Stefanie O'Brien's Page

"I had no idea there was a community garden so close, I've often wished there was!!  Will definitely try to be there."

"As far as I know, places like Ceres and Huckleberry farm, would ensure that all organic food is also GE free. You should be able to sprout their pulses without too much problem. Worth a try, although growing conditions from the original country may…"

"I grew soy beans last year and ate them as edamame beans ( immature soy beans) I just used sprouting seeds from huckleberry farms. Couldn't be sure they were GE free so trying a different seed source this year. I live in Sandringham and they…"

"Is it the same as Daikon, Japanese radish, which is the same size and shape as a turnip but a little hot, like a radish? Its white? If so, try an Asian grocery like Lims in Mt Albert if you're in Auckland. Maybe get a photo off the net and go…"

"Soiunds yum. I often cook quinoa in a bit of stock and it gives it a really nice flavour. Haven't tried the red one though. Thanks."

"oops that was a bit confusing...shellout stage is what you are talking about, when the seeds are at their fully formed fattest before they start to dry out, then its a simple matter to simmer them until tender and dress them or add them to soups.…"

"What do you mean by shellout stage? Are you saying you can't eat them "green" like shelled peas? Cheers, Stefanie "

"you have to let legumes dry on the plant, until the pods are crisp, otherwise the seeds will rot, and I think growing them to eat at shellout stage is yummier."

"Thanks Kali, great to hear someone else has actually tried to grow drying legumes. I've just put chickpeas in the cylinder cupboard to sprout and will plant soon with the runner beans I've already got in so they can share the climbing…"

"I have grown a couple of types of drying dwarf beans (from southern seed exchange and koanga) depending on the variety I got between 400g and 600 g from about 45 plants, so you need a large area to make it worthwhile. drying types of pea are easy to…"

"Alison & Simon Holsts Meals without Meat is great, and has lots of vege versions of standard NZ meals like lasagne and shepherds pie. Also look out for the Vegetarian Society recipe book, lots of local ingredients and favourites."

"Wow, thanks heaps Samantha, thats exactly what I need. I don't get NZ gardener, but my mother does, so I'll try to remember to enter. But actually it is possible to buy nonheat treated chickpeas, because I sprout them. Most supermarkets…"

"There is some information in the latest 'get growing' email from NZ gardener. Do you get those? Any way here it is: "1. Grow chickpeas. If you've ever wanted to make your own homegrown hummus by sowing chickpeas, here's…"

"Hello Stefanie, I'm in Devonport. I have just ordered Amaranth seeds this spring and I am going to try them this year for breakfast cereal. I am also quite interested in Quinoa but both would require quite a large area so I will restrict…"

"Thanks Kate, will look at the youtube link. Have to do a bit of proper research I think, no-one on Oooby or NZvegefamilies that I also belong to seems to have grown themselves. Will let you know hos I go. Where do you live btw? Cheers, Stefanie "