Entries by Debbie Worgan

Bare-rooting season

Mark Evans

For thousands of years humans have cultivated shrubs and trees, and dug and distributed them as bare-rooted young plants, often wrapped in damp rags or bound in a damp ball of sawdust. For growers, this is the most economical way to produce and distribute plants, and for buyers it means we get a bigger, better plant for less money. August is the perfect time to plant bare-rooted roses, fruit trees and ornamentals, because with spring around … Read more »

Rivers of London

reviewed by Wendy Tucker

by Ben Aaronovitch

How to describe this novel, the first in a series of nine?

It’s a crime novel, a police procedural novel, a fantasy/magical realism novel,

a love letter to London and a commentary on race. And it’s rollicking good fun and totally addictive. I am a fan of good crime writing but not usually of fantasy.

Rivers of London is a … Read more »

Fiji Pumpkin Curry    

Flick Ruby

Dimity learned this recipe from her mother, Peta, who was taught it in Fiji. It’s best when you use fresh spices and herbs but do what you can! It’s delicious! (Dimity is my bestie – Flick)

Ingredients: 680 gms (around 3 cups) pumpkin, skinned and chopped into large (around 1.5 inches/3.5 cm) cubes

6 cloves garlic, finely grated

2.5 cms of fresh turmeric, finely grated

2.5 cms green ginger, finely grated

… Read more »

Pumpkin cake                      

Angela Marshall

 Use a dry pumpkin like Queensland Blue or Jarrahdale. Kents are too wet.

1 cup cooked mashed pumpkin (260 gms) – allow to cool and drain off all excess moisture
1 dessertspoon grated orange rind
3 tablespoons butter (90 gms)
¾ cup sugar (165 gms)
1 egg
1 cup sultanas (165 gms)
2 cups SR flour (300 gms)
Pinch salt
½ cup milk … Read more »

Click go the shears!

Mark Evans

While it is often said that ‘the best time to prune is when the knife is sharp’, as we move beyond the winter solstice (22 June) and the days start to grow longer, now is one of the best times to prepare your garden for the upcoming growing season by sharpening up your pruning shears.

Late winter is a great time to prune any deciduous trees or shrubs while … Read more »