Friday, 25 May 2012
Tuesday, 15 May 2012
Little glimpses of promise
Today I potted out my courgettes, balmoral squash, pumpkin squash and lupin seedlings. I realised they looked a little worse for wear because they were trying to do their thing still potted in seed compost. One thing I learned recently is that seed compost has very little nutrients in it. I thought it would be the complete opposite, but seeds do not need much in the way of food to germinate. I'm hoping that now they have been bedded in rich compost they will perk up. Here they are in their new home in the greenhouse.
Other productive things are going on in there as well! I dug out one of my 'sweet olive, tomato plants from the ground bed in the greenhouse as they don't appear to get much direct sunlight in there. On the benches in the greenhouse seems to be the best spot for sunlight. It's looking much healthier now.
I'm considering relocating all of my tomatoes to stand the best chances of a bumper crop. They are receiving regular feeds, but don't seem to be doing much.
I've also been a tad concerned about my pumpkin plants. I adore pumpkin, and the thought of a basket of gnarly looking squash this autumn fills me with excitement, so to lose them would be very upsetting. They need planting out in the raised beds, but we still stand a chance of frost so I'm keeping them pot bound. Not that they seem to like that much either. To my amazement, I found this little baby today!
One thing I cannot deny has been a success is my potato crop. Look at this veritable Forrest of them.
People may well be getting baskets of potatoes from me for Christmas this year!
The rest of the garden looks stunning. Here are a few glimpses...
Other productive things are going on in there as well! I dug out one of my 'sweet olive, tomato plants from the ground bed in the greenhouse as they don't appear to get much direct sunlight in there. On the benches in the greenhouse seems to be the best spot for sunlight. It's looking much healthier now.
I'm considering relocating all of my tomatoes to stand the best chances of a bumper crop. They are receiving regular feeds, but don't seem to be doing much.
I've also been a tad concerned about my pumpkin plants. I adore pumpkin, and the thought of a basket of gnarly looking squash this autumn fills me with excitement, so to lose them would be very upsetting. They need planting out in the raised beds, but we still stand a chance of frost so I'm keeping them pot bound. Not that they seem to like that much either. To my amazement, I found this little baby today!
One thing I cannot deny has been a success is my potato crop. Look at this veritable Forrest of them.
People may well be getting baskets of potatoes from me for Christmas this year!
The rest of the garden looks stunning. Here are a few glimpses...
Tuesday, 24 April 2012
Bluebells
Every morning and afternoon I am greeted by a sea of waving, cheery bluebells just outside my front door. They have a delicate fragrance that is not quite as arrogant as a hyacinth, but just as sweet.
Amidst that sea of blue are little glimmers of soon to be white lily of the valley, which I am a little over excited to see.
And how can you forget the 'forget me nots'?!
I couldn't resist a little snip so that I get a little greeting every time I'm inside as well!
Glorious!
Amidst that sea of blue are little glimmers of soon to be white lily of the valley, which I am a little over excited to see.
And how can you forget the 'forget me nots'?!
I couldn't resist a little snip so that I get a little greeting every time I'm inside as well!
Glorious!
Sunday, 22 April 2012
Getting impatient!
The lack of recent posting is partly due to nothing much happening in the garden, but mostly due to a week long skiing trip in the French alps! It was beautiful seeing such thick snow, crystal clear lakes and mountains that seemed to go up forever!
Back in rainy Wiltshire, there are signs of progress in the vegetable garden. My rows of garlic seemed to have sprouted within days of planting, and there are signs of potato movement under ground.
My onions seemed to take a lot longer to spring into life, but they are there now and reassuring me that planting them in the less sunny place was nothing to be worried about.
I do find that I am stressing about the garden, and doubting myself that I have done the right things. I guess time will tell.
In France I made a delicious soup from some wonderful assortments of tomatoes and peppers that were in the local supermarket. Here is my recipe (which hopefully I will be able to make again with my own produce!)
Ingredients:
1.5 lbs of tomatoes (an assortment of colours is nice)
5 large bell peppers
4 cloves of garlic
2 pints of good chicken stock
3 tbsp of olive oil
2tsp of fresh ground black pepper
1 large white onion
200ml of single cream
Method:
Slice tomatoes in half, de-seed and roughly chop bell peppers, and peel and crush the garlic cloves. Place all of this in a roasting pan with the oil drizzled over, and add black pepper. Roast on a high heat (about 220 degrees Celsius) for about 40 mins (little charred bits are good..lots of lovely flavour in there). I drained off some of the watery liquid half way through to avoid them boiling instead of roasting.
Remove pan from the oven and leave to one side. chop onion and fry in a stock pot with a little oil until translucent. Crush the tomatoes and bell peppers together using a potato masher, fork, or food processor, and add to the cooked onion. Fry for a few minutes, and add stock, simmering on a low heat for 30 mins. Using a hand blender, blend the soup until rich and smooth. Add the cream, and serve with a crusty piece of French bread. Yummy!
Happy Sunday everyone.
Back in rainy Wiltshire, there are signs of progress in the vegetable garden. My rows of garlic seemed to have sprouted within days of planting, and there are signs of potato movement under ground.
My onions seemed to take a lot longer to spring into life, but they are there now and reassuring me that planting them in the less sunny place was nothing to be worried about.
I do find that I am stressing about the garden, and doubting myself that I have done the right things. I guess time will tell.
In France I made a delicious soup from some wonderful assortments of tomatoes and peppers that were in the local supermarket. Here is my recipe (which hopefully I will be able to make again with my own produce!)
Ingredients:
1.5 lbs of tomatoes (an assortment of colours is nice)
5 large bell peppers
4 cloves of garlic
2 pints of good chicken stock
3 tbsp of olive oil
2tsp of fresh ground black pepper
1 large white onion
200ml of single cream
Method:
Slice tomatoes in half, de-seed and roughly chop bell peppers, and peel and crush the garlic cloves. Place all of this in a roasting pan with the oil drizzled over, and add black pepper. Roast on a high heat (about 220 degrees Celsius) for about 40 mins (little charred bits are good..lots of lovely flavour in there). I drained off some of the watery liquid half way through to avoid them boiling instead of roasting.
Remove pan from the oven and leave to one side. chop onion and fry in a stock pot with a little oil until translucent. Crush the tomatoes and bell peppers together using a potato masher, fork, or food processor, and add to the cooked onion. Fry for a few minutes, and add stock, simmering on a low heat for 30 mins. Using a hand blender, blend the soup until rich and smooth. Add the cream, and serve with a crusty piece of French bread. Yummy!
Happy Sunday everyone.
Wednesday, 28 March 2012
Unseasonable
The weather over the last week has been absolutely glorious. I certainly did not expect to be enjoying a cold kriek (Belgian cherry beer!) on the patio, in the sun, wearing a tank top in march!
Last weekend the seedlings were moved to the greenhouse (following an adventurous clear out and the occasional scream at the size of some of the spiders in there!) I was a little nervous at bringing them out of my spare room...I've grown quite protective of the little baby plants!
This is their new home!
And in this bed went king Edward potatoes and rows of garlic (ready for a few roast potatoes!)
And this is where I plan to read a good book this summer.
Or just drink!
It's an exciting time, with the promise of summer and hopefully even more sun around the corner.
Last weekend the seedlings were moved to the greenhouse (following an adventurous clear out and the occasional scream at the size of some of the spiders in there!) I was a little nervous at bringing them out of my spare room...I've grown quite protective of the little baby plants!
This is their new home!
And in this bed went king Edward potatoes and rows of garlic (ready for a few roast potatoes!)
And this is where I plan to read a good book this summer.
Or just drink!
It's an exciting time, with the promise of summer and hopefully even more sun around the corner.
Friday, 23 March 2012
That Friday feeling!
One of the joys of public sector working, as I have recently discovered, is TOIL (time off in lieu), and leaving early on a Friday is one of those perks! It's a gloriously sunny, warm day, and instead of leaving for a weekend away with friends or family, I am far too excited at the prospect of a weekend at home, finally ticking off some of those garden 'to do's'!
The jungle of new growth outside my front door is finally showing signs of bluebells (I was getting worried that it was literally just leaves!)
The hellebores look beautiful...
And look at these primulas....
But this is what I'm most excited by
Yes those patches of raised dirt will soon become a veritable farmers Market (I hope!)
Here's to the weekend!
Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
The jungle of new growth outside my front door is finally showing signs of bluebells (I was getting worried that it was literally just leaves!)
The hellebores look beautiful...
And look at these primulas....
But this is what I'm most excited by
Yes those patches of raised dirt will soon become a veritable farmers Market (I hope!)
Here's to the weekend!
Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Home
Thursday, 15 March 2012
I get home from work and it's too dark and dingy to take any decent pictures of the pretty spring flowers blooming in the garden, so this will have to do...
I've been lucky enough to rent a house with a large greenhouse already, but after winter, it's looking less than inspiring and is in need of some TLC. To prepare for a Mediterranean micro-climate (the aim of my greenhouse this year), and to display my array of different tomatoes, bell peppers, chilies and herbs, I've done a little research as to steps to take!
A few weeks ago I burnt a sulphur candle in there. This is supposed to kill any diseases that may hurt any plants growing, and kill any bugs or pests. A word of warning...run from the candle and shut the door tight...it stinks! Sulphur candles are available from most hardware stores and garden centres for around £7.99.
I have dug in manure and blood/fish/bone to the soil in the bed in the greenhouse to ensure suitable nutrition.
Some tips I have picked up from various sources:
1) keep the glass inside and out clean- to allow as much light into the greenhouse, and to prevent pests and diseases.
2) inspect the glass and the aluminium frame for cracks and gaps that could let out valuable warmth. I thought an idea could be to fill gaps with bubble wrap or some old cloths
3) clear work space- sounds fairly self explanatory but if I'm going to cram as much in there as I can...I still need a functional work area.
4) general cleaning and tidying, even if it's just to make any time spent in there as enjoyable as possible!
I plan to have a greenhouse sort out over the next few weeks. Before and after pics to follow!
I've been lucky enough to rent a house with a large greenhouse already, but after winter, it's looking less than inspiring and is in need of some TLC. To prepare for a Mediterranean micro-climate (the aim of my greenhouse this year), and to display my array of different tomatoes, bell peppers, chilies and herbs, I've done a little research as to steps to take!
A few weeks ago I burnt a sulphur candle in there. This is supposed to kill any diseases that may hurt any plants growing, and kill any bugs or pests. A word of warning...run from the candle and shut the door tight...it stinks! Sulphur candles are available from most hardware stores and garden centres for around £7.99.
I have dug in manure and blood/fish/bone to the soil in the bed in the greenhouse to ensure suitable nutrition.
Some tips I have picked up from various sources:
1) keep the glass inside and out clean- to allow as much light into the greenhouse, and to prevent pests and diseases.
2) inspect the glass and the aluminium frame for cracks and gaps that could let out valuable warmth. I thought an idea could be to fill gaps with bubble wrap or some old cloths
3) clear work space- sounds fairly self explanatory but if I'm going to cram as much in there as I can...I still need a functional work area.
4) general cleaning and tidying, even if it's just to make any time spent in there as enjoyable as possible!
I plan to have a greenhouse sort out over the next few weeks. Before and after pics to follow!
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