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Post by Tel on Sept 2, 2013 18:48:10 GMT
Those Toms look great to say they are grown outdoors.  |
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Post by whisker on Sept 3, 2013 12:57:06 GMT
Thanks, Tel. Originally I had them in a "plastic" greenhouse, but took the cover off when I went on hols. the cover has stayed off since. We've had an unusually hot summer this year, which may have helped too.
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Post by whisker on Sept 6, 2013 13:10:44 GMT
Was sitting looking out my front window this morning, when I spotted this little fellow crawling head first down the telegraph pole. Last I saw of him, he ran under my car, which is parked in the front. He may be still around. Maybe he's finding some cat, or bird, food in the back. Grey squirrels are not native to Ireland, but have been imported some years ago from America. They have increased and multiplied over a short period, so that they now outnumber our native red squirrel. Some say they are in competition with the red squirrel for food and are crowding them out. Certain parts of Ireland a re kept sequestered from grey squirrels, so that the red squirrel is not threatened by them. In turn, the grey squirrel is preyed upon by the pine marten, which also is on the increase in this country, having been nearly completely exterminated for their fur in the middle ages. For more info re Grey Squirrels in Ireland see: linkSo much for history lesson! |
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Post by Moonlight on Sept 6, 2013 13:31:15 GMT
Good post Whisker. Like the photo to. Very interesting.
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Post by Tel on Sept 6, 2013 18:06:55 GMT
Great picture Whisker. |
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Post by whisker on Sept 6, 2013 20:53:46 GMT
Thanks, Moonlight and Tel. I feel lucky to have "captured" him, as he did not linger around very long. I had to make a mad dash for the camera and was delighted to see he was still around, when I came back. I just took a crazy snap, hoping for the best. It didn't turn out too bad, considering he was a bit of a distance away, and really is quite a small little chap.
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Post by jasmin33 on Sept 6, 2013 21:30:33 GMT
Great photo Whisker..I must try that myself as I overlook a park with lots of trees.
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Post by whisker on Sept 8, 2013 13:49:32 GMT
 My lettuce is ready to "go over", as can be seen from the crinkly lettuce, bottom right. That red lettuce, has been very hardy all summer. It was not attractive to slugs, and survived, which my cos and butternut did not.  My celeriac is coming on well, compared to when it was planted (above). Must remember to keep it watered, as it is in a raised bed, and they can dry out so quickly.  Curly kale coming on well, and hopefully, will feed me throughout the Winter and into Spring! I love it.  Probably my last two figs - looking rather suggestive, as they hang there.  One of them is already over-ripe. I must make sure to pick them before the insects (wasps) get to them and finish them off! |
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Post by whisker on Sept 9, 2013 18:13:28 GMT
I've since picked 8 more figs off my tree and have noticed about 6 to 12 more which, hopefully will ripen in the next few days.
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Post by whisker on Dec 1, 2013 17:21:37 GMT
Last of my Bean Harvest! These runner beans are supposed to be picked when are green, but I think I will still be able to get a bean harvest from them!
Ha! Ha! Not bad! I'll soak these overnight, and see how they taste, when cooked tomorrow!
Even the compost heap is happy! |
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Post by Rosie on Dec 3, 2013 15:45:42 GMT
Aren't beans amazing!! dry them and they will keep sometimes for years!!
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Post by whisker on Dec 3, 2013 22:42:09 GMT
These are runner beans, but now they look like butter beans. I'm not inclined to plant seeds from plants I raise myself. I think it can be a risk, because you can't be sure how they will turn out. I did it with garlic, with disastrous results.
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Post by whisker on Jan 12, 2014 14:51:53 GMT
I harvested these this morning. Some radishes, celeriac and curly kale. Looking forward to eating them.  I will be preparing lunch with them in a minute for myself. Have just harvested some veggies from the garden - radish, celeriac and curly kale! I plan to make a sort of Mediterranean salad from the radish and the celeriac. Have some tomatoes, lettuce and celery in the fridge to add to it. I just saw on "Saturday Kitchen" a dressing made from a tin of anchovies, garlic, black olives, vinegar, oil, salt and pepper seasoning - all ground into a paste with a mortar and pestle. Can't wait to try it out! I will blanch the curly kale and put some dressing on it too! Actually, I have used radish greens in the past to make a very tasty pesto. Quite hot, I must add! Yum-yum! |
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Post by Cherry on Jan 12, 2014 15:41:41 GMT
I just cooked some veg for myself too, as my husband likes old English food. I love vegetables and have some celeriac, but thought I had to cook it. Mine was bought, so won't be as good as yours.
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Post by whisker on Jan 12, 2014 19:06:12 GMT
Mostly people think of celeriac as something that has to be cooked, but if it is grated or cut into fine strips, it can be used as a salad, such as cold slaw.
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One of them is already over-ripe. I must make sure to pick them before the insects (wasps) get to them and finish them off!
Sept 6, 2018 17:58:08 GMT
Sept 6, 2018 17:58:08 GMT