GREAT FINDS

I went to the Farmers market a couple of weeks ago without any intention of buying any apricots. I never liked apricots as I find them tasteless and sour / tart. I came across a stall manned by two teenagers and they were handing out samples of various varieties of apricots. People were swarming around their stall and buying kilos and kilos. This got my attention so I had to give the apricots a try. I tried a few and stumbled across a variety called Moorpark. They totally changed my opinion of apricots. They were full of flavour and sweetness, but I was still reluctant to buy some as among all the varieties available, the Moorpark is the most unattractive. Other varieties looked so much nicer, deep yellow, so plump and juicy in appearance.

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I happened to have a chat with an old couple who told me that among all the varieties, Moorpark is the best in flavour as they have the most apricot taste. Because they look so unattractive, supermarkets seldom carry them so most people are not familiar with this variety. They sell the newer varieties as they are nicer in appearance but unfortunately do not taste anywhere near as nice as the Moorpark apricots. As you can see my opinion has now changed and I bought about 2 kilos of them. From now on, I'll be on the lookout for Moorpark... and so should you!

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Since living in New Zealand, every December to March you can see cherries being sold everywhere. Last year, I discovered the Sweetheart variety... of course at that time I did not know they were called Sweetheart cherries. This year, I was super excited come December as I would be able to indulge myself with cherries. But everytime I went to buy some I discovered the flesh was soft instead of firm and was often disappointed as not only were they sour but also tasteless. I started to frequent Farmers markets in hope of finding the type of cherries I like. When I described the texture of cherries that I am after to the seller, they often tell me that those cherries are only available in February or March. It never occurred to me to ask the variety name as for me a cherry is a cherry, an apricot is an apricot, an apple is an apple...

While buying the Moorpark apricots, I found my beloved cherries. Only then did I learn they are called Sweetheart cherries. So, if you are like me who is fussy, and not any old variety of fruit will do, do learn the names of the variety of any fruits that you like... not the brand, mind you. It is true that the Sweetheart cherry tree is one of the last cherry trees to ripen during the season. It is also true that the cherries from these trees remain firm when they are picked and eaten.

SUMMER 2011

My first attempt at growing tomatoes was in 2008. I had a bountiful harvest from only 6 plants, but I hated how the worms would eat into the flesh and ruin them. Not forgetting I had to battle with the birds as well. It was a race to see who would get to them first, the worms, the birds or me ( roll eyes! ).

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In 2009 I decided not to plant any tomatoes as I couldn't be bothered battling the worms and birds, and they were cheap to buy from the shops.

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In 2010 I decided to try again as I found that they were expensive to buy ( between $4 -$7 per kilo ) because it was a poor season due to bad weather, and most of the tomatoes available at that time were hothouse tomatoes which lack in taste.

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Since I have now discovered the joy of freezing and being self-sufficient, I thought I'd try again, but I was too enthusiastic, or rather forgot, that each punnet of tomato seedlings I bought contain 6 plants and suddenly I found myself having 25 plants... duh!!

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Some of the varieties for a normal size tomato include Early Girl and Dynamo. Both are good varieties as they are worm resistant.... hmmm, wonder if there are any varieties that are also bird resistant. They also produce a heavy crop.

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These are Sweet 100 Cherry tomatoes. No worms and a bountiful crop.

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These are Grape Cherry tomatoes and are smaller than a normal Cherry tomato.

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The results of having a brain fart.... 25 tomato plants.

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The above and below pictures show Early Girl and Dymano tomato varieties.

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A freak among the beauties.

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The 2 pictures below are from the Roma Acid Free variety. The worms love to eat these as I guess they have got no acid!!! They have a distinctive oblong shape and the plant does not grow very tall.

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These are the Sweet 100 Cherry tomatoes.... but I have got millions of them! ( slight exaggeration... muahahah! )

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I also have a few million Grape Cherry tomatoes!

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The comparison!

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The casualties! Due to very bad weather, heavy rain and gale force winds. Don't fret as I will sunbathe them and they will ripen.

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The courgettes / zucchini

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Last year I complained my courgette plants only produced male flowers. I've changed my mind this year.... I've discovered zucchini flower fritters. Love them and don't mind if all my plants produce only male flowers:)

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The results of having 7 zucchini plants despite having quite a lot of male flowers and harvesting a few courgettes already.

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Cape Gooseberries. My poor stick thin plant only produced 7 berries, 3 in my tummy and 4 for you to see! Root Blaster, here I come!

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Don't wet yourself, I didn't grow these spray-free strawberries. Bought from a Farmers Market and has now become organic matter;)

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Organic blueberries all the way from Mamaku, Rotorua.... by truck:)

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SPRING 2010

A walk around the neighbourhood on one sunny but chilly evening. Most of these photographs are of plants growing wild by the roadside, except for the roses. Enjoy these pictures.

This is a bottlebrush flower. There are also pink colour flowers as well. Look at the blue blue sky.

This is one of my favourite shots because of the tiny buds.

This is known as New Zealand's Christmas tree. It blooms fully in December and it is called Pohutukawa.

A kind of weed. It may just be weeds, but with lovely flowers.

Tiny Pohutukawa buds.... beautiful.

A kind of tiny succulent / cactus plant. It's tiny and grows wild. Love them.

The above and following two pictures are of weeds. Sometimes even weeds can be beautiful.

My front neighbour's apple tree. The plant is as thin as a match stick but is already producing apples.