This must be one of the easiest of all plants to grow — it just grows. Aloe vera is a small succulent plant with spiky green leaves. It originated in Africa but, as there are no known populations in the wild, it’s diff icult to pinpoint its exact origins. It has naturalised through much of Africa and around the Mediterranean region. Obviously, its ease of propagation and its perceived medicinal benefits have seenit widely cultivated for...

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Every garden should have a patch of lettuce. It’s fast growing and highly productive, plus you can grow it year round in many areas so you get an endless supply of fresh leafy greens Growing If you plant lettuce from seedlings, most varieties will be ready to harvest in as little as 5–6 weeks, some a little longer. Put seedlings in the ground every few weeks to ensure a ready supply of fresh greens throughout the year. Growing conditions:...

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Did you know that organic matter will act as a buff er in soils that have acidic pH readings? So, instead of changing your pH, just add organic matter in the form of compost and well-rotted manure and the plants will still grow and come to fruition. For the home gardener, it’s important to know what your soil pH is, but as long as it’s around the slightly acidic to neutral range you should be right to grow most vegetables — with a bit of...

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Hard shells Seeds with hard husks, such as peas, beans, silverbeet and beetroot, will benefit from being soaked in water overnight before sowing. This helps break down their protective coating and speeds up germination. Chilli pest spray An organic chilli spray can help protect your crops from pests and diseases and is particularly economical if you can’t eat your chilli harvest fast enough. Puree 20 chillies with 500mL of water. Strain the...

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Sprouting in the kitchen Home-grown sprouts have a much better flavour than store-bought ones and can be easily grown in the kitchen year round. Place sprout seeds in a jam jar covered with muslin cloth and secure with an elastic band. Douse the seeds in water twice a day and drainthrough the muslin. Within three to seven days the sprouts will be ready to eat. You can extend the short shelf life of sprouts by freezing them. Double harvest Buy...

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