Sam

Gosh it’s very warm here now. Ted as usual is sunbathing, using Sid his toy snake as a cushion to prevent the ants tickling his nose.

Gorgeous day here & a few more bits harvested. Have a super day everyone 😊🌱

There are some varieties that cope with cold climates but you'd probably have to move them indoors during the severe cold you get there Nancy.

I love fig jam. Makes amazing chutney too. I had a bumper crop so am getting the last few.

Some very vibrant dahlias. Love the dark foliage 🌱

Lots of tomatoes on the system that I’m trialing. Wicked into large water tanks, which are full of roots now. Seems to be very effective. 🌱

The figs this year have been superb 🌱

Evening all. So glad it’s finally Friday, been a busy week. Despite the rain from the storm the garden is really dry so had to do some watering today. This little buddleia has self seeded. I’ll let it bloom then transplant to a more appropriate location. 🌱

Homemade sourdough, hummus & salsa for lunch. Hope it tastes as good as it looks

Morning all. Gentle day today as a little under the weather. Gathered another bowl of tomatoes so making a salsa to have with sourdough for lunch. Have a super day everyone 😊🌱

Second sourdough attempt, much better crust on this one.

In the orchard attending to the broken limb of one of the apple trees, under the beady eye of Geoff. 🌱

Windfalls that were ok have been individually wrapped for storage. Some left for the blackbirds that live in that part of the garden. Yet to pick the main crop.

A little lovely hanging on to this dahlia in the strong wind. Where there’s a will… as they say 🌱

Still very windy/heavy rain but managed to do a check of the garden areas. Thankfully no structural damage like last time but lots of broken branches & damage to shrubs which will need attention. On the plus side collected these lovelies. Birds enjoying the fallen apples/ damsons 🌱

No trees down or damaged to the greenhouse which is the main thing. Lots of tidying up, broken braches etc but I'll get to that once the winds subside. Still very windy & driving rain here.

Thankfully only limited damage & nothing structural like last time when one of the big arches came down.

Gosh nearly 11:30 & it’s still blowing a hoolie out there. Dreading checking the garden tomorrow… heard a few crashes. Bet the apples & remaining damsons are lost.. Doubt there will be a bloom left & worrying about the owl box. #StormFloris

It's in a mouse proof pen outside the greenhouse. Just about ready to harvest although I'm hoping it's okay & survived today's storm. It's still too windy to go out & check.

It's called Rosie Raven

Morning all. It’s super windy here due to Storm Floris. Also lots of rain, desperately needed for the garden & butts. To dangerous to be outside but the trees seem to be coping 🤞🏻hope this lovely dahlia will too. Stay safe peeps 🌱

Restocking the pantry. If nothing else I have plenty of jam 😂

I usually make jam & chutney. Also last year I added some to brandy which was amazing, it went a gorgeous ruby colour too. I dont have any gin but with the amount still to harvest I may get some.

Oh gosh that's so annoying.

4Kgs of damsons picked & that’s only the low lying fruit. Will reach the rest with the orchard ladder tomorrow. 🌱

Damson update 🌱

They truly are delicious. I made a wholegrain mustard vinigrette & added them chopped, with some mint just before serving & it was delicious.

Morning all. Sunny start to the day here so it’s full start with the damson harvest. Just watering the indoor plants first. Really pleased with this colocasia black magic which I’ve grown from a bare root. Have a super day everyone 😊🌱

Look forward to hearing how you get on

I don't add any as I don't want to eat them. I just make sure I carefuuly sterilise the jars & lids- if reusing lids maybe swop for new lids. You can also use wax circles on the surface of the jam before putting on the lids. Also skim the jam before putting in the jars. That should sort it 😊