What I did today - 2016

[Bigmallly]

Just been down to lay the last bit of turf. Just wondering whether to get some more............................at least I'm ready for 2017.................

.....................

[SusieG]

Looks stunning BM...!!!

Apart from watering in GH, harvesting produce ~ I've not done a lot outdoors .......

However, I have cut up all my veg and salted them ready for making hot piccalilli tomorrow ,.....
AND - this is impressive for me, I'm not much of a baker ..... So was dead chuffed when these 'Trombomcino Brownies' turned out so well ......

As they say, the proof is in the eating ......

Plate 1 ......... and five minutes later .............

[Bex2012]

However, I have cut up all my veg and salted them ready for making hot piccalilli tomorrow ,.....
AND - this is impressive for me, I'm not much of a baker ..... So was dead chuffed when these 'Trombomcino Brownies' turned out so well ......

As they say, the proof is in the eating ......

Plate 1 ......... and five minutes later .............

They look lush! Would you be able to share the recipe? Ive got tromboncino squashes coming out of my ears. Ive got a pan of raspberry and white chocolate blondies in the oven as we speak.

Had a productive couple of hours over the plot, fed, weeded, watered, and picked.
Met the plot neighbour in front of mine (first time ever), and had a nice chat. He's giving the plot up after 20 or so years, so hes told me to help myself to anything Id like off his. He also very kindly gave us a load of wooden handle tools, various hoes, spades, forks etc, which was really, really nice of him. Oh, and a couple of the most delicious red apples Ive ever tasted, and I dont particularly like reds!

[Jay-ell]

So I cleared out all the manky wood from the back of the Jungle to the back of the New Territories again.

This left the back of the Jungle clear. But not for long as I continued with the break up of the old see through shack so it now looks like this



Next time that'll get moved along to make space for this



I also pegged out the 40 of the strawberry runners, harvested tomatoes and stood there eating blackberries.

[SusieG]

They look lush! Would you be able to share the recipe? Ive got tromboncino squashes coming out of my ears. Ive got a pan of raspberry and white chocolate blondies in the oven as we speak.

Had a productive couple of hours over the plot, fed, weeded, watered, and picked.
Met the plot neighbour in front of mine (first time ever), and had a nice chat. He's giving the plot up after 20 or so years, so hes told me to help myself to anything Id like off his. He also very kindly gave us a load of wooden handle tools, various hoes, spades, forks etc, which was really, really nice of him. Oh, and a couple of the most delicious red apples Ive ever tasted, and I dont particularly like reds!

No problem Bex:
250g SR Flour
1/2tsp salt
5 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
200g caster sugar
250g grated tromboncino (OR courgette!)
120ml veg oil
1tsp vanilla essence
60g chopped walnuts (I didn't use these as the lads aren't keen!)
Pre-heat oven to 180c or Gas 4. Grease a Swiss roll tin

In a large mixing bowl sift flour, salt, cocoa & sugar. Combine eggs, tromboncino, oil & vanilla essence; blend gently into the dry ingredients. Stir in walnuts (if using). Spread evenly into tin. Bake for approx 20 mins. Coolin the tin. Cut into squares.

My 14 year old ate his first piece ~ then began to smell a rat ~ I rarely bake ~ his curiosity got the better of him, and his enjoyment of the first piece ........... sidled into the kitchen: "Mum, what veg are in these brownies...??" Me: look of mock-horror on my face ~ "No veg in those son, it's choc brownies.........." (fingers crossed behind my back ................) --------------unconvinced, he produces his plate with bits of brownie crumbled up - "look - veg" says he - and there were the minutest pieces of trombo........
So: lesson learned ............. must use the finest grater next time to keep the 'dreaded' veg a complete secret...!!!!!!

[SusieG]

Ooh, yes Bex - a good haul of tools too! Lucky you!

[Jay-ell]

unconvinced, he produces his plate with bits of brownie crumbled up - "look - veg" says he - and there were the minutest pieces of trombo........
So: lesson learned ............. must use the finest grater next time to keep the 'dreaded' veg a complete secret...!!!!!!

Well TECHNICALLY they're a fruit

[Jay-ell]

They look lush! Would you be able to share the recipe? Ive got tromboncino squashes coming out of my ears. Ive got a pan of raspberry and white chocolate blondies in the oven as we speak.

Had a productive couple of hours over the plot, fed, weeded, watered, and picked.
Met the plot neighbour in front of mine (first time ever), and had a nice chat. He's giving the plot up after 20 or so years, so hes told me to help myself to anything Id like off his. He also very kindly gave us a load of wooden handle tools, various hoes, spades, forks etc, which was really, really nice of him. Oh, and a couple of the most delicious red apples Ive ever tasted, and I dont particularly like reds!

So did yu use your new spade to dig up the apple tree?

[Martin H]

Today I did the summer pruning on my three apple trees and pear tree in the allotment. Maybe a little late, but at least it's done now.

Also I dug up a plant of my "Cara" maincrop potatoes, that won't grow much more now. Last year they were badly slugged, but this year they are clean! A decent size, too, so I'm happy.

[Snadger]

Dug up the last of my Charlotte earlies and put the useable ones in a box lined with straw and put a thick wad of newspaper over the top Raked the area flat and put the haulms on the compost bin. It goes against the grain not planting the cleared area up with summat (I've got spring cabbage waiting to go in) but I need a blank canvas to site my keyhole gardens on!
Picked and ate a few blackberries (just to test for ripeness of course) and decided I will harvest enough for a pie sometime this week.
Progressed with my poultry coop and managed to finish the back and sides. Just need to make a small hatch for retrieving eggs and hinge a half panel on the side to make it easier to clean out. Oh, nearly forgot, I need to cut a pophole and make some sort of steps/ladder for them to get in or out and sort internals and roof.
I noticed some of my chrysanths needed re-tying to supports so did this before I came away.

[Bex2012]

So did yu use your new spade to dig up the apple tree?

. D'ya know, if it wasnt so big, Id snaffle it. Ive found the variety online, so I might treat myself to it, especially as the online reviews of the cox's orange pippin that Ive got, arent that great (and it sounds like it could be a troublesome tree).

Theres a bench that would be handy, and one of those tumbling composters. Poor guy hasnt even left yet....

[Bex2012]

No problem Bex:
250g SR Flour
1/2tsp salt
5 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
200g caster sugar
250g grated tromboncino (OR courgette!)
120ml veg oil
1tsp vanilla essence
60g chopped walnuts (I didn't use these as the lads aren't keen!)
Pre-heat oven to 180c or Gas 4. Grease a Swiss roll tin

In a large mixing bowl sift flour, salt, cocoa & sugar. Combine eggs, tromboncino, oil & vanilla essence; blend gently into the dry ingredients. Stir in walnuts (if using). Spread evenly into tin. Bake for approx 20 mins. Coolin the tin. Cut into squares. D

Thank you so much Suzie! I'll get some cocoa tomorrow and try them out.

[SusieG]

Well TECHNICALLY they're a fruit

...............try telling him that ..............!!!!!!!!!

(I daren't tell him that for the last few weeks when I've made chilli con carne or spag bol or lasagna, there's been hidden courgette or tromboncino in them ................. )

[Jay-ell]

Poor guy hasnt even left yet....

In that case he can give you a hand carrying them over.

I hope you're going to make him a batch of brownies to say thank you.

[veggiechicken]

. D'ya know, if it wasnt so big, Id snaffle it. Ive found the variety online, so I might treat myself to it, especially as the online reviews of the cox's orange pippin that Ive got, arent that great (and it sounds like it could be a troublesome tree).

Theres a bench that would be handy, and one of those tumbling composters. Poor guy hasnt even left yet....

Can you take over his plot? That would save you digging up the tree!