Planting for February for - temperate zone

Amaranth (also Love-lies-bleeding)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from April.
Beans - dwarf (also French beans, Bush beans)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from April.
Beetroot (also Beets)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from April.
Broccoli	Start undercover in seed trays and plant out in 4-6 weeks.	Harvest from April.
Brussels sprouts	Start undercover in seed trays and plant out in 4-6 weeks.	Harvest from May.
Burdock (also Gobo (Japanese Burdock))	Plant in garden.	Harvest from June.
Carrot	Plant in garden.	Harvest from May.
Cauliflower	Start undercover in seed trays and plant out in 4-6 weeks.	Harvest from June.
Chives (also Garden chives)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from April.
Collards (also Collard greens, Borekale)	Start undercover in seed trays and plant out in 4-6 weeks.	Harvest from April.
Cucumber	Plant in garden.	Harvest from April.
Endive	Plant in garden.	Harvest from April.
Florence Fennel (also Finocchio)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from May.
Kohlrabi	Plant in garden.	Harvest from April.
Leeks	Start undercover in seed trays and plant out in 4-6 weeks.	Harvest from May.
Lettuce	Plant in garden.	Harvest from April.
Mustard greens (also gai choy)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from March.
Onion	Start undercover in seed trays and plant out in 4-6 weeks.	Harvest from August.
Oregano (also Pot Marjoram)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from March.
Parsley (also curly leaf parsley or flat leaf (Italian) parsley)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from April.
Radish	Plant in garden.	Harvest from March.
Rosella (also Queensland Jam Plant, Roselle)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from July.
Rutabaga (also Swedes)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from May.
Salsify (also Vegetable oyster)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from May.
Silverbeet (also Swiss Chard or Mangold)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from April.
Turnip	Plant in garden.	Harvest from April.

Planting now in January 2017 for - temperate zone

Amaranth (also Love-lies-bleeding)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from April.
Asparagus Pea (also Winged bean)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from April.
Beans - climbing (also Pole beans, Runner beans, Scarlet Runners)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from April.
Beans - dwarf (also French beans, Bush beans)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from April.
Beetroot (also Beets)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from April.
Burdock (also Gobo (Japanese Burdock))	Plant in garden.	Harvest from June.
Carrot	Plant in garden.	Harvest from May.
Chives (also Garden chives)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from April.
Cucumber	Plant in garden.	Harvest from April.
Eggplant (also Aubergine)	Plant out (transplant) seedlings.	Harvest from April.
Kohlrabi	Plant in garden.	Harvest from April.
Lettuce	Plant in garden.	Harvest from April.
Marrow	Plant in garden.	Harvest from May.
Mustard greens (also gai choy)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from March.
Okra (also Ladyfinger, gumbo)	Plant out (transplant) seedlings.	Harvest from April.
Oregano (also Pot Marjoram)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from March.
Parsley (also curly leaf parsley or flat leaf (Italian) parsley)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from April.
Radish	Plant in garden.	Harvest from March.
Rosella (also Queensland Jam Plant, Roselle)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from July.
Rutabaga (also Swedes)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from May.
Salsify (also Vegetable oyster)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from May.
Silverbeet (also Swiss Chard or Mangold)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from April.
Sunflower	Plant in garden.	Harvest from April.
Sweet corn (also maize)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from May.
Turnip	Plant in garden.	Harvest from April.
Zucchini (also Courgette/Marrow, Summer squash)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from March.

Christmas is Here

Tis the season to be Jolly. MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone.

For so many people in the world 2016 was not a good year. it is our hope that 2017 will be a fantastic year for everyone.

Please each and everyone of you keep safe so we can be together again in 2017.

For us here, new things are at foot with a couple of new journeys in life heading our way.

Thank you to all my loyal and faithful readers. Just knowing you are all there is a great encouragement.

I won't be so busy with outside projects next year so I am hoping that I will be able to post more in the coming year.

God Bless to all,

Tina

Planting In January 2017 for the Australia - temperate zone

Planting In January 2017 for the Australia - temperate zone

Amaranth (also Love-lies-bleeding)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from March.
Asparagus Pea (also Winged bean)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from March.
Beans - climbing (also Pole beans, Runner beans, Scarlet Runners)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from March.
Beans - dwarf (also French beans, Bush beans)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from March.
Beetroot (also Beets)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from March.
Burdock (also Gobo (Japanese Burdock))	Plant in garden.	Harvest from May.
Carrot	Plant in garden.	Harvest from April.
Chives (also Garden chives)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from March.
Cucumber	Plant in garden.	Harvest from March.
Eggplant (also Aubergine)	Plant out (transplant) seedlings.	Harvest from March.
Kohlrabi	Plant in garden.	Harvest from March.
Lettuce	Plant in garden.	Harvest from March.
Marrow	Plant in garden.	Harvest from April.
Mustard greens (also gai choy)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from February.
Okra (also Ladyfinger, gumbo)	Plant out (transplant) seedlings.	Harvest from March.
Oregano (also Pot Marjoram)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from February.
Parsley (also curly leaf parsley or flat leaf (Italian) parsley)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from March.
Radish	Plant in garden.	Harvest from February.
Rosella (also Queensland Jam Plant, Roselle)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from June.
Rutabaga (also Swedes)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from April.
Salsify (also Vegetable oyster)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from April.
Silverbeet (also Swiss Chard or Mangold)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from March.
Sunflower	Plant in garden.	Harvest from March.
Sweet corn (also maize)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from April.
Turnip	Plant in garden.	Harvest from March.
Zucchini (also Courgette/Marrow, Summer squash)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from February.

Planting now in December 2016 for the Australia - temperate zone

Planting now in December 2016 for the Australia - temperate zone Photo Credit Eden Project - Cornwell England
Amaranth (also Love-lies-bleeding)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from March.
Asparagus Pea (also Winged bean)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from March.
Basil	Plant out (transplant) seedlings.	Harvest from February.
Beans - climbing (also Pole beans, Runner beans, Scarlet Runners)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from March.
Beans - dwarf (also French beans, Bush beans)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from March.
Beetroot (also Beets)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from March.
Borage (also Burrage, Bugloss)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from March.
Burdock (also Gobo (Japanese Burdock))	Plant in garden.	Harvest from May.
Cape Gooseberry (also Golden Berry, Inca Berry )	Plant in garden.	Harvest from April.
Capsicum (also Bell peppers, Sweet peppers)	Plant out (transplant) seedlings.	Harvest from March.
Carrot	Plant in garden.	Harvest from April.
Celeriac	Plant out (transplant) seedlings.	Harvest from April.
Celery	Plant out (transplant) seedlings.	Harvest from April.
Chilli peppers (also Hot peppers)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from March.
Chives (also Garden chives)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from March.
Choko/Chayote (also Chayote squash, christophene, chouchou, mirliton)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from July.
Cowpeas (also Black eye peas, Southern peas)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from April.
Cucumber	Plant in garden.	Harvest from March.
Eggplant (also Aubergine)	Plant out (transplant) seedlings.	Harvest from March.
French tarragon	Plant in garden.	Harvest from February.
Kohlrabi	Plant in garden.	Harvest from March.
Leeks	Plant out (transplant) seedlings.	Harvest from April.
Lettuce	Plant in garden.	Harvest from March.
Luffa (also Loofah, plant sponge)	Plant out (transplant) seedlings.	Harvest from March.
Marrow	Plant out (transplant) seedlings.	Harvest from April.
Mustard greens (also gai choy)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from February.
NZ Spinach (also Warrigal greens)	Plant out (transplant) seedlings.	Harvest from February.
Okra (also Ladyfinger, gumbo)	Plant out (transplant) seedlings.	Harvest from March.
Oregano (also Pot Marjoram)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from February.
Parsley (also curly leaf parsley or flat leaf (Italian) parsley)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from March.
Pumpkin	Plant in garden.	Harvest from April.
Radish	Plant in garden.	Harvest from February.
Rockmelon (also Canteloupe)	Plant out (transplant) seedlings.	Harvest from March.
Rosella (also Queensland Jam Plant, Roselle)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from June.
Sage (also Common Sage)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from 18 months.
Silverbeet (also Swiss Chard or Mangold)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from March.
Squash (also Crookneck, Pattypan, Summer squash)	Plant out (transplant) seedlings.	Harvest from February.
Sunflower	Plant in garden.	Harvest from March.
Sweet corn (also maize)	Plant in garden.	Harvest from April.
Sweet Marjoram (also Knotted marjoram)	Plant out (transplant) seedlings.	Harvest from February.
Tomatillo	Plant out (transplant) seedlings.	Harvest from March.
Tomato	Plant out (transplant) seedlings.	Harvest from February.
Turnip	Plant in garden.	Harvest from March.
Watermelon	Plant out (transplant) seedlings.	Harvest from March.
Zucchini (also Courgette/Marrow, Summer squash)	Plant out (transplant) seedlings.	Harvest from February.

No More Horrible Night Cramps

Cramps No More!

Here is a very old and very simple remedy for cramps. Many elderly people I have 

spoken to over the years swear by this remedy to prevent leg cramps.

As with any home remedy it may not work for everyone and rarely do home remedies 

work immediately, so a little patience is required when trying out these things. 

Simply put a bar of soap, any kind will do, under your sheet at the foot of your bed. 

You will no longer be plagued with cramps.

This tip came from an old Mountain man.

More Hints & Tips for the Kitchen to Explore

Tired of loosing your mixing spoon in the batter and needing ti fish it out? 

Not a problem any longer:

Just wind a rubber band around the handle. The band will grip on the edge of the 

bowl and prevent the spoon from sliding in.

Keep beansprouts fresher for longer:

Photo Credit Zakk

When we grow a batch of beansprouts it is very rare that we will need to use them 

all immediately. Place the beansprouts into a container, cover with water and add 

a few slices of lemon. Seal and place in the fridge.

Reviving Stale Bread:

Photo Credit Tom Will

No need to waste stale bread again. Day old bread does not need to be tossed out 

and wasted. It is still perfectly okay to eat still.

To revive stale bread simply dip very quickly in water, wrap in aluminium foil 

and place in a hot oven for a minute or two.

Alternately if you only need a few slices of sliced bread, place what you need 

on a plate. Cover and microwave for a few seconds.

Stale bread is perfect for making French Toast, Bread Puddings and to keep for 

a longer period, dry in a warm oven till crisp and make bread crumbs.

Preventing Brown Sugar for hardening:

Photo Credit Todd

To prevent brown sugar from hardening place it in a tightly sealed container 

immediately after opening the packet.

Brown sugar that has become hard can be softened again by placing it in the 

microwave for a few seconds or into a warm oven until soft again. Cool 

completely and then place the sugar into a tight sealing container.

Peeled bananas going brown?

Photo Credit Leanne

To prevent your bananas going brown after peeling, run them under cold water or 

squeeze fresh lemon juice over them to stop the oxidation process which is the 

cause of the browning.

Did you burn the milk? Not to worry:

 

Photo Credit Sarah Hepworth

Simply add a pinch of salt to the burnt milk and it will remove the burnt taste.

How to rescue that burnt pan:

Photo Credit Patricia

Most of us have at one time or other, taken our eyes off a pan and the contents 

have boiled dry and burnt, leaving a terrible mess in the bottom of the pan. 

Many people end up throwing the pan away which is expensive.

The solution is simple and easy. First remove the burnt product from the pan 

and compost this. Mix up a paste of baking soda and water and cover the bottom 

of the pan, making sure to cover all the burnt area well with this mixture. 

Leave overnight. The next day rub clean and wash as normal.

Did the children burn the morning toast?

Photo Credit Holly Middlebrook Pessoa

This can be a common thing in the kitchen, the burning of the breakfast toast 

but not all is lost and neither do we need to throw the offending toast away.

Simply rub the two slices of burnt toast together. This will remove the black 

and keep the toast in a far better condition than if you use a knife to scrape 

the blackened area off.

Keeping butter fresh at a picnic:

Photo Credit Choo Yut Shing

If you are like my family, we love natural butter rather than the chemical added 

margarine's that are on the market but keeping butter fresh while at a picnic etc. 

Can be a problem.

Not any more. Here is a very old fashioned tip to the rescue. Simply wrap your 

butter in a fresh cabbage leaf and place into a container and seal.

Need your butter spreadable but forgot to take it out of the fridge? Not a problem 

with this easy tip.

Photo Credit Vivian An

Cut up the butter roughly and place into a bowl. Cover with cold tap water and 

leave to stand for 5 - 10 minutes depending on the size you chopped the butter.  

Pour off all the water and drain well. The butter will now be spreadable.

Photo Credit Hardamber

Run out of buttermilk for a recipe?

Photo Credit Desiree Winans

If you cannot get buttermilk from making your own butter and culturing it for 

a couple of days then there is an easier way.

Photo Credit Devon

Just add a few drops of vinegar to a cup of milk and let sit for a few minutes for a 

quick alternative that will work perfectly.