How to stop caterpillars, eating winter veg? - Apr 14, 2023
Eggs Valentino, for breakfast, lunch or Tea!
Dear Gardening Friends.
Woke up this morning, to find my Kale and Broccoli plants getting eaten. Cabbage White Butterfly is a huge problem for winter crops like this.
But I've used Yates Tomato and Vegetable dust with great success. It contains a naturally occurring bacteria called Spinetoram, that stops caterpillars eating the leaves. It also has an added Fungicide, that really helps protect your plants, when we get lots of rain.
I only use it sparingly, when I see the leaves getting eaten. It's often only once a month. It still works, when the rain washes off the dust.
We have this product in stock today.
It's a great time to plant winter veg.
Come and see us for Tim's Cow Manure, Sugarcane and FAST FOOD.
With rain about, it's the perfect time to plant.
If you're wondering what flowers to plant now, that will flower through autumn, winter and early spring, then here they are. Viola Johnny Jump ups are low growing border plants, that have these beautiful, purple and yellow faces.
You can buy them in punnets or potted colour. They are incredibly easy to grow. Bugs don't seem to worry them. Each plant will grow about 15cms high by 30cms wide.
They look fabulous in pots, hanging baskets or gardens. They like sunny spots.
If you're growing them in pots use our Tim's Best Potting mix. It has everything in it, to make your plants pop.
If you're growing them in your garden, dig Tim's Cow manure into the soil first. This breaks down clay, improves the soil, and makes worms come and live in your garden. It also fertilises your plants. One bag will treat about 3m2.
Scientists have proven that flowers make you happy. They make me happy. I only have a few pots around the house, that I change with the seasons. It's fun watching them grow. We have everything you need to have success. Come see us.
It's not often you get a photo like this. Clarice is turning 100 in 3 months, she told me. She's in her 100th year!!!
She lives in Macarthur Retirement Village. Her daughter Sharon, lives next door. Her son Tony, has come over from Perth. They came down with Clarice to buy some plants.
"Do you have any "Little John's?"
We sure do.
I fall in love with Clarice straight away. She's a rascal for sure.
I ask her what she had for breakfast?
"Toast with tea"
What did you have on your toast?
"I had orange marmalade".
I bet you used to make it.
"No, but my mother made it".
I'm wondering if marmalade is the secret to long life. She says you have to keep active, although she tells me her legs don't work so well anymore.
She has a great memory.
"I was born in 1923."
I tell her I can't remember what happened yesterday. "Don't worry about yesterday, enjoy today" she tells me with a smile.
I show her a few shrubs, I know they have terrible clay soil at Macarthur Retirement Village. What ever you do, don't call it a nursing home!!!!
I discover with a Freudian slip up.
I'd been doing so well.
Looking after yourself, is a badge of honour. My parents still live at home, and they are early 90's.
My mum still makes Marmalade.
Maybe it really is, the secret to long life.
I better start eating Marmalade.
Clarice is enjoying her day out at the nursery. Sharon gets serious, so I get Tony to fetch a trolley.
Tony is very relaxed.
They must move slower in Perth.
I cooked the most amazing breakfast yesterday morning and I worked all day in the garden. I didn't realise until I sat down at 5pm that I'd forgotten to have lunch.
So I'm giving you the recipe this morning, it's so easy, you won't believe how delicious it is. You might work in the garden all day too.
It's called "Eggs Valentino".
It's very Italian and that's why it's so simple to make.
You'll need Onion, can of Tomatoes, Bacon, Garlic, Anchovies, Olives, Eggs, Salt and Pepper.
My Garlic and Olives, were home grown. It's time to plant Garlic now. I posted last week how to grow it.
Thinly slice the onion.
You'll need about 4x slices only. Chop up Bacon and Garlic. Fry this down in Olive oil, add 1x Anchovy and fry down till it disappears.
Add half a can of chopped Tomatoes now, and the olives. Put the lid on, and cook on medium heat for 15 minutes.
Now crack an Egg or two on top, they will float in the sauce. Put the lid back on.
Start cooking your toast.
Cook the eggs how you like them. Best to have them a bit runny.
Serve on a plate. I eat it out of the pan. Dip your toast in the sauce. You will be eating it with your eyes closed thinking "how can this taste so good?"
After breakfast come and see us. We are open from 8.30 till 5pm most days.
Sunday 9-4pm
We are closed ANZAC DAY.
Lots of beautiful new plants here for autumn. It's a great time to plant everything.
The soil is moist and warm so plants grow faster. I'm amazed how fast my winter vegetables are growing.
Happy gardening
Tim