, pears etc.
• Plant new strawberries – cover with wire mesh /bird netting to prevent birds having a feed
• Fertilise asparagus, place mulch to prevent weeds – do not plant asparagus in colder areas until October

Garden Clean up

• Prune fruit trees
• Spray raspberries for caterpillars
• Spread last seasons compost over garden – dig in
• Dig in winter crop if not done already
• Spray roses and fruit trees for final clean up in garden

Trees/shrubs

• Best time for planting trees and shrubs this should be done before summer hot temperatures Plant flowering cherry trees now to enjoy the new blossom
• Camellias are coming out in particular prune the Sasanquas now until October – the other camellias should be pruned once they have finished flowering

Roses

• New roses – plant in sunny, free draining soil incorporating Evergreen Rose Fertiliser around roots.
• Fertilise roses from around base to about 200 – 300mm from main stem with Evergreen Rose Fertiliser (slow release)
• Still time to prune roses if not done yet

Flowers

• Pull winter annuals out
• You can still divide Hostas, Astibes, Peonies and Bergenia