Category Archives: Winter Gardening

All about Brussels

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BrusselSprouts (4)

All about Brussels – Of the sprouting kind that is, not the sizeable Belgian city. 2012 was the first year I can truly say I grew, picked and ate a proper crop of Brussels Sprouts. Previous years have been hit … Continue reading →

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Capitulation?

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Perhaps a harsh way of saying that what with time, an outrageously wet early summer, world champion eating slugs and snails means that my tender seedlings were wolfed. Did the raiders appreciate my Brussel Sprouts, Kale and Purple Sprouting Broccoli, carefully sown in modules, nurtured to sturdy little seedlings, carefully planted out and netted? Judging from the leafless and lifeless stems left I’d say they did.

These slugs and snails have gourmet taste buds.

Greens are a winter staple around here, that and the leeks, a few salads and some Oriental veggies. Replacements were needed, time was running out – trying to find new work, juggling life and well the ease of internet shopping and we have an answer – plants by post.

A clearly marked cardboard box LIVE PLANTS was delivered - I had visions of opening the box and the plants leaping out at me, yelling and kicking and screaming. But no there they were sedately tucked in plastic cartons for their journey to a new life, their shoots poking out of the tops. A few drops of water to liven them up and planted the following day.

It’s a first for me, but a very practical solution. An option that is available. They are late going into the ground, they need to bulk up before winter, only time will tell if plants by post are a winner.

Let’s just hope the slugs and snails have had their gastronomic fill and have moved on to pastures new!

April Showers, glimpses of sun, muddy boots and dirty knees

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About sums up my first few days at home. I’ve been gathering momentum. Taking stock. Having a break from blogging. Peering out at my garden and allotment. Wondering what the new season will bring me.

The first few days brought beautiful bright blue skies only to be followed by days and days of grey low cloud and teeming rain. It seems April Showers are here.

A busy day on the allotment, picking and digging for food – bundles of fresh spinach, small tender leeks, a bag full of Purple Sprouting Broccoli, winter lettuces of crisp crunchy Frissee and soft buttery Reine De Paris.

I’m collecting my thoughts and energy. I’m preparing for the BUSY weeks ahead of sowing, sowing and then sowing some more.

Home cooked meals of Risotto with leeks and last years frozen peas, bowls of steamed Purple Sprouting Broccoli with a dab of butter, fresh salads with a light vinaigrette, spinach and chickpea stews to name a few.

It seems I’ve come home with a need to organise and clear before I sow the first tender crops. The time just before I go full steam ahead into growing and gardening. I need to find my rhythm or maybe re-discover it.

A few days away from writing and photographing my life and all that is around me. Gradually piecing things together, sorting through the boxes of seeds. Looking and listening. Hearing the raucous morning chorus of seagulls on the rooftops and the sweet evensong of blackbirds. Watching the rain clouds come in and the trees bend in the wind. Seeing the new growth in the garden.

Reacquainting myself with home and home-life.

It’s time to get my boots on and take my camera out and about with me. Time to get digging and muddy and revel in the garden and life.