Focus on PUMPKINS

Well what other choice was there but the Halloween Pumpkin to focus on this week. Unfortunately we had a spectacular failure with ours this year, so no pictures from the lottie, but by gum, next year, I want my own pumpkins and butter nut squashes. So good in risotto or just roasted - yum.

Today's information comes from the trusty people at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pumpkin and another cool site:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/417217/nutritional_health_benefits_of_pumpkin.html?cat=51mpkin.html?cat=51

In Ireland (and many other countries which have their variations) the carved out pumpkin with candle inside is meant to represent the Ignus Fatuus or Fool's fire. Stemming from the wonderful folklore story of Will o' the Wisp. There's a great write up on this on http://irelandsown.net/willothewisps.html, a story that is well known to many here in Ireland, though we never had pumpkins - we used turnips. Believe me carving and hollowing out a turnip, is not the most fun, at least pumpkins are soft!

Anyway back to the humble pumpkin. It is a squash-type vegetable but there are some differences between the two. To get technical the squash has a softer, rounder, flared stem as opposed to the pumpkins hard,rigid, prickly, square-ish stem. There's so little in it at times, that the names are interchangeable. They're both in the Cucurbita family (which also contains cucumbers). A pumpkin can be many varying shapes, textures and colours, we usually think of them as orange but blue, grey, green, white and red are also found, some are a mixture of the above like a beautiful painting that has run in the rain.

Most parts of the pumpkins can be eaten, the flowers (of which there are male and female on the same plant), the seeds and of course that gorgeous flesh - the orange-ness of which is a perfect indicator of it's antioxidant properties and presence of Vitamin C. Again, the science part ; this colouring is due to lutein, aplha-carotene and beta-catotene which convert to Vitamin A in the body.

But did you know that the seeds are also extremely good for you not to mention, very tasty indeed, especially when roasted (though this lessens the benefits a little). Apart from the cartoenoids, they also contain healthy fats and zinc which is great for bone strength and protein and fibre too. In its oil form (available from health food shops), it has been known to ease the pain of arthritis due to its anti-inflammatory properties, being a humble seed, there are no nasty side effects. Hoorah.

But never mind all that - basically it tastes great, it's good for you and there are hardly any calories (it's 90% water) or fat. So eat as much as you want - yummy.

I give you Pumpkins Ladies and Gentlemen. Grow, harvest, eat, enjoy!

Gardening Books

It's a lovely day today, very cold but quite bright. However, the kids (who are off school) are also finding that the weather suits them down to the ground as well. Hence they are outside doing what 3 brothers and their friends do best - making a lot of noise and arguing with each other. So, I'm inside; my nerves are fragile (as they used to say in Jane Austin's time).

So instead of being out there I'm in here with my books about out there. Makes sense? Andrew bought some 2nd hand gardening books yesterday (books are our downfall, oh and chocolate and red wine) and I am looking through them. One in particular has me gripped, its 'The Pocket Garden Troubles Expert' by Dr. D.G. Hessayon and it's pretty icky. Loads of photos and pictures of maggots and aphids and all sorts of diseases. Gross, but like road kill - I can't stop looking. It's a great wee book and one that we'll get a lot of use out of for years to come - that £1 fee will be worth it! I looked it up on Amazon and it's currently unavailable, but there are some 'used and new ones' for sale on the site. Starting from £0.01!!!!!! Ridiculous

I really like Dr, D.G. Hessayon's books, there are loads of them, about every aspect of gardening and they all say 'Expert' on them for a reason, is far as I can tell. I love Mr Titchmarsh (that's why we called our ironic gnome Alan - actually he's Alan II, the first one had a terrible, fatal accident) but sometimes you just want a good old fashioned encyclopedia of all things leafy, fruity, grassy and flowery etc. Alan is like asking a trusted friend for advice - the Dr, well it's like asking a Doctor for advice. I'm not making much sense am I. Time to lie down and look at more gross pictures, my brain is fried.

A public declaration

Andrew

Live is worth living with you in it.
I truly love and I am loved.
I don't tell you enough.

Carrie

Caterpillars

When it comes to caterpillars, I know that I am meant to hate the Cabbage White (Pieris rapae, if you will), as it does so much damage, however I heard recently on the news that some species of butterfly are becoming rare and I don't want to be part of a mass extinction movement. I have thought about finding info on caterpillars, though I haven't really tried that hard, I mean I haven't 'Googled' it, looked for a book or anything, but last night on the BBC Gardening message board there was the answer, just waiting for me.

Kindly, a certain 'David K' had passed on this website, which helps to identify caterpillars and has plates which shows them and the plants they are usually found on, good info to have I thought. So I too shall share.....
http://www.whatsthiscaterpillar.co.uk/plates.htm

By actually taking the time, I have now found (by myself) The Butterfly Conservation Website
http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/
so by checking what caterpillars we have and looking them up we can save the rare ones. Thus allowing us to get up on that high moral seat and feel smug. Lovely.

Little Poly tunnels

It has just been brought to my attention that I haven't put up any photos of our lovely, great value poly tunnels. My apologies to Andrew. I shall, henceforth correct this oversight.....


I did talk about them, after buying the first one, from B&Q, back on the 22nd October. But here they are in all their glory. They fit our beds absolutely perfectly and with the weather the way it is, they will probably prove themselves very valuable.

Nosey-ing around

I'm waiting for a phone call, I've been waiting for 2 hours already and I need to do something to keep me occupied, or distracted more like.

I'll tell you about the dander we took around the fields before we came home that Saturday afternoon. When there's no one else there, it's too tempting to have a good nosey at other plots, especially for me - I don't have to make small talk to people and Saturday had been fun but the old self-esteem wasn't exactly overflowing.

I forgot my camera when we dandered round our own Field (A) but ran back for it when I learnt we were venturing into Field B. It's not often we go in to the other fields, we generally have work to keep us going and lots of friendly neighbours, who act as great distractions (eh Andrew?!) My first thought on Field B was how poor their drainage is. It's worse than ours; you just sink into the ground (and I can't afford that, I'm only 5ft 1 to begin with) and there's that sucking sound when you pull your welly back out.

A couple of people have put in their own drainage systems, done very professionally and under ground level over to the shuck. It really seems to have paid off, but if the land around you is soaking, it's got to be disheartening. As we walked on there was the unmistakable smell of glorious cow poo again, (another big pile in this field) and I saw some plots that obviously get a lot of time spent on them. On the way out we met Ricky. He has a fantastic set up way over the far side of B, with the cutest shed ever - he had his guitar with him and was off over to the shed for a sing-a-long with friends round the fire pit. He invited us over but the rain had started again and remember we stunk of cow poo! We gracefully declined this time round. (We heard them later, on the wind as we walked back to collect our stuff before going home). It sounds so odd, but it is nice to put a face to a plot.

We walked back to A via Field C, even though it was raining, when you're soaked already, what does it really matter? We saw the last of the Blackberries (not very good this year) and some beautiful, shiny rose hips. (And NO, I did not make Alys' rose hip tea off GW, it looked stinky - to make and to drink!)

Field C is pretty impressive all round. There are only a few plots were not much is happening but the rest really do same to get care. I confess, I don't take the time to give it a good looking at, though we pass through it every time we go down to our plot. My mind must be on other things - either 'I want to get to my lottie' or 'I want to go home, now'. I don't know whose these plants belong to, but whatever they are going in Field C it is working! Magic green fingers, ahoy! These were truly the biggest cabbages and beetroots ever. And they didn't seem to have any real pest damage. Well done you, however you are.

Cow Poo

It's snowing outside, can you believe it! Hopefully it will make the parsnips really tasty - I've heard they're best after the 1st frosts, but what about everything else?

Anyway, from one day of stinky weather, to another, namely Saturday past. It was so cold and rainy in the morning that we thought a trip to a garden centre would be good - maybe the weather would clear up later (hahaha!). When we arrived there, it seemed we had entered a different place in time - it was CHRISTMAS and the shop was laid out in a way that you felt so confined and like Christmas was coming to get you. I felt claustrophobic (not a fan of Christmas at the best of times) with strange Santa Claus' singing at me etc. I just hate all that stuff - save it for December for goodness sake, and why does it seem to be Garden Centres that go SO mad over it all.

We went looking (oh, shock horror) for plants and seeds etc - hardly any there. We had a coffee, in the now essential gardening centre coffee shop and left. Where are all the good nurseries you see on TV?

One good thing I did notice was this sign above a greenhouse display. It was light relief in an otherwise scary and disappointing visit......

So, after that we went straight to the lottie. In was still raining, but crazy kids that we are, we decided to stay. This is my 'I'm so cold and it's raining pin pricks' face. In the end it was quite fun and we were pretty much there alone, funnily enough. Once our new (2nd) cloche was put in place over the small scallions and carrots we set to work on the gloriously stinky cow manure pile. After speaking to Bobby, Bill's dad, on Friday we were advised to take some off the pile and let it rot down on our own plot for a while. I suppose ideally it should all stay in one big lump but the feeling was people would want to make sure they have some of their own and thus the pile would be attacked soon enough. We took some and put it our empty compost bin. It's still relatively fresh so we'll leave it there til spring. It was hard, smelly work getting it those few 100 metres from pile to plot but I'm sure it will be worth it!

Once that was done, I was, cold, soaked, smelly and wrecked and put myself on coffee making duty. Thank goodness for little gas camping stoves - we'd freeze to death without our wee warm drinks. I sat on the massive bag of paper shreddings (like a bean bag) that we have for composting and waited for the kettle to whistle away at me. Luckily, when that time came, Andrew had taken refuge in the shed too - I couldn't get myself up out of the bag, haha.

Argh! The weather

I don't have that much to tell you about our weekend because the weather was SO absolutely foul! So I'll spread out what I do have over the next couple of days.

Andrew was lucky enough to get home at little bit earlier from work on Friday night and we used the time to see our lottie on a week night, in the light!! It was terribly mucky (too mucky for precious Maggie) and had been quite gale-y over the week so we were a bit nervous about what we might find. Our site is an absolute wind tunnel.

Luckily the only problem was a blown over bench and (empty) compost bin which had very kindly controlled its trip down our path, avoiding all beds. Clever bin! Our wee cloches were still firmly in place and there was no damage to the plants (save some wind burn on the very tips of some leaves). We got off very lightly. Close to us a half erected shed was looking the worse for wear and in Field B, a half erected greenhouse was quite sad looking too.

In fact we had much to smile about. There was a very large delivery of cow manure, left (in our field) by the port-a-loo, lovely; sort of apt, no?. Billy sorted that out with a farmer friend of his. Hopefully the council will pay him back for the money he handed over, but if not, there will be no problem in collecting a little off everyone who wants to use it. More on that tomorrow. We also had another ripe raspberry, which again, we shared (ah, young love). Then lastly we picked some of our very own Spinach and some Scallions to add to our dinner.

As we were leaving, I took a photo of the sunset, lovely red sky at night (allotmenteers' delight?) we'll see.....

Back Garden

The sun is shinning and I thought I'd go out and tidy the back garden a bit. Maggie came with me and guarded the leaves as I bushed them up, bless her. The colours are, of course, beautiful and this period passes a little too quickly. Or it could be the fact that we hardly get out to appreciate the trees at the moment because of the terrible weather? That's a rhetorical question by the way.

I was feeling a bit better doing some work outside but then the blasted kids - who are off school now for Halloween, started playing up. (Our house is close to quite a few schools.) The one thing that finally put paid to my time out there (and Maggie's) was the setting off of Fireworks. Why?!! Why?, I ask do children insist on lighting them when it is the middle of the day - they can't see the display and all we get is the noise, which SCARES MY DOG. I do like the odd fireworks show and would never want them to be stopped (our Council does them, making great use of the Norman Castle by the seafront - lovely) but these kids are just silly. Rant over.

Now we're inside again, not that Maggie seems to mind, as she's gone straight to sleep. She is so much better today, we spent ages playing this morning and I was so pleased to see her full of excitement and vigour again. She also ran up and down the stairs about 15 times, as fast as possible (exhausting just to watch!) and ate a good portion of her lunch. Hoorah. Me, I am better than I have been for about a week - long may it last!!!

Focus on GARLIC

Garlic has long been a favourite in the Gault household, it just adds that little something to a dish. Though both of you have to eat it, you know, cause of the smell, which lingers in the mouth and can be smelt through the pores in the skin if you eat too much.

Today's info comes from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garlic and
http://www.garlic.mistral.co.uk/ (otherwise known as 'The Garlic Information Center', how apt).

Firstly what we all know - Garlic keeps away Vampires! But it also seems to be considerably able in the fight against such things as - bacteria, fungal infections, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, impotence, diabetes, stomach complaints and the Cold. Not to mention recent research on its action against Cancer!

Not known as traditionally English; Garlic was highly revered in the Ancient Egyptian and Greek worlds. Eaten by those constructing the pyramids, by Roman and Greek soldiers, sailors, Olympians and it is still used by the Cherokee Indians as an expectorant for coughs and croup. In Religious terms it has been key to the appeasement and creation of Ancient Greek/Roman Gods. A Christian myth tells of it growing in the ground where Satan's left footprint was to be found and in Taoism, 6 cloved black garlic endows immortality and intensifies Chi. It's association with the fight against evil spirits (e.g. Vampires, Werewolves) could have some basis in fact - in that Garlic does have the ability to fight infections that may lead to mental health problems (or 'going mad'). In both Hinduism and Jainism it is thought to increase ones sexual desires; Jainists avoid it (and the Onion family) because of this.

Unwelcome side effects of (particularly overly modest amounts of ) Garlic are quite wide ranging. It can interact with blood thinning and hypoglycemic medications as it has these proprieties itself; bad breath, nausea and indigestion are also known to occur. During Pregnancy caution is needed (in very high doses) it can lead to excessive bleeding during pregnancy and child birth. However it is also said to possibly reduce the chances of pre-eclampsia and baby-growth retardation.

So the key is (as with most things in life - but not laughing) moderation as the key. If you are like me, have garlic regularly but don't over do it, especially if you take supplements too. And have a chat with your Doctor if you have any fears. This is only a wee fun write up on some of the vast quantites of info out there - remember, Garlic has many good qualities and it tastes yummy!

I give you Garlic ladies and gentlemen. Grow, harvest, eat and enjoy.

Update on Maggie

We visited the vets this morning and Maggie got the all clear! Her wee bunty is healing up well. Back home she had a bath and has just been her usual lounging-about self. But with that glint in her eyes again. It will take a couple more days before she is eating properly but she certainly has a heck of a lot more bounce to her step. Hoorah!

I on the other hand want to hide under a blanket today. The weather is horrendous, so dull windy and raining hard all the time. I can't even get out for a walk or go into the back garden - I already have the beginnings of yet another cold coming. I can't get warm today at all. I was comforted by the left over Pumpkin (and OUR runner beans) Risotto which Andrew kindly left me.

See you tomorrow for a 'Focus on Garlic'.
Oh and don't forget River Cottage Autumn is on Channel 4 tonight. Brill.

Composting and Pumpkins

Looking back at the weekend's photos, I was reminded that Andrew turned the compost. It looks great - seems the mix is prefect and is rotting down extremely well. We'll have to get more seaweed soon, I think. Andrew is giving it a good sniff here and a rub through his fingers - he loves his compost. There were loads of worms in it too; remember always put the bins right onto the grass/soil so our wormy friends get good access! The other bin was also emptied (completely now) into the beds before the Spring Cabbages were planted and into the area where the Asparagus will - eventually - go, when we get some. As much as I love Sunnybank, our local nursery, it feels so good to not have to buy soil conditioner of this quality.

Unfortunately the same can not be said about our recent pumpkin dinner. We had to buy that beauty (from bloomin' Tesco, argh!) since all our pumpkins and squashes failed this year. There is still half of it left in the fridge to be used tonight; it hurts me to say, it is gorgeous. On Monday night we had it simply roasted with a little seasoning and some chicken - divine. Tonight there is a lovely pumpkin risotto coming my way and I can't wait. So comforting. There isn't any label on this one so I have no idea where it's from or of course which variety it is....

Sunday was a bloody horrible day, in my head. Andrew made me go out though and fair play to him, it was better than sitting in the house all mopey. We visited B&Q and finally got a long (raised bed length) plastic cloche. It was £8.99 but there was 25% off on Sunday - yippee! Then we got caught in the evil seeds section, it just gets us all confused, we want to grow everything and they have a lot to offer us, never mind all the catalogues here at home. We left with only our cloche and took it straight to the lottie. Andrew took it down, I only got as far as the car park - panic attack hit me over the head like a mallet.

Look at our lovely, picturesque power station in the background.

Spring Cabbage and Garlic

Andrew planted some Spring Cabbage seeds in a seeds tray a good while ago (July), and on Saturday their big day came - they graduated from the cold frame to the plot proper. They're looking good, although Cabbage is not one of my favourite things. Again, we have the same problem with the variety name, but I'll find out and update this blog when I do. They've been planted in the bed that had the carrots in, and looking at the background you will be able to see the Strawberry plants that were recently moved into the permenant bed. Hopefully we'll get some fruit off them next year!

As well as the cabbage, Andrew planted out his beloved Garlic cloves 'Solent Wight', which I spoke of a few weeks back as being the first crop we bought off the internet. The bulbs were huge and the individual cloves, plump, firm and large in themselves. They were planted in 2 rows about 15cm apart and each clove was planted (shallowly) about 10cm apart, or the width of the trowel. We have cats on the allotment quite often, 2 in particular, and not being a cat fan at the best of times, I get rather annoyed when I see them - and even more annoyed when I see their pesky paw prints in our soil. So, as a perventative measure I cut some of the overgrown bramble stems by our plot and laid them across the garlic rows. I know from experience that they are mighty prickily and therefore no cat will want to be anywhere near OUR garlic cloves. They should be safe til harvest time now, which I think is around July.

(My next 'Focus on...' will be on the humble Garlic. I'll write it up later this week.)

First Leek and Parsnip harvests

After much weeding and tidying up on the plot on Saturday I got bored. Thus the 1st Leek was harvested - just because I wanted to. I wouldn't have won any prizes for its size, I didn't give it a chance, but it was beautifully formed and smelt very Leek-y. Sorry I can't give you the name of it - I've gone and lost my bit of paper with all the names of everything!! 'Carlton F1' sounds about right, but I'll try and find out for sure; 'Musselburgh' also rings a bell.....

**Okay, it's a few hours later now - Maggie had to go to the vets for an emergency, poor darling as had an anal gland abscess that burst, she never makes a sound, never plays up, so you don't know about these things till they've happened. She'll be okay though.**

I have found out now that it was/is Musselburgh', Andrew has admitted that he took my list and now it's gone. Hummmph.

Well, after I lifted something new, Andrew had to too. He has wanted to lift a Parsnip for ages and so he got his wish. Within an hour we had the tasty-est of dinners; mashed potato and parsnip with leek - kind of like a very bastardised champ. It was so good, and very comforting to eat. I did take a photo of it but it doesn't do it justice, you'll just have to grow your own and make it yourself!

Allotment Dream

I just remembered this morning that on Friday night I had a dream about my plot. There were other people there doing MY weeding and trying to tell us where OUR new crops should go. I was so angry. And then the plot beside us had a trampoline on it, the whole size of the plot. It wasn't being used as a place to grow wonderful fruit and veg, but a child care facility with constant, annoying bouncing going on. (Which actually sounds great, but I had unshakable principles in this dream). I complained and was shouted down! Can you believe it.

Worse than that, why the heck am I dreaming about the plot - am I obsessed? Surely that can't be good.