Friday 28 February 2014

My Garden: 28th February 2014


Spring is in the air:




But it's still a bit cold:




But there are signs that winter is almost over. The joyous sight of washing drying in the sunshine:




A garden glove soiled with fresh compost:




I planted broad beans in January, in between the recommended months of October and Spring and after the weeks of continuous heavy rain we've had, I was worried my seeds had rotted. A close look today brings new hope and it seems that a few mild days has roused at least one plant:




I weeded a raised bed and added nice muck from the compost heap. A tray from my wrecked greenhouse will hopefully deter cars from digging:




A Hyacinth rears its head:




As do some other flower bulbs:




Inside my tomato seedlings are coming on in leaps and bounds, some growing their first true leaves:




Cabbage seedlings adorn the kitchen window:




Other jobs completed today were raking two large beds and planting six leek seeds indoors.


Monday 3 February 2014

Brussels Sprouts for the Haters


Sprouts, poor sprouts. One of the most hated vegetables and long standing victim of over-boiling. If treated right, sprouts are a delicate, sweet food with none of the bitterness you might have experienced at one time of your life. The sprouts featured in todays post are from my garden, and about half the size of the typical shop bought veg.




So far I have enjoyed my garden sprouts lightly steamed but today I've cooked them in a way I've been meaning to try with a while - panfried with rashers in butter and oil until coloured (6-8 minutes). It's quick and easy and something I'll be doing again soon....maybe tomorrow.














Sunday 2 February 2014

My Garden: 2nd February 2014

This time last year I was in the throes of morning sickness and was a late comer to the planting season. I caught up a bit and my fabulous broad bean crop that I had planted the October previous saved my garden from being a total den of misery but my tomato plants and expensive F1 chili jalapeno seeds never recovered.


I made rookie mistakes:

1. I planted my seeds too late.

2. I let the compost dry out so it formed a clump of soil and subsequent watering could not penetrate the crust.


This year I am on form and today I got an early start on my tomatoes - the old fashioned Moneymaker breed - and I am determined to do it right.

I diligently rinsed out my pots, chose good compost, planted two seeds to every pot and in the absence of a sieve, used my fingers to break up the compost into fine particles to cover the seeds.

Each pot was labeled and covered with a plastic sandwich bag to maintain humidity and inhibit the soil from drying out. The bags were perforated to prevent rotting. They were then placed on a south-facing window sill.

Now rise my pretties, RISE!