I harvested the garlic this week. They grew from whole garlic bought from the supermarket last year, given the garden centres were in lockdown. I was appalled to discover that they were actually imported from China, how strange given we grow garlic in the UK. The garlic was also pretty small and these have grown true to type.
I also let the spring onions grow for a second year and am now enjoying harvesting them, they taste delicious.
It’s turning out to be a good year for soft fruit, especially red and black currants…
and the loganberries are now almost ripe.
I think the blueberries are going to do well and the strawberries and raspberries are now ripe. Between Littl’urchin and the birds snaffling the soft fruit, I doubt there will be much left for us, still, I don’t begrudge either of them it.
I’m growing the carrots and courgettes in large pots this year, so far they seem to be doing well, as are the onions and garlic.
The tomatoes were very slow to germinate this year and are still quite small, some are beginning to form flowers so I have my fingers crossed for some tomatoes eventually. The potatoes have flowered so should be ready soon.
The brassicas are finally putting a spurt on, again, after a really slow start.
My broad beans are ready for picking, a real treat for me as I love them, especially when boiled for a few minutes then served with a little marge and seasoning.
The runner beans are flying up and are now producing flowers, they’ll take over this fence soon.
The herbs sown from seed are slowly filling their pots. I’m particularly enjoying the flowers on the painted sage, they’re so delicate. This is the first time I’ve grown this type of sage from seed.
The thyme is also flowering…
as is the yarrow, coriander…
and dill.
The wheelbarrows are finally bushing out and the lavender on the table is throwing up flower heads. How wonderful it all smells.
And Finally…
I counted thirty six house plants in the kitchen alone today. I really have to STOP acquiring them. I blame lockdown!
I recently bought some lovely wall hanging plant containers and added them to this wall. Hubs didn’t notice the additional plants or the new planters for days, then declared last night that the wall was coming at him!
I’ve also added two wall hanging planters to the recently decorated bedroom too, but that’s it. No more plants or planters.
Until next time, stay safe guys.
I’m becoming quite addicted to your garden.
Amalia
xo
Why thank you Amalia!xxx
I’m afraid that I really do begrudge the wood pigeons ransacking the allotment – they don’t believe in sharing,
No more house plants eh?
The woodpigeons don’t tend to go for the soft fruit but they will strip my cherry trees. I am going to try not to buy any more plants but you never know. Thanks Sue.xxx
You are so productive with your herbs and veg. What a delight to grow so much of your own stuff. Once you start filling the house with plants, it’s difficult to stop. You wiill soon have an indoor jungle and very nice too.
Thanks Chloris. It’s wonderful being able to grow so many veggies. Yes, acquiring plants is certainly addictive.xxx
Wow! Well done … you certainly have a wonderful harvest of home grown vegetables, herbs and fruit, you must be so pleased. You will be eating well and nothing beats fresh home produce 🙂
All the best Jan
Thanks Jan, yes, you can’t beat fresh home grown produce.xxx
Yum currants. Do you make currant jelly or preserves? Also, have you tried baking the garlic heads until the cloves are really soft, then you can spread them on bread like butter?
I do make jam from time to time, the amount of sugar needed tends to put me off. Oh, I will certainly try baking the garlic and spreading them on bread, that sounds delicious. Thanks Jason.xxx
What an anazing amount of food that you are growing, soon you’ll be keeping Sainsburys supplied! You must be almost self sufficient with no food miles at all, which is wonderful, so green. x
Haha, thanks Pauline. I do enjoy growing my own, it’s good to know what I’m eating.xxx
Your mention of Chinese garlic made me grin, and then ponder a bit. It’s certainly odd that we can find Chinese shrimp in our grocery stores, given that we live in the midst of a wonderfully productive area for Gulf shrimp. I wonder who buys the frozen stuff from China? Maybe transplants from the north who haven’t discovered the wonders of local produce and seafood yet.
Our tomatoes are finished for the summer, but I got some good “German lunchbox” cherry tomatoes at the market last week, and have more ordered for this week. I can’t remember who I told about them, so if it was you, apologies! Anyway: they’re larger than the usual cherry tomatoes: just shy of ping-pong ball size. They’re completely delicious, and apparently the seeds are hard to find. If I were to grow tomatoes, they’d be on the list.
I’m amazed by how many countries import produce that they have at home, it’s not great for the environment. Goodness, those cherry tomatoes sound wonderful, I must look out for seeds! Thanks Linda.xxx
Such a wonderful bounty,,,,,you will be stocked up for the summer, winter, spring…etc.
and what about the paintings – are they yours?
Hope you enjoy a lovely weekend. Not quite sure what it will do…except I am sure there will be some rain:) xxxx
Thanks Janet, it’s always good knowing there is food in the ground. The paintings are by Leonid Afremov, I do like his work. xxx
Great post and fantastic green images.
Thanks Peter.xxx
Oh, my dear, what riches! I love how you grow food in large pots! You should write an easy guide about it. I would love to know more about it, and which plants work best in pots.
Love the photo of Sam. Smooches.
Everything is thriving so beautifully; I think your whole body must be green. Sigh. So lovely. The houseplants are beautiful. I gave many away this spring, but then divided others, so the count went way up again…now, I’m looking for a healthy ficus tree. Elmo, my last one, died many years ago. I’m finally ready to move on and try again. I love my new succulents, but am sooooo afraid of overwatering. Gaaaaaa .
Thank you for another wonderful post! Xxxxx 🪴
Thanks so much Kitty. I find lettuce, tomatoes, spring onions, garlic, spinach, rocket, carrots, parsnips and courgettes thrive in pots, the bigger the plant, the bigger the pot. Sam follows me everywhere, I often turn around and almost fall over him! Sorry to hear about poor Elmo. What fun we would have swopping plants if we lived closer!!! I’m always petrified of overwatering succulents too…it sure can be hit or miss. Love and hugs to you all.xxx
Your garden is looking amazing, you will have enough vegetables and herbs to be self-sufficient this year. I have always used garlic in cooking, and I decided we should grow our own when I realised it was all coming from other countries…. crazy in a country like Australia! We spend a lot of time finding bulbs to plant every year, mostly coming from our crop and bulbs from organic farms around our area. We have had some good crops that way. Growing vegetables is SO rewarding, but I wish we could have beautiful tasting strawberries, but nothing beats British strawberries! Happy gardening.
Thanks Gerrie. It’s crazy that countries that can grow garlic are importing it. Home grown is always far more flavoursome. Good to know you grow your own. I do love a freshly picked strawberry!xxx
Bursting at the seams you are with flowers and fruit — not to mention those gorgeous bulbs of garlic. That is strange about Chinese garlic in your stores. My mom avoids them. California grows tons of garlic (Gilroy, CA is the garlic capital, apparently).
Amazed that your lavender are doing so well. You can make just about anything grow! How are the rescued fruit trees?
I can’t understand why we would import garlic given it grows so easily here, that’s one heck of a carbon footprint. I always see Californian garlic powder in the stores here. The fruit trees are thriving, I’m looking forward to seeing them all in bloom next year. Thanks Anne.xxx
I can empathise with hubby, in fact, I can almost see the wall coming at him. Your elegant warriors could easily deal with Trifids.
Sounds like your potting of carrots may be keeping off the Carrot fly. Like you, I love Broad Beans. they always seem to have a very short season. Mind you, anything we may grow has to be grown in annual short seasons anyway, and this one is shorter than some because of very late June frosts. I thought your garlic looked quite a useful size for domestic kitchen use. Just so long as the flavour is what you want, you will have done well with them.
The dog was taking serious interest in the green grocery. Is he on sentry duty?
xxxx
Haha, yes those plants on the wall do look a little imposing! I find the carrots do better in pots here, they never attract carrot fly. Th e garlic is delicious, I’m thinking of drying it and turning it into powder. Sam is like my shadow, everywhere I go, he goes too. Thanks Menhir.xxx
What a wonderful selection of vegetables, herbs and fruit you’re beginning to harvest! We haven’t harvested garlic yet. Mr P managed to get garlic bulbs from a garden centre before the Winter lockdown. I believe they’re from a UK source especially for the garden centre. We flavour food, but we don’t overdo it! As for the house plants – enjoy! My peace plants are flowering again along with an amaryllis for the fourth year running. Continue to have fun in your household Dina.
Thanks Linda. Here’s to you having a wonderful garlic harvest, good to know they are from the UK. Lucky you having the peace plant and the amaryllis in flower! xxx
Wow! You could open up your own market garden! Dracula isn’t going to be making an appearance any time soon! I can sympathise about the house plant acquisition; it is strangely addictive! Never say no more; indoor jungles rule! :O) xx
Haha, yes I’m well protected against vampires! I agree re the plant acquisition…there always seems to be room for more. Thanks Veggiemummy.xxx
It’s all looking and sounding good. Enjoy as you harvest then eat it.
Thanks, and you too. xx
Thanks Flighty. It’s certainly rewarding being able to grow your own food.xxx
Well I was going to say it’s all happening in your garden at the moment but it seems to be all going on in your house too. I love this time of year when the harvests start to come and all the hard work of earlier in the season starts to pay off. You’re going to be eating well.
Thanks Jo, it is wonderful when you start harvesting, that freshness makes it all worthwhile.xxx