Selwyn Times: August 22, 2018

34 Wednesday August 22 2018
Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
Gardening
Local
News
Now
SELWYN TIMES
Fire rages, homes at risk
Weed cuisine from your backyard
FANCY a tangy wild pesto
made from weeds? This is just
one of the many ways you can
befriend common weeds that
like to take up residence in your
garden patches and flower beds.
In this day and age of
convenience shopping, weeds
are not plants most people would
consider eating on a regular
basis.
We have become wary of
anything that comes without
shrink wrap or a barcode.
However, wild green plants
(aka weeds) are still collected in
many countries, supplying major
sources of trace elements and
vitamins in the diet.
It is easy to forget that most
fruits and vegetables occur
somewhere naturally as weeds.
Every vegetable food cultivated
today was once a wild plant,
although most have been
‘improved’ beyond recognition.
Wild vegetables have specific
genetic qualities that tend to get
bred out during cultivation such
as resistance to disease, resilience
to climatic variations and longer
flowering seasons.
While the practice of foraging
for wild greens may not be
a component of your food
gathering strategies as yet, you
may be pleasantly surprised to
find that some of these healthgiving
plants are growing right
under your nose in your own
patch.
Time to head out to the garden
and scrutinise your weeds with
edibility in mind.
Instead of cursing those pesky
weeds, pick yourself a handful of
a wilder variety of greens.
Give them a vigorous rinse
under flowing tap water and whip
up a batch of pesto.
All edible wild greens are very
high in chlorophyll.
Chlorophyll is rich in
digestive enzymes, which
can assist in the digestion of
heavier foods like starches and
proteins.
It is best to consume these
plants fresh as cooking destroys
these enzymes.
Use your outdoor living areas
all year round
• Warm & dry in winter
• UV protection for summer
• Stylish & permanent
• 5 year warranty
“AS SEEN ON TV”
Chris Thorndycroft
Grant Stewart
Phone 0508 272 446 | www.archgola.co.nz
Safety
in the
Garden
As we approach the prime time for gardening, it is a
timely reminder for everyone about the safe practices for
gardening.
Gardening is very popular here in Canterbury and as the
weather improves we will find ourselves out and about
in the garden more over the coming months. With this in
mind, we want to ensure everyone is aware of the safe
practices of gardening, most importantly how to protect
yourself from contracting Legionnaires.
Legionellosis (Legionnaire’s disease) is a form of
pneumonia, and is caused by a bacterium called
Legionella found in moist conditions in the environment.
You can catch the disease by inhaling airborne droplets
or particles that contain the bacteria. The illness can
present itself in mild or severe cases, and can sometimes
be fatal. It is more common in elderly people, particularly
if they smoke, have poor immunity, or are already ill. It
will usually develop in 2-10 days after exposure to the
bacteria and symptoms include fever, chills, headaches
and muscle pain. It will then develop into chest infectionlike
symptoms. If you do present with these symptoms
after gardening, inform your Doctor you have been doing
so, so they can test for Legionnaires.
Please head to our website www.igro.co.nz for more
information about Legionnaires, or give us a call on 03
3479415.
15 months
INTEREST FREE
Normal lending criteria apply
Here are some tips to reduce
your chances of contracting
this disease:
• Read the warning labels
on bags of compost and
potting mixes
• Wear gloves when
handling soils, mulches,
composts and potting
mixes
• Wear a dust mask if you
are using these mixes
indoors, or if it is windy
• Dampen mixes before
using them
• Always open bags away
from your face and in
an open area (not in a
greenhouse)
• Wash your hands
thoroughly before eating,
drinking or smoking or
touching your face
CHICKWEED: Scrutinise your weeds with edibility in mind.
SAFER ACCESS
TO INTELLIGRO
Heading north on Main South Road you will use the Weedons
Ross Road off ramp. Manion Road is just before the railway
lines on the left-hand side. If you are heading south along Main South
Road, then turn right into Curraghs Road, and Manion Road is on your left just
before the railway line. You cannot miss our big green sign. Our team look
forward to seeing you in store!
Main South Road (SH1)
Proposed Christchurch Southern Motorway Stage 2 (CSM2) alignment
New local road
For more information, check out our website:
www.igro.co.nz
or visit our facebook page:
www.facebook.com/igro.co.nz
261 Manion Road, Weedons
Access to Intelligro from Manion Road is now available from both the Weedons Ross Road end,
and Curraghs Road entrances.
www.igro.co.nz | Phone 03 347 9415
N
Weedons Ross Road
261
Alston Road
Railway Line
Manion Road
Berketts Road
Jones Road
Larcombs Road
Justine Drive
Curraghs Road
Robinsons Road
Dawsons
Road