Sorrel...

Tiny baby sorrel leaves were subject to my scissors this afternoon. It was cold and damp so I just gave a few of my plants a quick haircut. This was then turned into a pesto (just the leaves, parmesan, olive oil and a bit of garlic). Lovely sauce for pasta with salmon and tomatoes. Great so have something fresh out of the garden.

We've had four days of wonderful warm sunny weather but it's flipped again and it's now freezing cold. Yesterday (it was 19 degrees!), the onion sets went into their new bed - fingers crossed we get a decent crop this year.  Aiming to get the potato bed weeded and dug over for planting in a couple of weeks. Last night the second polytunnel arrived so maybe by the end of next week it will have joined the first one.

Polytunnel progress...

OK this thing is growing hands and feet. I've ordered a second one which should arrive in about a week's time.  So far I've cleared the earth dug it over and dumped about a cubic metre of well rotted manure on the beds (the difficult bit). For my situation BIG lesson learned for poly tunnel number two - mark out your paths and leave the turf on them.  I'm now having to backfill paths.

So, a good day's work to dig and about an hour and a half to erect the polytunnel. Still to get it in the exact position and dig in the cover.  But now prepping for the arrival of the second one - paths marked out this time!

This morning it's like summer here and the metal tubing is roasting hot (no anti-hot tape with this cheapie). But, I did have some pipe insulation (that grey foamy stuff) - the 22mm size works a treat so the metal is now cooler and cushioned. I've only done over the roof area but think I might do all the metal that touches the cover - 10 euros to do the lot.

Back to digging....

Petit Polytunnel

An impulse buy I must admit but when I saw it in the shop I just had to have it.  I know everyone says buy the biggest you can afford but I've gone for a small one 3 X 3 Metres.  I'm going to have 600 cm beds around the sides and a one metre bed in the middle.  This will allow me two paths of 400 cm either side of the metre bed. 400 cm is a standard paving slab hence the size of the paths. I was going to start next week but a bit of late afternoon sun yesterday and I made a start.  I've got the area marked out and have started to remove the turf.



Hopefully by the end of today all the turf will be gone and I might even get some muck dug in. We went back to the shop to buy another one but they were sold out so I've ordered a 2nd one online.  They will sit side by side.  I'm thinking one for potting on etc and the other for summer crops peppers, chillies, tomatoes and aubergines followed by winter salad stuff.  I'm planning on edging the paths with strawberries. Then next year swap over - use one for growing, give the other a good feed and a rest and use it for potting etc. Well that's the plan!

 

Stuck Indoors...ahhh

Really did think I'd get a bit of gardening done last week but no such luck.  The rain in relentless and when it does stop I've been trying to get my 5K runs in. Next week's looking good so time to break eggs with sticks if that sun starts to shine. In the meantime the basil has germinated.  I've never grown basil indoors before and am now wondering what to do with it. Should I thin out in the tray and pot on later or do something with it now? The stick in the white pot is lemon grass which I'm hoping will show some signs of life not sure if it's dead or not!

Besides the basil the only other seeds to germinate so far have been the tomatoes. They are looking a bit spindly but I'm turning them a few times a day in the hope they'll grow stronger seeking that non existent sunshine. All the tomato seeds have germinated the empty modules have sweet pepper in them which has yet to sprout.

And back to snow...

I did manage to get out yesterday for a couple of hours so all the soft fruit that needed cutting down is done and a tiny wee bit of the veggie plot has been weeded but today the snow returned so it was a bit of indoor work.  This is what I've sown - two types of tomatoes one is Ferline the other Lupita (cherry type) both are F1's and are supposedly blight resistant - watch this space! Then three types of sweet pepper including a long variety called Rokita, some Basil and five varieties of chili peppers one of which looks very much like a cherry tomato. I tried to grow Kilian (that's the orange one) last year but the seeds failed to germinate maybe better luck this time. Oh, and some aubergine - absolutely the last time I am going to try these - hmmm I think I said that last year! My plan is to grow them in seriously manured ground to see if that suits them any better than my rather feeble veggie plot soil.

Finally. we're on the cranes migratory route and two days ago they started flying North a sure sign spring is on its way.

Made it!

We've had a couple of days of dry warmish weather so a chance to get outside. What a FANTASTIC feeling to be able to work in the garden I feel totally reinvigorated. Anyways, last year I took the turf off an 18 metre strip to create a separate onion bed. I'd already dug in ash but it needed barrow loads (18 in total) of manure.  I dug about a metre at a time, removed the soil tipped a wheelbarrow of manure then back filled. My back's a bit nippy but I'm done, I made it just as the weather broke and the rain started. Hens, of course, were as always a tremendous help - not!




The finished job all ready for the onion sets in a couple of weeks time. The buddleia cuttings on the left have all taken, about 300 hundred of them in total but no sign of life from the asparagus which are sitting under a thick mulch of leaf mould and manure with netting over the lot to keep henny pennies at bay. Now with onions to be grown in their new bed that leaves more room down at the veggie plot so thought I'd get some more seed potatoes. I've stuck my neck out and bought Yona it's a late variety but supposedly naturally blight and drought resistant, we shall see. That might be me indoors for a little while as the north wind doth blow....

Sunny and 12 degrees....

What a change in the weather, today was glorious so after I'd been out to buy my seed potatoes and onion sets I got stuck into the new onion bed. Some stones and lots of roots removed and so far two bin loads of wood ash dug in. Tomorrow promises to be lovely as well so I'm aiming to get the onion bed completely dug over and to add some very well rotted manure. I'm hoping this will work OK as the soil really needs some additional hummus given it's a bit like - well- sand!  I know you are not supposed to plant onions into newly manure ground but I'm going to wait a couple of weeks AND keep my fingers crossed. My neighbours plant their onions in newly manured ground with good results so I'm going to give it a go.


While I was out digging hubbie popped all the seed potatoes into the trays so they can get on with their chitting thing. He even put little labels on the front so I know what's in the trays. I've stuck with Dolwens which have always performed well for me both in the growing and the storing.  I've also bought some Charlottes to try and am considering nipping back to the shop to buy some of a variety called Yona a multipurpose potato that is resistant to blight. The onions will have to sit there patiently for a couple of weeks. What a great feeling to be out in the sun getting something done in the garden.

Well, it's not raining anymore...

No rain but the snow has arrived and the temperature has tumbled. We've got at least another week of very cold weather then hopefully it's on the up. So frustrating not being able to work in the garden so I'm working on my family history instead. Soon I should be able to get out though and start digging! I've got masses of well rotted manure to dig in plus a few bin loads of ash to go on the garlic and onion bed. The snowdrops are pushing up but not with much enthusiasm maybe a few day of bright days will help.



I did venture up to the hut at the top of the garden and look out my seed trays. They're now all washed and in place waiting for me to sow some seeds. As soon as it's warm enough to open the shutters I'll get sowing, maybe next week. This week the seed potatoes and onion sets arrive in the shops so a wee bit of shopping will be on the cards. Hope it's gardening weather where you are!

Guess what!

It's still raining. Just thankful it has not come down as snow else I'd be buried under the white stuff. The poor hens look like drowned rats - but are liking the extra rations of sunflower kernels I'm giving them out of pity! Did venture out at lunchtime to see if there were any pickings to be had and once trimmed was left with this little lot - a wee cabbage, kale, perpetual spinach, tiny swedes and tiny turnips. Those were combined with some of our carrots and store bought leeks to produce 14 portions of veggie soup - 12 of which are now in the freezer. That really is it for the veggie patch until the new season. In the basement I've still got golden nugget and butternut squashes left and tray of (almost) past their sell by date potatoes.

Can someone turn the water off!

It has been raining here non stop for days.  We had one sunny day where I tried to do a bit of weeding but the ground is so sodden every single weed I pulled had about five pounds of soil attached to its roots.  The garden is looking so sad, the grass got away from us in the autumn so now it's looking downright awful and Mr Mole is having a field day. The picture below is to remind me to get on top of the grass before winter!



 

Really looking forward to some warm dry weather so I can get some outside work done.  The good news it I've managed to get all the indoor stuff on my list done! Hope the weather is better where you are...roll on springtime.

Greens for Christmas...

Well, not really as we're out at friends for Christmas dinner tonight and it's going to be lamb.  However, it's sunny here today and not too cold so I've been out to pick coriander, sorrel and rocket to make a pesto for a pasta lunch.



I was in a newly opened shop the other day where they are selling local produce and  whole foods, what they call a bio shop here in France.  They had the tiniest jar of nettle pesto selling for only 5.99 euros....that got me thinking about all the types of pesto you could make from the garden for a lot less that 5.99!

So, today's pesto is some old rocket (it's been flowering for about three weeks), coriander (just cut at the base - I'm hoping for another sprouting) and about 12 sorrel leaves. The whizz up includes the greens above and the ingredients you see below - bit of garlic, oil and sunflower seeds - 1/10th the price of pinenuts.  




Oops, forgot to mention the cheese - we use this generic hard cheese which works fine.  I've just tasted it and it's scrummy - this could turn into a whole range of pestos!

Pickings for the pot...

Think this might the last crop before Christmas except of course for the lettuce which I'm still picking daily.  Grabbed this little lot before whatever has been eating the carrots and swedes makes further inroads. Some nice turnips and small swedes, carrots, rocket, chervil, sprouting broccoli and a drum head cabbage. The drum head is a bit nibbled on the outer leaves but the rest looks fine. All of this is  headed for a giant pot of veggie soup.



The weather here is miserable we've had dark grey skies and a  constant drizzle for about a week. Needless to say the ground is totally sodden. But, three days of sunny dry weather forecast for next week so maybe a spot of weeding and muck spreading - can hardly wait!

Flowers in December...

Well, no way is this Fizz kale plant going to get eaten with what looks like a giant flower about to emerge. I have no idea why this one is so large while the others are all so much smaller but it sure looks like it's about to put on a show.

Picked the last of the pot marigold flowers yesterday and poured boiling water over the petals to make a tea to help sooth sore eyes. Noticed the borage still has some flowers showing must try eating those - friends say they taste like oysters!



Finally, I can't even begin to think about the work that needs to be done on this veggie plot.  Spent so much time in the garden over the rest of the year that the house has been neglected - so the garden needs to be neglected to catch up indoors!  I went to pick some carrots this morning but something had beaten me too it.  Lovely carrot leaves but only a top ring of carrot left.  Well, you've  got to share with nature.  If  they're going to feed the short tailed voles that will keep my long-eared owl roost happy!



 

 

 

Christmas comes early!

Wow, what timing with my £10 gift voucher and a sale I got masses of seeds and even a free tin thrown in! I'm so looking forward to getting this lot going in the new year. I've got loads of stuff and when things are this cheap you can afford to try out different varieties. I've gone for some flower seeds for the hanging baskets and balconnaires and lots of varieties of chillies and turnips. The only seeds I still have to source are sweet dumpling and gold nugget squash plus tender and true parsnip.

Not much going on in the garden at the moment except I've planted about 600 cuttings from my now severely pruned buddleia. Maybe over the next few days I'll be able to get out and do some weeding - this long hot autumn has produced some fabulous weeds.

Today's little lot...

It might be the middle of October but still some goodies to be had.  Basil made a pesto, the mushrooms are now in a pasta sauce and the lettuce was cooked and eaten with smoked peppered mackerel and a horseradish sauce - scrummy. The rocket was consigned to the compost bin! It was well past its sell by date. Tomorrow the dish of the day is belly pork with wild mushrooms and stir fried lettuce and garlic.

Bit of a pick over

Really went out to do a bit of weeding but got a little distracted.  This is the final pick of the squashes I reckon in total I've got about  45 usable squashes to see us through the winter.



I am hopeless at thinning out as I want to give all the plants a chance - that is so silly I know.  In an effort to get over this I ruthlessly thinned out three rows of turnips and four rows of swede - now the remainder had better repay me with plump roots. I didn't thin out these carrots so there are lots of teeny weeny ones. Plenty more growing in the veggie plot which I will thin out.



Last of these long mild chillies I should think as there are no more flowers appearing and we can't be too far off a frost. These have performed well for me this year. I think they are called Doux  Les Landes.



Finally, picked a few beetroot, more calendula flower heads for balm and some over blown calabrese that will make its way into a soup pot.

Now, best get out there and actually do some weeding before the sun goes down!

 

The prince

Another choice edible starting to appear.  This is the prince it's flesh smells like almonds.  I never used to be too fond of conifers but some of the best tasting fungi are to be found at their bases. Amazing day today, blue skies and 24 degrees forecast - looks like a bit of a tidy up in veggie plot is in order for this afternoon. Think I might lift the last of the squashes and set them out to dry in the sun which is set to last for a few more days.

More free stuff

Only went out to clean out the hens and found these had popped up in their coop.  Makes up for the distinct lack of walnuts due (I think) to the pair of red squirrels living in our pines trees.  Good day all round for freebies as this morning I ordered a pile of seeds with my £10 voucher.  With the sale on I managed to get a huge amount of veggie and flower seed for next year. Finally, managed to catch a couple of safflower seed heads that yielded usable seeds for next year (other ones I've picked were like mush). I'm hoping to grow a large patch of these next year instead of the solitary specimen I managed this year!

Yummy!

Just got back from a little holiday where I saw these Milkcaps in a Spanish market selling for 35 euros a kilo - yikes! That is more expensive than cepes here in France. This lot almost escaped me as they were well hidden in the long grass which is currently in desperate need of cutting.



Must have been a lot of rain while we were gone as the mushrooms are out in force and the beetroot has finally fattened up a bit. The veggie plot is looking a bit sad but my remaining squashes are looking good and almost ready to pick.  Hope I'm not saying 'sick of squash' before spring.  The calendula are still in flower so another batch of balm on the cards and a gigantic pot of veggie soup should be on the go by the weekend - and I mean gigantic!

Calendula balm - so easy to make

Gave this a try yesterday and I'm really pleased with the results. First I had to find bees' wax probably available everywhere in the UK but here in France I found it at our local bio shop.  The bag hold's 400 grams and I only used 30 grams to make two jars so it goes a long way. The calendula was easy to find as it grows like a weed in the garden a must have plant in the veggie plot in my option. Last year mine were still in flower at Christmas and like sunflowers they just shout cheerful.

First I picked the petals from about 25 heads of calendula then I added 300 ml of bog standard olive oil making sure all the petals were coated. Next, this went into a bain marie and was kept on a very low simmer for three hours.

I then strained the oil using a muslin cloth and returned it to the bain marie along with 30grs of wax - I used wax pellets so it did not take long for the wax to melt. As soon as the wax and the oil combined I poured them into a couple of glass jars - as you can see not very evenly! The balm was put to the test this morning as I used it on my lips when I went out for a run - well I've just had to start running again after all that lovely crumble.