Why Plants are the Perfect Valentine’s Day Gift for that Special Someone in your Life
Many Aussies have woken up today scrambling to find a Valentines gift for their loved one that is the perfect balance between sentimental and practical. The team from Scotts Osmocote have come to the rescue with an easy and unique option to express your love while also providing the recipient with a lasting memory: an indoor plant!
Orchids: The pop of orchid’s bright purple and pink colour makes for the perfect gift and as an added bonus, they require minimal watering. However, they will be happier if you do give them a little feed, so it might be smart to gift wrap some plant food with the orchid to give them the best chance of survival with their new plant parents. Just try not to forget that orchids are like Goldilocks – they must be placed in a position that is not too hot and not too cold.
Calathea medallion: Calathea medallion plants are intriguing to look at, the leaves come with an ornate design and most species leaves come with a purple back. These plants are perfect for someone who wants to add some colour to their home or office. Calathea medallions are commonly called ‘prayer plants’ because their leaves open and close throughout the day depending on the time of day and how much light they are receiving. Remember to water calathea medallions once a week and ensure not to overwater.
Monstera deliciosa: If you aren’t sure what to buy someone that is short of time or spends long hours in an office, monstera deliciosa might be the perfect gift. This plant thrives indoors in warm climates, but remember to leave them out of direct sunlight. Investing in a quality Indoor Potting Mix will ensure the wackily named ‘swiss cheese plant’ will receive the nutrients that it needs to flourish. Like many indoor plants, don’t forget that the Monstera Deliciosa only needs to be watered every now and again.
Lucky bamboo: Lucky bamboo is known as one of the most attractive indoor plants due to its bright green leaves and versatile design, making it the perfect gift for those with a minimalist style. Lucky bamboo will thrive when growing in both water and soil and is not very needy. Remember to place the bamboo in light, but not in sun and trim the leaves that might be yellowing. This plant is considered to bring good luck according to the principles of Feng Shui and Vastu Shastra.
Succulents: If you are looking for a quick gift for someone who is a new plant parent, a succulent is an easy choice. Succulents come in many forms and all they need to thrive is indirect, but bright light, soil that drains well and a bit of water every couple of weeks. Pair your succulent gift with a liquid plant food that will provide an instant boost of nutrients for optimum health and growth, while also making sure that the succulents look their best all year round.
Uniting plant lovers and garden enthusiasts alike, the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show presented by Scotts Osmocote will inspire and delight. Book your tickets now
The Southern Hemisphere’s Largest Horticultural Event Returns to Melbourne
After much anticipation, the world-renowned Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, presented by Scotts Osmocote, is thrilled to announce its return to the heritage listed Carlton Gardens and Royal Exhibition Building. It will run from Wednesday 30th March through to Sunday 3rd April 2022.
The coveted festival will unite plant lovers and flower fanatics from all ages with an enchanting collection of never-before-seen floral and landscape designs, educational talks from industry elites, hands-on workshops, and a catalogue of the latest and greatest gardening products.
The crowd favourite Show Gardens will headline the 2022 program with an extraordinary display of horticultural oases from some of the world’s best landscape designers. Over five days, visitors will be invited to vote for their favourite creation to win the acclaimed People’s Choice Award.
The Boutique Gardens will be a haven of inspiration for urban dwellers with a clever collection of 5m x 5m designs from the nation’s top architects, landscapers and students. The precinct will also host the inaugural Ryman Healthcare Balcony Garden Competition, celebrating the changing nature of the Australian backyard. Over in the Achievable Gardens, budding horticulturalists will showcase a series of approachable gardening solutions using quality materials. Previous graduates will also return to exhibit new works in the first-ever Emergent Gardens.
Transporting visitors to heirloom heaven, the Diggers Club Urban Farm will join forces with Melbourne Skyfarm to present a sustainable installation playing on the theme ‘What’s Old is New’. The concept will showcase heirloom vegetable and flower varieties grown in an ultra-efficient and productive urban farm set. As part of the design, the Digger’s will also reprise their signature pumpkin stack – the perfect backdrop for the ‘gram. The team will also host daily workshops, teaching guests how to sow seeds of their own.
Inside, the Royal Exhibition Building will be transformed into a floral paradise. Visitors will experience award-winning floral displays, a dedicated wedding showcase, floral fashions by RMIT students, floral-inspired High Tea and have the opportunity to purchase their own blooms at the Flowers Victoria Flower Market. Dressed in blossoming botanicals, the Main Stage will host free daily seminars and live demonstrations from an extensive line-up of floral artists, gardening experts and celebrity landscapers.
More than 200 of Australia’s best artists will exhibit their latest collections on the mezzanine level of the Royal Exhibition Building and throughout a selection of outdoor spaces as part of the revamped Arts and Sculpture Precinct. Meandering through each creative space, aesthetes will have the chance to enjoy live demonstrations by esteemed artists and even purchase original pieces to adorn their garden or home.
From 6pm through 9pm on Friday 1 April, Carlton Gardens will transform into a twinkling paradise for Gardens by Twilight. Accompanied by the dulcet tones of emerging Melbourne musicians, city goers can experience the Show under a whole new light. Sip on a glass of bubbles and enjoy an indulgent selection of gourmet bites from local culinary delights.
Truly a family friendly affair, the Victorian Schools Garden Program will offer daily interactive and multisensory experiences for little green thumbs. The new Horticulture Careers Hub will provide helpful advice for secondary students looking to join Australia’s thriving landscape and design industries, and parents can chat to qualified landscape builders, gardeners and designers at the Landscape Advisory Centre. The NGIV Precinct will also provide a suite of backyard inspiration, as a select group of emerging designers present their unique gardens.
Demonstrating the Show’s increased commitment to sustainability, the new Sustainability Space will play host to the festival’s sustainability partners, Bio Gro and Closed Loop. Helping to reduce the event’s environmental impact, organisers aim to divert more than 60% of waste from landfill in 2022.
“Over the past two years, many of us have turned to plants to breathe new life into our living spaces. Australia’s horticulture industry has shown incredible resilience and we are thrilled to welcome back a phenomenal line up of designers, artists, brands and businesses to Melbourne in March 2022. We look forward to uniting established and emerging talent with visitors of all ages,” said Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show Event Director, Marcus Gale.
“The team at Scotts Osmocote is delighted to become the official presenting partner of the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show in 2022. With Australians spending more time at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic many people turned to gardening as a way to escape and connect with nature. We are excited to be able to engage with those people new to the garden category, as well as reconnect with the more experienced gardeners who have come to know and love the range of Scotts Osmocote products,” said Scotts Osmocote General Manager Asia Pacific, Andrew Martin.
Tickets are now on sale at melbfloweshow.com.au. High-res event imagery is available here.
EVENT DETAILS
Location: Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens
Wednesday 30th March 9:00am – 5:00pm
Thursday 31st March 9:00am – 5:00pm
Friday 1st April (Gardens by Twilight) 9:00am – 9:00pm
Saturday 2nd April 9:00am – 5:00pm
Sunday 3rd April 9:00am – 5:00pm
GET YOUR GARDEN IN FULL BLOOM
Spring is all about beautiful blooms, but it’s also a key time for garden care.
As winter comes to an end, it’s time to start revitalising your garden and preparing for the warm, sunny days that lie ahead. From pruning and repotting plants to feeding, weeding and mulching, there’s plenty you can be doing now to get your garden ready for spring and encourage new growth, flowers and a thriving vegie garden.
An essential element that needs some love is your lawn, Spring is the time to get it in great condition to survive and thrive throughout the year. Check out the below instructional information from our good friends at Lawn Solutions Australia
Spring Lawn Care Plan
The winter colds are done and the weather’s warming up … but your lawn needs a little nursing through the next few weeks and months to achieve peak health for summer. Take a look at what lawn care activities you can do this spring below.
Test, test, test
Check your soil pH. An incorrect pH means your lawn can miss out on important nutrients and lead to overall poor performance. Test with a basic soil pH testing kit or soil probe. The optimum pH is 6.5. If your pH is higher, use sulphate of ammonia to lower it. If it’s lower, a 50:50 mix of lime and dolomite lime will help to raise it, while adding calcium and magnesium, which are often leached from acidic soils.
Apply a Wetting Agent or Soil Wetter
If you have a clay base, even if you put in new soil when you laid your lawn, the clay will, over time, work its way up through the soil profile to the topsoil through a process called bioturbation. You’ll need to break up the clay by aerating and applying gypsum, else your soil will suffer compaction and not supply adequate oxygen to your lawn’s roots. If your soil is sandy, you’ll need to ensure your soil can hold moisture. Correct this by regularly applying a soil wetting agent like Lawn Soaker. This coats the sand grains and enables them to cling to moisture and nutrients.
Treat the bacteria in your soil as well. Your soil is full of nitrogen-fixing bacteria such as mycorrhiza and rhizobia, and they turn the nitrogen from the atmosphere and fertilisers into a usable form of nitrate for your lawn. During winter they’re dormant, but once soil temperatures rise, they’re ready to work. They love a boost of carbohydrate, so apply a soil conditioner that contains seaweed extract like Lawn Rescue.
Aerate Your Lawn
Aerate your soil to increase the amount of air, water and nutrients it receives. This strengthens grass roots and helps create a healthier lawn. Use a garden fork to do this yourself before fertilising. Aeration decreases thatch and compaction and should be carried out annually in high traffic areas and on hard lawns. Lawns with poorer soil can benefit from aeration too. Aeration can be hard work on some soil types. A garden fork may work well, however sometimes a lawn contractor with specialist equipment may be required. More information about aerating your lawn here.
Apply Fertiliser
Fertilising in your spring lawn care regime can help speed up new growth and establish strong roots for summer.
If you live in a cooler climate, you might need to use a liquid fertiliser, as your soil temperature may not be quite warm enough for the bacteria to work its magic for a soil borne reaction using a granular fertiliser. As liquid fertilisers are ingested through the leaves of your grass, you’ll only need a little growth occurring for the liquid fertilisers to give an instant boost. Once the warmer weather really kicks in you can feed your lawn with a granular NPK fertiliser like Lawn Solutions Australia Premium Fertiliser.
But don’t get carried away! You want to be rid of weeds first before feeding them as well. Overfeeding at this time of year may not produce the desired results, with the warmth and light intensity not quite there yet for your lawn to perform its best. A light dusting of either organic or inorganic fertiliser at the specified label rate will give your lawn the boost it needs. It’s a good idea to mow a few times first, assess the weed and lawn growth situation and then further address fertiliser needs.
Remove Weeds
Another important activity you can implement into your spring lawn care plan is weed removal. You can remove most single weeds by hand, preferably before they go to seed. Mow over flat weeds; a healthy lawn will choke most weed types. If you’ve got many weeds or a persistent type, it may be worth calling on your local nursery or local lawn care specialist for advice on the best herbicides to use. Check out the lawn weed removal guide for more information here.
Remove Thatch
If your lawn is “spongy”, this is due to a build-up of thatch. Thatch can be removed by mowing your lawn back to its runners, nice and low. This may take a couple of mows to do so safely and effectively and is best undertaken only during the warmer months when your lawn is growing quickly. Once this is done, fertilise and water it well, to promote speedy regrowth. Scarifying and dethatching machines are also available which in some cases can be the preferred method. For more information on dethatching your lawn visit our blog here.
Top Dressing
It’s also a good time to top dress your lawn if you wish to reduce any unevenness. Mow and fertilise your lawn first and then top dress with coarse river sand, remembering not to cover the entire leaf tip. Once you have your lawn growing at its peak, it will be ready to take on the heat of summer. More information on top dressing your lawn here.
Watering
This time of the year requires minimal additional top-up watering other than natural rainfall, depending on your soil and location. You can increase water application if it’s dry over coming weeks, but a minimalist approach will often be rewarded with a healthier lawn, with stronger, deeper roots.
A deep soaking once a week will train your lawn’s roots to grow deeper into the soil, which will improve your lawn’s drought tolerance.
Just starting your spring lawn care plan now? Here’s a video with some tips…
Installing a New Lawn
Lawn Solutions Australia is a national network of Australia’s best turf suppliers, who supply Australia’s best turf varieties. If you are looking for an expert’s opinion on the right grass type for your space, or a quick and easy online quote, then they’re the network for you. Lawn Solutions Australia turf suppliers can help with site preparation, turf supply and installation and provide expert advice for your new lawn all with contactless delivery. Get in touch with your local Lawn Solutions Australia turf supplier today.
Need a quote?
Get a quote from up to 3 local suppliers for turf, delivery and/or installation via email. With an Australia-wide network, there is an LSA accredited grower or supplier near you.
2022 Retail Site Applications Now Open
The Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show is set to transform the Carlton Gardens once again from Wednesday 30th March to Sunday 3rd April 2022.
2022 Retail Sites are now available for booking at exclusive Early Bird prices!
Join us to showcase and retail your products & services to an impressive, engaged audience of 100,000+ on a unique platform. We invite you to take advantage of the exclusive Early Bird opportunity to apply for a retail site at the lowest site fee available, the exclusive Early Bird price.
The Early Bird price offer ends 11th October 2021
Mothers Day Gift Guide
Mother’s Day is the occasion to show your mum how much you appreciate her and all that she does for you, your siblings and everyone else in her life.
Want to spoil her but unsure where to start? Take a look at these unique Mother’s Day gift ideas to surprise and delight your favourite lady this year.
Book her into a Flower Workshop with Melbourne Flower School
From beginners classes to intermediate intensive courses, the team from Melbourne Flower School have a workshop for everyone to enjoy. Spend the day learning floristry techniques to make beautiful floral designs you’ll be able to take home.
A convenient Garden Tool Kit Tote Bag by Hoselink
Hoselink’s Garden Tool Tote Bag is the ideal gift for any gardener. Made to conveniently carry tools around which saves you having to do multiple trips to the shed!
The ‘Noosa Hat’ by Top Show
If your mum is prone to spending hours out under the sun, make sure she’s protected from head to toe with the help of a light-weight, breathable, and incredibly stylish hat like this ‘Noosa Hat’ by Top Show.
Spend the day out visiting Warratina Lavender Farm
Only a 1-hr drive from Melbourne, Warratina Lavender Farm boasts over 10,000 lavender plants located in the beautiful Yarra Valley. Enjoy the day walking through their incredible lavender fields and cottage gardens. You can visit their lavender tearoom, drying shed and their gift shop full of beautiful lavender product. Best of all, entry is free!
A unique piece from Sue James Clayworker
Spoil your mum with something unique like the beautiful native Australian flora and fauna inspired pieces handmade by Sue James Clayworker.
See these retailers as well as many more at the 2022 Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show! Tickets will be launched later in the year so keep an eye out.
DIY Easter Egg Flower Arrangement
Looking to wow your Easter brunch or dinner guests? These simple eggshell flower arrangements are sure to brighten up any table! Use them as a centerpiece or as individual place settings.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
- Eggs
- Fresh flowers, small varieties work best
- Sharpie markers, black and red
METHOD
1. Gently crack the tops of your eggs and empty the contents. Rinse with water so they’re nice and clean.
2. Draw cute little faces on your eggs. This is optional, but very adorable.
3. Fill your eggs up with water and add your flowers in! You can also insert a small piece of wet floral foam depending on what flowers you choose to use.
Enjoy!
BACK TO WORK: Ten Plants For The Office
By now, most of us are back in the office/at work a few days a week. You might not be there everyday, but it doesn’t mean your plant game should slip. In fact, now is the perfect opportunity to show your colleagues how much of a plant boss you’ve become.
And bringing plants into your workspace is important! It should be priority #1 (right above clearing the spoiled food that had been left in the fridge before went into lockdown).
You’ve already heard this, but lets write it out again for good measure:
Plants are good for our mental health and there are numerous studies that show we have an increased ability to retain information when around plants. In fact, one study has shown that plants in the office increased productivity by 15% (Time to hit the boss up for a plant-allowance), as well as showing to decrease depression, anxiety and fatigue.
Just make sure you pick a few that’ll survive. They’ll have the office over-waterer to contend with, as well as a range of different light scenarios. So think hardy. The amazing team from The Plant Runner have given us their top picks for plants to bring to work.
TOP 10 PLANTS TO BRING TO WORK
1. DEVIL’S IVY (EPIPREMNUM AUREUM)
If you haven’t realised already – Devil’s Ivy works just about anywhere. The office is no exception. They can tolerate low light and cope with the occasional missed watering, but will still thrive in brighter spaces as long as kept out of direct sunlight. They’re a great one for shelves or you can keep compact on a desk.
2. ZZ PLANT (ZAMIOCULCAS ZAMIIFOLIA)
If you’re looking for a plant that your co-workers are going to talk about, this bad boy is for you. We love its architectural form and lush green foliage – and the fact that they are great at storing water so you won’t need to stress too much about maintenance. Unlike many other houseplants, the ZZ plant is rarely a pest’s first choice AND it is fine in low light. Win, win and WIN.
(If you want more, we’ve posted about these guys here)
3. PEACE LILY (SPATHIPHYLLUM SPP.)
Instant jungle vibes right here. Large, deep green foliage and a verified air purifier, the Peace Lily is also one of the most forgiving houseplants around. They will droop significantly if watering is forgotten, but will perk right up again with a good drink. This is a great plant if you want to put something between you and chatty Ted on the desk opposite you. (Plus, we’ve already written a care guide – here)
4. SNAKE PLANT (SANSEVERIA SPP.)
We’ve mentioned the snake plant in previous posts, and for good reason. They are our number 1 for air purifying, productivity increasing planty goodness. Coupled with a wonderful resilienceto underwatering, and that there are so many varieties within the Sanseveria family (so you’re almost guaranteed to find one that suits you), the Snake Plant is a must for any office space. Hell, get a few of them and surround your desk – you’ve built yourself a fort!
5. AFRICAN VIOLET (SAINTPAULIA IONANTHA)
If you’re keen for a pop of colour, the African Violet is a great choice. You’ll need a bright workspace to get a good bloom (although keep out of direct sunlight), but they do come in miniature varieties so you can perch one on your desk without loosing too much real estate.
6. LUCKY BAMBOO (DRACAENA SANDERIANA)
Not bamboo, but that’s not important. What is important is that the Lucky Bamboo is a slow growing (read – won’t outgrow your desk), low maintenance, low light-tolerating plant that (if the name is anything to go by), brings you luck. Bring on that promotion!
7. HEART-LEAFED PHILODENDRON (PHILODENDRON CORDATUM)
Trail much? Let that foliage spill out of the edge of your desk to give off the impression you’re care-free and relaxed even though that project you’ve been working on was due yesterday. If you can’t be chilled out, at least let your plants be! The heart-leafed philodendron will be fine in lower light environments, aren’t super thirsty and they’re for sharing cuttingswith your co-workers.
8. AIR PLANTS (TILLANDSIA SPP.)
Want to keep it soil free? Air Plants are for you. There are hundreds of species within the genus. Care is easy too – sit them in a bowl of water for roughly 30minutes once a week, then shake them off and put them back on your desk. They will be ok in lower light but if you want to get a flower spike then a bright desk is optimal. Plus, when you bag that promotion they are super light so its easy to pack up and take with you.
9. CAST IRON PLANT (ASPIDISTRA ELATIOR)
The name says it all really. The Cast Iron Plant is damn near indestructible. This is perfect for anyone who doubts their ability to keep things alive – they can get by on low light, low water and low maintenance. It’s the perfect gift for the coworker that keeps bring in fake plants to work.
10. MOTH ORCHID (PHALAENOPSIS SPP.)
Low maintenance and super showy when in flower, the Moth Orchid is a great one for the desk. Try to give them as much natural light as possible (think about a growlight if you’re in a dark corner!) and don’t over water (a few tablespoons each week or so is more than enough) and you’ll be cheering.
OFFICE PLANT CARE CHECKLIST
A few tools that’ll help keep your plant game A+ that will still fit in your desk drawer
- A small watering can
- A mister
- A lamp grow light
- Some Neem Oil
- Fertiliser
Autumn Lawn Care Guide
Summer has well and truly come to an end, and temperatures are heading south over the next few months. It’s time for some Autumn lawn care.
Although we have had a few hot days over summer, your lawn has mostly faced wet and humid conditions. Eastern and northern Australia have faced an increase in rainfall due to La Niña, while Western Australia has faced above-average temperatures. This now makes Autumn an even more important time to get your lawn back on track before the end of the growing season.
Much of the work now will be to get your lawn prepared for the cooler months ahead where it will slow down into a certain level of dormancy. The healthier your grass is going into the cooler months, the better it will come out the other side in spring.
Lawn Solutions Australia tells us what we can do…
Aerate
During summer you spend a lot more time on your lawn, combine this with the heat of the sun and your soil base can get quite compacted. These conditions are not ideal for turf growth. However, aeration will help improve the soil structure. To aerate your lawn, you can use either an aerator, garden fork, or aerator sandals. Simply drive the fork into the lawn and give the fork a wiggle to help create fractures within the soil profile. By doing this, the soil will allow better root growth, water penetration and allow for oxygen to the soil profile.
Fertilise
By fertilising your lawn in autumn, you will be preparing your lawn with its essential nutrients, encourage growth and extend your lawns colouring heading into the cooler periods. Autumn fertilising will help your lawn recover quicker from any stresses that it faced over summer and will help it repair itself faster. We recommend applying a slow-release granular fertiliser, such as Lawn Solutions Premium Fertiliser, as it will break down gradually releasing nutrients for your grass for up to 12 weeks after the initial application.
Weeding
Autumn is a great time to get on top of any weeds that have come through your lawn over the summer. As we start to head into winter, your grass will start to become dormant and slowdown in its growth. However, this is not the same case for weeds as many of them will still continue to grow into the cooler months. To get control over these weeds, apply an appropriate herbicide or remove by hand. To prevent Crab Grass, Winter Grass, Oxalis, and Crowfoot in winter you can apply a pre-emergent product such as Oxafert in mid to late autumn, just before these weeds germinate, preventing them from growing in your lawn.
Managing shade
Heading into the cooler months, it is important to ensure that your lawn will be receiving enough sunlight. We recommend that you regularly prune any trees, bushes, and other foliage to better allow for sunlight. If your yard experiences leaves falling onto your lawn, we recommend that you rake these up regularly, so they don’t prevent sunlight getting through to the grass.
Regular mowing
You will find that you will be mowing less frequently due to the weather cooling down. While the number of times that you are required to mow will start to reduce, it is important to not forget about the lawn completely. As the weather begins to cool down, we recommend that you raise the mower height to give your lawn the best chance to absorb sunlight and nutrients. A longer leaf will help to ensure a thicker canopy that is better able to block out weeds and retain colour in winter.
Only water when needed
As it starts to get cooler, your lawn may still need watering. The tell-tale signs that your lawn needs watering are if the leaf blades are wilting or losing colour or if a noticeable footprint is left behind when you walk across the grass.
Edging
Autumn is a great time to get on top of edging. As your lawn’s growth begins to slow, your edging work will last for longer. To get the best results when edging, we recommend using a whipper snipper or an edging tool. For more information on lawn edging, check out our blog here.
Laying turf
Autumn is a great time to get some new turf down. There’s enough time left in most states for good root establishment before winter. Lower temperatures during this time mean you won’t require as much water to keep it hydrated as you would during summer.
For more information on lawn care activities, check out the Lawn Solutions Australia blog here.
Health Benefits of Gardening
Ryman Healthcare ambassador and Aussie garden expert, Matt Leacy shares his tips on how gardening can benefit physical and mental health.
Gardening as a weekly routine
Adding gardening to your weekly fitness regime can provide even more benefits than exercise alone. Bending, lifting weights, and stretching all feature in regular gardening, but there are other benefits as well. Connecting with nature, watching plants grow, and listening to the birds can all support a healthy mind.
Gardening for balance
Caring for plants in hanging pots and planters can help support good balance. Lifting your arms up and down and looking upward while focusing on a task can exercise your stabilising muscles – the ones that kick in when we lose our balance. To keep safe, make sure that your planters hang at a comfortable height and are positioned away from walking areas to avoid any head knocks.
Gardening for health
It’s important to keep active throughout our lives to help reduce the risk of disease and health emergencies like heart disease and stroke. The positive health benefits of gardening have even been found to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and can help with chronic pain and arthritis by regularly moving your joints.
Gardening for vitamins
Soaking up vitamin D while you’re out in the sun gardening can help build bone density. Vitamin D supports the intestines to absorb calcium from the food you eat. It’s important to get enough of both nutrients, because combines, they can help make your bones dense and strong.
Gardening for organic food
It’s so exciting that we don’t have to go far from our houses to improve our health. There are so many benefits to growing your own food. You can control the pesticides and fertilisers used, you can lower your food miles, and it’s easy to encourage your kids or grandkids to eat more vegetables when they’re growing and harvesting them. Vegetables and fruits are great for boosting your winter immunity, and it doesn’t get fresher than picking them from your garden.
Gardening herbs to boost immunity
Herbs are a great source of nutrients and they don’t require a lot of space to grow. They’re ideal for small gardens and balcony planters. You might opt for aromatic classics like basil, mint, parsley, thyme, rosemary, chives, and chillies. Or you might branch out and try other herbs with health benefits like turmeric, ginger, ginseng, Echinacea, and maca.
Sparkling Blood Orange Cocktail
Serves 4x
Recipe and Image Nidhi | coco_and_chili
What a delicious way to kick off the festive season and beginning of Summer with this delicious Sparkling Blood Orange Cocktail using prosecco from our friends at The Prosecco Van.
For the Cocktail
Ingredients
The Prosecco Van Prosecco, 1x Bottle
Blood Orange Sorbet, homemade (recipe follows) or store bought, 1 quantity
Method:
Scoop 2-3 little scoops of sorbet into you glass. Top with The Prosecco Van Prosecco and enjoy immediately!
You will have some Prosecco spare for seconds which you’ll surely want!
Blood Orange Sorbet
Ingredients:
Blood Orange Juice, fresh 600ml
Sugar 100gms
Blood Orange Cointreau 30ml (Optional)
Method:
Heat 200ml juice and sugar over low heat till sugar dissolves. Mix with rest of the orange juice, add the Cointreau and chill in the fridge for 45mins to 1 hour. Churn in ice cream machine and transfer to an airtight container and freeze for 2 hours.
*If you do not have an ice cream machine, freeze the mixture in an airtight container for 3 hours or till mostly frozen, transfer to a blender and blend, freeze again. Repeat this step at least once more, if you have the time and inclination repeating the step twice will give amazing results.
*Note: Start the sorbet at least 1 day before serving, especially if you’re making it without an ice cream machine. It can easily be made 1 week prior to serving, just remove it from the freezer 5-10 mins before scooping.
*If you do not have Blood Oranges, mandarin juice or regular orange juice works too.
Tip: Scoop out little scoops of the sorbet on a lined baking tray cover and freeze to make light work of it while serving, especially while entertaining.
This recipe makes more than you need, leftovers are a perfect treat for the Aussie Summer.
