WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING?:

Some warmer days have the keen gardeners out, We've sold a lot of seed potatoes already, so it's a good sign of an early season or maybe no one wants to miss out on the Jersey Bennes and Red King this year. Vegetable seedlings are growing everyday, nearly strong enough to go outside next month. The good thing about early gardens are they mature before the bugs appear. Especially the Brassicas planted in August, they will mature in November before the white fly. Same with potato crops, planted early and dug early, before wireworm appears. Lawns are needing some attention, many have had a mow this week exposing the moss and grass grubs. Time to apply some sulphate of iron for the moss, lawn guard for the grass grub and fertilizer to green the lawn up. There is as much work that goes into a good lawn as a garden. Don't mow too short as we could get more frosts yet. Pruning is underway now, if you need help with this, just give us a call and we can come round and prune for you. We've been busy in the nursery potting and putting out new stock. Now is the best time to buy trees, you can choose the best shapes of the new plants, especially specimen trees, such as Flowering Cherries, Elms, and Oaks. Now is also the best time to buy shelter trees - We have bundles of bare root trees at good prices, Silver Birch, Alders, Poplars, Willows, and smaller seedlings of Macrocarpa, Pines and Douglas Firs. Leylandiis are all potted and we can sell them all year.

WHAT SHOULD YOU BE DOING?:

Early enough yet to get excited about the Vegetable garden, but you can stat in the tunnel house and glasshouse get cleaned up with Jeyes fluid and leave the ground for 2 weeks before planting, get the compost spread out and be ready.

THIS WEEKS SPECIAL:

SOLO 5 Litre pressure sprayer - ONLY $59.99ea

SOLO Portable seed / fert spreader. Normally $249.99, now only $199.98

THIS WEEKS PRODUCT:
Arbrex SEAL & HEAL
When a tree is cut, the exposed wood is open to attack from damp, frost and harmful organisims, Arbrex SEAL & HEAL protects until natural callus is produced!

SUPER SAVE PET DEPO
FISHY DEAL
Spend over $20.00 on fish products and receive 1 Penniplax air operated sea dog, valued at $19.98ea (Must present this letter)
Splish Splash medium aquiarium setup, 21 Litres only $48.98ea - includes filter, gravel, food, water conditioner and an artificial plant.
2 teir cat scratch poles, were $59.98, now only $27.98ea
Aqua One 700 Cannister filter for aquairiums. Up to 150 Litre. Was $149.98, now only $103.98ea


Compare our prices, you'll be pleased you did.


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:Olearia Paniculata
Last weeks winner: Geoffery King

RECIPE OF THE WEEK:

Plum Pie
This pie has a decorative and tasty streusel topping on it. If using apples in this pie be sure to add 1/4 teaspoon of ground mace in streusel topping. Substitutions: walnuts may be used instead of hazelnuts; few drops of lemon oil may be used instead of lemon zest; also apple or cherries can be used in place of plums.
INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)

* 375 g all-purpose flour
* 150 g white sugar
* 10 g baking powder
* 0.8 g salt
* 150 g butter
* 2 eggs
* 5 ml vanilla extract
* 45 ml milk
* 1 g lemon zest
* 60 g all-purpose flour
* 55 g packed brown sugar
* 1 g ground cinnamon
* 2 g salt
* 40 g chopped hazelnuts
* 2 g lemon zest
* 45 g butter
* 1185 ml plums, pitted and sliced
* 200 g white sugar
* 30 g all-purpose flour
* 2 g ground cinnamon
* 2 g ground nutmeg


DIRECTIONS

*
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. To Make Crust: In a large bowl combine 3 cups flour, 3/4 cups white sugar, baking powder, and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Mix thoroughly, then cut in 2/3 cup butter or margarine with a pastry blender, until pieces are the size of small peas. Stir in eggs, vanilla extract, milk and lemon zest. Mix just until all ingredients are combined. Allow dough to rest in refrigerator.
3. To Make Streusel Topping: In a medium bowl mix 1/2 cup flour, brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon salt, chopped nuts, and grated lemon zest. Work in butter or margarine with fingers until all ingredients are well combined. Set aside.
4. To Make Fruit Filling: Place pitted and sliced fruit in a large bowl. In a small bowl, mix remaining sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg until thoroughly combined. Pour over fruit and stir gently until all fruit is evenly coated.
5. Roll out pie crust and place in a 9 inch pie pan. Trim and flute edges, then pour in fruit filling. Evenly cover fruit with streusel topping and bake in preheated oven for 45 to 55 minutes. Serve warm, or at room temperature.

JOKE OF THE WEEK:
Q: Which room has no door, no windows, no floor and no roof?
A: A Mushroom!!

 

Dont you just love these guys.