I planted cobra beans for the first time this spring and I started them indoors by planting the seeds. Then gradually they were moved outdoors to their final position in the raised beds but unfortunately they didn’t do well. So I planted the next batch of seeds straight into raised beds outdoors in May and […]
Pak Choi Seeds
This spring I decided to grow pak choi, a Chinese cabbage that is also known as bok choy. I love pak choi for its sweet taste and crunchy texture especially in stir fries. I planted the seeds straight into compost in a raised bed, following the instructions on the seed packet. When the seedlings appeared, they […]
Easy Delicious Potatoes
Homegrown potatoes are so delicious as we have found out this summer when we harvested our first lot! Phil, a friend of mine gave me four little seed potatoes to try and I planted them in reusable plastic grow bags in early spring. To our surprise, after 5 months we harvested two whole bowls of […]
Two Sides of a Garden
This summer I have had the wonderful opportunity to visit my friend Julia who lives in Anglesey, Wales. Her front garden is only in my dreams and one I would like to wake up to everyday, so tranquil and picturesque! Next to her front garden is this lovely little stream that goes through a waterfall […]
Food Festival This Summer
When I heard about a food festival taking place in Hampshire, I couldn’t have bought those tickets sooner! On a bright Saturday morning in August, my husband and I made our way to Leckford Estate in Stockbridge where Waitrose had promised a showcase of British produce alongside a variety of events and celebrity chefs. I […]
Planting Kale
I have decided to plant kale again this summer after last year’s success. I had bought the kale seedlings from a garden centre in September and planted them in a raised bed. I was so amazed at how lush they were over autumn and very early spring, while happily surviving the hard winter frosts! Well, this […]
Herbs In My Garden
This summer I have herbs growing everywhere I look … in the raised beds, pots and planters! I am particularly excited by the ones I have grown from seed this year. I planted basil seeds in early spring on my window sill. Once they grew their true leaves, which pop up after the first two baby […]
Tomatoes Are Here!
Cannot believe that the weeks have gone by so quickly from when I first planted the tomato seedlings outdoors to picking my own tomatoes! Tomato seedlings that were all started from seed indoors were hardened off gradually in spring. This means that they were gradually introduced outdoors but still brought inside at night to protect […]
Pickling Cucumbers
I am harvesting so many cucumbers this summer that even after sharing with friends and neighbours, I am left with more than my family can eat! This has inspired me to preserve them this year and I have decided to make pickles. So another batch harvested this week and I am going to try my hand […]
Cobra and Dwarf Beans
In the middle of summer with all the days and nights of rain we’ve been having, there are green pickings ready for my kitchen …beans, beans and more beans!! Cobra beans have been racing up the very crude support made for them from bamboo canes and some string. They don’t seem to have minded the […]