tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7108318472878684612024-03-13T12:57:45.300-07:00The Hilltop GardenerA Journey Towards Self SufficiencySam Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470682905567211087noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710831847287868461.post-56579197853692508252019-01-04T06:25:00.000-08:002019-01-04T06:25:42.267-08:00Time to get going againSo Christmas has been and gone and 2019 is now well and truly here. There's an abundance of jobs to do at the allotment, even at this time of year. I have read of some people shutting down their allotment for the winter, why on earth would they do that? Every time I think about it another item goes on the list, and there's a very good reason for that; if previous years have taught me anything it's that hard work put in now will pay dividends come the summer.<br />
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So what can we doing now that is going to make our lives easier in the months ahead, what should we do to give our plants the very best start? For me a huge issue last year was the pathways. In my infinite wisdom I decided that grass paths would be an affordable and suitable solution to getting around on the allotment. Well, I got the first part right at least, but they are far from suitable. I found that I would spend hours cutting it, edging the beds and generally doing battle with it. I'd even plan special trips to the allotment just to cut it, and of course as a result the things that I actually wanted to grow got neglected. So that's it, they've come out and in their place will be woodchip.<br />
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The next job will be putting some goodness back into the soil. I'm lucky enough that my allotment is situated in the middle of a beef farm and manure is readily available at a good price. In a handful of beds I have grown some green manures which will be dug in next month. For the beds that have been left exposed they will be topped with the well rotted manure. Again this is another lesson learnt from last year. I'd inherited the plot with no clues as to it's previous history. It was completely overgrown so I thought I'd risk just clearing and planting straight into the existing soil. It worked to some extent but would definitely have been improved had some organic matter been added to the soil beforehand. Poor soil leads to weak plants which grow slower and are more susceptible to pests, the end result being a smaller harvest.<br />
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Next up for me will be the greenhouse, a valuable asset in any garden but very much an underused one in mine. I had a good amount of tomatoes from it last year but that was pretty much it, at the moment it stands empty. So far I have just used grow-bags and containers inside but now I think is the time to establish a permanent bed, at least along one side. I'll begins sowing things in there very shortly with Broccoli Raab looking like a good candidate at the moment. In theory this should be ready by the beginning of April and continue to produce through until June. But first a good clean of the whole thing and a few running repairs.<br />
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This will be plenty to keep me going for the next couple of weeks but if you're sat there getting itchy fingers I'd certainly suggest that you start thinking of where you are going to grow things this coming season. This may be based on what is growing there now, what grew there last year, how much light it gets and what soil conditions you have to offer. Just remember any work now is going to make life easier later on and with a bit of luck give you some time to enjoy the sunny days ahead.<br />
<br />Sam Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470682905567211087noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710831847287868461.post-78385236191064668012017-10-30T14:55:00.003-07:002017-10-30T14:56:23.472-07:00Autumn Beach Clean<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There's barely a week gone by this year where we we haven't visited a beach. We are spoilt for choice with beaches such as Southerdown, Ogmore, Newton, Llantwit Major and even Barry Island and Porthcawl less than twenty minutes from our door. In the summer it's long lazy days with a picnic but more often than not it's a Sunday afternoon walk.<br />
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It is not unusual to find ourselves the only ones on there, braving all weathers come rain or shine. It sounds idyllic, and it often is, but it's very rare that we don't spot a piece rubbish of some description or other. Even in the most remote places it's hard to escape, beaches that may not have seen another human for days or even weeks are invariably littered with rubbish.<br />
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As we are all becoming increasingly aware plastic, and particularly single use plastic, have become a real issue for the environment. Items such as plastic bags and bottles are hugely damaging for marine life either being mistaken for food or getting tangled around the animal. The chances are that it probably wasn't even left on that beach, a huge amount of rubbish washes in with every tide. Litter dropped in any town or city can easily make its way to the shore. With the expected lifespan of most plastic bottles estimated at 500 years it's going to be around for a very long time.<br />
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The good news is that looking into the problem very quickly gives you the chance to do something about it. Led by a charity called <a href="https://www.sas.org.uk/" target="_blank">Surfers Against Sewage</a> beach cleans are now happening all of the time. Volunteers all over the country are getting together and fighting back. The best thing is that if there isn't a beach clean happening near you Surfers Against Sewage will give you all of the resources to <a href="https://www.sas.org.uk/our-work/beach-cleans/organise-beach-clean/" target="_blank">organise your own</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://www.sas.org.uk/" target="_blank">Surfers Against Sewage</a> originally came about when a group of surfers in Cornwall had become increasingly frustrated by the levels of pollution in Britain's waters. Initially campaigning about sewage they are now one of the UK's most active and successful environmental charities and focus on all areas of marine conservation.<br />
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By chance this week was the 2017 Autumn Beach Clean; a big push before winter to get the litter removed from our beaches. It's not just tourists that visit the beaches in the summer, they are used year round but once the summer holiday makers have left they often forgotten about, or left to the locals to clean up.<br />
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On arrival at the beach we were greeted by the Surfers Against Sewage rep along with a handful of volunteers. Kitted out with gloves and a black bag my four year old son and I set of along the beach in search of rubbish. Of course to him it was like a treasure hunt, he is rarely happier than when he's on the beach so any excuse to get down there is good enough for him.<br />
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Two hours later we returned with a bin bag full of rusty old beer cans, fishing line, string and inevitably plastic bottles. Looking back throughout the clean more and more people had joined in, by the time we had finished the ten that started had very quickly turned into about thirty or so; in fact there were more people the beach with bin bags in hand than without.<br />
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The sense of freedom you get on a beach, looking out at a huge expanse of seemingly never ending water, is like nothing else. These truly are places that must be protected and not destroyed and run down like so many others. With millions of people visiting Britain's beaches each year if everybody picked up some of rubbish a little bit would go a very long way. We'll certainly be doing another beach clean and I'll be telling anyone that will listen that they should do the same.<br />
<br />Sam Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470682905567211087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710831847287868461.post-51455584617378422282017-09-23T13:47:00.002-07:002017-09-23T13:47:38.757-07:00The Lost Gardens of Heligan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A week away in Cornwall provided the perfect opportunity to visit a garden that has been on my list for a very long time, <a href="http://heligan.com/" target="_blank">The Lost Gardens of Heligan</a>. With so many beautiful gardens in Cornwall I could have chosen to visit any, but this one held particular intrigue. </div>
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Having read about it and seen various pieces on television the attraction was clear, this was unlike any other country estate or manor house garden, this was something that had lain neglected for years, forgotten and unwanted. This was all until a chance discovery prompted was has now become the largest garden restoration project in Europe.</div>
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The vegetable gardens were as magnificent as you would expect from a garden of this stature. Originally providing food for the table of the grand house, this series of gardens now supply the Heligan kitchen with fresh fruit and vegetables for much of the year.</div>
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Each was as productive and well organised as the next with an emphasis on production above all else. Beans that had grown too big or that were past their best were left to dry either for the kitchen during winter or for seed for next years plants. Huge beds of asparagus blew in the wind capturing all of the suns energy ready for next years spears.</div>
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The brassica beds were also a point of huge envy, those that have read my <a href="https://thehilltopgardener.blogspot.co.uk/2017/09/the-national-botanic-garden-of-wales.html" target="_blank">previous posts</a> know the woes I have had with the dreaded cabbage white butterflies, or specifically the caterpillars this year. My own fault really for trying to chose aesthetics over practicality and not netting them; a mistake I won't be making next year.</div>
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For many, the main draw of Heligan is the jungle. Set in a damp, wooded valley facing down towards the sea you could easily imagine yourself in another world let alone another country. Giant Gunneras dwarf you as you weave your way around the paths. Banana trees, palm trees and bamboo canes all combine to fantastic effect. This is something that Cornwall's unique weather really lends itself to and is a real rarity elsewhere in the British Isles.<br />
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Of course I couldn't visit Heligan without crossing the famous Burmese rope bridge. If you thought that walking along the jungle floor was unique, walking through the treetops was something else. Providing a whole new perspective onto the magical world below.<br />
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Cornwall is a truly beautiful place anyway, given the chance I'm sure we'd all move there in an instant; I know I certainly would anyway. It was an absolute pleasure to look around, explore and enjoy these gardens for a day and I cannot recommend it enough. If you're in Cornwall and looking for a garden to visit put Heligan on the top of your list, you won't be disappointed.<br />
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<br />Sam Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470682905567211087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710831847287868461.post-66759320237263265842017-09-06T13:21:00.000-07:002017-09-06T13:27:09.997-07:00The National Botanic Garden of Wales<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Following a week away in West Wales the return journey seemed like a perfect opportunity to visit Wales' most popular garden. With 8000 different plant varieties, set in 560 acres, the National Botanic Garden of Wales is a plant lovers dream.</div>
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We had visited before, a couple of years ago, I think on that day the incessant rain had rather ruined the visit for us. We ended up rushing around not really taking it all in so having the chance to visit again was a real treat.</div>
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Due to the size of the site you often get the pleasure of feeling like you have it all to yourself. Long walks around the lakes, surrounded by wildflowers, or a detour along a woodland path will lead you away from the main drag and present you with a wealth of different plants and habitats.<br />
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Of course the main attraction of the garden in the great glasshouse right in the middle of it all. This is the largest single span glasshouse anywhere in the world and also boasts the largest collection of Mediterranean plants in the Northern hemisphere. Although it is a huge man-made structure, due to the design it doesn't look at all out of place in the rolling Welsh countryside in which it sits.<br />
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Of particular interest to me, as followers of this blog will know, was the vegetable garden. As a keen grower myself it's always fascinating to see other gardens throughout the seasons; not just to see what they are growing but how, where and when they are growing it. You're guaranteed to learn something and take inspiration from what others are doing. Whether that's looking over the fence at somebody else's plot on the allotment or visiting a garden as fabulous as this, there's always something to take in.<br />
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The vegetable gardens didn't disappoint; spread over multiple areas everything you could imagine was being either grown or harvested. The 'Growing the Future' garden was particularly good with great examples of what can be done in smaller spaces and an absolute abundance of fruit and veg just waiting to be picked. The brassica collection in the Wallace garden was also a sight to behold and a cause of great envy after my annual summer battle with the cabbage whites.<br />
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The double walled garden also definitely deserves a mention. The main growing space for vegetables, and more formal than the other areas, great rows of leeks, onions, fennel, artichokes and much more surround you as you walk along the gravelled paths.<br />
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After a day spent wandering around there is also an excellent garden centre at the end with some great plants on sale that can be hard to find elsewhere. This is something that increasingly frustrates me living in Wales, an absolute lack of decent garden centres nearby. Unless you want ornaments or plant pots there very little around other than the standard B&Q and Homebase. If you want actual plants the internet is usually the best place which is a real shame.</div>
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Having an allotment can sometimes seem a chore particularly in the summer when it is at it's most productive and you've perhaps been away for a week or two. The best thing you can do is get out and see what others are doing, take inspiration and ideas away and apply them to your own space. I can guarantee that you'll return invigorated with a fresh appetite for your space and a re-found love of why you do it all in the first place.</div>
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<br />Sam Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470682905567211087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710831847287868461.post-13677425257029638622017-08-01T07:49:00.000-07:002017-08-01T14:40:22.302-07:00Pickled Beetroot<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm still fairly new to pickling and in fact preserving as a whole, but with such a glut of gorgeous beetroots at the moment I thought what better way to extend the joy of eating them then to make a pickle.<br />
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In previous years I've pickled onions and shallots but never really out of necessity, more for the fact that I enjoy them with a ploughmans. I've also dabbled in jams and chutneys following a successful day at a pick your own farm or a seasonal glut of courgettes (as I'm sure a lot of us experiencing at the moment). So with what little knowledge I have got and with <a href="https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/preserves-9780747595328/" target="_blank">Pam Corbin's River Cottage handbook</a> to hand I thought I'd be a bit experimental and make it up as I go along.<br />
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Many beetroot pickle recipes would call for you to cook the beetroot before preserving; this year I haven't cooked a single one preferring to pick them slightly smaller and slice thinly in salads to keep the fantastic stripes that the Barbabietola di Chioggia have running through them.<br />
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As with standard recipes I heated enough distilled malt vinegar to fill the jar and added three heaped teaspoons of sugar to take some of the sharpness away. Whilst this was coming to the boil I packed the sliced beetroots into the jar fairly tightly to maximise space.<br />
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To the vinegar I added some whole black pepper corns and a few bay leaves from the tree in the back garden. This was all poured into the jar whilst still hot ensuring that the beetroot was fully covered. The intention is that by pouring it in hot and then sealing the jars, it may slightly soften the beetroot along with the actual pickling in vinegar itself.<br />
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The end result looks great and exactly as I had imagined. After a day the beetroot has coloured the vinegar an almost fluorescent pink which is far more attractive than a dark brown jar on the shelf.<br />
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Hopefully, when it comes to eating, the beetroot will still retain it's earthy flavour along with picking up some of the sharpness and sweetness of the pickling solution. Whether or not it will retain it's crunch I don't know but I'd like there to still be a bite to it. Imagine a single slice on cracker topped with cheddar or couple of slices finely shredded in a leftover roast pork sandwich; I'm already salivating!Sam Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470682905567211087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710831847287868461.post-29151761289650496452017-04-24T07:49:00.000-07:002017-04-24T07:51:07.076-07:00Progress on the allotment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiklF0pqj9uKI-W9jKu8BYC4z8ilI3A5cnv6uBPgD7cP_1i0d7x_caMTWM41f3Y2YE3t_0tmz5GvG7dMYrTrXNZfgfBUEJppdQIqe2YFToGjB7wm9i5eWjVIwbFOGnbuHcplp76DaXAJAU/s1600/IMG_1593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiklF0pqj9uKI-W9jKu8BYC4z8ilI3A5cnv6uBPgD7cP_1i0d7x_caMTWM41f3Y2YE3t_0tmz5GvG7dMYrTrXNZfgfBUEJppdQIqe2YFToGjB7wm9i5eWjVIwbFOGnbuHcplp76DaXAJAU/s640/IMG_1593.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Since taking on the allotment in November progress has been
slow but steady. The landowner had said that he would plough it for me when it
dried up a bit. So I waited and waited and by early March I thought I’m just
going to have to do it myself.</div>
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The problem with the site is the amount of rabbits that are in the neighbouring fields and hedgerows; each individual plot needs to be fenced off and rabbit proofed. Not that I’m complaining too much, having an allotment amongst open countryside is an absolute joy. It’s a real pleasure just to sit and watch nature, although I’ve not had too much of chance to do so yet due to the copious amount of digging that has been required.</div>
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By fencing the plot I was accepting that the tractor wouldn’t be able to get in and I’d have to dig it all by hand. I waited as long as I could but eventually conceded defeat and set to work with the fork and spade. I was eager to get some broad beans and early potatoes in, some strawberries plants that I had put in a few weeks earlier had been immediately dug up by the rabbits so protection was my top priority.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimDBxTt2CkrZixM04uSran_nANJt9WOY0eXVk_DWzjxFUsaNn-dnTv6bn7D0p-0BtUJVzfoH8DgdG49TNkwR5EEXUtAN1Ux5_qZXL0RTnmEpLUJ_Lx9v4-5Z1GzPMsrrcmK8hZrm5Y3TU/s1600/IMG_1786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimDBxTt2CkrZixM04uSran_nANJt9WOY0eXVk_DWzjxFUsaNn-dnTv6bn7D0p-0BtUJVzfoH8DgdG49TNkwR5EEXUtAN1Ux5_qZXL0RTnmEpLUJ_Lx9v4-5Z1GzPMsrrcmK8hZrm5Y3TU/s640/IMG_1786.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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I’ve now cleared almost all of one side of the plot and am
now working my way back up the other. Being well over halfway I can start to see
the light at the end of tunnel. The beds are starting to take shape and what
was once just a picture in my head is becoming a reality.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs3b7lQAZnQwvf0sUV8Vkn3ms_TN0NwTqNFlAJiqmMG0CF5HZVZe79mg8ySpTQzDTzhRc7WkAstmGoIzO2-_AyOUGHnl5fwJ3cXW220eONQPYbIsfxFxYWZ7J2sPqJQYWHLZh881eT8_g/s1600/IMG_1787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs3b7lQAZnQwvf0sUV8Vkn3ms_TN0NwTqNFlAJiqmMG0CF5HZVZe79mg8ySpTQzDTzhRc7WkAstmGoIzO2-_AyOUGHnl5fwJ3cXW220eONQPYbIsfxFxYWZ7J2sPqJQYWHLZh881eT8_g/s640/IMG_1787.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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As with all projects the plan is changing all the time.
Seeing a greenhouse on eBay for £50 I just couldn’t resist. If you can imagine trying
to build the worlds most complicated Meccano set without any instructions, you’ll
be somewhere near the difficulty level involved in dismantling and rebuilding
this greenhouse. Worth it now that it is finally done but I spent days trying
to work out how this thing went back together.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYx4pB_CGPq5lhWI3IrmRYWwWQhR3qTSOHny8ZGbMQuoNeKxP9TH51TdxPjLjucBQni3aBoMN46Nx0ZEisgVhl9j4MctWptw81xrkJ-xtXrcfx0JwQalOuTLwc_IF80QPEnnEGFeUjvKI/s1600/IMG_1788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYx4pB_CGPq5lhWI3IrmRYWwWQhR3qTSOHny8ZGbMQuoNeKxP9TH51TdxPjLjucBQni3aBoMN46Nx0ZEisgVhl9j4MctWptw81xrkJ-xtXrcfx0JwQalOuTLwc_IF80QPEnnEGFeUjvKI/s640/IMG_1788.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Still, we're getting there. A few more full days spent digging and hopefully it will be time to sit down and enjoy it all.Sam Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470682905567211087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710831847287868461.post-54031911921451422172016-12-28T08:33:00.001-08:002016-12-28T08:38:41.819-08:00The Best Seed OffersWith the new year fast approaching I thought I'd look at what offers were available on vegetable seeds - here's some of the best that I found.<br />
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<u>Otter Farm</u><br />
<u><br /></u>
<img height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEg9NVXdLDoj0abDAiIf07lPSWcpnGW8gWuhyphenhyphencglRimNH2Cwm7IgDmvNcHAL1b7mJc0khH4RV7dHphRbYJLezW45krQglrO7i5jrMixq779HE2YTr6UN8-TY7r9UGESvZ_jIxYJGJd48mY-B-vAqsId3vTAly-0-HBMENbpVm9viluGNh2hMGGAweHwtk7gwOAfBbJEgZsZ66c962Vyk_F2FXb9p2ak8XQ=s0-d-e1-ft" width="640" /><br />
<br />
Free postage and packaging on all orders over £25 and a free bay plant on all orders over £15<br />
<br />
Ends 5th January<br />
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<a href="http://www.otterfarm.co.uk/">www.otterfarm.co.uk</a><br />
<br />
<u>VegetableSeeds.net</u><br />
<u><br /></u>
<img alt="No automatic alt text available." src="https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/15589801_1280850048604512_6581440624973366347_n.jpg?oh=ff4d06363a5b7dfdecb4ee894cbc2017&oe=58EE3FA4" /><br />
<u><br /></u>
Closing down sale, all vegetable seeds 25p per packet.<br />
<u><br /></u><a href="https://www.vegetableseeds.net/category_s/91.htm">www.vegetableseeds.net</a><br />
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<u>Thompson & Morgan</u><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmigKcOT72KXZOw67esTbLVyI7c4PlT_JGOz4wyXV1PGolbmQSUKyGOBCaPlkw7v4UUJCjJt4XIGl_jncs2wg0hYe0o2wJRDCjTOVFQk5qeBzoi7Q2CLMGQNrDIFwOtmbg_Mmxm-iad4/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmigKcOT72KXZOw67esTbLVyI7c4PlT_JGOz4wyXV1PGolbmQSUKyGOBCaPlkw7v4UUJCjJt4XIGl_jncs2wg0hYe0o2wJRDCjTOVFQk5qeBzoi7Q2CLMGQNrDIFwOtmbg_Mmxm-iad4/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
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<br />
Seed Sale - Vegetable seeds from 99p<br />
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Ends 7th January at midnight<br />
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<a href="http://www.thompson-morgan.com/seed-sale">www.thompson-morgan.com</a><br />
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<u>Sarah Raven</u><br />
<u><br /></u>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiDpey1cL0MMCxI9R2DVaSXsq1ZU7uzOW-hYVrOR09jEkhxhqoaW8w6QbyO1pybAToisxPuP6l3wSALoc-0qa_EuzyMTvNNrw6qOJR-MsBceoVSRtzXmJsUIbfqqfyHrmebG8UIL7UI5Q/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiDpey1cL0MMCxI9R2DVaSXsq1ZU7uzOW-hYVrOR09jEkhxhqoaW8w6QbyO1pybAToisxPuP6l3wSALoc-0qa_EuzyMTvNNrw6qOJR-MsBceoVSRtzXmJsUIbfqqfyHrmebG8UIL7UI5Q/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Up to 50% off vegetable seeds</div>
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<a href="https://www.sarahraven.com/sale/seed_sale">www.sarahraven.com</a></div>
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<u>DT Brown</u></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRDptOfB_ADNFNKPvjFcIRCO_cNYCxNuiBPfu-Co6GSshmF90_3WXYD1JtGSLopXobwVpmrMjuteMw9-0MWeGBbvrQ3_eHDxnpdXydS7_biq-5fRtpSK7VjHkq_lObwnasSkpE5cBL2Q/s1600/1.jpg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRDptOfB_ADNFNKPvjFcIRCO_cNYCxNuiBPfu-Co6GSshmF90_3WXYD1JtGSLopXobwVpmrMjuteMw9-0MWeGBbvrQ3_eHDxnpdXydS7_biq-5fRtpSK7VjHkq_lObwnasSkpE5cBL2Q/s320/1.jpg.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Buy three or more packs of seed potatoes and save 20% per pack.</div>
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<a href="http://www.dtbrownseeds.co.uk/Potatoes-1/#.WGPkPlOLS00">www.dtbrownseeds.co.uk</a></div>
<br />Sam Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470682905567211087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710831847287868461.post-65680562700800022752016-12-28T04:47:00.000-08:002016-12-28T04:47:02.842-08:00We've Got an Allotment!So after years of waiting we've finally got ourselves an allotment. It all happened quite by chance, with just a few phone calls and emails, in the end it actually proved quite easy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHK1NSE7T2gbfsI6t3vO1b5CBWtn4TAOMn5cv_dguVBlJ3uz7I247lmVorCxF-bPM4qZe7ygEDxv8YQjup1HIXBTbz30vrrNrO7QHpqZExN0x84_v0hHjfsjKnWWAVoNd744ZkmyPGf14/s1600/IMG_1593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHK1NSE7T2gbfsI6t3vO1b5CBWtn4TAOMn5cv_dguVBlJ3uz7I247lmVorCxF-bPM4qZe7ygEDxv8YQjup1HIXBTbz30vrrNrO7QHpqZExN0x84_v0hHjfsjKnWWAVoNd744ZkmyPGf14/s640/IMG_1593.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Driving to a nearby pub for lunch a few weekends ago, nailed to a tree was a handmade sign stating 'allotments for rent' with a phone number to call; of course I immediately slammed on the brakes and took the number down. We've been on the waiting list for the councils allotments in our local area since we moved back in July last year. In a interesting conversation at the time with the then chairmen of the allotments he said that often the waiting lists were that long that people just didn't bother with it any more; in fact the last time that one of the plots had become available he contacted everyone on the waiting list and they had all been on it for so long that they had either moved out of the area or were no longer interested in getting one. The list was scrapped and started again, which gave me the faint glimmer of hope that I may be somewhere near the top of it, the complete silence ever since perhaps indicates otherwise. Indeed if I do ever get the call, I myself will become one of those that are no longer interested, having secured one elsewhere.<br />
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Following a conversation with the landowner I went to meet him the next morning up at the site. It turned out that he was a beef and sheep farmer with a fairly extensive farm in the area, his wife also runs a garden centre which adjoins their house which is possibly where the interest in growing comes from. I couldn't believe how many were available, of the twenty or so plots I had a choice of at least five; after spending over a year on a waiting list in the space of two days I had made a phone call, walked into the field and picked a plot.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFsmkTyXRZv9m4oYfZrhQFQzyfZy-RwjY4Cwx9uB3SUp3HbnXbs_a582PhDF2R4jeJFWV-iUk8Xs2OpRZ0EY920suWAIM-lXAGeJ_-LZoxPT5PiXhuGF0twFA11hVm6Lel88Ls3-zgUSA/s1600/IMG_1596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFsmkTyXRZv9m4oYfZrhQFQzyfZy-RwjY4Cwx9uB3SUp3HbnXbs_a582PhDF2R4jeJFWV-iUk8Xs2OpRZ0EY920suWAIM-lXAGeJ_-LZoxPT5PiXhuGF0twFA11hVm6Lel88Ls3-zgUSA/s640/IMG_1596.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Having been part of the River Cottage land-share scheme a number of years ago I realise that a private allotment might cost a bit more than a council or community site but I was pleasantly surprised when told how much it would be for the year. I had previously paid a farmer £30 plus some veg every now and again whereas this new site would cost £120 for the year. Certainly a lot more than some but I can't complain at £10 a month, especially with the convenience of being only a ten minute drive along some beautiful country lanes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZUJpza3nOASPWLl66JfMm2JAxAzRi_Nqz5QIzZyuKNp6xukUaXtkaFBV1asXZxWCcqu-sNGozyl8PxSOq0d5EImb9HOkxi7uV3tyNqNAPpc5nrFnoLQOrpS5CjnzhjkoxjD9eTve7nE/s1600/IMG_1591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZUJpza3nOASPWLl66JfMm2JAxAzRi_Nqz5QIzZyuKNp6xukUaXtkaFBV1asXZxWCcqu-sNGozyl8PxSOq0d5EImb9HOkxi7uV3tyNqNAPpc5nrFnoLQOrpS5CjnzhjkoxjD9eTve7nE/s640/IMG_1591.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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As I had the choice of so many I chose one on which the previous occupier had constructed a shed, homemade of course but it could almost pass for something that had been purchased it's in that good shape. The plot had also been completely dug over within the past year so the soil is in pretty good condition too, although it has now become largely overgrown the majority of this is chickweed, thistle with a few docs mixed in, nothing particularly well established all small enough to pull by hand.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtcIdMc5qcTrnJXimvKl_D-ZHYAckNIbpuUI5PDg6B-JeE4OJzbJuKix61YPEPEAk73aEh0xtiqsmJdiKc3kuXE3go2obrl_AQd4znczSWPLKRNa7gBO3yRRmnTRekibz02ZDMgGPeqb8/s1600/IMG_1594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtcIdMc5qcTrnJXimvKl_D-ZHYAckNIbpuUI5PDg6B-JeE4OJzbJuKix61YPEPEAk73aEh0xtiqsmJdiKc3kuXE3go2obrl_AQd4znczSWPLKRNa7gBO3yRRmnTRekibz02ZDMgGPeqb8/s640/IMG_1594.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The farmer also offered to rotovate and spray with with weedkiller prior to me making a start, the weedkiller I declined, I have no interest in growing non-organically, however him rotovating will certainly save me a lot of digging.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJQsTrnHnMjJdm7cMk8nD8T5FYsVYfMXkYIOWv_mRQtw_YlYHq3IEp4i4nvVaeOB73gZ-sOzxJf1p1DHyQWYfT2Q6b6ruNw1BDJ94u9MwHHC-1DMhakm8hvbyHvFsaDQsq0t47kzgQJs/s1600/IMG_1612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJQsTrnHnMjJdm7cMk8nD8T5FYsVYfMXkYIOWv_mRQtw_YlYHq3IEp4i4nvVaeOB73gZ-sOzxJf1p1DHyQWYfT2Q6b6ruNw1BDJ94u9MwHHC-1DMhakm8hvbyHvFsaDQsq0t47kzgQJs/s640/IMG_1612.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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So whilst I wait for this to happen I've cleared a small patch to plant some soft fruits into, not that it was urgent but as any new allotment holder will know I was just desperate to spend some time up there and get going on what I could.<br />
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I've since been back and tried to clear the patch of all the perennial weeds prior to rotovating, any suggestions on composting methods for these will be gratefully received.<br />
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They'll be plenty more updates on all of this so keep an eye out.Sam Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470682905567211087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710831847287868461.post-18814718789121695962016-09-13T08:33:00.001-07:002016-09-13T08:33:47.055-07:00Farm-SittingSo a friend of a friend was going on holiday for four weeks during August and was looking for someone to look after his smallholding whilst he was away. Somehow my name cropped up as an option and after a few phone calls I agreed. It was only fifteen minutes away and I had no plans to go anywhere, besides the kids would love it, feeding the cows and running around the fields.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLrL_jii1rVswPFfqgoTnNQfXh-Nfvm747u0GXdynQm-944tpSA7h5py4tkOeQNeKoKw-1137-ejeb-bvH8i_6q3RkXWXvtmGi3evvIQ2Ws4UUcdIugYij5rQfKLmn7NJEZ1tUnA5l390/s1600/2016-08-07+12.00.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLrL_jii1rVswPFfqgoTnNQfXh-Nfvm747u0GXdynQm-944tpSA7h5py4tkOeQNeKoKw-1137-ejeb-bvH8i_6q3RkXWXvtmGi3evvIQ2Ws4UUcdIugYij5rQfKLmn7NJEZ1tUnA5l390/s640/2016-08-07+12.00.23.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The smallholding was thirty acres in total with twenty five of that being woodland and just five acres as pasture; perfect size for a novice like me to look after. There are three cows, one Highland and two Dexter that are really there to graze the hillside and act as conservation for the fauna that's found there.<br />
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Along with the cows were three beehives that were managed by a beekeeper that would visit every ten or so days. Although interested I left him too him to it rather than try and get involved at the risk of getting stung.<br />
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Each day we went up checked the cows water and made sure there was still enough grass in the field they were currently in. They always seemed so happy to see us and would come running down the field to the gate in the hope that we had some sort of treat in the form of food for them. Admittedly this did make me slightly worried that they were being under fed but on his return the owner assured me they are always like that and try to push their luck if they can.<br />
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Although we had a great time after four weeks of going out of the way I was rather glad to be back into the normal routine. We did stay up there a few times but with the chickens at home we would always have to be between the two which was bit of the pain.<br />
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Certainly something to aspire to in the future though, our first experience of having our own cows was definitely something that we would like to pursue further one day.Sam Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470682905567211087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710831847287868461.post-49083494809464967132016-09-12T08:18:00.000-07:002016-09-12T08:20:24.959-07:00The Dreaded BlightAfter moving house last year I ended up with three tomato plants which I planted in a big container out on the patio. Without much care or attention we enjoyed a good crop, a mix of varieties but all of them tasted great. This simplicity restored my faith in growing tomatoes, having suffered blight in previous years I did briefly consider giving them a miss and putting the space to use for something else.<br />
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This year started off so promisingly, some Black Russian plants were given to me to add to the Gardeners delights that I had grown from seed myself. Of these the strongest twelve were planted out in grow bags along the back fence in the sunniest part of the garden. Come early July fruit was starting to set and I was beginning to think of all the things I could use them for in the kitchen.<br />
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However it wasn't to be. Due to the wet July within the space of a week what I was worried looked like blight on one plant soon engulfed all twelve and drastic action needed to be taken.<br />
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If like me you have suffered blight before you know there's no half measures. Any affected foliage needs to be taken away from the site and preferably burned to stop the spores from spreading further.<br />
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I do have a brilliant recipe for green tomato and fennel chutney which I was hoping not to make this year, instead I've got another pile of jars full of it. the best of a bad situation I suppose and it is particularly good.<br />
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For the past three weeks I have been looking after some cows for a friend who has been abroad on holiday. Not much required, topping up their water, moving them from field to field as the grass gets low, it's actually be a pleasure. By chance whilst showing me around he pointed to greenhouse full of tomatoes asking if could keep them watered and of course help myself to any that ripen while he's away. What a stroke of luck!<br />
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So I haven't gone without, just without my own.<br />
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<br />Sam Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470682905567211087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710831847287868461.post-6305233672513733502016-07-13T08:40:00.002-07:002016-07-13T08:40:51.597-07:00Out with the old and in with the new<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's getting to that time when the majority of vegetables planted earlier in the year are now ready to harvest. Whilst successional planning is always key for us gardeners it can sometimes be quite daunting when you're left with a big open space in the middle of the growing season that was full of plants only yesterday</div>
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The broad beans have pretty much come to an end now, I probably went a bit over the top with them to be honest, I was getting bored of waiting and these are one of the earliest seeds that can be sown. I ended up with a lot more than I bargained for, although that's been no bad thing over the past couple of weeks with us regularly enjoying the harvests. I am now left with a gap in the veg patch which is only going to get bigger when the potatoes come out alongside it. They should be out by now having planted Red Duke of York as first earlies, however, we lifted a few plants a couple of weeks ago and thought that they would make better eating as maincrop potatoes due to their floury texture.<br />
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So what to fill the space with, the majority of seed packets will tell you to sow March - May? This year I had the forethought to sow some brassicas inside on the windowsill back at the beginning of June in the hope that they would slot straight in after the broad beans. My windowsills have been full since early February and show no sign of slowing down yet. Anyway it's not quite worked out the way I wanted. I sowed the seeds in peat free compost trying to be as organic and environmentally friendly as possible and it's just turned out to be very poor for root growth. Admittedly it wasn't a seed compost but at the time local choice was limited and I have, in the past, regularly used a standard multipurpose compost for sowing.<br />
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Although they're a little way behind where I wanted them to be I've decided that the best place for them is in the ground rather than potting on into something more suitable and giving it a few more weeks. As ever I have sown too many so the majority will be planted out with the rest staying as they are for back up, I may squeeze them in somewhere else in time.<br />
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With the weather not being too temperamental at the momnet they should establish quite quickly. I have sown Cavolo Nero kale which should be ready around October; Brussel sprouts for Christmas time, cabbage January King for the New Year and because of this year's success plenty of Purple sprouting broccoli.<br />
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There's still plenty of time to sow most things. This week I'll be sowing carrots, French beans, beetroot and some <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2012/mar/09/alys-fowler-broccoli-raab" target="_blank">cima di rapa</a>. Of course there are things that can be sown almost all year such as lettuce and spring onion. Time spent planting now will see you eating out of the garden right through Christmas and beyond.<br />
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<br />Sam Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470682905567211087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710831847287868461.post-69510853328400558022016-06-08T01:44:00.001-07:002016-06-08T01:49:10.066-07:00Open Farm Sunday<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">
If you missed it this Sunday saw the tenth <a href="https://farmsunday.org/" target="_blank">open farm Sunday</a>, an event that has gone from strength to strength since launching in 2006. Farms all over the country open their doors to the public putting on tractor rides, educational talks, kids activities and much more, all for free! The idea is to raise awareness of how farmers are working in harmony with nature to produce good food with environmental care.</div>
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Having missed it last year we took the opportunity to visit <a href="http://www.sladefarmorganics.com/visitsladefarm.htm" target="_blank">Slade Farm</a>, an organic farm that rears pork, beef and lamb that is available to buy from the onsite farm shop.</div>
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Having a two year old boy, a day on a farm is just about the perfect day out for us; a highlight for him being the pig racing along with seeing all of the tractors.</div>
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The owner of the farm gave an interesting talk whilst explaining about sheep shearing. Any meat he doesn’t sell from the farm shop is sold to <a href="http://www.waitrose.com/" target="_blank">Waitrose</a>, his point being that you can either buy the meat from him or it can be shipped to Cambridge sorted and shipped back to the local town of Cowbridge. Something to think about if you’re conscious of food miles as perhaps we should all increasingly be.</div>
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Other activities on the day were archery, a blacksmith demonstration, learning how to milk a cow, and of course a bbq selling homemade sausages and burgers.</div>
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A great day out for all the family and we'll certainly be visiting one or two more next year.</div>
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Sam Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470682905567211087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710831847287868461.post-38913445565046108432016-01-28T12:39:00.001-08:002016-07-04T11:57:42.086-07:00Cowbridge Physic Garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Having moved to a house with a smaller garden this summer I have been thinking long and hard about what to grow in this new space. I brought some plants and pre-made raised beds with me so these immediately went in, as much to brighten the place up as anything else. Thinking longer term I wanted to do something with the front garden that would require very little maintenance, make a big impact and of course taste great. The solution I came to was to start a herb garden. Something that I can use everyday and after the initial set up not spend too much time on.<br />
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I already grow a few herbs for everyday use in an old trough outside the backdoor. These are added to many of our meals so never get the chance to grow too any sort of size or run to seed as they are constantly being harvested. Even so this little offering has kept me in good supply throughout the past couple of months, the only thing it's not providing is variety.<br />
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With hundreds of species and variants available I was never going to be satisfied with just eight different plants. For inspiration a couple of weeks ago I took a trip to Cowbridge physic garden to explore the possibilities on offer.<br />
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Just off Cowbridge high street hidden behind four large stone walls is this real gem of a place. Restored and maintained by volunteers after falling into neglect, it boasts a huge variety of medicinal plants and herbs that once would have been commonplace.<br />
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Despite visiting in winter there was still plenty to see, some plants were past their best and others still in full glory.<br />
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There aren't many physic gardens left in the country these days having fallen out of favour with the development of modern medicine. In the past people would have used these plants for treating all manner of things, To name a few lemon balm was traditionally used to ease anxiety and insomnia, rosemary to improve concentration and memory, lavender as an antiseptic, parsley was used to prevent flatulence and bad breath, and lovage to cure colic.<br />
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Some great ideas and well worth a visit, I'll certainly be back again in the summer.<br />
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<br />Sam Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470682905567211087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710831847287868461.post-34021635565588993362015-11-12T08:46:00.002-08:002015-11-12T08:49:25.030-08:00National Trust Dyffryn gardens<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Having driven past a couple of weeks ago and with not much on the agenda last weekend we decided to go and take a look around Dyffryn gardens in St Nicholas not far from where we live. Dyffryn gardens cover 55 acres that include vast lawns, garden rooms that have been inspired by places all over the world and of course a kitchen garden.</div>
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We spent the morning wandering through the shade of the arboretum on what was an unusually sunny autumn day. Emerging from the trees we were greeted by huge lawns of various shapes and sizes designed in Edwardian times no doubt for different purposes.<br />
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Despite it being November there was still a huge amount to see in the gardens not just for enthusiasts but for anyone with a passing interest in being outdoors. The garden rooms, each very different in design, provide snapshots of what's possible in smaller spaces whilst still maintaining the overall grandeur that goes with such bold ideas.</div>
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The colours and structure around gardens of this scale at this time of year is unrivaled, with some things having been cut back and others left to provide height and prominence to an arrangement.</div>
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Of course of particular interest to me was the kitchen garden. Divided into two walled gardens, one for fruit and the other larger one for vegetables there was still an abundance of food to be harvested. Amongst other things the globe artichokes really stood out, I've already decided I'll be digging up the front garden next year and one of the first plants to go in will certainly be a few of these. With a wait of up to two years for the first harvest it may not be for everyone but the chance of eating my own home grown artichokes is something that I am prepared to wait for.<br />
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Inside a long glasshouse along the side of the building grapevines that were rooted outside through holes in the brickwork were carefully trained across the roof. Further through the glasshouse were other less hardy plants some of which has been brought in for winter and some permanent residents that prefer a warmer climate.<br />
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As with most vegetable gardens the majority of the growing has now been done for this year. Ready to be picked through the winter were Kale, sprouting broccoli, leeks as well as some great winter salads. All of this produce can be sampled in some fantastic homemade recipes in the onsite cafe.</div>
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The best thing for us was that despite the gardens and house giving a formal appearance the whole place is quite relaxed. The gardening staff that were pottering around were perfectly happy to let children run wild on the lawns or dip their hands into the ponds.Outside of the front of the property there is a children's play area next to n patio where the parents can eat. A thoroughly enjoyable day out and somewhere we will certainly be visiting again.<br />
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<br />Sam Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470682905567211087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710831847287868461.post-1886287070294009922015-10-26T12:49:00.002-07:002015-10-26T12:49:49.611-07:00Chillies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This year, having been given some seeds for Christmas, I thought I'd have a go at growing chillies. I had attempted them before in the polytunnel last year but anyone who reads this blog regularly knows that the tunnel blew away before they came to anything. This time around having less growing space I have kept them inside on a relatively sunny windowsill.<br />
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I started them off in individual pots back in late February, sowing three or four of each. Somewhere along the line the labels got mixed up which isn't unusual for me so when I potted them all into one long pot for the windowsill I chose the six strongest plants to grow on. It turns out I ended up with one cayenne, three raam, and two sweet sunshine.<br />
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The raam did turn out to be quite hot which is no bad thing for me so having three of these was a real result. I started harvesting these early September and am still harvesting them now, fantastically productive, they will definitely make the cut next year.<br />
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The sweet sunshine was slow to get going and made me doubt whether it was ever going to get any bigger. It did in the end and I have been harvesting these for the past couple of weeks. Being the slowest to grow and the smallest crop, while they have been enjoyable I think they'll be replaced with something more substantial next year.<br />
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The cayenne have fallen somewhere in between the two above in heat, growth speed and overall harvest. However these have proved to be excellent for drying and will prolong my harvest for many months to come. Surely I'll have room for a couple of these come next spring.<br />
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At one point we were facing a real glut and running out of ideas of what to do with them. Of course the only answer was homemade curry paste. Put in the blender with lemongrass, onion, garlic, ginger and some tomatoes they made an nice, coarse paste. Using different quantities and combinations of the chillies we ended up with a mild and a hot paste that should keep for a good couple of months.</div>
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All in all definitely something I'll be experimenting more with. I'd encourage anyone to grow them, taking up minimal space and giving maximum reward they've been a real success.Sam Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470682905567211087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710831847287868461.post-40823736680366407492015-10-05T06:26:00.001-07:002015-10-05T06:26:48.001-07:00RHS Malvern Autumn Show<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A spur of the moment decision last week ended up with us going to the Malvern autumn show. With nothing planned for Sunday and with the weather being as great as it has been we thought we might as well travel the hour or so to Malvern to see what the show was all about.<br />
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We've been to other shows before both local and national however this was our first trip to an RHS show. My interest in gardening grows year on year so to attend something like this for me was a real treat. There was plenty going on throughout the day, alongside the usual horticultural and homecraft classes was the national giant veg competition.<br />
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On stage were live cookery demonstrations headed up by Mark Diacono, Valentine Warner and Joe Swift.<br />
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Around the showground were show gardens, demonstrations and a huge amount of stalls selling everything that you could wish for.<br />
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Perhaps best of all the whole event was sponsored by Westons Cider, what better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than strolling around in the sun with a cider in hand.<br />
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<br />Sam Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470682905567211087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710831847287868461.post-88209005252388139982015-09-18T02:39:00.000-07:002016-07-04T11:56:09.682-07:00Organic September<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So what has everyone been doing for organic September? Buying a veg box or eating better quality meat perhaps, maybe switching the normal eggs and milk that you buy to organic.<br />
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For a while I have been considering all of the above and more, paying particular interest in the quality of meat that I buy and of course where I source it from. Beginning early last year I tried to switch where possible to British produce, taking my time when shopping and considering what it is I was really buying. This was very easy on some items such as fresh vegetables and meat and rather more difficult on others. Something that this contributed to is seasonal eating, eating things at their freshest and best.<br />
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I suppose this was the first step in moving towards organic produce. Like almost all other people finance is a deciding factor in what I buy, would I really pay more something with an organic label on it? Well, yes is the answer, I would. I'd know that it has been grown in a way that I'd expect it to be if I had grown it myself. I'd know exactly what I was putting into my body and I'd know that I am contributing to the whole cycle that is organic growing. In terms of organic meat in my opinion there can be little argument against this, the standards far exceed other in terms of husbandry and diet. Again for most of us it comes down to finance, but rather than eat meat everyday what we do buy we make it last, make the most of it and appreciate it for what it is when we do have it. If you are buying the best tasting and most interesting vegetables then why would you need to eat meat everyday?<br />
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So what have I done for organic September? We recently moved house and decided that now would be a good time to start having a veg box delivered. Where we were previously was a little remote so this wasn't an option . We looked at the usual companies <a href="http://www.riverford.co.uk/" target="_blank">Riverford</a>, <a href="http://www.abelandcole.co.uk/" target="_blank">Abel & Cole</a> but in the end stumbled upon a small local supplier less than a mile from the house. As a side note there is some very interesting reading on the <a href="http://www.riverford.co.uk/" target="_blank">Riverford </a>website with regards to responsible sourcing of food that certainly made me reconsider a few ideas that I'd previously had.<br />
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The veg box is supplied by a local farm called <a href="http://pencoedgrowers.co.uk/" target="_blank">Pencoed Growers</a>, they are a cut flower supplier who also grow their own veg onsite. We order as little or as much as we like on a Monday and collect on a Wednesday. Each weekend we receive an email containing availability for the week with any new items that have become available, alot of which you just can't buy in the shops. This week we have had the biggest pak choi you've ever seen and red amaranth a sort of red spinach, all delicious of course.<br />
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There's plenty more information on the <a href="http://www.soilassociation.org/" target="_blank">Soil association website</a> about small changes that you can make. If like me you've been thinking about going organic then now is the time, you won't look back.</div>
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<br />Sam Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470682905567211087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710831847287868461.post-62547232737792294682015-09-16T12:06:00.000-07:002015-09-17T02:10:54.961-07:00A New Start<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well it's certainly been a while, but I'm finally back blogging. Back in July we moved house, unfortunately not through choice, the landlady decided that she wanted to sell and we were left with little option but to move. It was a real shame as I had a number of long term gardening projects going on and things were really starting to take shape. I had permanent beds of artichokes and soft fruits and had last summer pulled the old garden shed down to make way for another large vegetable bed. Hours of digging and improvement to this provided an early crop of broad beans and kale with peas and runner beans not far behind. We harvested what we could before we left, down to the smallest baby carrot, but of course we had to leave most behind. I just hope whoever moves in realises what they're inheriting and makes the most of it.<br />
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Due to the time of year I had plenty of seedlings in pots, these all came with me to kick start the new garden along with some wood to knock a few raised beds together. A years worth of compost came too in big heavy duty gardening bags.<br />
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A sad day was taking the ducks to auction, they had become almost like pets to us having had them over two years. There just wasn't room for both them and the chickens in the new house so we decided to just keep the two remaining chickens. We took them to Ffairfach auction in Llandeilo where we had previously bought our chickens from, the man who eventually purchased them had been questioning me throughout the day so we were happy that they had gone to someone who would look after them as well as we had.<br />
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So onto the new house, the garden is considerably smaller than the last one but was a deciding factor in where we chose to move to. It is enclosed at the back of the house so that our two year old is free to go in and out as he pleases, also the chickens will be let out of their run in the winter once all of summer veg has been harvested.<br />
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After a week or so I put the raised beds at the bottom of the garden, this seems to get the sun all day which is a bonus. Sprouting broccoli, pumpkins, leeks, french beans and salad that were brought with us all went straight in. In pots I'd kept tomatoes and in an old tin bath I'd managed to take cuttings and transplant most of the herbs<br />
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Something we haven't been used to is having a decent sized front garden. At the moment I have done very little to it with the exception of planting last years blackcurrant cuttings alongside the drive. The plan for this space changes from week to week but I'm sure I'll have something in my head by the time winter comes. This should give me time to prepare the ground ready for Spring.<br />
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So plenty to get on with, all a bit rushed this Summer but eventually got to harvest some veg. It's good to start with blank canvas but as all gardeners will know letting long term projects go isn't easy.<br />
<br />Sam Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470682905567211087noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710831847287868461.post-7655199878885340122015-05-27T08:43:00.000-07:002015-05-27T08:51:55.519-07:00Nettle FeedNow that spring is in full flow everything is shooting up in the garden. To a lot of peoples disappointment this includes nettles, for me however they are a joy. I have been enjoying nettles for the past few weeks now, they must be the easiest plant in all the wild larder to identify with most people finding out at an early age just what a sting they possess. The young tops make a fantastic soup, perfect when topped off with one of our own poached eggs.<br />
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Alternatively they can be used as a substitute for spinach in any number of recipes. One I haven't tried yet but am looking forward to is nettle pasta the way it turns the pasta green looks fantastic and delicious too. Another I have had the pleasure of eating is nettle and spinach frittata.<br />
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While the tops are good for eating the rest of the plant isn't. Now that I have harvested most of the young tops I've cut down the rest of the plants to make a plant feed for the vegetable patch. Cutting down the plants will as ever encourage new growth and within a couple of weeks I'll have fresh new shoots to enjoy.<br />
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The nettles are extremely rich in nitrogen which most plants love, by chopping them up into small pieces they will break down quicker and in turn release the nitrogen quicker.<br />
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These are then submerged in water, preferably in a container with a lid or as far away from the house as you can get, the the smell after a week or so really is quite pungent.<br />
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After about four weeks the feed will be ready, hold your nose, take the lid off and scoop some of the nitrogen rich liquid out. This will need to be mixed with about ten parts water before using on the plants.<br />
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Once you have used all the liquid and harvested all the fresh young shoots that have re-emerged the nettles will probably have grown big enough to repeat the whole process. Any leftover bits in the bottom of the bin can be mixed in with the compost heap. They are excellent at speeding up the decomposition of some of the more harder materials.<br />
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What's not love about nettles?Sam Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470682905567211087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710831847287868461.post-68507109459857955462015-05-19T13:30:00.003-07:002015-05-19T13:39:12.228-07:00In The Garden This Week<h3>
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Sowing for the village plant sale</i></h3>
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Every year in the village hall or neuadd as they say in Welsh they hold a plant sale to raise funds for the upkeep and running of the hall. Living only two doors away we often see events happening in there and when possible pop or head in for a look around. At last years sale we had been out for the day and just caught the end of it so there wasn't much left to buy.</div>
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We regularly receive a newsletter full of the latest gossip from the surrounding villages, the latest edition was advertising on the front cover for plants to sell. As anyone who grows their own knows you always end up with a surplus of seeds at the end of the year so to pot up a few for a good cause seemed like a great idea.<br />
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Rather than go for something plain I've sown some French beans named purple queen and a couple of trays of sugarsnap peas called Sugar bon. On top of this every year my herb garden is taken over with wild strawberries. The plants in the sun are already flowering however a lot of the runners have spread into shady areas so these won't do so well. So far I've potted up twelve plants, they are shallow rooted and pull up easily. I think I could pot up at least another fifty without effecting my harvest, by midsummer I'm sure they'll be carpeting the floor again.</div>
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Sam Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470682905567211087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710831847287868461.post-81634708715417350232015-05-18T13:26:00.000-07:002015-05-19T13:31:09.729-07:00A Slow Start<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After the fantastic weather throughout April, May has been a mixed month so far. By the time it did eventually rain in April the garden was in real need of it, there is only so much a watering can or hose pipe can make up for. Regardless of the lack of rain the early sun really gave a lot of plants a great start. My aim this year was to sow as much directly into the soil as possible rather than in seed trays or pots and April's weather was ideal for this.<br />
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Parsnip seeds were sown in rows with a catch crop of radish mixed amongst them, beans and peas went in at the bottom of the canes and carrots seeds were accompanied by spring onions in a specially prepared bed. Various types of salad leave have been successionally sown since the beginning of March and the potatoes and onions weren't far behind them. Of course all of these and more went directly into the soil rather than onto a windowsill or the dining table where I would have been able to keep an eye on them.<br />
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The results have been mixed really. The potatoes got caught by a late frost and for a time had me worried that they would never recover, they have and they now appear to be the star performers. The radishes were going strong for about four weeks until suddenly the ducks decided that they do actually like them and ate the whole lot whilst I was in work. They seem to have left the parsnips alone though which is a bit of blessing as they do take a while to get going.<br />
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An impulse buy at the garden centre saw me come home with some summer cabbage seedlings, these have gone out with the extra protection of netting whilst they settle in. I find that when transplanting it takes a week or two for the roots to adapt at which stage there will be no growth at all. If the plants can be protected during these early days when they are most susceptible to damage then they will really shoot up in the weeks that follow.<br />
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The beans and peas haven't lived up to last years high standards, this has prompted me to buy new varieties of each which I hope will do better. The runner beans never did germinate and only about fifty percent of the peas ever came through. These have now been surrounded by a load more directly sown seed so who knows I may end up with more than I think if they all come through, fingers crossed.<br />
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Meanwhile inside there have been highs and lows. It is essential living up here for me to get any warmer climate loving crops such as courgettes, squashes and corn started off inside so when they do eventually go outside they are good and strong. It also gives me a longer growing season, last year my first butternut squashes appeared around the end of September when there was no chance that there was enough sun left in the days for them to mature. Some dwarf french beans, another first for me, managed to escape my notice and seemed to shoot up overnight. I've put them outside for now but they'll likely end up on the compost heap and I'll start again with these.<br />
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It won't be long and I'll have my first meal from the salad bed, hopefully accompanied by some broad beans. For the moment everything appears to be standing still but all that will change once the sun begins to shine again, everything will shoot up around me and we'll be eating from the garden every day again.<br />
<br />Sam Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470682905567211087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710831847287868461.post-79661959360477198582015-04-14T12:55:00.000-07:002015-05-19T13:31:09.726-07:00A Runner bean trench<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm always looking for new ideas on how I can improve what I grow. There's always plenty of advice and inspiration about, some bright new ideas and some age old tricks that your grandparents might have used.<br />
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One that I haven't heard of prior to this year is a runner bean trench. The principle being that instead of adding your moisture retentive waste to the compost heap you bury it all in a trench where you are going to plant your runner beans. It makes sense really, beans love and need moisture particularly when coming into flower, the buried waste will provide them with this and over time release nutrients into the soil and more importantly feed the plant.<br />
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Perhaps I should explain further as to why I'm paying so much attention to my runner beans this year. Last years were perfectly fine however they all came at once and frozen runner beans just aren't as good as fresh. The season was fairly short and they went stringy quite quickly, maybe my fault for not harvesting them as young as I could of certainly something I'll aim to do this year. Also I had intended to enter these beans into the local village show, one in particular was looking hot favorite for the longest runner bean until the chickens got loose and pecked the end off. This has prompted me to invest in a pack of just ten seeds of a variety called 'Stenner' at a price you would normally pay for two hundred seeds. It sounds obsessive I know and I questioned myself when I bought them but if that's what it takes to at least get one entry into the show this year it'll be worth it.<br />
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Rumour has it that the beans should be massaged from a young age to ensure that they are perfectly straight. Now that does sound a step too far but don't be surprised if you find me hidden amongst a runner bean bush come midsummer.<br />
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Anyway having recently combined two compost heaps to free up a site to start another I had plenty of material that could go into the trench. If your more organised than me you wont have put your runner beans canes up yet hindering your access to dig the trench. I was a bit keen a few weeks ago and after a particularly rough couple of weeks with the weather I was desperate to add some structure to the garden. Pulling a few canes aside I dug a trench about a foot deep and and put about six inches of half rotted material form the compost heap. This was mainly straw, kitchen waste and cardboard.<br />
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You can just see the broad beans in background starting to shoot up. These were started off on the windowsill and planted out about three weeks ago. I added a few organic chicken manure pellets to the trench and back-filled it with the soil I had originally taken out. This year I have eighteen canes so planted two beans either side of the first six canes. The rest will go in successionally throughout the coming weeks. This used up the rest of last years seeds so in addition to the show stoppers I 'll have to get another pack. Three varieties is a good thing though, it's part of the reason that we grow our own so that we can taste things that you just can't buy. I probably won't buy last years seeds again they were okay but I just felt they could be improved on in flavour so now I'm looking forward to finding a new variety to try.Sam Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470682905567211087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710831847287868461.post-54994206335018448282015-04-13T12:12:00.000-07:002015-05-19T13:31:09.699-07:00Cuttings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Back in November when I was winter pruning the fruit bushes I thought I'd take a chance at getting some cuttings from them.<br />
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With the raspberrie canes I cleared all of last years growth leaving just this years shoots which will bear fruit this coming summer. With the black and redcurrant bushes I pruned more to give shape and structure to the plants as well as improve air circulation. The six strongest shoots from these were chosen to become new plants, three of each type. The cuttings were trimmed to about ten inches with diagonal cuts at the top and bottom done with as sharp a knife as possible to give the cleanest cut.<br />
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I then made a slit in the ground by pushing a spade in about six inches deep. The cuttings were then pushed into the holes ensuring that they were in contact with the soil at the bottom and of course making sure that they were the right way up, i.e. the way that they had been growing originally. It was all firmed down with my boot to ensure there was good contact.<br />
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I had seen it done this way on TV using root hormone powder to promote growth, but as I didn't have any and had no intention of going out and buying any I carried on without. I didn't have too much hope but there was nothing to lose. Where they are in the garden is a relatively unused patch where the chickens once were and in shade for half the day. I had no immediate plans for it like I have with most other areas so using it for cuttings was as good as anything else.<br />
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As the weather has now started to warm up buds are beginning to open on the trees, weeds are starting to poke through what has been bare ground for the past few months and early sowings planted more in hope than expectation are actually germinating. To my astonishment buds have appeared and opened on the fruit cuttings. They had been all but forgotten about through the winter, in fact only four remain where they had been knocked over when walked on by me or the ducks.<br />
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Of course this is fantastic news for so many reasons. I have successfully created a new plant for free from what would otherwise have gone on the compost heap. I have massively multiplied my harvest if not this year then definitely next year and I have improved the health and therefore the amount of fruit I will get from the parent plants.<br />
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The cuttings won't do too much this year with regards to fruit, they will be concentrating on producing strong roots and good top growth. The plants will be ready for digging up and planting in their final position at some point during July/August. I've now got to decide just where I can fit another four fruit bushes!Sam Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470682905567211087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710831847287868461.post-72437766236234070192015-03-23T14:27:00.001-07:002015-05-19T13:31:09.723-07:00BarriersAfter numerous <a href="http://thehilltopgardener.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/the-great-escape.html" target="_blank">escape</a> attempts over the past year I have finally got around to building a duck-proof enclosure.<br />
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The garden is surrounded by large hedges either side which I initially thought would be adequate. During the winter they have got a bit bare and every so often the ducks would find a hole and either sneak into the neighbours garden or into the field on the other side. The neighbour didn't mind at all, she had recently moved in and had not had much chance to start work on her garden so them running around on her lawn was a novelty at first. It was pointless rounding them up, they always make their way back within an hour or so we left them to it, watching to see where they would come back through the hedge and blocking it up with some sticks or chicken wire. this would work for a while then after a couple of weeks they would find/make a new hole and the whole process started again.<br />
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With summer approaching and an eighteen month old bursting to get out into the garden we decided to fence the lawn off halfway down, keeping the ducks off the top part of the lawn and the majority of the vegetable patches. As I'm trying to keep the garden as cost neutral as possible this year the sticks required were all collected from fallen trees nearby and some that I had knocking around the garden.<br />
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As you can see after a fairly rough winter the lawn has taken a bit of a battering. The outline of a square is where the portable chicken coop was until a couple of weeks ago. This is part of my strip grazing system and with the weather warming up will soon grow back. You can really notice the difference in the taste of the eggs once the chickens have been moved onto a <a href="http://thehilltopgardener.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/land-management.html" target="_blank">fresh patch of grass</a>.<br />
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I started of by making shorter hurdles with long legs that could be hammered into the ground and give me a basic frame.<br />
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Once I had enough they were laid out to see which best fitted where and hammered in as deep as possible.<br />
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To provide further rigidity I'll weave some younger branches through the existing frame both to support and to block any of the larger holes.<br />
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Whilst the ducks are still determined to escape, at the moment the fence seems to be doing it's job. They have plenty of space with a pond, a large patch of grass and the bottom veg patch to root around on. It's more than enough for the three of them also sharing with the chicken coop in the bottom corner (I learnt my lesson last summer that however free range I want my chickens to be chickens and vegetable patches do not mix). The fence looks almost exactly how I had imagined and the ducks will soon get used to it.Sam Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470682905567211087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-710831847287868461.post-3424426542279019172015-03-09T11:44:00.000-07:002015-05-19T13:31:09.687-07:00New IdeasThe glorious sunshine this past weekend has reinforced the fact that spring is now finally on it's way. My windowsills have been full of seed trays for the past month and despite a cat and a one year old constantly trying (and occasionally succeeding) to dig up what inside, I have actually manged to grow a few things.<br />
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Six broad beans plants were planted into the new veg patch yesterday with another four seeds sown directly alongside. Looking back through the blog at this time last year I was doing exactly the same thing however I have learnt a few things. The beans were germinated on a much sunnier windowsill which has resulted in much shorter, stronger plants. Last years grew too tall due to not receiving enough sunlight but being the first year that I had grown them I was blissfully unaware that they weren't meant to look like this. they blew about so much in the wind after planting out that in a week there was nothing left of them. This year the plants have been placed outside to harden off during the day and brought in overnight for the past week. For the past two days I left them in a sheltered spot outside the back door to fully acclimatise prior to planting.<br />
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Another improvement is the quantity, broad beans freeze so well that I might as well grow a load at once and use the space for something else afterwards. I'll sow another large batch later in the year but there is no point trickling them out as I tried to last year. The same goes for other things such as onions, French beans and peas. a couple of large sowings should provide plenty of fresh veg and also plenty to store.<br />
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At the opposite end of the scale I have sown the first of this years carrots. These will be successionally sown and have been planted in rows with spring onions in between. The idea being that the scent of the spring onions should overpower the carrots and put off any carrot root fly. I have gone for three varieties initially, just what I had left over from last year. I'll see how these get on and decide whether I need to buy any more for sowings later in the year. To ensure perfectly straight carrots I've added plenty of sand to the soil in what was the old polytunnel bed. Manure was added to this last September followed by a brassica crop that was devoured by the ducks after the polytunnel blew away. There should be the a good amount of nutrients left in the soil and hopefully it's sufficiently incorporated to not hinder the carrots growth. If the soil had been recently manured I would expect to see forked carrots due to the roots going in search of the best soil.<br />
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To fill a gap in the raised beds I have filled one with early peas. these will hopefully be harvested during June and once past their best will come up ready for something else to go straight in. the good thing about all legumes is that they actually fix nitrogen into the soil rather consuming it as other plants would, this means they'll be very little soil preparation following these.<br />
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Preparing the soil has been my main task over the past couple of months. Last year I dug everything over as best as I could, removing any stones and breaking up the clods of soil as I went. The soil wasn't too bad, not great but good enough. Some things did really well and others never really took off. Since then I have had two compost heaps on the go and have gone compost mad. Literally anything that is remotely compostable get put in the pile. Interestingly the one that is out in the open surrounded by wooden pallets has produced much better compost than the other big plastic recycling bin that cost me fifty pounds. I suppose it makes sense, one pile is easier to turn than the other and has had ducks and chickens digging it up looking for worms while the other has remained largely untouched. Worth noting though before anyone goes out and buys one that a pile in the corner will achieve the same effect quicker and for free.<br />
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The plants will now be going in thick and fast with potatoes chitting, kale, chard, leeks and onions all growing on the windowsills. Since the polytunnel blew away I've lost a valuable place to get things started but that's not going to slow me down. Where possible I'll sow direct and as long as I can keep the ducks and chickens away, with the groundwork that I have already put in, the garden will hopefully thrive this summer.Sam Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12470682905567211087noreply@blogger.com0