CHOC CHIP BANANA MUFFINS

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups self-raising four

• 1/2 cup caster sugar

• 60g butter

• 1/2 cup milk

• 2 eggs

• 2 ripe bananas, mashed

• 1 cup (200g) dark chocolate bits

METHOD

1. Preheat oven to 200C or 180C fan-forced.

2. Sift four into a mixing bowl. Stir in sugar. Make a well in the centre of dry ingredients.

3. Melt butter in a small saucepan or heat-proof bowl in the microwave. Set aside to cool slightly.

4. Add milk, eggs and butter in to dry ingredients, along with mashed banana. Using a wooden spoon, gently mix ingredients until just combined. Stir in choc bits. Don’t beat the mixture or the muffns will be tough.

5. Line a muffn tray with paper cases. Spoon the mixture evenly into the muffn cases. Bake for 20 minutes or until frm on top when lightly touched (get an adult to help with this).

6. Leave in the tray for 3 minutes. Transfer the muffns to a rack to cool.

25m prep 1h 05m cook serves 10

INGREDIENTS

• 8 Chicken Drumsticks

• 400g can chickpeas, rinsed, drained

• 1 tbsp Moroccan seasoning

• 500g vine-ripened cherry tomatoes

• 60g Baby Spinach

METHOD

1. Preheat oven to 200°C. Grease a large baking dish

2. Arrange the chicken and chickpeas in the prepared dish. Sprinkle with the Moroccan seasoning. Bake for 30 mins or until the chicken is cooked through, adding the tomatoes to the dish for the last 10 mins of cooking time.

3. Add spinach to dish. Cover with foil and set aside for 5 mins to rest. Season.

Garden ponds are more than just beautiful water features—they are ecosystems that breathe life into outdoor spaces, providing a sanctuary for wildlife, a focal point of tranquillity, and a boost to the overall health of your garden. Whether you’re looking to create a small, peaceful oasis or a larger, more elaborate water feature, adding a pond to your garden is a rewarding project that brings both aesthetic and environmental benefts.

The Growing Popularity of Garden Ponds

Over the last decade, garden ponds have surged in popularity, particularly as homeowners and garden enthusiasts seek ways to create natural, biodiverse spaces that are not only visually appealing but also benefcial to the environment. In the wake of increased awareness about biodiversity loss, many gardeners are turning to ponds as a means to support wildlife, improve their garden’s ecosystem, and create a serene atmosphere.

From small container ponds to sprawling, naturalistic water features, the variety of pond designs available makes it easy for anyone to incorporate water into their outdoor space, regardless of garden size. Ponds are increasingly being seen as essential garden elements that foster biodiversity while enhancing the overall look and feel of the landscape.

Environmental Benefts of Garden Ponds

A garden pond is more than just a water feature—it is an entire ecosystem that can transform your garden into a haven for wildlife. Even small ponds provide crucial habitats for a variety of creatures, including frogs, newts, dragonfies, birds, and insects. Water is a magnet for wildlife, and by adding a pond to your garden, you’re contributing to the local ecosystem in meaningful ways.

Supporting Wildlife:

One of the most signifcant environmental benefts of a pond is its ability to support biodiversity. Frogs, toads, and newts are some of the most common amphibians to be attracted to ponds, using them for breeding, shelter, and hunting insects. Dragonfies and damselfies, often seen darting over pond surfaces, use the water to lay their eggs, and their larvae develop in the pond before emerging as adults.

Birds are also drawn to ponds for drinking and bathing, while bees, butterfies, and other pollinators are attracted to the moisture and nectar-rich plants that thrive near water. Even in urban areas, ponds can create vital wildlife corridors, helping creatures move between habitats and increasing the overall biodiversity of a neighbourhood.

Improving Garden Health:

A well-maintained pond can also improve the overall health of your garden. Ponds create microclimates that support a wider variety of plants, especially those that prefer moist, humid conditions. Aquatic plants, such as water lilies, oxygenate the water and help maintain a healthy balance by absorbing excess nutrients that can lead to algae growth. The natural processes of a pond—like the decomposition of organic matter—also contribute to nutrient cycling, which can improve soil health around the pond area. Additionally, ponds can help regulate garden temperatures, acting as natural cooling systems during hot summers by refecting sunlight and increasing humidity in the surrounding air.

Planning Your Garden Pond

Creating a pond in your garden may seem like a daunting task, but with proper planning, it can be an enjoyable and rewarding project. Whether you choose a pre-formed pond liner, a fexible liner, or even a large container, the key is to consider the size, location, and purpose of your pond before you begin digging.

Choosing the Right Location:

When planning your pond, location is everything. Ideally, the pond should be placed in a spot that gets a good balance of sunlight and shade. Too much sun can lead to excessive algae growth, while too much shade can hinder the growth of aquatic plants. A site that gets around four to six hours of sunlight a day is usually ideal.

Avoid placing your pond directly beneath trees, as falling leaves can quickly fll the water and increase maintenance. A level area is best for creating a stable pond, but if your garden is sloped, you can incorporate naturalistic features such as cascading water or a stream to add visual interest.

Size and Shape:

The size of your pond will depend on the space you have available and the role you want the pond to play in your garden. Larger ponds create more stable ecosystems, but even a small pond can support a surprising amount of wildlife. The shape of your pond should complement the style of your garden—formal gardens may suit geometric shapes, while naturalistic or cottagestyle gardens often look best with more organic, freeform ponds.

Choosing Plants:

Aquatic plants are essential to a healthy pond, providing oxygen, shelter, and food for wildlife. When selecting plants, consider a mix of submerged plants (such as hornwort), foating plants (like water lilies), and marginal plants (such as irises and marsh marigolds) to create a balanced ecosystem. Plants not only add beauty to the pond but also help maintain water quality by absorbing nutrients that would otherwise feed algae. Aim for around 50-70% plant coverage to keep your pond’s water clear and healthy.

Maintaining a Healthy Pond

Pond maintenance is relatively straightforward, but it’s essential for keeping your water feature clean and thriving. Regularly remove debris like leaves and dead plants to prevent water quality issues. Algae can be controlled with a combination of aquatic plants, proper fltration, and sometimes manual removal.

Ensure that the water level remains consistent, particularly during dry periods, and check for any leaks in your pond liner. During the colder months, allow some water circulation to prevent freezing solid if you live in a cooler climate.

Enhancing Your Pond for Wildlife

If attracting wildlife is a priority, consider adding features like shallow areas or sloping edges that make it easier for creatures to enter and exit the water. Log piles, stones, and dense plantings around the pond provide additional shelter and breeding spots for amphibians, insects, and small mammals.

Avoid introducing fsh to your wildlife pond, as they can disrupt the balance of the ecosystem by eating insects, eggs, and amphibian larvae. Instead, focus on creating a peaceful, natural environment that welcomes a wide range of species.

A garden pond is a beautiful, functional addition to any garden, offering both aesthetic appeal and environmental benefts. By providing a home for wildlife, improving the health of your garden, and creating a peaceful retreat, a pond can truly transform your outdoor space. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner, adding a pond is a wonderful way to reconnect with nature and foster biodiversity in your own backyard.