Chia seeds are tiny black seeds from the plant Salvia hispanica, which is related to the Sage Family. The Chia leaves are high in protein and nutrients, and are therefore a valuable addition to your salad or stir fry. The leaves can also be used fresh or dried to make an antioxidant tea. The Chia plant is mostly grown for its seeds but you would need to grow a lot of plants. The Chia plant can be grown from Chia Seeds from the supermarket and are one of the easiest seeds to grow Chia Sprouts. The Chia plant with purple flowers produces black seeds and the one with white flowers produces white seeds. Both have the same nutritional value. 

CAN CHIA GROW IN PERTH?
Chia doesn’t like frost - but our climate from September through to March is plenty warm enough. Chia needs a long season to produce seed, however, the leaves can be harvested at any time.

PLANTING GUIDE
Choose a spot that receives full sun and has good drainage. Full sun is very important. The plant grows best near the equator where the days are longer, and yet they are considered desert plants so, just like many sage plants, ensure that the soil has good drainage. Prepare the soil as you would for other plants, breaking it up and adding plenty of organic matter. Don’t be shy about adding the extra nutrients when preparing the soil. Once the plants are established you won’t need to add fertilizer. 

WHEN AND HOW TO PLANT SEEDS 
If planting seeds directly into the soil or pot, plant in early September. It will take about 3-14 days to germinate. The plant should flower about 3-4 months after planting the seed. Then allow another month before harvesting the seeds. Scatter the tiny seeds over the surface of the soil and then rake the earth over them carefully. The seeds do not need to be placed very deep in the soil. Water them lightly and daily until the plants are growing strongly. Gradually thin out the seedlings until you have approx. 12-18 inches between plants. Chia does not like to be crowded. 
Chia can be grown in a large pot approx. 12 to 18 inches in diameter. Chia can grow up to 1.5m. 

WATERING
Once the plants are established Chia doesn't need to be kept moist at all times, but they certainly need a drink at least every few days. When their leaves start to droop a little, water them. Mature chia plants can tolerate some dry periods. 
​
HARVESTING SEEDS
Chia seeds are easy to harvest from slightly dried flower heads. As the pretty purple or white flowers of the chia stalk start to dry, they will lose their petals. This is the ideal time to harvest. Don't wait until the flower browns, as this will compromise the harvest. You can harvest the leaves for salads and stir fry at any time. Cut the stalk from the plant and layer it onto a drying rack. Alternatively, you can store your stalks in a paper or cotton bag so that it dries fully. What’s considered an amount of “fully dry” time will depend on the climate. Once they are fully dried, they can be crushed and separated.

• Chia tea, made with a few, freshly chopped or dried leaves, for anyone feeling lethargic or lacking energy. Chia contains several very strong antioxidants that help to remove toxins from the body, which then give a feeling of improved health.
• Eat chia leaves in salad or use as a spinach alternative. 
• Add fresh leaves and seeds to smoothies.
• Use Chia seeds as an egg replacement in things like pancakes and meatballs. To substitute 1 egg, soak 1 tablespoon (15 grams) of chia seeds in 3 tablespoons (45 ml) of water.
• Make Chia Water (a high fibre drink) by soaking only 10 grams of seed in water for about 20 minutes. You can add some lemon or lime for extra flavour. Or replace the water with freshly squeezed orange juice. 
• Chia Pudding. Make with water, juice or milk and you can add vanilla or cocoa. Just add extra seeds to create a pudding texture. Blending the pudding will give a smoother texture. Chia pudding can be used as a dessert or served like oats for breakfast. Just top with nuts, fruit or cinnamon. 
• Use chia seeds to replace breadcrumb coatings on meat or fish. Blend the seeds into a fine powder and use like breadcrumbs.
• Make Chia Jam. Chia seeds thicken the jam without needing sugar. Usually the fruit is enough to sweeten the jam unless you use a tart fruit, then you only need a teaspoon of sweetener. You can also use Chia seeds to thicken any jam.

INGREDIENTS
2 cups of fruit - fresh or frozen
2 Tablespoons of chia seeds

METHOD

• Heat fruit over a medium heat until it starts to break down. Mash with a spoon or potato masher until it reaches the desired consistency. No harm in leaving a few chunks instead of having a completely smooth jam.
• Add the chia seeds and stir until fully combined. Remove from heat. The jam will begin to thicken very quickly as it cools. 
• After just 5 minutes you have a jam. Place in a sealed container and refrigerate. The jam will last about 1 week. 
• Replace flour with chia seeds to thicken soups and stews.

Chia Seeds Deliver a Massive Amount of Nutrients With Very Few Calories. In fact, “chia” is the ancient Mayan word for “strength.”

About 2 tablespoons (28 grams) of chia seeds contains:
- Fibre: 11 grams.
- Protein: 4 grams.
- Fat: 9 grams (5 of which are omega-3s).
- Calcium: 18% of the RDI.
- Manganese: 30% of the RDI.
- Magnesium: 30% of the RDI.
- Phosphorus: 27% of the RDI.
- They also contain a decent amount of zinc, vitamin B3 (niacin), potassium, vitamin B1 (thiamine) and vitamin B2.

Benefits of Chia:

• Chia Seeds Are Loaded With Antioxidants
• Almost all the Carbs in them are Fiber
• Chia Seeds Are High in Quality Protein
• The High Fiber and Protein Content in Chia Seeds May Help You Lose Weight
• Chia Seeds Are High in Omega-3 Fatty Acids
• Chia Seeds May Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease
• They’re High in Many Important Bone Nutrients
• Chia Seeds May Reduce Blood Sugar Levels
• They May Reduce Chronic Inflammation
• Chia Seeds Are Easy to Incorporate Into Your Diet (you can add seeds to anything)

by Paul Hammond

​Ever wondered about the name of that plant that is growing in the community garden? Or wanted to know if that interesting-looking herb is edible?  Maybe you are wondering if something is a weed?Identifying plants can be a fun and rewarding experience, and thankfully, it's easier than ever with the help of technology! Here's a quick guide to get you started:

Field Guides
There are many publishings available, and some are focused on particular regions in Australia. Some are available in print and others are accessible online.

Tips for Choosing a Field Guide:

• Focus: Consider your specific interests (native plants, edibles, flowers, fruit or vegetables, pests and weeds).
• Region: Some guides may focus on specific regions within your area (e.g., rural areas, coastal regions, etc.)
• Illustrations: Choose a guide with clear illustrations or photographs.
• User-friendliness: Look for a guide that's easy to navigate and understand.

​Some Guides To Get You Started:

Vegetable growing: a guide for home gardeners in Western Australia
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western Australia.
Bulletin 4629 https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/bulletins/5/​

How to Do It in the Garden by Sabrina Hahn
Available from Fremantle Press: https://fremantlepress.com.au/books/how-to-do-it-in-the-garden/

Edible School Garden Planting and Maintenance Guide
from the Waste Authority of WA, Wastewise Schools Program
https://www.wasteauthority.wa.gov.au/images/resources/wss/Files/2019/10/Edible_Garden_Planting_and_Maintenance_Guide.pdf

​Turning Your Phone into a Plant Detective: The Magic of Image Recognition

How is this possible?  It's all thanks to the incredible technology of image recognition.

Here's a simplified breakdown:

• Capture: You take a photo of the plant using your phone's camera.   
• Analyze: The app uses sophisticated algorithms to analyze the image, identifying key features like the shape of the leaves, the color of the flowers, and even the texture of the stem.
• Compare: The app compares these features to a vast database of plant images and information.   
• Identify: Based on the comparison, the app identifies the plant with a high degree of accuracy, often providing additional details like its scientific name, growing habits, and even care tips.   

It's like having a botanist in your pocket! This technology is revolutionizing the way we interact with the natural world, making it easier than ever to learn about the plants around us.

​For Apple Users:

​For Android Users:

Tips for Using Plant ID Apps:

Clear photos: Ensure your photos are well-lit and in focus.
Multiple angles: Take photos of different parts of the plant, including leaves, flowers, and stems.
Stable connection: A good internet connection is needed for these apps to work effectively.
Cross-reference: Double-check the results with other resources, like a field guide or online database.

By combining traditional observation skills with the power of technology, you'll be well on your way to becoming a community garden plant expert! Happy gardening!

When summer is here it comes a few things to be aware of in our community garden...

Blue tongue Lizards and snakes

• Blue tongue lizards live and roam in the garden, so look before diving your hand into any garden areas. Several water bowls have been placed around the garden for their use so please top them up when you see them empty.
• So far no snakes have been sighted but be alert for the possibility, make a noise and keep your eyes open!

Pests and disease in your patch

• Unfortunately we have tomato blight, red spider mite and pottery mildew popping up in a few areas. Remember we are organic so any sprays need to be carefully selected before use. Please check with someone before spraying.
• Tomato blight all infected leaves should be removed, BAGGED, and put in the green landfill bin. Red spider mites have infected our papinos but they also can go for peppers, tomatoes, capsicum, beans, corn and strawberries. Remove all infected leaves BAG and put in the green landfill bin or use a non chemical option if the infestation is in its early stage.
• Powdery Mildew is common to zucchinis and can spread to rockmelon, grapes and cucumber so nipping it in the but is needed early. Spraying leaves with milk in their younger stage is recommended, never water leaves only the soil, remove infected leaves immediately and put them in the green landfill bin.
• CLEAN ALL GARDEN TOOLS USED WITH DILUTED BLEACH, VINEGAR OR METHYLATED SPIRITS IN A BUCKET THAT CAN BE USED BY OTHERS PLEASE OR WITH A RAG SOAKED IN THE CLEANER. We have vinegar under the sink in the garden.

If you want a non-toxic garden, especially if you are growing your food, then you should use alternatives to toxic chemicals to keep the weeds down. 

Mandurah Community Gardens was contacted by Ella from Consumer Notice to let us know about an article they published regarding alternatives to Round Up. After checking out their article with useful information, we're sure you will agree that this topic is very important if you want to maintain an organic, healthy garden.

We have added the Herbicide topic to the information section on our website, and we welcome any suggestions, feedback or ideas that you have to share.

Read our information page on herbicides here