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KALE

/RRNLQJIRUDQRIXVVKDUG\YHJHIRU\RXUZLQWHUJDUGHQ" I honestly used to turn my nose up at this frilly green, but after growing and eating kale for a season I’m an absolute convert.

.DOHLVDFROGKDUG\YHJHWDEOHWKDWLVSHUIHFWO\VXLWHGWRDXWXPQSODQWLQJ Packed with calcium and vitamin A and C, cool weather brings out the sweet, QXWW\ȵDYRXURIWKLVKLJKO\QXWULWLRXVJUHHQ$VNDOHLVUHODWLYHO\IDVWJURZLQJ you can harvest multiple picks from just a few plants. $PHPEHURIWKHFDEEDJHIDPLO\NDOHZDVȴUVWJURZQLQWKHHDVWHUQ 0HGLWHUUDQHDQDQGGDWHVEDFNWRDURXQG%&6XSHUYHUVDWLOHIUHVK LQVDODGVDQGVWHDPHGRUVWLUIULHGNDOHDOVRPDNHVDȵDYRXUVRPHDGGLWLRQ to soups and green smoothies.

Plant to Harvest Time Two months from seed, or begin picking leaves one month from planting seedlings. Growing Tips • %HVWSODQWHGLQIXOOVXQ but will tolerate shade • Sow seeds in seed raising mix in covered seed trays to protect from slugs • Plant developed

VHHGOLQJVFPDSDUW • Fertilize and water regularly • Pick the outer leaves

RI\RXUNDOHȴUVWDV new leaves develop from the centre of the plant • Watch out for slugs and snails when seedlings are small, and cabbage aphids as plants mature

Garden Planting

Now is the perfect time to get your seed trays going and sow seeds of broccoli, cabbage, FDXOLȵRZHUNDOHNRKOUDELOHWWXFHPL]XQDVLOYHUEHHW and spinach. You can also sow beetroot, carrot, radish and turnip seeds directly into your garden at this time of year in a sunny well drained position. I don’t know about you but there are insects everywhere in my garden at the moment. I’m making sure I trim away any decaying plant matter as this is just the type of environment they like to hide in. A sprinkling of egg shells around the base of your plants can deter slugs, and if the birds in your neighbourhood are as cheeky as mine, I’m covering a lot of my seedlings with netting to keep them protected.

Garden Harvesting

My leeks were an absolute triumph this year, and my late crop of runner beans are in full swing. As it’s been warm and sunny I’ve managed to grow a few late season zucchini too. I’m still harvesting my hardy VZHHWWRPDWRHVDQG

WKHFDSVLFXPDUHȴQDOO\ fruiting. What are you SLFNLQJLQ\RXUVSDFH"

How is your garden growing ? Get in Touch! :KDWDUH\RXSODQWLQJIRUWKHVSULQJDQGVXPPHU"*HWLQ touch with your gardening stories, we’d love to hear from you.

RECIPE of the Month

ROASTED CHICKPEA AND KALE SALAD

+HUHȇVDUHally good salad base recipe that I like to use. It’s one you can whip up quickly, and it’s easily jazzed up by adding extra ingredients. Ingredients Chopped cooked kumara, mandarin, avocado, and bacon to taste Drizzle of tahini dressing 2 to 3 cups chopped kale WDEOHVSRRQVURDVWHGVXQȵRZHUVHHGV ¼ to ½ cup roasted chickpeas

Kale Prep Raw kale can be a bit intense, so to soften it up and reduce any bitterness before adding in the salad, I hand mix it with a little olive oil and fresh lemon juice. Salad Method  $GGNDOHURDVWHGFKLFNSHDVVXQȵRZHUVHHGVDQG your choice of cooked kumara, bacon, chopped mandarins and avocado to a large salad bowl. 2. Toss lightly to mix through. 3. Drizzle with tahini dressing, or your favourite home-made dressing. Roasted Chickpeas  'UDLQDPOWLQRIFKLFNSHDV and rinse well. Dry with a cloth or paper towel (there’s no need to remove the skins, but if some

FRPHR΍GRQȇWZRUU\ 2. Spread out on a lined baking tray along with ½ teaspoon of olive oil, and a sprinkling of your choice of spices. I like a combo of paprika, turmeric, cumin, and salt and pepper.  5RDVWDWGHJUHHVXQWLOFULVS\XVXDOO\ WDNHVDURXQGPLQXWHV Dressing 2 tablespoons tahini 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar Water to reach desired consistency