WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING?:

10Days till Christmas and it doesn't feel like wev'e had Spring yet. At least wev'e had rain and thats always a bonus. There's been a lot of growth this month and everything is soft and leafy so it doesn't hurt to give plants a trim, or stake plants that are going to flower yet, such as Delphinums, Lupins, Foxgloves Soft tall perennials need some support. Tomatoes and cucumbers are just about at an end, although we still have a few replacement plants. Tomatoes are a constant job now, keeping laterals off, greenfly's off and fruit picked as it ripens. Watering and feeding also increases production, and potash applied encourages flowering and fruiting and illiminates the hard core in the centre of the fruit. Potatoes have enjoyed the rain, although temperature has been cooler and crops a bit later this year. We still have seed potatoes to plant now for Easter maturity. Annuals have been slower this year too so look out for our $1.00 plants bargain buys, for instant colour. Vege gardens :- we're now thinking leeks, brussel sprouts, savoy cabbage and cauli for autumn and winter maturity. Although we will still get another crop of lettuce and silverbeet, celery and beans before winter. Best colour in the shop today is Gerberas, Daisys, Colourwave Petunias and Verbenas.

WHAT SHOULD YOU BE DOING?:
Buying Christmas vouchers. Diacks and nationwide for those out of town. Getting the garden tidied before the holidays. Picking the broadbeans, thinning carrots and parsnips. Picking the first tomato, digging the first new potatoes, yum!. Roses need a few dead heads off to encourage the new buds. The rain has rotted some buds and flowers, remove to prevent mildews and moulds. Watch out for greenfly. Keep it up. Gardeners are a hardy breed.

THIS WEEKS SPECIAL:

We have now decided to continue our 1 , 2 , 3 doller sale. Only while stocks last.

THIS WEEKS PRODUCT:

Gro south superior flower and fruit fert. Gro south superior flower and fruit enhances flowering of all plants. Increases flavour, size and juice levels of fruit, gives your plants deeper green leaves, which gives the ability to withstand low temperatures and drought conditions. Only $12.99.

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 Currants.

Last week winner was : DA & IC JOLLY

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: Cardiocrinum, lilium gigateum.

Last weeks winner: Ann and donald Mckenzie

SUPERSAVE PET DEPOT:

Dog treats 100% natural. Hearts, sheeps ears, beef neck bones and tripe. All reduced, was $4.98, now $2.48.

Avant pet care combs and brushes, buy1 and get 1 free of same value.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK:

Boysenberries
best of all - thick or whipped cream and icing sugar.
next best - make a jelly using 3 teaspoons of gelatine to
2 cups of water (soak gelatine in a little cold water and then dissolve in the remaining water which has been heated) pour this over the berries just enough to cover them. allow to set.
Serve with either cream, or Bavarian Cream and maccaroon bisciuts
Maccaroon whip 3 egg whites till soft peaks form
gradually add while still beating 1 cup caster sugar beat till stiff peak
Mix tog. 125g ground almonds, 1/2 tsp cornflour, 1/2 baking powder, 125g coconut
And fold this into the whipped eggs.
spoon full lots onto a greased for tray or baking sheet and spread alittle to flatten into rounds. will spread a little.
Oven pre heated to 125C for 15 - 20 mins - firm but not browned, Will keep well in airtight tin

JOKE OF THE WEEK:
Q: What do you get when a dinosaur walks through a vegetable garden?
A: Squash!