Innholdsfortegnelse for Spring 2023 i Grow to Eat

Although winter isn’t particularly harsh in South Africa (well, in some parts of South Africa), there is always something to look forward to when spring rolls around. Green leaves emerge, buds begin to pop up, and there is a buzz of activity around the garden. To complement this refreshing resurgence, we decided to focus on colour in this issue – one of the dominant features of spring gardens. Spring staples like beans and beets appear in the vegetable section, along with a few edible flowers to brighten up any of your dishes. And if blue is your favourite colour, look out for our chat with blueberry farmer Pieter Duif for his expert insider growing tips. If you’re out of ideas for how to use your harvest this season, we’ve also…

Beetroot is a versatile and nutritious vegetable that ranks high on the list of favourites. It is a great source of nutrients, including vitamin C, iron and folate. With the correct growing conditions, it is an easy crop to grow. In addition, the gorgeous, ruby-red leaves of beetroot growing alongside the varied greens of other crops makes this a must-have in any vegetable garden. Beetroot is a biennial plant, grown as an annual. There are two main types of beet – a globe-shaped tuber and a long-rooted one. We mainly grow the globe-shaped beet, with varieties such as ‘Detroit Dark Red’, ‘Crimson Globe’ and ‘Star 1105’ topping the charts. There are also different colours to try beyond the classic red, such as the yellow beet ‘Touchstone Gold’. Young beetroot seedlings…

Chives are typically grown for the leaves rather than the flowers. However, chive blossoms have a much milder oniony flavour and delicate colour that can be incredibly useful in the kitchen. The flowers are full of vitamin C, calcium, and iron and have similar benefits to other plants in the allium genus. Chives are no-fuss herbs. With well-draining soil and full sun, you should have no trouble keeping them happy. Plant seeds in early spring and water regularly to promote flowering. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertiliser throughout spring for an extra nutrient boost. Harvest flowers early and use immediately for the best flavour. Try this Chive Blossom Tempura Deep fried chive blossoms are sure to become your new favourite party snack. Fill a large pot with vegetable oil. Heat the…

Sunflowers offer a variety of stunning colours besides the bright and beautiful yellow, including bronze, maroon, cream, red and more. Start with the basics, so that you enjoy excellent blooms for cut flowers and abundant seed production. Follow these steps: • Plant the seeds after the frost has passed and the soil temperatures are consistently around 21°C or higher.• Planting directly in the ground is preferable.• Choose the variety for your purpose – not all varieties produce lots of seeds, for example.• Sunflowers want lots of sunlight – but I guess that’s obvious.• Replant each season as these are annuals.• They are easy to grow. Fertilise and water as normal. They will stop growing once the seeds are formed. Now for the really good additional stuff! These amazing plants have…

Apples have been cultivated and harvested for thousands of years, with evidence suggesting they originated in the region around modern-day Kazakhstan. Ancient Romans not only consumed apples as a popular fruit but also used them in a variety of ways in the kitchen. Roman scholar Pliny the Elder documented that apples could be used to create a naturally sweet wine known as ‘vinum malum’. This apple wine was made by fermenting crushed apples and was considered a sought-after treat at the time – a precursor to modern-day apple cider. If you have an excess of apples this year, why not channel Roman history and ferment them to create your own apple cider? Tip: Ripe apples should be ready to leave the tree cleanly. Instead of pulling the apple downwards, which…

The genus Luffa is a tropical and subtropical vine from the squash and gourd family that also looks like a cucumber. It’s also called a sponge gourd and the Luffa spelling can also be loofa or loofah. These natural sponges are sought after because they are plant-based, but the fruits can also be eaten like a squash. As a bonus, the yellow flowers and leaves are also edible, making this plant a worthwhile addition to your garden. How to grow Loofah grows similarly to other squashes and cucumbers, needing a strong support system to climb up. It’s not advisable to grow along the ground like some pumpkins and squashes because the fruit is closer to the shape of a cucumber and needs the vertical structure to hang straight and give…

Remove the coir lining from the basket and press flat. Use as a template to cut the refuse bag into a circle. Place the coir lining back into the frame of the basket and line with cut-out plastic. Pierce holes in plastic with scissors for drainage. Mix together potting soil with 3 handful of palm peat, 1 handful of organic fertiliser and 1 scoop water retaining gel (dry) Fill basket halfway with potting mix. The thyme was planted in the middle as this perennial herb needs space to grow. Place nasturtiums to the side to trail over the rim of the baskets and violas, lettuce and rocket to fill the gaps. Firm down the soil with the back end of the trowel. Hang in a sunny spot and water well.…

Sow Heirloom Tomatoes The delight of homegrown tomatoes is a pleasure you won’t want to miss this summer. As we move into September, it’s the perfect time to sow these little gems, each packed with flavour and unique personality. With varieties offering an array of colours, shapes, and sizes, you can’t go wrong. Make sure to choose a sunny spot in your garden with well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Give the seedlings enough space to grow and ensure they’re watered regularly, but avoid wetting the leaves to prevent diseases. Watch Out for Fruit Flies As fruits start to develop throughout the season, be vigilant about pesky fruit flies. These tiny invaders can cause significant damage to your fruit harvest. Keep an eye out for any signs of infestation, like…

An efficient vegetable garden doesn’t need to be a water hog if you follow a few essential steps, the first of which is smart watering practices. Water early in the morning or late in the evening when temperatures are lower to help minimise evaporation. A drip irrigation system can also direct water right to the base of the plant where it’s most needed, reducing waste. An underrated but highly effective method of saving water is improving soil structure. Healthy, rich soil improves water retention, ensuring that your plants have access to water for longer periods. Mulching is another excellent practice that can both save water and benefit your plants. Lastly, collecting rainwater not only conserves water but also reduces your dependence on tap water, which can be beneficial for both…

Bright and Vibrant Bright colours attract pollinators to the garden and there is no better way to do this than by planting brightly coloured flowers in amongst your vegetables. Starke Ayres has a new flower seed packet that is bound to do the job very well. The Geum coccineum ‘Orange Queen’ flowers have a compact and robust branching habit meaning that the plant will have a sturdy structure with multiple branches, making it visually appealing and easy to manage in a garden or pot. The bright and unique colours of the flowers will not only add beauty to your surroundings but also attract bees. www.starkeayres.com Pure Water The JoJo Whole-house Water Filter uses a two-stage filtration unit that incorporates NASA technology to provide perhaps the safest and cleanest water…

AI (Artificial Intelligence) has dominated news headlines for months. After the release of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, the industry exploded, with new technologies being released almost daily. The free-to-use model also means anyone has access to these impressive systems and the more people use it, the better it will get. Considering the vast repertoire of ChatGPT in particular, we decided to put it to the test in the kitchen. How innovative can an AI really be in creating recipes with ingredients straight from the garden? The prompts and answers are copied exactly and we stuck to the recipes to see whether AI could become your new favourite kitchen assistant. Prompt: I don’t know what to make for dinner. Please write me a recipe I can make for dinner using 2 eggs, half…

This versatile vegetable is a winner. It can be eaten raw, boiled, roasted or pickled. The tubers can be cut into wedges and julienned like French fries. They can also be sautèed for a few minutes then combined with onions, cabbage greens and carrots. Beetroot used in a pear salad with toasted walnuts and fresh greens is delicious. It is even used in puréed form in chocolate cake and brownie batter for an extra-moist treat. Spring Revival Smoothie Get all your vitamins in one tasty drink with this smoothie recipe. 1 beetroot, peeled and chopped½ cup cucumber, peeled and chopped1 medium carrot, peeled and chopped1 cup strawberries1 cup blueberries1 handful fresh mint leaves1 tbsp chia seeds½ lemon Ice cubes Juice the beetroot, cucumber and carrot together using the Eiger juicer.…

Edible flowers are a wonderful way to spruce up your vegetable garden, looking good both in the garden and when harvested for use in the kitchen. We’re all aware of the classic uses for edible blooms – salad toppers and decoration for desserts. But these uses don’t really highlight the flavour and versatility of edible flowers. That’s why we’ve taken some of the most popular edible flowers and created recipes that make the blooms themselves the star of the show.…

Calendula flowers are incredibly versatile, with vitamins, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that are useful in the kitchen and around your home. Although not used as often as other edible flowers for decoration, the petals have an interesting flavour and add a wonderful pop of colour to any dish. Sow seeds directly in early spring in a spot with full sun and well-draining soil. Once planted, germination takes 10 – 14 days. Thereafter, calendula requires minimal care and flowers reliably with regular watering and the occasional feeding. Try this Calendula Cornbread Cornbread is an American classic, spruced up with calendula petals for extra punch. Preheat the oven to 190°C and line a square baking pan. In a measuring cup, combine the milk and white vinegar. Stir and let it sit…

Subscribe or renew from 7 August to 13 November 2023 and you will be entered into the competition to win the prize. The winner will be contacted by telephone or email after the draw on the 23 November 2023. Only available to subscribers that are resident in South Africa. Please see terms and conditions on www.thegardener.co.za. What’s up for grabs Coming into spring, there is nothing nicer than spending time outdoors and what will make it even more special is to make a meal using this Cast Iron Potjie filled with vegetables harvested from the garden. In fact, Camp Master has some really great products to make your outdoor fun even more fabulous. Check out the website on www.campmaster.co.za or browse the range at your local Builders, Game or Makro…

Plant Watermelon To have your watermelons ready for the start of summer lounging by the pool, now is the time to plant. Choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil, and provide ample space to sprawl. Provide support to keep the large fruits off the ground to prevent rot and avoid overhead watering to protect the leaves from disease. Once planted, look forward to the refreshing taste of homegrown watermelon in your summer salads or as a cooling snack. Use Your Broccoli Harvest If you’ve had a successful broccoli season, now is the time to reap the benefits. Broccoli is incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes, from stir-fries to salads, or even as a simple side dish steamed and drizzled with olive oil. Don’t forget, broccoli…

Do you live in the city and yearn for the space and time to grow your own food and live more connected with nature and the seasons? Rebel Garden shows that anyone can grow a garden of delicious organic fruit and vegetables, wildlife-friendly wildflowers and abundant herbs in absolutely any urban space with a bit of know-how. Organic gardening expert Alessandro Vitale wants you to embrace the living soil and establish your own city eden where creatures and plants can coexist, in harmony with our modern lives. He shares his low-cost and organic approach with all the essential guidance you will need, including his top 50 plants for beginner gardeners, with a plethora of information on how to plant and look after them and how to make the most of…

‘Bright Lights’ is a unique variety of spinach known for its eye-catching and colourful leaves, including shades of red, orange, yellow, and green. These colourful leaves are both visually appealing and packed with nutrients. ‘Bright Lights’ is an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as minerals such as iron, calcium, and potassium. The colours are not only useful in your diet but also in the kitchen – a great alternative to plain green leaves in salads and sandwiches. This crop thrives in well-draining soil and requires plenty of water to grow. It is a fast-growing plant, taking only 4-6 weeks to mature from seed to harvest. The leaves are tender and sweet, with a mild flavour that is incredibly versatile. They can be eaten raw in…

Garden green beans are one of the plants at the top of the list of easiest-to-grow veggies. They grow effortlessly, bear prolifically and aren’t an acquired taste (which means that kids don’t usually object to them). Plus, they are not hard to cook either. What’s to like about bush beans Bush beans are the least complicated beans to grow. They are generally compact, low growers, and the first beans are ready for picking within 50 to 60 days. They can be planted fairly close together and if they get heavy with beans (which they will do) the fragile stems can be supported with twigs. There are two types. The traditional garden bean like ‘Contender’ has straight, pencil-thick pods while French beans like ‘Malelane’ or ‘Sibaya’ have slim, slender pods. The…

Nasturtiums are one of the most widely grown edible flowers thanks to their versatility in the garden. Vibrant colours, peppery flavour, nutritional value and the ability to act as a trap crop have made this plant a must-have in any vegetable garden. Rich in vitamins A, C, and D, as well as minerals like iron and phosphorus, these blossoms can also become a staple in the kitchen, along with their leaves that are also edible. Nasturtiums grow vigorously and aggressively, ideal for filling empty gaps in the garden. Plant seeds in rich soil with full sun or partial shade and water thoroughly. Germination will take around 7 – 10 days. Once established, water regularly, but avoid overwatering or overfertilising as these mistakes can deter flowering or lead to rot. Allow…

Lavender is a perennial staple beloved in gardens for its ease of care, captivating scent and pollinator-attracting abilities. But few gardeners consider using it in the kitchen too. With a delicate floral flavour, Lavandula angustifolia blooms are a unique ingredient in many dishes – especially sweet desserts. Imagine a picture of a classic lavender field in the Mediterranean and you’ll have an idea of what conditions these plants enjoy. Plant in early spring in well-draining, gritty soil in a spot with plenty of sunlight. Drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, lavender needs only occasional watering and pruning to maintain shape and encourage new growth. Try this Lavender Honey Ice Cream This dish doesn’t only taste good – it looks good too. In a saucepan, combine the heavy cream, full cream milk, honey, dried…

As spring ushers in a new gardening season, don’t leave your herb garden behind. Now is the perfect time to sow new seeds, plant seedlings and expand your culinary horizons. Spring herbs like basil, parsley, dill, and coriander are ideal choices for beginners, or you can try something a little more unique like chervil or lovage. The secret to achieving a flourishing herb garden is in the soil. Herbs thrive best in well-draining soil with plenty of compost or organic matter mixed in for robust, healthy plants. Proper spacing and lots of sunlight are non-negotiable, along with regular watering. Once your herbs are established, harvest often to provide youself with fresh herbs for your kitchen endeavours and promote bushier and more productive growth at the same time. Roll up your…

In our fast-paced lives, it is not surprising that we are always on the look-out for stress-relieving tonics and supplements. And so, we come to plant-based adaptogens that help your body with the effects of stress, anxiety and fatigue - all conditions apparent in a hectic lifestyle. One of these adaptogens is ashwagandha (botanically Withania somnifera), a plant that is surprisingly indigenous to South Africa as well as some Mediterranean countries, Africa, the Middle East and India. Here, it is also known as Indian ginseng or winter cherry, but it is not often found in a nursery. There are however seed suppliers and specialist nurseries online that carry the plant. Characteristics Ashwagandha is a small shrub 1 x 2m high that looks similar to a gooseberry. The whole plant is…

What you will need • Measuring tape and string.• Broadfork – this is not crucial but very helpful. When you loosen your soil, it allows your veggie roots to penetrate and feed on the dead grass and roots beneath. Water, air and compost will also filter through, helping soil life thrive! Broadforks available at www.getdirty.co.za.• Cardboard – very important to suppress and kill grass and weeds. It also adds extra carbon to the soil as it breaks down.• Border material – this keeps the compost in. Be creative by repurposing what you have lying around; old bricks, breeze blocks, poles, planks or logs. Avoid using treated wood as hazardous compounds do leach into the soil.• Compost – make your own or buy from a reputable supplier to make sure you’re…

Spring has arrived, which means it’s time to shake off the cobwebs, dust off the tools and get back to feeding your family from your garden – no matter how big or small it is! As the days grow longer and our moods lighten, so the soil begins to warm up and plants begin to grow again with renewed vigour. Whether you’re an old hand at veggie gardening or someone new to the hobby but keen to give it a go, now is the time to get your fingers dirty. A great option for edible gardening is a container garden, which is easy to manage and yet can still produce a fair portion of the food your family consumes. Here are some Garden Master products that will make your growing…