Nirvana Biodynamics

This afternoon we spent harvesting some wonderful honey from our 2 hives. It was great to see fully capped frames after a disappointing harvest last year. It’s always a great experience although at times a bit stressful .The next harvest will be after Christmas when the chestnuts have finished flowering. Chestnut flowers produce really special honey.

The wonderful aroma of roasting chestnuts can be experienced every weekend in Stirling in the Adelaide Hills. Between May and July and sometimes into August you can experience local produce , grown at Nirvana Farm just 3km down the road at Heathfield and expertly roasted by owner Quentin. And if you enjoy them roasted why not visit the farm to purchase some fresh ones to take home.  

Red currants glisten in the sun as they reach full ripeness at this time of the year. Red currants and in fact white currants although considered sour by some add a tart richness to a green salads,  fresh vegetables or a fruit salad.I like adding them to salads for their rich colour .their glistening red adds colour early December when the tomatoes have only just set their fruit.I especially enjoy them just off the bush and think the white ones taste the best. As they ripen during the festive season their colours make great decorations  for the Christmas table.They can also be used to top a cake or tart,decoration on a fruit punch or cocktail. Or served with cheese. Red currant jelly are traditional with roasts of lamb, poultry and game birds.They also make an excellent glaze for brushing over pastries, cakes and open fruit tarts. REDCURRANT & CHOCOLATE 150gm Dark coverture chocolate 100ml cream 8 teaspoons red currant jelly 4 tablespoons fresh red curran...

I am often asked ‘what grows in the hills’ Growing conditions and seasons can be very localised. Heathfield is in the highest rainfall (1200mm) part of the hills. Many areas also have a variety of micro climates which is worth bearing in mind. Fruit growing at Nirvana Apple : Granny Smith, Golden delicious , Jonathon, Red Fuji, Avocado Berries *Raspberries : Nootka, Chiliwack, yellow’ , Heritage * Blackcurrant: Hatton black, Baldwin, Magnus *Red currant *White currant *English gooseberries : Farmers glory, Green Giant, Yorkshire champion, Late red. Jostaberries Blue berries : Northland, Blue Rose, Denise, Brigitta, Blue Rose Elderberries Bunya pine Cherry *Chestnuts (a mix of varieties) Citrus: Tangelo: Minneola; Mandarins; Kara, Imperial; Blood orange; Maltese; Seville orange; Navel orange; Washington; Sweet orange; Grapefruit: Marsh; Lemon; Myer: rough seedling; Tahitian Lime; Kaffir Lime ...

The first thing you notice about my home vegetable garden is that it is well fenced to keep poultry and dogs out. The large banana passionfruit vine is a good deterrent as they can’t see through and see what they are missing. As you enter there is always a vast array of vegies, some growing, some ready for the table and some going to seed to ensure future crops. Established in 1983 the annual  garden is 10 x 18 m and includes a tool shed (in need of new door!) propagation area, cold frames and its own compost area. THIS VEGETABLE GARDEN IS DESIGNED TO PRODUCE A STEADY SUPPLY OF TOP QUALITY PRODUCE WITH MINIMUM WORK. THE BASIC FEATURES ARE : *PERMANENT RAISED BEDS. The soil from pathways was used to build beds. Each bed is enclosed to keep soil in. The width of the bed ensures easy reach. GARDEN BEDS SHOULD NEVER BE WALKED ON!!!! *VEGETABLES ARE GROWN IN SOIL ENRICHED WITH OUR OWN BIO DYNAMIC COMPOST. * EAC...

Kiwifruit are the last of the deciduous fruits to be harvested. most commercial crops are harvested in May, at this time they can be stored for a long time and really only ripen when taken from cold storage then  allowed to ripen. However when left on the vine to ripen  and harvested in July they are fully ripe and can be eaten straight away. They do not store as long  BUT their  taste is amazingly great. Our Kiwifruit had a bit of disaster this season when in April a large stringy bark branch crashed right through the middle breaking the trellis posts , wires and plants. Now the kiwifruit has been harvested I can get in and prune them before replacing the posts and wires. Kiwifruit are great to eat fresh, their refreshing taste is so good and blends well with winter climate. They also add a zing to a green salad and go well on a cheese platter. As with most fruits they can also be turned into cakes,topping sorbets ,chutneys and jam. They also dry extre...