Issue 22 Feature: Green House
- Words by Peppermint
Frosty mornings have many of us sleeping late and spending more time indoors.Β But if you can bring yourself to brave the chill, the milder months are the perfect time to tend your backyard veggie patch and get ready for the harvest seasons ahead.Β “With less rain and blue skies on the mountain, winter is my favourite time to get stuck into the garden and prepare for spring,” says Brenda Fawdon of Mondo Organics.Β When we first visited Brenda’s Tamborine property back in April for our Issue 22 Green House feature, she was busy replenishing her uber-productive kitchen garden with new organic seedlings.Β Now, as they bask and bloom in the winter sunshine, Brenda has a few tricks up her sleeve to make sure the gardenΒ receives all the TLC it needs.Β Read onΒ for her top winter gardening tips and details about her upcoming appearance at the launch ofΒ HarvestΒ in Brisbane β and remember to read the full story of Brenda’s beautiful Gold Coast Hinterland home in our latest edition,Β Winter Issue 22!
I love winter β it means less weeds in the garden and loads of slow cooking in the kitchen! So as the days become shorter and cooler and the mower has a well earned sleep, it’s time to get into the garden for a clean up.
We always plant a stack of sugar snaps on a trellis β they give us a brilliant result every time and rarely make it into the pot, because we pick them straight from the tendrils and munch or throw them through a salad.Β
Lettuce, broad beans, kale, rainbow chard, kohlrabi, turnip,Β purple cabbage β actually, all of theΒ brassica vegetables are perfect to plant during the cooler months.Β
Strawberries and citrus enjoy a fortnightly dose of seaweed fertiliser at this time of year; strawberries need it to start fruiting, and citrus loves to be replenished after an autumn of fruiting.Β
Remember to keep the water up to your veggie garden in the morning or late afternoon during the dryer cool months, and enjoy the winter sunshine while you do.
For more food inspiration, you can see Brenda this weekend atΒ Harvest, a new exhibition celebrating food in art, opening at Brisbane’s GOMA. Brenda will be joining audiences for aΒ free discussionΒ about food and sustainability on Saturday from 1.30pm, followed by the launch of theΒ Harvest: Art, Film + FoodΒ publication, which features recipes from some of Australia’s best chefs, including Brenda’s own famous chocolate dandelion pudding!
Images by Natalie McComas for Peppermint Magazine.
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Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by the Bondi Beach violence, especially the Jewish community. Also to the beachgoers, those who bravely helped and the first responders.β
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While it`s easy β and understandable β to get caught up in the horror of it all and direct anger at certain groups, remember this quote from teacher and author Erin Gruwell: "Don`t let the actions of a few determine the way you feel about an entire group."β
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βYou don`t fight racism with racism. You fight racism with solidarity," said Bobby Seale of the Black Panthers. And solidarity is exactly what we need right now.β
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If you are feeling overwhelmed, you are not alone. Remember there is much more kindness in the world than hate. β€οΈβπ©Ήβ
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@LifelineAustralia has created a Bondi Beach Incident: Wellbeing support guide, where youβll find information about common reactions, reassurance that what youβre feeling is valid, and ideas for taking care of your wellbeing.β
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https://lifeline.org.au/bondi-incidentβ
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You can also call Lifeline on 13 11 14, text on 0477 13 11 14 or chat at lifeline.org.au/crisis-chat anytime, no matter how this has impacted you.β
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@BeyondBlueOfficial is also available with free 24/7 support by phone on 1300 22 4636 or webchat at https://www.beyondblue.org.au/β
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Register.Find.Reunite. has been activated by @RedCrossAu to help people reconnect with family and friends. Visit redcross.org.au to access the service.β
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@NSWPolice Public Information and Inquiry Centre (PIIC) is operating 24/7 on 1800 227 228 for information relating to people impacted.β
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@LifeBloodAu is supporting Sydney hospitals. O- and O+ blood are always in high demand in emergencies. To donate (from anywhere in Australia β all states are welcome and helpful!) call 13 14 95 or use the Lifeblood app.
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