Like daddy
Francine Duncanson, from Bentleigh East in Victoria, congratulated Don and the team on the return of Burke’s Backyard to TV. She said that her two young children, Jack and Mollie, call the show ‘Like Daddy’ because there’s a striking resemblance between Don and her husband, Doug. Francine said the only time she can get the kids to sit still is Friday night at 7.30pm when ‘Like Daddy’ is on!
Coriander
Sandy O’Connell, from Warkworth in New Zealand, asked why her coriander always produces tall flowery stems instead of nice, big flat leaves.
Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) is an annual to 50cm high. In Australia we tend to grow coriander for the leaves, whereas in Asia it is grown mostly for the seed. However, most of the varieties sold in Australia are seed varieties, which grow quickly and bolt to seed. When you go to the nursery to buy coriander, look for a ‘slow bolt’ variety. Don advised Sandy to sow during the cooler months, from about May through to September or October. Coriander grown in the cooler months takes longer to go to seed and produces lots of leaves.
Herbs, such as coriander, in 100mm (4″) pots cost $2-$4. They are readily available from the herb section of your local nursery or garden centre.
Dog droppings
Houda Lebbos, of Woronora Heights in NSW, wrote to ask if it’s okay to use dog manure as fertiliser for flowers, hedges and vegies, or if it would burn the roots of the plants.
Don said that when he had a small garden he used to dig a hole (about 200mm or 20cm deep), put the dog droppings in the hole and just cover them over. Dog droppings can be used in the soil in that way and won’t burn the roots of plants, but they should be kept away from things you eat, such as vegies. Alternatively, dog poo can be put out with the garbage.
Dog droppings can also be used to stop dogs digging holes. Just put some into the hole and cover it over. Dogs usually won’t dig again in that spot.
Letter of the Week
Francine Duncanson wins a year’s free subscription to Burke’s Backyard magazine for the best letter of the week. Congratulations Francine!
