Preparedness for when

D&DD

Thanks for that Val I get Kitchen Garden and Grow your own on subscription but have found that since I've been getting them since around 2004 I feel like a change now..will take a look at that one.

Our cows are arriving on the field soon should be fun..any tips on collecting pats for the garden anyone ???

PS GQ I make a veg lasagne with my chard or spinach and you have lots of tomatoes in will post the recipe for you later X

catznine

D&DD wrote: »

The guardian has said wonky veg is back :T:T due to the poor harvest crops are down by around 25% will see if I can find a link to the story that was on just now..

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/sep/27/ugly-fruit-vegetables-supermarkets-harvest?INTCMP=SRCH

At last some common sense! :j It should never have got to this point though, perfectly good nutritious food wasted because it didn't conform in shape or size! Crazy world!

I have an organic box of fruit and veg delivered every other week, all lovely and comes in various shapes and sizes, tastes great and I try not to waste anything. I have however built up quite a supply of white onions (they are taking over the kitchen) so will get the dehydrator down and have a go at drying some onion slices for winter soups. I take it they will store well in a glass preserving jar?

Hope anyone in the north is drying out now. My sons garden (S. Shields) is now a lake but the house is ok thank goodness!
I would suggest BOB's to them but they are moving back down here soon! Mind you with a young child they are a really good idea!

GreyQueen

D&DD wrote: »

Thanks for that Val I get Kitchen Garden and Grow your own on subscription but have found that since I've been getting them since around 2004 I feel like a change now..will take a look at that one.

Our cows are arriving on the field soon should be fun..any tips on collecting pats for the garden anyone ???

PS GQ I make a veg lasagne with my chard or spinach and you have lots of tomatoes in will post the recipe for you later X

That would be great! I'll check for it after work.

Re cowpats, I'd suggested letting them dry for a day or three then harvesting with a shovel. I have collected horse-droppings but they are much more solid IYSWIM.

Lovely subject for breakfast time, can't keep an Old Styler from practical matters...........:rotfl:

valk_scot

D&DD wrote: »

Thanks for that Val I get Kitchen Garden and Grow your own on subscription but have found that since I've been getting them since around 2004 I feel like a change now..will take a look at that one.

I started reading Kitchen Garden almost from the first issue and around the same time as I got my allotment but it's as you say, it starts to repeat eventually. I feel I know more than enough about veg growing now and don't need the introductory guides to growing carrots or whatever any more so Home Farmer is a bit different, lots of articles on things I don't know about like soap making and how to cure bacon for example. I've also picked up a subscription to Grow It! via my Tesco Clubcard vouchers and so far it's been a very satisfactory read, not too dumbed down and a wide range of concepts. And not so many big glossy aspirational gardens and plots as Kitchen Garden, I think. Also it's useful to get it with Clubcard points, much cheaper.

Actually I've just realised the cider article is in Grow It! rather than Home Farmer this month, Home Farmer definately has the bacon article though.

D&DD

Catz they store really well dried try and keep them in a cupboard and it helps retain colour if doing red ones,white should be fine anywhere..you might want to put the drier in the garage though it can get a bit smelly with onions lol *I looove onions so don't mind but the kids are never impressed*

Yes I agree about the wonky veg,when I had a Tesco delivery a few weeks back they even put a note on the peppers I ordered saying that due to poor availabilty they may not be up to usual standard and return to driver if not happy..sadly I'll bet a lot of people did if they didn't look perfect..me I strive to grow wonky veg :rotfl:

[Deleted User]

Morning all, yes VAL we do have HOME FARMER and have done since it was first published, we used the cider making article from a couple of years ago to try our first batch and it worked so well we've made it since then. This year is odd because the apples are not so sweet or as juicy so I don't quite know how the end product will be. If it's not drinkable, either I'll turn it into cider vinegar or use it for cooking, using the apples in some way is better than composting them!

GQ - We already take in all the parcels etc for our neighbour and the postperson knows just to leave them in our porch, doesn't even knock now - are we trendsetters?

Good heavens will this outbreak of botanicals never cease, first poor Hobsons had the Damsons, then Born Blonde got it and also developed Sloes and now, poor CATERINA has come down with the radishes - GQ are you feeling OK with your outbreak of hot and cold running Chardlings? Ladies I wish you a speedy recovery!

jeniferd

Hi everyone,

I'm new here, I am very glad to be a member of this community, I couldn't find the right place to introduce myself so i am doing here.

[Deleted User]

Hello JENIFERD welcome to the playground, we're all a little crazy here but that only adds to the fun, nice to have you with us, Cheers Lyn.

grandma247

I crumble dry leaves into soups and stews. I do it in the last 5 mins or so because my family does not like the strong "green" flavours and it does not develop in that time. If you do like it then add at the beginning. I never measure I just sling in whatever I feel like.

catznine wrote: »

so will get the dehydrator down and have a go at drying some onion slices for winter soups. I take it they will store well in a glass preserving jar?

Hope anyone in the north is drying out now.

You will get more in a jar if you chop them rather than make rings.
And NO it is not drying out here it is pelting it down

born_blonde

Is the cider recipe similar to this?

Simple Cider
3lb apples
12 pints water
2lb sugar
3 lemons
Clean apples and mince cores skin and all. Place in an earthenware bowll or a brewing tub ( bucket) and add cold unboiled water. Stir well and if in bowl or bucket cover with clean tea towel.
Leave for one week stirring morning and evening.
Strain off liquid and add sugar and grated rind and juice of lemons.
Set aside for 24 hours the strain and store in receptacle of your choice.
But remember it does ferment and a pressure barrel is a good idea or clean plastic pop bottles though you might have to release the pressure.
Ready in a few days but the longer you leave it the stronger it gets!