Summer Crops

A day of showers and sun, inbetween the latest downpour I was able to crop the last of the of fruit - and more of the prolific mange tout.



Plans had been to make more sowings - beans, lettuce, courgettes - after reading about the advantages of second sowings - more veg into the autumn (weather permitting).
However rain clouds and my aversion to gardening in the rain - oh I so need a greenhouse - have led me to a sofa and crochet day.

So hook at ready, wool stash at my feet, a bag, a bangle or a brooch? Decisions decisions.....

Garden Soup

A delicious summer soup recipe created by Alice.



Ingredients

I cupful of orange juice
I cupful of rainwater
2 handfuls of rose petals
1 handful of grass
Slivers of apple
2 oz dried pasta
Shredded tissue
A few twigs



Method:

1. Whilst parents are not looking remove orange juice from fridge and take into garden.
2. Wander around the garden gathering your ingredients.
3. Add the ingredients into any container you discover (search house and garden).
4. Realise the soup is not quite perfect so sneak into house to obtain some pasta and apple. Also "borrow" some tissues while you are there.
5. Tear up the tissues into pieces and add to the mix until they are completely soggy.
5. Add this to the broth and stir with one of mummy's pegs and a red crayon.
6. Carry the dish precariously into the house to show off your masterpiece.
7. Wonder if the tissue was just too much so remove, squeezing as you do, then deposit said tissue all around the garden.
8. Serve and enjoy!

It's A Green Day...

It has been a busy few days for all things green and growing. A few rainy days followed by little bursts of sunshine is starting to encourage sudden bursts of strength in plants which have been looking a little pale.













Courgette plants were put into the ground, (keep away slugs keep away!) and I also gathered some flowers to bring a little positive purple energy into the house.




Inspired by all this greenfingeredness I also created my latest brooch - a most wonderful shade of green topped of with a lovely black button. I have put it for sale in my Etsy shop despite being sorely tempted to wear it myself. Though with one black button remaining in my button box I doubt it will be long before I make one of these for myself..

Potato Planting

Despite living in a town and having a small garden, I insist that my true calling is to live The Good Life, to live a life of self-sufficiency and keep chickens. And a goat.

The local council (and my neighbours) may have something to say about the chickens, and I don't think I could get away with saying that a goat is the family pet, so for the time being I will settle for growing a few crops in the small spaces I have available.

Tomato plants are ready and waiting to be put into the ground, herbs are flourishing nicely (lemon thyme..mmm..the smell) and this week we planted potato pots. Easy, and worth it. We simply put these chitted potatoes into large pots, sat them on a layer of soil, then covered them up with more soil so just a little bit of greenery peeking through. As they grow we shall keep topping the soil up, covering them up, to encourage the shoots to reach for the sky.

This was accomplished by my two garden apprentices - unfortunately as they are still classed as minors (they are under 10) I was not able to pay them, but a chocolate bar was all it took to ensure they will keep up with the garden tasks.

Potatoes - chippy chips!