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WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING?:
Not much after the good frost on Monday, everyones staying at home beside the fire. The plants don't even appreciate being handled in the frost. Keep off the lawns and gardens while it's frosty too, as it will damage soil structure and blacken the lawn. We've been busy handling decidious trees this week, Flowering cherries, Elms and various others have been potted and labelled and are ready to go out into our garden centres this week. Good time to enquire about bulk purchase of avenue trees such as flowering cherries for driveways. We can sell them cheaper at a bareroot price before they get potted. Still plenty of shelter trees available, Pines, Macrocarpas. Poplars, Willows, Flax fans, at good prices now. Hopefully you can get your spade through the frosty ground to plant. Home gardens are on the go slow. Yams can be dug now and Parsnip are always better now we've had a frost. Seed Potatoes are in the shop, for those early gardeners, to sprout, to have ready for the tunnelhouse. Still Garlic and Shallots for sale, but they need to be planted now as they start to go soft and loose weight.

WHAT SHOULD YOU BE DOING?:
Little as possible. Pruning is probably the main job, don't forget to spray with copper and oil afterwards. This gives the plant a protective coating to seal cuts and suffocate any pests and diseases that will return from last season. Keep warm and read plenty of gardening books.

THIS WEEKS SPECIAL:
All king 3 x 4 fountain pumps half price with this weeks issue of Diacks weekly newsletter.

THIS WEEKS PRODUCT:
Asparagus.
$8.99 for 5 crown.
Plant Asparagus now.

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 favourite recipe for this fruit. This is open to all across New Zealand and will be couriered free of charge to the lucky winner.

This week’s recipe is for Prune plum
Last week winner was: Kerrie Peterson

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: Helleborus, white magic
Last weeks winner: Pat and John Bryan

SUPERSAVE PET DEPOT:
Don't forget our pet clearance bin. 'Out they go' Heavily reduced.
Fountain pumps.
Dog food.
Combs.
Collars.
Filters.
Bird toys.
The list goes on.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK:

Peach Chutney

2.25 kg peaches, peeled, stoned and chopped
500g onions, chopped
2 cups raisins
1 cup mixed peel
1/2 cup crystallised ginger, chopped
2 cups brown sugar
1 tbls salt
1 tbls curry powder
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
31/2 cups malt vinegar

Put all ingredients into a preserving pan. Stir and bring to the boil. Boil steadily with frequent stirring for 1 hour or until mixture is thick and jam-like. Pack into sterilised jars. Makes about 4 x 350ml jars.

JOKE OF THE WEEK:
Q: What is the egg plants favourite clothing?
A: Auber jeans.!