Native spade snapping

First job of the year planting a native hedge for security and loveliness. Managed to talk the client out of leylandi hedge thank goodness saving another gardener a troublesome task. Gardening jobs are so often not this enjoying, perusing through plants and figuring out how to make a random planting scheme look random. The joys looking at cherry plums and crab apples the tears, breaking my favourite spade on an old pine root. Oh the agony I just stood and held the two pieces and wept. You have seen me through many years old friend.

The postman the hen and the phone box

Having lived here for a year and a half today is the first time I’ve spoken to the postman. We chatted and the conversation obviously turned to birds. I thought I’d butter him up so I gave him some eggs, not sure what I’m getting into his good books for he still has to deliver the gas bill. However the meeting was not totally one sided apparently a neighbour -who has a red phone box in his back garden- has been moaning that you can’t get fresh eggs anymore, well call me the weaver but I see an opportunity there. Eggs for cash I wonder if it’ll catch on?

eeek!!!

The kitchen ceiling just fell in!!!! Well only a bit but enough to make me scream when I walked through the door, well that’s another job

First shoots of the year

First seedlings of the year popping their little heads out of the soil. It truly feels like the start of the year.

thats great progress for just 8 days, each veg seems to be showing signs of life.

Dirty Friday afternoon

A glorious afternoon spent up to my turn ups in glorious compost and the best part of it was that it was all free. 20+ bags for nothing more than some shovel action.

Thank you Bardon grange project for the key ingredient in my successful growing year.

this one was no help and the smile was just for the camera

Boozy chocolate truffles

Still enjoying homemade valentines day truffles, sickly rich boozy goodness not the best breakfast I’ve ever had but close. I wanted something decadent before I go shovelling horse shit later.

River Cottage chocolate brandy truffles

300g dark chocolate, broken up

200ml double cream

75g icing sugar

50ml Somerset cider brandy (or Calvados), I used Rum

2 heaped dessertspoons honey

Pinch of salt

Sifted cocoa powder, for dusting

Put all the ingredients (except the cocoa) in a heatproof bowl and place over a pan of just-boiled water. Leave to melt, stirring only once or twice. Meanwhile, line a tray roughly 30cm x 30cm and 2cm deep, with clingfilm.

When the truffle mixture is completely melted and blended, pour it into the prepared tray. Leave to cool, then chill until firm. To serve, simply cut into small squares and dust each with a little sifted cocoa powder.

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If you can’t get enough and are thirsty for more, then follow my Tw*ts- is that the right phrase?- on twitter to read my procrastinations but in much fewer words. The links just to the right there, go on you know you want to.

It’s finally that time of year again

Finally after the long dark of winter and the planning and designing on the kitchen table is done, it’s time to get out the seed trays and select those seeds needing a long season.

Artichoke Green Globe
Broad Bean Masterpiece green longpod
Broad Bean Aquadulce Claudia
Broccoli purple sprouting early
Brussels Sprout Doric
Celery Tall Utah
Jalapeño early
Habanero
Pea Deuce Provence
Pea Feltham First

It’s great to make a start on the growing year, breaking the long winter doldrums. It’s feeling more like a cycle now as this is the second year here, so I’m not only planting broccoli and Brussels but picking them too.

Last year was a little disappointing possibly the weather but more likely the lack of good gardening practice. I didn’t manure the ground hoping that it was fertile enough having only been lawn before but I think that was a mistake. Most things grew but either too slow or never got to a decent size. Disappointing but lesson learned.

Valentines part 2

No not that! First stages going well although most of my meals look like that only end in disaster.

Valentines

Who needs to go out for a romantic meal when the romance is always better at home