Posts Tagged ‘winter’
Tuesday, December 27th, 2011
Being winter, the allotment is not really overflowing with things to do, but I am still visiting regularly just for the walk. My winter experiment in the greenhouse is going well and now we have passed the Winter Solstice and the days start getting longer again, I hope to see a bit more activity.
The mild winter means that all my garlic and onions are sprouting – some of the onions are around 6 inches tall. I hope we don’t get a sudden bout of violently cold weather that wipes everything out. Back in November I was given a pair of seriously good secateurs and now everything that can be trimmed has been duly trimmed. For Christmas I was given a stick chopper, which will come into its own later in the year, and a sharpening stone. That is already being used as I have started sharpening my Azada’s and spade. (more…)
Sunday, December 11th, 2011
Well, the UK, and Scotland in particular, have seen temperatures fall and winds rise this last week; enough so that even I have a touch of sympathy for those who thinks salad should only be eaten when it is 25º or so. So, for those who are feeling chilly, I have put together a very simple, warming soup made from Chicken Stock, veg and laced with good cheddar cheese (so, definitely NOT Cathedral City!) and some chilli powder.
It takes very little time to make and all the ingredients are straight out of your local shop. So, here goes:
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Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011
It has been warmer than normal this month and it is showing at the allotment. The garlic is an inch high, the daffs are having a go and my peppers have just flowered – again! At this time of year the allotments are starting to look a little desolate; grey clouds make taking good pictures a challenge as the broad grey light makes everything look very flat. There are some bright moments, however.
One of the two blueberry plants that sit in brightly painted dustbins by the small green house has the most beautiful red leaves at the moment, and inside the larger, now insulated green house, lettuces, radishes, carrots and chard are pushing there way through the soil with fresh green shoots. (more…)
Wednesday, October 12th, 2011
Over the years we have had out allotment with its cheapo second-hand greenhouses (amazing what you can get off Ebay) we have been meaning to grow some produce over winter. But we have never got round to it. When it is cold, dark and possibly wet, the allotment can suddenly seem a long way a way!
Well, since the allotment has now become part of my Lose Weight Before I Die campaign, I need the excuse to at least walk up the hill to it, even if it is only to water some carrots. However, doing my research (I really am very ignorant on all this stuff) I have found that I need to insulate the greenhouse so that it retains what little heat it gets during the days – basically to stop frost forming inside. (more…)
