The months of April and May is a time when the weather can either turn your garden into an Eden, or a wasteland. Be aware of the weather forecasts, trends and warnings.
WINTER BITE Update your herb garden so you have a range of delicious flavours to garnish winter meals and soups. Plant parsley, coriander, dill, oregano, thyme, chives, and marjoram. Herbs love plenty of water, with winter upon us that probably won't be an issue. Give them some fertiliser to further promote a strong healthy crop.
Rainy day Vegetable Soup Serves: 8 Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil 1 medium onion, chopped Salt
1 large bunch silverbeet, washed well 2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped 2 cups of potatoes, diced (peel them if you like)
2 cups of carrots peeled and diced 1 small green cabbage, quartered, cored, and shredded
2 teaspoons sweet paprika
1 can chopped tomatoes with their liquid 1 can of chickpeas with their liquid 6 cups water
IN WITH THE NEW When planting new vegetables make raised beds for them to avoid them becoming swamped when it comes to the winter downpours. Vegetables that are good to plant in April/ May are: beans, beetroot, silverbeet, snow peas, radish, swedes and bok choy.
Harvest the last of your late summer vegetables Pumpkins, marrows, onions and potatoes: store them in a dry area like a cupboard or shed and save for some delicious hearty winter soups.
KEEP OFF THE GRASS Tidy up your backyard by raking over any dry patches of lawn and sowing new grass seeds. Feed the lawn to encourage healthy growth and to discourage weeds.
Directions: Heat the olive oil over a medium heat, add onion and a teaspoon of salt. Sauté and stir. Add the vegetables one-by-one in the following order: potatoes, carrots, cabbage, silverbeet. Sautéing as you go. When all vegetables have been added, and cabbage and the silverbeet is wilted, add the paprika and stir for a couple of minutes. Add the tomatoes and chickpeas, including their liquid. Add the water and another 2 teaspoons of salt. Turn up the heat and keep stirring, when the pot boils turn it down and simmer gently for 40 minutes. Toast some bread – french or ciabatta, garnish with Parmesan, then serve and enjoy! Feel free to take out or substitute a couple of ingredients depending on what you have available, and add more sea¬soning according to your tastes.
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