Monday, April 8, 2013

Broccoli Waltham - Brassica oleracea - GREAT GREENS!

0015 BROCCOLI - Waltham - Brassica oleracea

BROCCOLI - Waltham is a Tall sturdy variety that tolerates the cold well. 
It is also drought tolerant. 

A great way to get nutrition - Broccoli is full of fibre, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants - Boil heads, or eat raw - salads, stir fries etc. 

Blue-Green medium sized heads on long shoots - offshoots also head up, freezes well.
Dont forget to collect seeds to have again next season... 

Heirloom named in 1950 - 74 days approx to maturity
Full sun, Fertile soil - Direct sow or plant in pots until plants have 2-3 leaves.

SEE MY LISTINGS on Trademe HERE

BALM OF GILEAD seeds - Mint Family - BEES LOVE IT!

0014 Balm of Gilead - Cedronella Canariensis

 BALM OF GILEAD - 
Attractive strongly scented herb that looks great in a pot.
Growing 2-3 ft,Tall bracts of light pink/lilac flowers in Summer. The plant releases its pleasant camphor scent when brushed or pruned. 


Medicinal uses include reducing  the congestion of  the lungs when used as an inhalant, as a balm to ease sore joints and muscles,  or a cream to aid healing of scratches, bites and sunburn.

Seeds are small, black and hard. Scarify lightly by rubbing them on sandpaper, sow in pots, keep moist until the plant is through,  plant out (full sun) when frost is past, soil is warmer & plant has started to grow leaves. Likes moist, fertile rich soil. Full sun.
Seed pods are formed as long bracts that brown and dry, then expel the seeds into the soil below which if conditions are ideal, continues your Balm supply through to the next season. 
Cut back lightly (shape) in Autumn, plant does not like the cold and will not survive extreme (temps in the minus!) cold, but it will survive with mulch if roots are kept warm (in a pot) 

Note, there is also a tree known as Balm or Balsam of Gilead. This is the HERB that is known by the name Balm of Gilead.

Have a look at my listings HERE on Trademe

Strawberry - Fragaria x ananassa - CHANDLER - Sweet Large Fruit, Easy Grow

0013 STRAWBERRY - Chandler



Strawberry - Fragaria x ananassa - CHANDLER is a very desirable productive strawberry, with large sweet fruit. 

Plant seeds inside, keep moist and plant out once the plants have four good sized leaves and frosts are past. 

Plant out in moist well-drained fertile soil with a Ph of 6, in full sun. 
Plants must be given regular water to produce the best fruit. 
Strawberries grow and multiply, and the runners can be cut off, or planted alongside. 
CHANDLER has a high yield, but needs a little love (potash, mulch,and fertilizer) between flowerings.
Snuggle plants into a bed of pea straw over Winter, it lifts the fruit off the wet ground, avoiding slugs and other sucking pests.

SEED LISTINGS HERE on TRADE ME

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Website in Progress - EARTH BUTTERFLY SEEDS



Thanks for viewing my website.
I am currently listing seeds I have available on this site in depth, but until that is complete, please check out my Trade Me Listings HERE - I will be adding to both sites as seeds become available.

Many Thanks for taking time to look :)

Lynne Absolum
Earth Butterfly Seeds
Avonside,
Christchurch