My potager, aka: vegetable garden, veggie patch, disaster area, is not having one of its better years My big blue pumpkins, normally way too prolific, have produced 3 tiny specimens that are, at the moment, rotting on the vines. The usual second crop is non-existent. All 20 of my shallots died. That has never happened before – not in 12 years of gardening. The green beans gave me enough for … Continue reading →
Everyone has a favorite barbecue sauce. This is mine. Even when I lived in the US, with all of the bottled sauces available, I made my own. The recipe has changed over the years, based on taste and availability of ingredients. And it varies depending on what I’m basting with it. At first glance it seems like a lot of ginger in this recipe – both on the chops and … Continue reading →
We're in Italy – but here is the final bit on gardens – maintenance. And a new recipe. An ode to the hoe. Or how to maintain your garden, weed-free, the easy way. There are two kinds of gardens. 1. A fresh, clean, new garden. A spot is chosen, the top bit of ground, with all the growing stuff, is removed, a load of fresh, rich black topsoil is brought … Continue reading →
Yes, I know that half the world is still enjoying summer – but it’s the end of summer and soup is a wonderful way of preserving all those beautiful summer and fall vegetables. I also know that the other half of the world is still enjoying (?) winter – and what’s more welcoming than a warming bowl of soup? Plus, it’s a great way of using up the odd bits … Continue reading →
I’m not sure what’s going on in my garden at night. I have radishes turning into big, hulking bullies. That could be the result of lack of discipline on my part as chief (and only) gardener. I accept the blame. But…. What’s wrong with this picture? I planted 2 types of courgette: the green, striped, traditional one (known as zucchini across the pond) and the pretty yellow one (known as … Continue reading →
Saturday we took our trusty trailer and went to get the shopping….. It occurred to me, half way to Bordeaux, that the trusty trailer might not be big enough to handle the shopping….. Mon mari had no such doubts. Between the back of the car and the trailer, we managed, but there was a lot of groaning and complaining by the axles. Wimps. Whom else do you know who will … Continue reading →
Until I actually started my own compost pile I thought compost was a smelly pile of garbage one kept behind the garage. Now I know better. Compost, done correctly, doesn't smell. It can be kept right on the kitchen counter if you like. This will be a short post; composting is simple. First: What goes in the compost pile? From the kitchen: All of your fruit and vegetable scraps and … Continue reading →
