This time last year we were at Waimumu field days and the Home Show, so it's some what quieter this year. Cooler nights already and some dew in the mornings, although still some good daytime temperatures. Spring bulbs are arriving everyday. Bulk Daffodils, Ranunuclus, Anemones and a few Freesias and Iris Reticulatas. Still a good range of vege plants, different varieties of Cabbage and Cauli, can be planted now to mature at different times. Keep the Derris dust handy as the white butterfly caterpillers are at their worst. Clubroot also is a problem in Brassicas, Use rootmate or condys crystals to control it or better still give the brassicas a rest and plant Celery, Leeks and Silverbeet instead. Good time to start planting a few lettuce in tunnelhouse now, it extends our growing season. Unused gardens best to be sown out in green crop oats, Lupin, Mustard or Mulch with Peastraw to keep the weeds down ($8.95bale.) Annuals are about finished apart from a few Petunias and Marigolds, but we still have plenty of colour in pots and perennials in flower.
 

WHAT SHOULD YOU BE DOING?:
Tidy up time, cut back perennials that have finished flowering. Watering and weeding still fairly constant this month. Lawns need sprayed for weeds and treated for grass grub. Harvest potatoes, onions and garlic. Pots and baskets are looking a bit tired by this time of the year. The pots have filled up with roots and it's difficult to get the water in, good idea to use a saucer. Pot new pots with Polyanthus for winter colour..

 
THIS WEEKS SPECIAL:
Mixed Daffodils. $34.98 per 100.
 
THIS WEEKS PRODUCT:

Carbaryl insect powder. Have you got a wasp problem? Now is the time to sprinkle the product at the entrance of the nest. They will be dead by the morning.
 
FRUIT OF THE WEEK COMPETITION:
Diacks have a new section to our weekly newsletter. There will be a fruit of the week and you are able to win this tree/bush just by entering your favoutie recipe for this fruit. This is open to all across NewZealand and will be couriered free of charge to the lucky winner.
 
This weeks recipe is for Kiwiberries
Last week winner was :
 
PLANT OF THE WEEK COMPETITION:
Take a look at the plant attached below and if you recognise it e-mail us with your answer. If you are the first to guess correctly you will win!

Last weeks answer: Iris Reticulata.
Last weeks winner: Imelda and Peter Sutherland
 
SUPERSAVE PET DEPOT:
Just landed! Memory stones for everyone who has lost a loving pet. Up to $34.99
Cat and dog door mats with your favourite breed almost too good to stand on. $39.99. Be sure to come in for a look.

 
RECIPE OF THE WEEK:

Apple Crostata
 
Ingredients
4 Granny Smith apples
2 oz of sliced toasted almonds
2 oz of sun dried cherries
1 orange
1 lemon
½ tbsp of nutmeg
½ tbsp of cinnamon
4 tbsp of sugar
Pinch of salt
1 oz of vanilla extract
1 oz of dry Sherry wine
1 puff pastry sheet (Look in the frozen products at any food store)
1 Egg
2 oz of unsalted butter

Filling - Peal and dice green apples. In a sauce pan at medium heat melt 2 oz of butter. Add the apples and cook for two minutes. Add the cherries and almonds and cook for a couple of more minutes. Next, add dry ingredients (salt, 2 tbsp of sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg). Mix and follow by adding the vanilla extract, sherry wine and squeezed juice from the lemon and orange. Cook until liquid has almost evaporated. Set aside and let the mix cool down.
 
Prepare your egg wash by beating one egg with a table spoon of cold water. Set aside

Id love some of this, if anyone has spare.

JOKE OF THE WEEK:

A Week in the life of a Gardener's Spouse

She dug the plot on Monday, the soil was rich and fine
But she forgot to put the dinner on, so out we went to dine.
 
She planted roses Tuesday, she says they are a must.
They really were quite lovely, but she forgot to dust.
 
On Wednesday it was daisies they opened with the sun,
All pinks and whites and yellows, but the laundry wasn't done.
 
The poppies came on Thursday all bright and cherry red,
I guess she really was engrossed, she never made the bed.
 
It was violets here on Friday in colours she adores,
It never bothered her at all, the dirt upon our floors.
 
Saturday I hired a maid, I'd not admit defeat,
She can garden all she wants now and the house will still be neat
 
It's nearly lunchtime Sunday I cannot find the maid,
Oh I don't believe it. She's out there alongside my wife with her own spade!