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Caring for Citrus
Citrus trees are valuable plants for anyone's garden, not only will they
supply you with a bounty of fruit every year; they are also an
attractive, highly scented tree.
More Here >>
Citrus Problems Pests & Diseases
Many gardeners have a lemon tree and likely one or two other Citrus trees so now is an opportune time to look at the problems that can occur.
More here >>
Strawberry Planting Time
May is the traditional month when new seasons strawberry plants become available in New Zealand.
The nurseries that grow the plants lift them once the autumn rains have moisten the soil sufficiently, then they are distributed to garden centres.
More Here >>
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There is an odd saying in Britain at this time of year: 'Don't cast a clout till May is out' - which basically means, don't take off your winter clothes till after May. Yet down under, it is the trees who are now 'casting their clout'.
Our over-the-back-fence neighbour has the
most amazing Polonia tree. Its purple
bell-shaped flowers were attracting swarms of bees long before our sleepy,
mossy Jacaranda had the teeniest bud. Now they are both loosing leaves at a rate of knots - the breakfast
plate sized leaves of the Polonia are making mowing quite a mission.
Unfortunately these fallen leaves will be
the last we see of this mighty tree, as our neighbour has decided to have it
cut down. One blustery night saw our chooks trapped in their coop by a huge branch
- funny for us - not so for the flustered poultry! Careful pruning or a timely crown reduction might
have changed this old tree's fate. See
our article on tree care to avoid this situation yourselves.
Also in this edition, Sandra Batley shares
some great planting ideas, you can check out the year-old 'Green Wall' and see
what planting initiatives are being introduced to try to save NZ's only native
mammal - the bat.
Well, by this time of day it's already
cold, dark and the fire is crying out to be lit. So I'll leave you to peruse Groundwork and perhaps be tempted into
making a classic mince and cheese pie. Don't forget to check out your local farmers' market for fresh meat,
cheese and veg.
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Storms and Tree Care
Recent storms throughout the country highlight the need for ongoing tree care
and maintenance. If you have large trees on your property it is well worth
consulting a professional tree surgeon or arborist about a maintenance plan.
Don't leave it too late to reduce the size or height of a tree until it is too
big to manage properly. A regular schedule with a tree surgeon can save heartache and
money in the future. The same can be said for smaller emerging trees. Careful
pruning can ensure trees can reach their full potential and reduce disease or bad growth habits.
For more information on choosing a professional tree surgeon
click here
To find tree surgeons and tree care companies click here
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Designing with Plants by Sandra Batley
Uncover the unique qualities and characteristics of plants and you will soon discover they have more to offer than just their looks.
Most landscape designers and gardeners agree that plants play a vital role in the overall aesthetics of a garden. They create the essential character or spirit of a place, and they excite the senses and capture a mood. Read Full Article >> |
Digger Dan's Monthly Garden Tips
This month Digger Dan covers a range of topics including:
- Children & the Winter Veggie Garden
- Ornamentals for Kids
- The 'Adult' Garden
- The Lawn
Check out the garden tips here >>
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Living wall thriving after one years growth The living wall at Natural Habitats has taken on a life of its own. The 6m high external Green Wall was installed just over year ago. Today the wall is thriving with lush native vegetation, and several plants look set to repeat last years flowering. Read full article >> |
New sonar devices to aid bat bounce-back
A long-tailed breed of little Hamilton natives, who navigate by sonar, is threatened with extinction by hungry rats and loss of suitable trees.
So Environment Waikato (EW) and Hamilton City Council (HCC), along with the Riverlea Environment Society, have launched a new conservation initiative called Project Echo to help Hamilton's population of long-tailed bats spread their wings more widely. Read More >>
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Landscape Design Workshops
Design your own garden with Robin Shafer
Seminar
style workshops in which you work step-by-step with Robin Shafer
completing your own garden design using a fun and affordable hands-on
method. (Auckland)
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Mince and Cheese Pie
by Helen Jackson
750g prime beef mince
2 tbsp olive oil
2 onions, finely chopped
2
carrots, chopped
1 stalk celery, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic,
crushed
3 cups beef stock
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tbsp butter
2
tbsp flour
3 sheets butter puff pastry
100g tasty cheddar cheese,
chopped into 2cm chunks
1 egg yolk, whisked
Heat a large frying pan and brown mince in batches, transfer to a
large saucepan once it is well browned.
Heat olive oil in the frying
pan and genlty cook onions, carrots, celery and garlic for 5-10 minutes
until onions are tender.
Transfer vegetables to the saucepan and add
stock and tomato paste. If using a good quality stock you will need to
add salt whereas commercial stocks are often salty so if using then wait
to taste before seasoning.
Bring to the boil and simmer for 2 hours,
topping up with a little water if mixture gets too dry.
Rub butter
into flour until you get a smooth ball, you may need to add a little
more flour if it is sticky. Gradually add small balls of mxture into
the mince and allow to dissolve and thicken the mince. Once you get to
the desired thickness of sauce then you won't need to add any more.
Simmer
for a further 15 minutes to cook the flour and then remove from the
heat. Once cool, refrigerate until cold.
Preheat oven to 200 C. Line a 24 cm flan pan with pastry. Spoon over cold mince (you will have
some left over) and then scatter with cheese.
Top with pastry,
sealing edges well. Brush pastry with egg.
Cook for 30 minutes
until pastry is puffed and golden
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That is all for this month!
Kind regards,
Adv. Cert. Landscape
Design & Construction
Editor | Managing Director
Landscapedesign.co.nz Limited
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