December 21st, 2008 — Uncategorised
Yet again I have been up to the plot to get some sprouts for Xmas dinner.
On opening the compost bin I saw a blur of brown as a mouse squirmed its way into the bin to avoid me. I could dig it out but that would mean emptying it and I don’t want to do that at this time of year. I think it got through the door as the weight of contents has slightly distorted it and as we all know, mice can get through any size gap.
December 14th, 2008 — Uncategorised
Went up the plot today to see how it was getting on and to get hold of some more sprouts. They have come on well and the frost has made them sweet. I only picked one stalk today and that should last us the week. I am about to cook some with carrots as the flavours go so well together.
The stalk will be put into a black plastic bag, seal the top and it turns into a brown slimy mulch, which then goes into the composter – waste not, want not. The leaves have already gone into the composter at home as those at the plot are full!!
We also picked some leeks, partly for today and partly because I am making soup for lunch during the week.
November 21st, 2008 — Uncategorised
Well, time is marching on and it is getting colder. I’ve been to the plot but only to dig it over before the frosts really get going.
I have also been busy putting things into the cold frame and using fleece on those I’m leaving in the ground.
I decided to dig up the cosmos and it was a good job I did as slugs had laid hundreds of eggs on the roots and would have eaten it in the spring. I took great satisfaction in popping all the eggs 😉
No pictures this time I’m afraid as I was on a time limit and needed to get it all done. Maybe next time.
November 9th, 2008 — Uncategorised
I have still got leeks on the plot, so I am taking them as and when I need to. They make great soup and go well in a stew or just julienned. 🙂
October 29th, 2008 — Uncategorised
I grew this on the plot. It is one of about 6 in all. I have started making soup and pies and chutney. It is going down a storm in the household and amongst friends.
Happy Halloween.
October 20th, 2008 — Uncategorised
Just found a picture of Gunnera I took in the summer and thought I would share it with you.
October 19th, 2008 — Uncategorised
Here are a couple of videos for the last of summer.
You can see the spinach is still good in places and the leeks of course.
The last thing you can see are the beans. They have finally gone over to the other side and are browning and drying out. Shame, but the summer must come to an end eventually.
You can see how windy it was today as well.
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This second video shows the rhubarb, or rather what’s left of it. It has now died back for the winter, so no more lovely fruit to add to my breakfast.
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October 8th, 2008 — Uncategorised
Here are a couple of vids of the plot taken this past weekend.
You can see that I have dug some of it over and have still to clear the rest, but as I am still getting produce from it, I don’t want to clear it all yet.
You can also see from them that my soil is not the finest tilth and it never will be, but I do try to get it finer. I don’t want to rotavate it as it kills worms and they are needed here.
Spot the pumpkin 😉
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October 6th, 2008 — Uncategorised
I went to the plot this weekend and completed some composting. I was surprised to see that the strawberries are having a second flush this late on. I don’t think they will come to much, but you never know. As you can see from the picture I already have formed strawberries, so they could ripen if we have some more sun.
The sprouts are coming on. I thought it was cabbage when my friend gave it to me, but obviously not.
I’m even still getting runner beans. They are not as stringy as you would assume, so I am harvesting and eating. Why not.
This is a swede that is going to make some good mash later in the week, along with a couple of courgettes – from the still growing plant. I realised I have to keep the courgettes under glass for longer before I plant out or they just die on the plot. I will do that from the start next year as this was the third or fourth attempt and I missed the early growing season.
I’m really pleased that I can still harvest my crops. Not a lot of other people are still doing that. They have all dug there plots over for the winter. I think they gave up this year as nothing seemed to grow for them – or me really. But somehow I managed to get a reasonable crop.
September 29th, 2008 — Uncategorised
Reminds me of a place to hide in my youth.
