Beef cheeks that is. Well I had never really thought of this cut of beef before but the other night our friend Andreas turned up with a massive casserole dish (he is never short of food) chock filled with cheeks that had been braised with cinnamon sticks and a host of other spices. They were just delic and this inspired Harry to buy some from the local butcher to give them a go ourselves. Not that I am any sort of chef but I imagine that the cheeks would be a muscle that do a fair bit of work, especially those of the bovine variety, indicating a long slow cook would be the best way to sort these chewing muscles. Tony was in the kitchen with Harry and together they created a masterpiece. Off the top of my head they halved three cheeks, that H had purchased, floured them, pan browned them and put them aside. Sliced onions, whatever herbs that H could find in the garden (Thyme, Oregano, Rosemary) were chopped and thrown into the casserole with some olive oil and saute'd. Curry powder, salt and pepper to taste, beef cheeks added and a bottle of that fab ale Guinness poured over the top and slow cooked, wine topped up the liquid. In our case for as long as we can stay up and then turn the oven off to continue while asleep, then more if needed the next day.

Well these three cheeks did the three of us for two dinners, tender moist and delicious and just the dish with good ole mash spuds and asparagus. Of course I have to have asparagus every night as its here for such a short time and I love it...... shame but I must be in with the minority, or is it majority, that it affects and I guess you all know what I mean.!!!

While on the subject of cheeks I remember writing a piece on peachy cheeks and I recall writing it with tears running down my cheeks, I was laughing so hard as I wrote about it ... could have had something to do with the number of wines that I had had. To cut to the chase my dads friend had a friend who bottled peaches as gifts (sorry the cheeks has got me on a roll) and  I haven't made this up, this is true.

Now for those that like to bottle, well this could be your thing too, as we all probably appreciate a nice cheek or two. You cut the flesh from the peach but in the shape of ...well a nice shaped cheek and heat in syrup as normal. you then layer all your cheeks, or pieces of peach, in one of those tall slender jars and pour over syrup. Screw the lid tight and hopefully you will end up with layers in a jar, full of peachy cheeks (buns) looking delectable and ready as gifts. Just imagine Golden Queens and Blackboy peaches all layered looking fab but of course whatever variety of peach you prefer will look just as awesome.

Solanum betaceum and we are taking about Tamarillos. Family association is its namesake Solanaceae

Its an interesting fact that Tamarillos belong to the nightshade family which includes many of our basic food crops like potatoes, tomatoes, egg plant and capsicums. Of course the nightshade family also includes some well known and not so desirable species that also appear in our gardens and wild flora, for example woolly nightshade.

Now the Tamarillo is native to  central and south America and originally found as yellow and purple fruits. Apparently the red Tamarillo that we all seek and want to grow was bred by an Auckland Nurseryman in 1920 from seed sourced in South America.

I guess that most of my age also know the Tamarillo as tree tomato. I read that the name was officially changed to Tamarillo in 1967. Its thought that the name was a combination of the Maori word "Tama", implying  leadership. The rillo part of the new name  is not known but there are thoughts that it came from the Spanish word "amarillo" for yellow. 

Being a member of the Solanum family it is quite safe to assume that this tree like member will be like most solanums and that iit s sensitive to the frost. I have seen these grown in quite cool climates but location and microclimate will be important so as to protect from frost. Tamarillos quickly grow into a small single leader tree that has lateral branches from which the flowers hang and subsequently those high flavoured red or yellow fruit that are so high in vitamin C.

The past couple of weeks I have spent in the ornamental trees in the nursery, spacing them and removing the lower branches and shaping them up so that they continue in the correct growth habit and there are some gorgeous trees in there.. ...

Maples or Acers are just looking stunning and of course we have all the normal dissectum weeping types like Acer Viridis and Acer Crimson Queen plus many more cultivars ..

In the smaller cultivators there was a gorgeous Acer Autumn moon with leaves of soft orange yellow and these are looking just beautiful right now. I spied  the warm soft yellows hues of Acer Worleei all just emerging from its bare stems. This is a pseudoplatanus or sycamore type and grows into a medium size tree and would look awesome as a feature in a garden. Acer Leopoldii is another pseudoplatanus type with green leaves splashed creams shade. A bigger growing tree but could be something a tad different to line a driveway. Then there are all the Acer Rubrums just pushing their new leaves through now. Again another cool tree to feature along someones drive or entrance or just plant on its own as a feature.

We have also been through all the dogwoods or Cornus and there is a diverse selection of these. Cornus National is a cultivar growing out on our roadside and they make such a statement when in flower with their large white single bract like flowers followed by those red strawberry like fruits. Fabulous Autumn colours top off a great ornamental trees that would again make for an excellent specimen or group of trees.

As with all we do there must be 30 varieties and cultivars to choose from, from the classic Eddies white wonder, Cloud nine, National and so many more.

Sorbus aria Lutescens look pretty special at the moment with very grey silver leaves which are so distinctive, you just have to see them for yourself. Its a tree that I think I must put one of these in myself as the leaves are so out there.

Quick growing Robinia Casque Rouge and Hillierii with hanging clusters of deep pink and lighter pink pea like flowers. Also in the Robinias there is Lace lady with its twisting and curving stems and leaves that makes for a highly ornamental small tree.

I can't leave out the flowering cherries of all types, from the weepers to the vase and almost umbrella shaped trees.  Soft pinks, darker pinks and white blossoms of this group of trees herald in the spring, autumn tones tell us that winters is on its way. Generally its accepted that these are small to medium trees and are so good for providing shade over the summer months.

Big trees abound too from the grand planes (Platanus) to limes (Tilias), tulip trees (Liriodendron), Ginkgos and more.

Trees for wet places like Taxodium (Swamp cypress), Nyssa and Alnus glutiinosa Imperialis, you name it we must just about have it!!!

                

There are a few tricks to planting at this time of year that are worth knowing. Place your plant in its bag in a bucket of water and wait for the air bubbles to stop. Once the bubbles have finished remove from the bucket and then you are ready to plant knowing that the plants root ball is truly all moist.

(Golden rule) Always water in the plant after you have planted it and this means that all the soil fines are redistributed back to the root ball and air pockets are eliminated as the soil washes back.

Watering in means that water can travel into the root ball by osmosis as both surfaces are wet or moist.

Keep you eye on your new plants because you may see them wilt and this may be because the plant has exhausted the water in its own root ball even though the surrounding soil is damp. if this occurs you have to get water into the root ball by directional watering.

Take into consideration the age of the plant and the condition of its root ball. An older plant with a well established root ball will need more water than say one that is fresh and with not so much new root development.

Mulch the soil surface after watering as this stops the ground surface from drying out so quickly and conserves water.

Don't ever plant your plant any deeper than what it is in its container as this will cause collar rots and eventually the plant will become unthrifty and potentially die.

At this time of year some are apt to kill plants with kindness and water every day thus keeping plants over wet. Usually a decent watering once a week or maybe two is enough but be observant and watch the plant for what it shows you its needs are. Its been a wet and cool spring so water needs may be less than normal.

It stands to reason that many of our customers  are keen gardeners and I know for a fact that at least one of our long term clients has their garden on show in this ramble. 

13th November 2016 from 9.30am to 4pm

Tamahere and Matangi

www.ageconcern.gen.nz   07 8382266

Tickets from  www.iticket.co.nz

Its been a cool and wet spring and I reckon that the roses are at least two to three weeks later than normal. They are just starting to flower in the nursery and I reckon that another week or three then the roses that we have will all be a blaze of colour.  Hopefully all the garden rambles and events that are coming this weekend onwards get enough heat to have their gardens looking stunning. I know that a lot of work goes into having your garden look its best for others to view.

If you are not out and about rambling but in your own garden then its a great time to plant new seasons kumara slips, delphiniums or any flowering perennial. Don't forget  war on codling moth and hang codling moth traps for apples, malus , walnuts and pears'

Have a great weekend