Plant a guild of tomatoes, basil and marigolds for a flavorful and pest-free crop.
Today John the Farmer planted up Tomato + Sweet basil seedlings.
You know it’s going to rain when these cacti flower.
My Amaryllis flowered ! (Hippeastrum reginae).
This South African cultivar sends out leaves and scape at the same time after a season of vegetative growth. It can be grown in a pot or in the ground and it’s long lasting blooms are prized as cut flowers. They thrive when transplanted every few years.
Posted in ALL
Tagged Africa, flowers, Horticulture, Indigenous plants, Plants, Spring
Staghorn fern. (Platycerium bifurcatum)
Green door, what’s that secret you’re keepin’ ?
Today John the farmer is harvesting broad beans.
Fava beans can be stored frozen. Splice them in half, then remove the tough skin.
Boil rapidly for about a minute so they turn dark green.
Plunge them into iced water. Drain.
Pat them dry, then freeze !
Posted in ORGANIC PRODUCE
Tagged Organic produce, Recipes, Slow food, Spring, Sustainable, vegetables
Today John the Farmer is fermenting some herbs.
Sceletium tortuosum is a rare succulent plant that has medicinal properties that relieves anxiety and lifts depression in those with a serotonin imbalance.
It is used by the first people of South Africa, the Khoikhoi and the San during hunting expeditions as it reduces appetite and increases stamina.
It can be chewed, drank as tea or snuffed with different effects according to the method taken.
It is prepared traditionally by fermenting and then drying the herb.
It occurs in the karroo regions of the western cape, typically growing prostrate under the shade of other bushes and trees.
Sourdough Recipe.
Sourdough starter:
1 Cup sourdough
1/2 Cup water
1 Cup flour
Mix and leave in container at room temperature for 1 1/2 hours.
Baking:
1 Cup refreshed sourdough
2 Cups water
3-4 Cups wholewheat flour
Mix above ingredients, leave in mixing bowl at room temp. for 1/2 hour.
Add 1 teaspoon salt with a little water and mix.
Leave to stand at room temperature for 4-5 hours.
(If baking next day put in fridge after 2-2 1/2 hours.)
Shape sourdough + fold.
Cover with cloth and let rise for 2 hours at room temperature.
Last 1/2 preheat oven to 200-210 deg. C
Bake for 45-60 min.
Bonsai of Portulaca afra (Spekboom).
Indigenous to South Africa this species has been found to extract the most carbon from the air for any tree it’s size. It is found on rocky slopes in arid conditions and flowers in extreme drought conditions.
It is a popular bonsai subject because of it’s caudiciform (tree trunk-like) appearance. Pictured is a variegated type.
I want it to lean over almost horizontally so I used crutch-shaped sticks to prop it up.
Kei apple, Dovyalis caffra. Featured tree at Towerkop Nursery.
Bonsai of the kei apple. An evergreen tree up to about 3-5 m in nature. Native to South africa. Bears yellow fruit which is edible if not somewhat tart. Grown as a hedge it forms an impenetrable barrier because of it’s fierce thorns.
Birds subsequently build nests in it’s protective thicket of thorns.
Today John the Farmer is saving seeds of Marigold !
Tagetes patula is native to Guatumala and Mexico. The flowers are used to add to poultry feed to intensify the color of egg yolk. The essential oil is used in perfumery. It is also used as a pesticide, grown alongside vegetables to fumigate for nematodes. It is used as a saffron-like spice.
The bright flowers of Marigold are also used in the festival of the Day of the Dead in Mexico. They are said to guide the spirits of the departed to their friends and loved ones.
Towerkop Nursery 