Tuesday 22nd March, 2011

Fascinating Figs

Dad is away spending quality time with his sisters and we are madly pinching his figs offa his tree. They have been ripening at the rate of knots. There is nothing like biting into an over ripe fig that the birds have left behind. Figs are an amazing fruit as botanically, all the flowers are inside that fig shape. I guess that we must be eating a whole lot of tiny fruits and leftover flowers that are all contained inside a fleshy covering. Sometime I think that it's best that we don't know all of the story LOL. I could add to this but I wouldn't want to put a fig virgin off eating them. Anyways I got up early this morn and have been bottling them. I had to bottle them all in little batches as that Harry has been using all our large pots to extract honey. All the benches are covered with pots and sieves with honey dripping through. Its worth all the effort as its just delicious. We have been using the home grown honey instead of sugar.

           

 

Bottling your home grown fruit isn't hard. I have been making syrup using a cup of water to each cup of sugar. Use as many cups of water that you need to cover the fruit and cook. Bring the syrup to the boil and add your prepared fruit and cook until soft remembering that the fruit will still cook in the jars. Throw into clean sterilised (heated in the oven) jars. Throw in your fruit into the jars, overflow with syrup and seal. I think that I have bottled at least fifteen jars of dads figs.

New in this week
A plant that I have never met before:

                      

Berberidopsis Coralina Now you may find that Berberidopsis Coralina doesn't quite slide of the tongue but The Chilean Coral Vine might. It is an unusual and rare evergreen climber with glossy dark green leaves that are thick and leathery. In summer drooping panicles of coral red flowers dangle from the branches. Likes a sheltered spot - Apparently a vine that will cope with shade and dryish spot but certainly worth a go I reckon'.

Hydrangea Seemanii and Schizophragma Hydrangoides, Both with wheelbarrow names but are related to hydrangeas with the big difference is that they climb and stick to your wall or fence

Parthenocissus T Beverly Brooks or Boston Ivy another fancy climber that will have the most amazing autumn colours as soon as it gets cool enough.

Hedging Camellias like Transnokoensis and Setsugekka. these are both top plants and they are excellent grade so if you planning on a Camellia hedge, then come in check these out.

           

 

Hedging Grisilinia Broadway mint Exceeeelent bushy grade normally $16.99 buy 10 and get them at $12.99 each.

More bargains

Patio rose standards are half price,  Rose standards from $15.00

Iceberg and Blushing pink iceberg  still only $10.00. An awesome rose to plant. The white iceberg has made an awesome hedge in our garden over the years

General rose stock all 25 % off still

Rosemary both upright and spreading. Big bushy plants in buckets worth $24.99 now just $14.99

 

It was a stunning weekend

Hope that your week to come is as good

 

 

Cheers Lloyd and Harry