Preserving Our Flora & Fauna

Sydney Garden Talk Wed 5-6pm,Sat 12-1pm 2RRR 88.5fm

Feature Interview:Ryde, Hunters Hill Flora and Fauna Preservation Society committee members Brigid Dowsett & Cathy Merchant talk about the history of the society and it's major achievement being saving the Field of Mars from being turned into a tip. Field of mars is now a Heritage Reserve. Visit Field of Mars visitors centre to obtain a map that walks around the 33 hectares of reserve. For more info on the society, goto http://www.rydehhffps.org.au/

Vegetable Hero: HorseradishBOTANICAL NAME: Armoracia rusticana syn. A. lapathifolia

Horseradish is a member of the mustard family (Brassicaceae syn. Cruciferae -kale, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts and the common radish) and is cultivated for its thick, fleshy white roots.

The bite and aroma of the horseradish root are almost absent until it is grated or ground. During this process, as the root cells are crushed, volatile oils known as isothiocyanate are released. Vinegar stops this reaction and stabilizes the flavor. For milder horseradish, vinegar is added immediately.Propagate by root division in spring or autumn for harvest the following year. At harvest-dig up all the plant and use the larger roots to make horseradish sauce and store the smaller ones in sand for replanting next year.

Design Elements:Sturcture using hedges-hedges give that strong vertical element and help define beds and borders. You can use hedges in clipped geometric shapes or curves for variety.

Buxus are good in any garden on their own as a clipped feature or as a hedge. Buxus microphylla var Japonica is a fairly fast grower. Try Teucriam fruticans, Westringia fruticosa for tight grey foliage, or Alternanthera for dark burgundy foliage.

Plant of the Week: Hakea laurina or Pin cushion Hakea. Named after Baron von Hake.In the Australian National Botanic Gardens it is grown singly as a shrub or small tree reaching 5 m. The best specimens are in open beds of light soil, watered but well drained. In full sun the species forms an upright shrub with a compact, rounded head, flowering freely and evenly each year on the well-ripened wood. Specimens 20 years old in light shade are rather slender and sparse and in this position they do not flower well or regularly. The rounded pin-cushion flower heads are soft deep pink, with projecting long styles, white to pale pink on aging. A faint, pleasant scent may be detected and bees have been seen visiting the flowers.

What's On: Epping Open Garden-17 Dallwood Ave, Epping, 22nd,23rd May 10-4.30pm. Brendan Moar presentation 2.30-3pm