October - The month to check out Western Australians Wildflowers
Friends of mine from Sydney, Michael and Dan, took a 2 week drive up along the W.A coast during October. As Dan is a fanatical propagator of Natives, their aim was to visit flower shows and capture as many species in the wild as possible.They took some of the following photos that I thought I would share with you. Also there has been questions from members and an update on the six week "Turn over a new leaf detox".
After looking at these who would not want to be doing this drive come October? Just another wonderful attraction of W.A. and justifies a trip over this October. Some of these I believe you can grow in the Eastern states but certainly not them all.
Flowering Gum Menzies Banksia Tall Grass Tree
Eucalyptus Pyriformis Lambertia (or Mountain Devil)
Parsley and carrot seed germination
Received an email last week from a member wanting to know how to germinate parsley and carrot seeds. Parsley seeds can be one of the hardest seeds to germinate. Many gardeners simply bite the bullet and buy seedlings but if you are really keen, try the following.
Plant your parsley seeds and cover with a thin layer of seed raising mix. Get some hot (near, but not boiling) water and apply just enough to water in the seeds. The heat can help activate them. Another thing you can try is soaking the seeds in water overnight before planting with a pinch of Epsom salts.
Detoxing with "Turn Over A New Leaf" book
I had mentioned the "Turn over a new leaf" cookbook last week and I am now into the 3rd week of my annual detox (6 weeks in total). It is always great how quick the body can adapt to what you are feeding it - cleanse and then start to produce more life energy. The thing that sets this book apart from the liver cleansing and other eating programs is you really do not feel you are missing out on good food. Food is to be enjoyed - why deny yourself this? So I have found to eat well, we have to be organized, prepared and a little creative. And the rewards in terms of health and lifestyle are certainly worth it.
On the same subject, I noticed what looks like a great show coming up this Thursday on the ABC. "Flour, sugar and Tea" will examine the effects of a Western diet on Aboriginal health over the years. Such refined products are damaging to us all and I believe this program will be very interesting. The show starts at 9.30pm this Thursday (click the link below to find out more).
I also have more information coming in terms of REAL natural sweets (not artificial) that I promised you last post. This of course is the wonderful herb Stevia.
Find Out More...(links open in a new window)
- The Australian Native Plant Society
- "Flour, Sugar and Tea" - this Thursday, 9.30am ABC
- Getting Parsley to germinate
