ups & downs
So here we are once again reporting to our legion of readers...
It has been a trying couple of weeks up at the plot, rain being the main culprit of our misery, with tomatoes coming a close second. To top it all off we have become the proud owners of a rather large nest of ants. Hungry ants.
So after all the old boys grumbling about the lack of rain their prayers were answered and after a week of near solid rain they are now grumbling for a bit of sunshine "to lift the spirits". Admittedly the rain has perked everything up and our weeds are coming on fantastic.
On the topic of rain, it and the wind pulled our cold frame apart a bit the other week and our poor little tomatoes didnt really stand a chance when combined with an army of very hungry ants. Basically the next visit after planting them they were dead, after mourning their loss we ripped them out, regrouped and planted new ones from a generous friend, Willie. On the bright side his look great!
Aside from that our beans are loooking good, potatoes are just showing their tops, chillies are coming on and the herbs we sowed a week ago are popping up as is the radish.
Finally a cheery chap at the top of the hill called Dennis has kindly donated a box full of red brussell sprouts to our cause. Everyone on the site has been great and our plot is now overflowing with all the seedlings we've been given.
We are at this very moment sampling some rhubarb jam made yesterday on top of freshly baked bread mmmmm...
Very easy to make -
2lb rhubarb
1 1/2lb sugar
zest of one orange and one lime
2tbsp lemon juice
small block of ginger
put everything in a pan on a low heat for about 20 min until everything is melted down and juicy then increase to a boil or fast simmer, stirring regularly for about 20 min until it starts to thicken. Test for setting on a saucer.
As you can tell we have vast quantities of rhubarb and very little else at the moment. Thats it for now, will hopefully update more often from now on. ta ta.
p.s.The photos are from a month or so ago and there has been quite a bit of change since then .
posted by AME at 1:51 PM
5 Comments:
Looking good guys. Glad you've found it in your hearts to feed the less fortunate ants and mice of this world.....they love peas apparantly!
Oh, rhubarb jam and an easy looking recipe. My mum will love that.
Rhubarb,rhubarb and more rhubarb. Wish i had some. When is everything else due?
The jam sounds yummy. Wish we were there to sample some. So sorry about the poor tomatoes, better luck next time. Don't get ants in yer pants !
Well, Little, your great grandfather would be well pleased with your achievements. I'm not so sure great great aunt Bessie would consider it quite ladylike though, especially considering you're a professional person.
But the real test is if you can grow some of the old man's brambles next year!! (Cuttings available in the autumn).
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