DARREN JAMES's Blog (12)

Hi everyone, for a bit of a read if your interested in worm towers Grass roots have a two page article in this months publication written by you know who.You can borrow this magazine also from most libraries.I would be happy for  all your comments  and happy to share anything you may not understand.I…

High everyone ,apart from our yams and other reliable plants in our survival garden,arrowroot ,tumeric,sweet potatoes,ginger etc wich basically anyone can grow the summers garden has been a real fizzer.Many crops have failed or growing poorly  compared to other years and its been a battle to keep our most important herbs going as well ,you know things are bad when even a pumpkin vine struggles and the jerusalem artichoke has only grown to half its normal height.There have been limited…

Hi all not long ago some of us lucky people thanks to Jan were able to purchase a rare sth american tuber.Having not heard much lately regarding on how everyones is growing I thought I would show mine to compare  with maybe  the other lucky growers .I am growing mine in a 70 litre pot on the eastern side so as not for it to be in too much sun,after all it did come from tassie and I also have it covered in netting.How is everyones?…

Hi everyone,over many garden visits I have met many people growing madagascar beans and although having admitted to growing them lots have dismissed their edibility.I would like to change that for the non believers I HOPE.This weekend My stepson Josh came up from melbourne and although not a chef he bloody well should be .The plant gods have been good and I had a major size jar full of dried ones and many waiting to come for him and his creation.Here is my recipe and I will  call it JOSHES…

Just arriving back from a visit to Melbourne visiting family I was amazed at the many many different type of heirloom potatoes that one could buy down there in their equally impressive markets.One paticular  type that took my eye was the purple congo  and I would like to know if anyone has grown it amongst  the many others  available.Has anyone tried growing something different with good yields.taste etc .Being the great white hunter/grower that  I am, I would like to know of anyone elses…

My aplogies to everyone who was  expecting to see my talk and dispay .My car was packed and I blew a head gasket just down the road .Would be happy to show people at the next garden visit if anyone is interested. and ok by the blf committee.

Hi everyone I hope Im not being a bad boy in advertising this event nor myself as I know its on BLF eventS calender.I promise there will be something  for anyone  interested in gardening at any level. There will be speakers all day; a produce display/ competition for the best of each category and much more.If your after that hard to find plant you may find it there also come say hello at my compost tower stand and if you have time i will be giving a display on how to make your own…

Hi all just had the most refreshing drink and Im sure lots of people will be growing these ingredients. you will need  medium cucumber juice of five limes about100ml  75 g of sugar to taste plenty of ice 1 litre of sparkling water and mint. To make' peel halve and and seed the cucumber and squeeze the limes.Mix the cucumber;lime juice;sugar and ice in a blender.Pour in the mineral water and serve right away with mint.ENJOY

Hello I am wondering if anyone has tried growing jerusalum artichokes in large pots as Ive heard they can be very invasive and I dont want them eascaping and returning  each season . How many would I plant in say a 40 cm pot and what type of soil do you think grateful for any help .I hear they are very heavy croppers.

Hello has anyone tried to plant elephant garlic this late in brisbane would  I at least get some rounds do you think