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Blog posts tagged with 'local produce'

A Great Day at the Little Church Markets in Goulburn NSW

Little Church Markets Goulburn NSw

A Great Success!!!

It was H&H first market in Goulburn and we were blessed with magnificent weather. Alongside the St Saviours markets a little way down the road, people came along all day to support both markets. It was wonderful to meet so many local folk who really appreciated the local produce and products on offer. Thank you to all those who came and tasted our preserves and for all those who took a little something home, we hope you enjoy them very much.

The markets are likely to be held every second month in the Baptist Church hall from 9 am - 2 pm. I hope to see you all again in a couple of months.

Thanks Again to my dear friend Dianne and my beautiful assistant/husband Stephen who made the day such a lot of fun.

See you all again very soon.

Unfortunately the husband snuck up on me with the camera, so didnt have my smile on, busy setting up.   (:

H&H Preserves is looking for new Retail Opportunities

We have been very lucky to have the support of local retail outlets around the district, but H&H Preserves would love to hear from anyone interested in including our offering of homegrown and handmade preserves in their retail environment.

We think it is high time that we shared our delicious preserves and not keep them just a secret of the beautiful Upper Lachlan Shire.

If you are interested please contact Veronica at info@hnh.net.au

Bigga Easter Markets Saturday 3 April 2021

The Bigga Easter Markets are back for 2021!

H&H preserves have been part of the Bigga Easter Markets for some years now and as was the case with many things in 2020 the markets were cancelled due to COVID.   However with the easing of restrictions they are on again bigger and better than ever.  Of course, with COVID protocols in mind.

Come and join us, it is always a really popular event with locals and visitors to the district for school holidays or the Easter Break.

Di and Veronica at Bigga Markets

Look forward to seeing you there!

Finding your Heirloom Tomato Variety

What is the difference between a Hybrid and an Heirloom tomato?

Hybrid tomatoes are what we all have purchased in our supermarkets, they are bred for long term storage, to be less susceptible to diseases, to be perfect in appearance but are less flavoursome. If you save the seeds to replant you cannot be certain that your seed will grow true to type. The hybrid is a combination on many varieties bred to give all the attributes listed above.

An heirloom tomato is an older-style tomato variety which can be susceptible to diseases, cannot be stored long term, may or may not be perfect in appearance but will have the most wonderfully intense tomato flavour. An heirloom tomato seed should always grow true to type.

There are many seed suppliers who specialise in heirloom tomato seeds in Australia, Diggers Club, Eden Seeds, Seed Freaks, Boondie Seeds are just a few. There are many others around the world who are dedicated to saving heirloom seeds so that these varieties are not lost to future generations.

After a lot of investigation and trial and error in growing, we discovered a book called "TOMATO" written by Penny Woodward, Janice Sutton and Karen Sutherland, it has become our tomato bible.

One of the great things that is included in the book is a list of Heirloom varieties and all their attributes, colour, size, flavour, uses etc. After a couple of years planting different varieties, we have settled on our selection which we use for our preserves.
Each of the past few seasons have brought with it different challenges. Extremely wet summers, causing fungal infections, excessive heat causing wilt and poor germination, drought and bushfires or as we experienced in 2020/21 almost no summer with the whole season being spring like in its temperatures and above average rainfall.

Then our friends the insects and birds cause their own problems, caterpillar infestations are a big problem for tomatoes. In tough seasons the native birds such as King Parrots, Crimson Rosellas and Currawongs, find tomatoes a great alternate food source.

The "TOMATO" publication gives great assistance with the types of diseases which affect tomatoes, also eco-friendly alternatives to chemicals, such as chilli and garlic spray to combat caterpillars. Really when you get right down to it, tomatoes can be quite the Goldilocks, liking everything just at the right temperature, not to cold and not to hot, not too much water, or too little, but just the right amount.

It is all worth it when you get a tomato harvest like we have had this year, which has been exceptional. We never get everything right, we make mistakes every year, but normally different ones! In the end we get a harvest like this that makes it all worthwhile.