The Veggie Plot Update

With summer well underway here in the UK and temperatures soaring, I thought it was time to give you a little update on our new veggie plot.

(It's not quite tropical for us up here, in the North East of Scotland...but still it's very nice, thank you) 

The plot is coming along nicely, especially when I look back at the first photo's that I took in back in February.

We're not quite self-sufficient in fresh produce yet, but we're getting there.

The raised beds are doing well...housing onions, garlic, fennel, carrots, and brassicas (cabbage, sprouts, broccoli) .

The only failure so far has been our cauliflower...or lack of.

The seedlings didn't stand a chance with the early temperatures. 

We've made a note that we shouldn't sew them so early next year.

The tatties (or potatoes) are doing really well with six different varieties. 

They are flowering now so we won't have long to wait to lift them and see just what we have.

The fennel has also been a huge success. 

We have far too many and will have to be inventive in how to use them all.

I'm happy to report that our cabbage, sprouts and broccoli are another success.

Here's the parsnips still in their toilet roll holders... hopefully they aren't being restricted and we have prime specimens underneath the soil.

The peas and runner beans are also starting to flower. 

I can't wait for the snap of the pea pod being opened and the juicy sweet jewels held within.

Once these flowers die off we can start to lift our potatoes...well hopefully we'll have a reasonable crop. We have staggered the planting, so that we have a steady supply to harvest.
I sound so confident that there's something lying there, don't I?

We have quite a few beetroots so if you have any tips on how to use them I'd appreciate it.
I'm not sure other than to slice into a salad or to pickle them.
I was rather delighted to find that the broccoli are sprouting too and there's a couple of sprouts appeared within the cabbages!
Obviously, someone's organisational skills at the seedling stage went slightly awry.

We also have herbs, lettuce, artichoke, blueberries and strawberries.
Growing blueberries is completely new to us and we're hoping that they actually can survive up here with these temperatures. We have three small bushes that are located in the Tardis (small plastic greenhouse) and one has flowered, so I'm hoping the berries will follow.
Here's our first strawberries.
I feel we should have a strawberry ceremony...perhaps including ice-cream, meringue or maybe I'll just pop one straight in my mouth!

We should be well set ready for the start of Wimbledon if these beauties are anything to go by.
How do you prefer to eat your strawberries?
Have a great week...if you're in the middle of these record temperatures then stay cool and know that it will pass... plus there are some that would love a few more degrees up on the thermometer.
Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you again soon.

The Plot Thickens

It's time for an update of the veggie plot today.

Before I start let me just explain that it's quite a challenge growing certain veggies here in the North East of Scotland. For example today started off with sun, then the hail arrived and we've had quite a snowdrift after lunch and now we're on to rain! 

I think other than fog...that about covers the whole range of weather.

So let's begin our update...

The raised beds are finished and have parsnips, carrots, cabbage, sprouts and fennel.

I'll be sure to show you the plants at a later stage. 

Hopefully they'll survive this coming week of wintry weather.

The pot at the end of the middle bed is actually a collection of herbs that I used to keep by the kitchen door. We need to replant these....making sure that we keep the mint contained.

I don't want mint taking over the whole plot as it is prone to do if left without any restraints.

The observant of you might notice the new chuckies (or gravel).

We underestimated just how much was needed so we are waiting today for another delivery of 3 tonn.

The old telegraph pole that I managed to convince the authorities to replace has now found a new home. Hubby used his chainsaw and split it down the middle and laid this rather impressive edging.

And so on to the next stage of the plot...the chicken coup.

Hubby put the coup together as it was flat packed and he said it was the easiest instructions he's ever had to follow (thanks Chicken Coops Direct)

This particular coop is the Devon design.

I was surprised by how small the coup actually was when assembled, so we've decided to buy an additional run for here and also a tunnel for the other garden, so that his 'girls' will be safe, but happy.

(I actually caught him looking at a girlie website early one morning...but thankfully it was the feathered clucking kind!)

I'm not sure when his 'girls' will arrive but we're nearly ready. 

Or I think we're ready...it's like a penthouse, but the flooring is supposed to be arriving any day.

Hard wood chippings apparently are the best! 

As I said...nothing but the best for his 'girls'

I just hope they actually lay an egg!

(New's hot of the press...Gust of Arctic wind whipped through and carried two cloches and smashed them against the granite wall of the wood store...ho hum. We've only had them a few days!
Heaven knows where the little plants maybe by now...maybe on their way to Norway)

Have a great day whatever you're weather is doing...we'll just keep hunkering down for now.

Thanks for popping by my place.

I'm linking up with Image-in-ing.blogspot.co.uk apparently Elvis has been spotted over there, 

Veggie Plot (Part 2)

Easter Weekend is renowned for being the biggest gardening weekend of the year here in the UK. 

But we've actually been busy since February, when we decided to finally tackle the land at the side of our house, that had been left to nature and untamed for the last 20 years.

I know crazy, but I needed to give my hubby a mission now that he's retired.

(Click on the link if you'd like to see the first post about The Birth of our Veggie Plot)

But we didn't just grab a spade and start digging...oh no...hubby had to measure, draw and cogitate for a few days before any of the garden equipment saw the light of day. 

See... this is what happens when someone retires...they have time to do all this preparation and every conceivable connotation.

But there's no need to rush into anything....just so long as we actually manage to grow something before the seasons disappear.

Below is a photo of his plan. 

He insisted that I include it in the post for you.

My answer was..."you should start a blog of you own and write your own posts about the whole journey"

At this stage he appeared to go deaf!

(cough)

Anyway...let's get started.

It's been hard work, but hubby has loved being out doors every day.

I'm afraid I have to confess...I'm a fair weather gardener.

I need sunshine to inspire me.

 Here's hubby measuring the drills for the early potatoes (or tatties as they call them up here) 

I have mentioned before that he has a touch of OCD haven't I?

Here they are... the early potatoes, but he's a little disappointed because there's no sign of them now and they were planted on 1st March. 

He blames me for nagging putting pressure on him, saying that they needed to be planted as time was getting on. 

But we are in the North East of Scotland and so the ground has hardly had time to warm up yet.

Patience is needed and fingers crossed!

So with the ground bed dug, it was time to move on to the raised beds.

We liked the idea of using reclaimed timber sleepers for the raised beds.

It was a good job that our son was available to help with the muscle work. 

I have tossed a caber in the past (now there's a whole new story and not one for today) but I thought I'd let the guys flex their muscles on this lot.

Once again measurements were meticulously executed with spirit levels, tape measures and string.

And things started to take shape.

Thank goodness that we didn't do the three layers of sleepers that we first thought would be ideal. That would have taken a huge amount of soil.

At last planting could begin.

Initially carrots, garlic and onions (both red and white)

The centre cones are very technical...they're empty toilet roll holders!

Hopefully, they will protect the precious little carrots from the elements until things start to warm up a little.

The rest of the seedling are cosy and enjoying the sunlight in our study! 

Isn't that where they're supposed to be?

(I'm making a case for a greenhouse...so seedlings are crammed onto every window sill, all over the house)

See I wasn't kidding...they're everywhere!

I'll be sure to give you a progress report when these little darlings head out into the big wide world of our veggie plot.

In the meantime... enjoy getting outdoors and having fun.
I'm linking up with Image-in-ing.blogspot.co.uk and Our World Tuesday

Thanks for visiting and I hope to see you again soon.

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Gardening forever... housework whenever

This sign was given to me by my sister a few years ago. 

As you can see it's had a life! 

In fact it's a very well travelled sign, having covered three continents. 

It did have a stake, so it could be stuck into a pot, but somewhere along the way it fell off. I've always been fond of it, not only because it was a wee gift from my sister, but the sentiment is spot on as far as I'm concerned. 

I'd much rather be outside (weather permitting) instead of ironing, cleaning bathrooms or moving dust from pillar to post. 

So imagine my delight when I received some lovely happy post this week from Twinkletoes2day with the same saying....

'Gardening forever... Housework whenever'

... AND a  very special Toby Poby drawing!

Now if that doesn't make you smile flying through letterbox I don't know what would? 

Whilst I'm mentioning gardening, I thought it might be an appropriate time to show you a little produce.

(little being the operative word here) 

I've not organised the area where I'll have a beautiful huge greenhouse, raised beds, chooks and bee hives. Ha! All in my head of course or possibly in about Phase 15 of our renovation plans. 

(We're only onto Phase 2... but anyway I digress) 

I did have a little play though and for the first time I have grown courgettes... with some success. 

We had the four shown above and my word I have to say they were delicious. 

There are still some growing, so we might be lucky and have another meal soon. 

I love the beautiful flowers but so far I haven't eaten one. 

But then with success there were a few disappointments... my french beans to name but one. 

I had big plans for them but unfortunately so did the snails!

Don't laugh if I tell you that I harvested two... YES TWO... that's not a typo.

Here they are...

But they are stunning specimens if I say so myself. 

(I can hear you laughing...but there's more)

I cooked these two and cut them in half so that we each could taste them. Again, they were delicious and just reinforced that we will grow them next year, but be ready for the slug invasion.

I think my best results though, came from two old compost bags... I planted tatties (potatoes) in them and was rewarded with 2 kilos!

I'm about to plant more so we can have our own for that special day in December.

I'll leave you with a few pics of a beautiful visitor to our plot...

Remember 'if a garden is finished... then it's dead'

Thanks for visiting.

I hope to see you again soon!

Producing Potatoes

I didn't plan to post today, but then I thought I'd share my excitement with you.

Have I won the lottery, received happy post or found a long lost relative? 

Nope none of those things but I'm still hyperventilating and excited.

Why you may ask...?

Well the tatties (potatoes for anyone outside of Scotland) have produced babies and quite a few at that! I'm shocked to say the least because they have managed this feat even with masses of neglect. 

It just goes to show if I can grow them then anyone can. 

I do plan one day to produce a beautiful veggie plot... all neat and tidy with raised beds and Monty Don's (gardening guru) type greenhouse, potting shed alongside numerous cold frames and masses of healthy produce for us to just pick and eat as we wish. 

Hey there's nothing wrong with dreaming big. 

Heaven knows where I'd steal the time from to attend to all this additional work, but it's on the plan. I think it may be Phase 23 of our renovations but it is there.

So where did I grow these little golden jewels? 

Well I used an old compost bag!!! 

(or two to be precise in this instance)

Yep it's that easy.

 I bought the potatoes that I'd like to grow and eat, and then left them to chit.
I'm not being rude here...that's the official term for letting the tatties grow little sprouts (not the green Christmas type veg, just to clarify as we're talking veggies here) but little roots.

Here's a link if you're interested in reading about chitting...click here

Leave a little compost in the bottom of a rolled down compost bag (or any container for that matter, as long as it will allow for more compost to be added later). 

I like to think that I'm making good use of the old tough plastic compost bags by reusing them. They work perfectly but don't forget to put a few holes in the bottom of the bag to allow drainage. As the potatoes sprout their new green leaves you need to add a little more compost up the stalks. This process is repeated as the stems grow and roll up the bag to allow more depth for the tatties to grow. They need to be kept in the dark and receive plenty of watering. (This is another part of my neglect and surprisingly they forgave me ...well with builders, renovations, visitors and generally my absentmindedness what do you expect?)

But look what came out of those bags...

How fantastic are these little beauties? 

(I weighed them and there's about 2.5 kilo's)

There were two different varieties of which I can only remember one... Désirée

I did leave the label in each bag but one has completely disintegrated. 

I don't mind what variety they are... I think they look scrumptious and I'm certainly going to do the best I can for us all to appreciate our own produce! 

Here's another post that I did when living in Melbourne and used plastic grow bags with as much success if you'd like to know more click here.

Okey dokey... that's it for today folks

It's great to have you stop by for a natter.
I hope to see you again soon 

Surprise, surprise....

Life throws up surprises when we least expect them. I experienced two in fact during last week....

One happened in my local veggie shop whilst I was debating the merits of broccoli against green beans...a little voice piped up nearby, "Can we have a cauliflower?" The question came from a little cutie to her mum. Imagine my surprise! I don't think I've ever heard a child ask for any vegetable in my whole life! EVER!

The mother just carried on as if it was the usual request...like so many kids passing the sweetie counter or by the checkouts when are defences are lowered trying to get through the trauma of queues, trolleys, and tantrums...or is that just me!

I wanted to run after the mum to congratulate her on a job well done, but resisted....it's probably the norm here with so much fresh local produce in abundance, so probably not a strange phenomenon at all. 

My second surprise although it shouldn't have been a surprise really with all the effort I've personally put into this particular project over the years. It was my son's 20th Birthday and he'd finally reached the staggering height of 6 foot!

Not such a feat for some I hear you say, but I'm only 5' 4" tall and my OH is only 5' 8" and a half!

The HALF is very important and has always been stressed ~ it must not be forgotten in the equation ~ ever!

My father stood over 6' 2" and although my siblings didn't bother to leave any of the height gene's for me, being the last of the litter, the runt, the baby, I didn't get a say in any of the distribution.

Since my son arrived it's been my ambition for him to take after my father. 

All my OH's family are vertically challenged (eek! I hope they won't mind me saying this, but it's true).

We've measured my son on every birthday since he arrived but unfortunately the door posts where the record is noted aren't situated in one location, they're distributed throught the world on various doorposts. 

I've cajoled, cooked up a storm, baked, placed him in the sun periodically, watered profusely and other than popping his feet into compost ~ because that would obviously have been misinterpreted as child abuse ~ I was willing to do whatever was needed to achieve our goal. 

I say our goal because my son wanted desperately to tower over his Dad and he's finally acheived it. Although he's just said when I mentioned this article that that wasn't exactly true because his Dad was the biggest guy around in his eyes...how special is that...especially when you're only 5' 8" and a half!

My son's had quite a week actually along with his birthday, saying goodbye to his teens, and also he's to start  a new job tomorrow. 

He's certainly walking tall just now! ;D

Silent Saturday.....(due to sore throat)

My son has been so generous that he's passed on his terrible cold to me....I woke this morning feeling my throat had been cut, so we've had a very quiet day here today. The boys are probably ecstatic but they're making the right sympathetic noises and providing copious cups of tea.
So I thought I'd have a quiet post today....just letting the photos do the talking for me.

Here's some of my produce...

 

I'm happy to report I have runner beans too but I'll have to show them another day...

This one makes me laugh ~ is it my fever or does that look like a little alien?

And then there's the mutant trees????

Opening their arms to harness the power currents running through the electricity power lines....

Now I'm frightening myself...I think the fever may be reaching a peek and I need to lie down....

I hope your weekend is going well and not weird like mine LOL 

Keep smiling :D

Tomato Soup

I'm having mixed reviews with my tomato plants this year, but I have to confess they are planted at the side of the house and I'm not giving them the due care and attention that they possibly need.
We've been able to pick enough to keep us supplied in our needs and this was this mornings pickings alone....

But here's some I picked earlier as they say....

Guess where these were grown....? Answers on a postcard...oh well maybe not...
Actually they were grown in the desert. In Qatar to be precise! Not bad for the desert eh?
Although these tomatoes also were planted at the side of the house attached to the large concrete boundary wall, I'd have to walk past them regularly so I was very attentive....and I received my reward. Kilo after kilo...

I'm hearing from reading blogs and comments that the inevitable is happening in certain parts of the world. People are suffering in the colder weather and have the usual winter ailments, so with that in mind I thought I'd post my son's favourite soup. I just hope he doesn't see this as it will remind him about it and its 34 degrees celcius here today. Not exactly soup weather... I've also heard that Perth has 41+ (yuk!)
I'm wondering if this soup might actually be good served cold...I'll not try it though as I'm funny like that, I like my soup to be hot! No matter what the temperature is. 

Tomato Soup Recipe:-

Pick fresh tomatoes and slice in half.

Place tomatoes in an oven tray with crush garlic sprinkled over the tops.

Add fresh Basil leaves and cracked black pepper and a little sea salt. Be careful not to over season at this point because seasoning can be added later.

Drizzle with a good virgin olive oil.

Place tray in a warm oven and gently roast the tomoatoes.

Once the tomatoes smell wonderful and have softened sufficiently place them into a sieve and crush the pulp through the sieve leaving the skins and seeds etc behind. Make sure that you take the excess of pulp from the outside of the sieve.

Place to one side.

Ingredients...

1 onion, peeled and fineley chopped

1 clove of garlic, peeled and finely chopped

1 carrot, peeled and coarsely grated or blitzed

a handful of fresh basil, roughly torn

a little olive oil

1.1 litres / 2 pints of chicken or vegetable stock

sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method...

Put the onion, garlic, carrot and basil into a large pot with a couple of glugs of olive oil. Gently saute until soft.

Add stock and roasted tomatoes to pan. Gently simmer for about 20 minutes.

Puree the soup using either a food processor, a liquidizer or a hand-held blender, but be careful as it will still be hot. Once you've pureed the soup, put it back into the pan, bring back to a simmer. Season carefully with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Just before serving add a knob of butter or whisk in a little cream to give a silky texture.

Serve straight away sprinkling a few torn-up basil leaves, croutons or a swirl of cream if desired.

Enjoy : D

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p.s. notice I didn't mention the Tennis today...aww well....maybe next time? ; )