Archive for the ‘garden’ Category

In the bleak mid winter…

Monday, December 21st, 2009

More snow fell last night, making it now impossible to get to the local town as the roads are so bad. So we’ve been snowbound for 48 hours, and the weather doesn’t look if it’s getting any better. For the first time, the condensation inside ther front porch froze, as temperatures reached -11 degrees C, and this morning I had to pour boiling water over the lead drain pipes, leading from the bath tub, because the water wouldn’t drain away, so up a ladder with a kettle full of boiling water. So here’s a short video clip and a few snowy seasonal photos of the front garden. In the meantime, food is getting low, I’ve not eaten chocolate in the last 24 hours, and not had any Coca Cola in the last 48 hours, and I’m getting witdrawl symptoms. Must walk to town tomorrow in the snow!

Christmas Lights on the Magnolia Tree

Christmas Lights on the Magnolia Tree

We put these lights up yesterday afternoon.

Same tree 24 hours later!

Same tree 24 hours later!

snoweygarden2

snoweygarden3

Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year

Friday, December 18th, 2009

from the Winter Wonderland of North Yorkshire, A Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year 2010 to all Andysworld readers around the world.

Snowy Christmas Tree in front garden

Snowy Christmas Tree in front garden

Pinocchio Chillis

Thursday, October 29th, 2009

Considering I only had one Pinocchio Chilli plant germinate, I’m very happy with the number of 10 inch “Pinocchio Chillis” it’s produced. I think I may concentrate on growing more chillis indoors next year, if the weather is poor for tomaotes.

Pinocchio chillis No.1

Pinocchio chillis No.1

Pinocchio chillis No.2

Pinocchio chillis No.2

Pinocchio chillis No.3

Pinocchio chillis No.3

Final Harvest of potatoes

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

As the local farmers lift the potatoes before the frosts from the fields, I thought it was about time to lift all my potatoes, I’ve had a good crop of Anya, Edzell Blue and Lady Balfour this year, the first earlies Epicure, weren’t very good, so I’ll be dropping them from my grow list next year. I’ve had bumper crops from Anya, so I think I’ll be growing more of this salad variety next year. The potatoes have certainly done better than the tomatotes! Here are some pictures of the final harvest this year drying on the rotten porch in the sun.

Salad Anya potatoes

Salad Anya potatoes

Salad Anya and Edzell Blue potatoes

Salad Anya and Edzell Blue potatoes

Edzell Blue and Lady Balfour potatoes

Edzell Blue and Lady Balfour potatoes

Garlic at 1 month

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009

These are photos of Iberian Wight and Elephant garlic just sprouting, the larger plant is solent white from last year (a clove I missed), planted approx 1 month ago also.

Iberian White sprouting

Iberian White sprouting

Elephant garlic sprouting

Elephant garlic sprouting

Christmas Potatoes at 1 month

Monday, October 26th, 2009

These are my Christmas Potatoes 1 month after planting. This variety is Maris Peer. No show from Estima as yet.

Maris Peer No.1 1 month after planting

Maris Peer No.1 1 month after planting

Maris Peer No.2 1 month after planting

Maris Peer No.2 1 month after planting

Maris Peer No.3 1 month after planting

Maris Peer No.3 1 month after planting

Maris Peer earthed-up

Maris Peer earthed-up again

Don’t try this at home!

Friday, September 25th, 2009

If you’ve been reading my blog, you’ll know I’ve been growing chillis this year. Four of my plants, are now producing very small red chillis, pointing upwards.

So last night, after feeding my fish in the fish house,  on returning into the house, in the porch I picked one small red chilli off one of the plants and popped it into my mouth like a tomato and ate it!

It looked so tempting!

BIG MISTAKE!

IT WAS VERY HOT!

It took 2 pints of milk over 60 minutes to cool my flaming mouth down.

I should have taken note of the variety I planted

Chili Pepper Demon Red

I’ll not be doing it again!

10 inches long

Thursday, September 24th, 2009

Lindsey would say, “I wish”, but I’m referring to my chillis!

My chillis are 10 inches long, and have been very successful in my front porch, despite only five germinating.

Christmas Potatoes

Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009

Sorry to mention Christmas, but it is only 13 weeks and 2 days away!

As the sunsets, I’ve been planting Christmas Potatoes, a bit late, these should have been planted in August if I want potatoes for Christmas Day, but despite looking for them since July, they came into stock and were sold out in days. I managed to get some, pre-chitted ‘Estima’ and ‘Maris Peer’ tubers, I was notified by a supplier that had left overs, and despite only wanting ten tubers of both, I ended up with 40 tubers for the same money! These will sit in the greenhouse protected from frost, and I’ll dig-up on Christmas Day, I’ve got a little problem with my greenhouse at present, it’s split, but if I cannot fix, I know someone nearby with a polytunnel, that may trade space for some spuds on Christmas Day! (with this recent warm spell, and may make up lost time!)

christmas potatoes maris peer

christmas potatoes maris peer

christmas potatoes estima

christmas potatoes estima

These are planted in garden recycling sacks, and old compost bags. Something to occupy the empty greenhouse over the autumn and winter.

christmas potatoes No.1

christmas potatoes No.1

christmas potatoes No.2

christmas potatoes No.2

Since placing an order for my seed potatoes, I’ve seen excess tubers available at garden centres, suitable for planting now, Large pots, compost bags or animal food sacks will do, just make sure you protect from frost, if your lucky you’ll have potatoes for Christmas Day.

Greenhouse is broke

Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009

My greenhouse is broke, it’s ripped across the top, so I’ve got a tarp, across the top at present to protect the contents from rain and any frost.

My broken greenhouseq

My broken greenhouse

old compost bags for christmas potatoes

old compost bags for christmas potatoes

Left over plastic compost bags, I’ve kept these for my christmas potatoes.