January
By B&B | January 19, 2010
Well, the snow has finally gone and I have been to the plot. It’s water-logged of course after all the snow and then the rain.
I dug up a leek for cooking, but didn’t do much else. I will wait a while before going back to working on it. There are other things to do right now. I want to brick edge my lawn before the weather warms. That way I can stop the grass from getting everywhere – though it seems to have a mind of its own about that.
Be back shortly.
Topics: Harvesting, Weather | No Comments »
Digging
By B&B | October 27, 2009
I have had some time off today so I went to the plot and dug it up. I also dug up some of the strawberries as they were taking over the corner of the plot and the holder next to me was frowning at them a lot last week.
I also emptied out one of the composters as it was ready and I need the space to put more waste back in.
For some strange reason the sprouts didn't grow this year. They got to about 3 inches and then just stopped growing. Shame, as now I will have to buy them from a supermarket.
I harvested the last of the butternut squash and have put them in the garage for safe keeping. I have found a nice recipe for them so will try it out next week.
Topics: Compost, Digging, Harvesting | No Comments »
Corn
By B&B | October 16, 2009
Topics: Checking growth, Harvesting, Pictures | No Comments »
Beans
By B&B | October 14, 2009
These beans have come really late on. It looked like they would never flower and show beans, but now they have. I cant remember where I got these from. I think there were a gift as seeds and I thought I would try them anyway.
They are not yet big enough to pick and I'm not sure they will ever be as the weather has got colder. Quite why they took so long in the first place I couldn't say. However, I may still try them again next year and see if I cant bring them on faster.
Topics: Checking growth, Harvesting, Pictures | No Comments »
Pumpkin
By B&B | October 12, 2009
Here is the latest big pumpkin. I'm thinking of sculpting it this year, but am in two minds about it. You see, pumpkin pie and soup is really tasty and I'm loathe to waste any.
Here is a recipe for pumpkin:
Putrid Pumpkin Pie
Ingredients:
For the pastry:
Sweet short crust pastry case or a packet of ready made sweet short crust pastry with 40g/1½oz crushed pecans mixed in.
For the filling:
450 g/1lb prepared weight pumpkin flesh, cut into 1in/2.5 cm chunks
2 large eggs plus 1 yolk (use the white for another dish)
3 oz/75g soft dark brown sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ level teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
½ tsp ground allspice
½ tsp ground cloves
½ tsp ground ginger
10 fl oz/275 ml double cream
Method:
1. Pre-heat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4.
2. Use a shop bought sweet crust pastry case, about 9 inch/23 cm diameter and 1½ inches/4 cm deep.
3. To make the filling, steam the pumpkin then place in a coarse sieve and press lightly to extract any excess water.
4. Then lightly whisk the eggs and extra yolk together in a large bowl.
5. Place the sugar, spices and the cream in a pan, bring to simmering point, giving it a whisk to mix everything together. Then pour it over the eggs and whisk it again briefly.
6. Now add the pumpkin pureé, still whisking to combine everything thoroughly.
7. Then pour the filling into your pastry case and bake for 35-40 minutes, by which time it will puff up round the edges but still feel slightly wobbly in the centre.
8. Then remove it from the oven and place the tin on a wire cooling rack. Serve chilled (stored loosely covered in foil in the fridge) with some equally chilled créme fraïche, but warm or at room temperature would be fine.
Topics: Harvesting, Pictures | No Comments »
Butternut Squash
By B&B | October 10, 2009
I grew these Butternut Squash from seeds I took from a supermarket bought one. I didn't for one minute think that I would be able to, but I was wrong, and happily so.
They have given me quite a lot of fruit so I am pleased all round. Squash is so good this time of year in soup and roasted with pasta.
Topics: Checking growth, Harvesting, Pictures, Planting seeds | No Comments »
Winding Down
By B&B | September 20, 2009
It's that time of year when most of the veg has grown and gone - well, to the store really so we can enjoy it later on.
So, today I have been grubbing up a line of strawberries that were encroaching on the plot next door. It's also time to get rid of them as they only really last a couple of years before they stop fruiting as well as they could.
The weather has been really good which is a surprise for this late in September. However, I will take what I can get and have been out in the garden doing winter jobs as well. We have re-stained the garden furniture and scrubbed the fence of it's weeds. This means that plenty of jobs have been done in good weather for a change.
That makes me happy.:)
Topics: Checking growth, Digging, Harvesting, Soil, Weather | No Comments »
Squash More
By B&B | September 15, 2009
I thought I would take some more pictures of my squash. I cant for the life of me remember where I got these from or what they are called. If anyone knows then let me know. So far I have let them grow the size of a child's head, but they will go bigger if I left them.
I've found they go particularly well with blue cheese in pasta or with carrot in soup.
The recipes are nothing fancy, just basic as the flavour doesn't need too much extra. I tend to lightly roast the squash first to bring out the flavour and then add it to the rest of the ingredients.
Topics: Checking growth, Harvesting, Pictures | No Comments »
Digging Up Potatoes
By B&B | September 1, 2009
I have been digging up my potatoes this bank holiday. I had quite a few Desiree and some Cara. The latter are a particular favourite of the slugs and so the crop was not as good as I would like. Still, there are enough to keep me going through the winter.
I took them home and washed them before storing in paper bags in a dark shed.
I really like this part of the summer, harvesting the effort I have put in all year. The only trouble is now I have to find ways of eating it all. 
Topics: Checking growth, Digging, Harvesting, Pests, Soil, Weather | No Comments »
Spinach Leaves
By B&B | August 31, 2009
Well, the last day of August is here, shame, it has been such a good month for veg.
Below is the spinach which has not got overgrown this year. I have been taking the leaves as often as possible for salad, cooking or freezing so the plants look good.
Topics: Checking growth, Harvesting, Pictures | No Comments »
Beetroot Bush
By B&B | August 30, 2009
There was a lot of beetroot this year. I have been bottling it as fast as I can, but it just seems to keep on coming and coming. I made chutney with some of it this time and that has gone down well at home.
There is a recipe for sautéed beetroot that I want to try – better wear a bib to prevent embarrassing stains.
Topics: Checking growth, Harvesting, Pictures | No Comments »
Big Courgette
By B&B | August 29, 2009
This is how big the courgettes can get if you leave them for just a few days. The large one was the size of the smaller one four days ago from this picture! I can’t believe it either, but it’s true.
It’s not a loss though as I find that the bigger ones make a great base for soup. They don’t have much flavour but take on that which you add to the soup. All very tasty in the end. Nothing is wasted from my plot.
I would give you the recipe, but I tend to make them up as I go along and forget after. It makes soup a different experience every time, even if the ingredients are the same.
Happy days.
Topics: Checking growth, Harvesting, Pictures | No Comments »
