Todays Pickings

[GARDENING ANGEL]

Hello Grapes
I am told by NIC PIPPIN that some of you out there like to show the rest of us your "PICKINGS" for the day. So here goes

Peas 1 lb
Carrots 1.50 lb
Strawberries 3/4 lb
Summer Raspberries 1 lb

I hope these are ok and you enjoying looking at these pics. I am going to enjoy eating them tonight )

Happy Gardening

[Alice]

Gee whiz Gardening Angel. Great pickings indeed. Can you come back and tell poor mortals how to do it. Enjoy your crops.

[dexterdoglancashire]

Super! Well done! Isn't it a fantastic feeling? Bernie

[GARDENING ANGEL]

Thank you Alice & DD
I've been gardening for many, many years now and have always enjoyed my time in the garden or on the allotment. I have had my allotment for around 10 years so things get easier the longer you have them. I have a happy helper - NIC PIPPIN, who comes along and helps when she can but I am fortunate and do not work so can spend my time on the lottie. We are organic - lots of horse manure etc. Yes you are so right DD it still is a great feeling even after all these years. Happy Gardening

[rustylady]

Haven't been to the lottie as late leaving work, but from the back garden mixed salad leaves, raspberries and strawberries (munched on the go, didn't even make it to the kitchen)

[NIC PIPPIN]

Thats why I love having a certain amount of fruit and veg at home. I love cooking in the kitchen and then just popping outside and picking some salad leaves, herbs or strawberries then straight back to the kitchen. I really enjoy growing my tomato's and courgette's at home. I like watching them grow at close range and I know i'll be at home every day unlike the lottie ) I'm just like you Rustylady - peas from the lottie usually have to have a taste test before they are taken home )

[JennieAtkinson]

Well done GA - what a great harvest. I'm still just harvesting bits and pieces and like RustyLady they often don't make it out of the polytunnel.

[CarolineSonning]

I'm quite proud of today's lunch and they tasted pretty good too.
I thought others might be interested?
Caroline

[Alison]

I'm quite proud of today's lunch and they tasted pretty good too.
I thought others might be interested?
Caroline

Am most interested to know how you grew the wine bottle? Will definitely be trying them next year.................

[CarolineSonning]

That was OH trying to be artistic and give you a sense of scale.

Maybe I should get him to concentrate his efforts elsewhere .

[JennieAtkinson]

Caroline the artichokes look fantastic. Are they an acquired taste? or easy to cook and eat. Always fancied trying to grow them, but don't they grow rather tall? (Sorry lots of questions!)

[rustylady]

Yesterday from the allotment dug new potatoes (Arran Pilot - lovely), broad beans (Sutton), mangetout peas and the one and a half courgettes the slugs and snails had left me, plus gooseberries which I don't really like but they were there - I think the bushes are coming out this year. Raspberries and strawberries from the garden, still not making it as far as the kitchen.

[Alison]

Today picked broad beans, raspberries, red currants, strawberries and a lettuce. Oh yes and a few bits of herbs. Not a bad day.

[Mrs Dobby]

2 types of courgette, bored beans, mange tout, 2 peppers, a chilli and raspberries were harvested and eaten last night!

[CarolineSonning]

Caroline the artichokes look fantastic. Are they an acquired taste? or easy to cook and eat. Always fancied trying to grow them, but don't they grow rather tall? (Sorry lots of questions!)

Not sue if they are an acquired taste or not as I have very fond memories of eating them with my Grandpa when I was little so they have always been around - it was just rather special to pick and eat my own!

They are very easy to cook and eat - just soak in cold water for around 20mins (upside down) trying to get all the creepy crawlies out , then stand in a large pan of boiling water (right lay up with water 3/4 way up) and boil/steam them for 40 to 45 mins. When a leaf pulls out easily they are good to go.

Eat with melted butter by pulling the leaves and dipping in the butter then just scraping the flesh off with your teeth. When you get to the hairy choke, remove it with a knife then eat the heart dipped in butter with a knife and fork delish.

You do kind of end up with a fuller plate when you have finish - but that's half the fun .

As far as tall goes - mine are all taller than me this year and some are holding up the netting on the cage (so a good 6 foot!).