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FLORAL TRAVELS
Thank you to the lovely customer who recommended I visit the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi at least for a cocktail. The accommodation is high end with a long list of celebrities and leaders who have stayed. I discovered afternoon tea at the is surprisingly affordable about half the cost of a Melbourne high end hotel. So if you ever visit Vietnam I would definitely put it on your list. Includes bottomless tea of choice. I chose local Lotus Tea. The three tiered savoury and sweet delights are delicious. It was an oasis away from the hustle and noise of the city. We enjoyed views of Palms, Peach blossom, Murraya hedges, topped off with Geraldton Wax at our table.
Foreign Travels Filled with floral inspiration you can try at home. Carolyn
VALENTINE'S GIFTS-2-GO! From $29.99
Geranium 'Big Red' A unique and versatile variety of Geranium with large clusters of vivid bright red flowers that are highlighted by rich dark green foliage. Blooms spring, summer and autumn. Prefers a sunny to partly shaded position in well drained soil. Water well until established. Ideal in large decorative containers, great in pots, hanging baskets and garden beds. Drought tolerant once established.
A beautiful cape primrose flowering from Spring to Autumn. Great as an indoor plant positioned in bright, indirect light. With a low water requirement, this flower is a perfect low maintenance addition to any indoor garden!
The very light orange skin and white flesh of the Makatea sweet potato make it ideal for Asian and Caribbean dishes; its edible yellow-green, heart-shaped, chartreuse foliage is an excellent addition to mixed salads. As a garden plant, it is a vigorous climber, and can add wonderful shade to any garden. The Makatea sweet potato adds delicious sweetness to every dish. You might just forget that it’s also good for you.
Sweet Potato generally take around 16 to 18 weeks to mature. Maturing can take longer with colder temperatures, so keep this in mind if you are in a colder state, or growing in a colder time of the year. Maturation time also depends on variety.
Sweet potatoes are easy to grow but they do need a few things to grow really well. They need well dug, compost rich soil, and good drainage (essential). Plant in raised beds or on mounds 15cms high. This will avoid tubers rotting in wet weather. Sweet potatoes don’t need much water and are vigorous with a habit of scrambling through the garden like pumpkin.
Harvest once the leaves start to yellow. The longer you leave them in the ground the better, but must be lifted before any frosts or tubers will rot. Dig up carefully to try and avoid nicking or slicing into the tubers. Leave in the sun to dry for a few hours. Sweet potatoes can be used fresh from the ground but will be sweeter if cured. This is simply storing in a warm (30ºC) airy space for 7-10 days. You can line boxes or baskets with newspapers and leave in a greenhouse or any space where the temperature is stable. After curing, store in a cellar or basement, ideally at around 12ºC.
Great Range of Garden Tools Get in the garden this weekend with out great range of home garden tools. Spades, gloves, pruners & more!
