The ups, the downs and the insides out of growing your own in 2024!

alicef

Not much done outside - last of the grapes picked and are now fermenting away.  I cut the pumpkins/squashes after the recent ground frost killed the vines.  They can ripen in the shed.  Converted the quinces to membrillo and jelly.  Decided to make the latter as it is easier to give away the small 225g jars. 

The green tomatoes are slowly turning red.

Suffolk_lass

They look lovely. I see you have followed the advice from Monty on GW to cut with a T-stem to best preserve. I had already cut mine without. A meagre crop of 3 butternuts and one Crown Prince here. Lucky to have anything after absolutely no squash seeds germinated here this year.

I'd be interested to hear whether you have always cut them this way, and if you are following his advice, whether you think it helps. Mine don't normally rot. They are on a north facing windowsill in the unheated dining room, "curing" as already the right colour.

alicef

That's a very interesting question @Suffolk_lass.  I've certainly been cutting with a T section of stem, (where possible),  for quite a while.  This picture is from autumn 2018, (the squash harvest was SO much better than this year - and earlier). 

I'm guesssing that it's more about leaving a long bit of stem that will allow the point at which the stem joins the fruit to harden, as that would be an area where rot could start.  

Today, as it has finally stopped raining, I shall be picking apples.

Sweetbriarrose

alicef, thanks for the blog I will give it a go as I enjoy reading about other peoples nature and what it means to them.
I have also enjoyed listening to growing solo on radio four.
several years back, Waitrose were selling Shetland blacks, I agree, it looks like it’s across between the pink fir apples and a darker potato.

Suffolk_lass

Well, I have just written a list of all the garden produce that is in the freezer, having now defrosted it. These are all large ziplock bags, prepped, chopped & stuffed to 2/3 full
Veg - Courgettes x26, beans x4, chillies x4, Broad beans (shelled and peeled), aubergine, swede. Plus a bag of spinach from the SM
Fruit - Blackcurrants x2, red gooseberries x5, green gooseberries x4, blackberries x8, plums x8, Rhubarb x2 plus a bag of raspberries and one of blueberries from the SM.

Let's see how that goes this winter!

KajiKita

Suffolk_lass said:

Well, I have just written a list of all the garden produce that is in the freezer, having now defrosted it. These are all large ziplock bags, prepped, chopped & stuffed to 2/3 full
Veg - Courgettes x26, beans x4, chillies x4, Broad beans (shelled and peeled), aubergine, swede. Plus a bag of spinach from the SM
Fruit - Blackcurrants x2, red gooseberries x5, green gooseberries x4, blackberries x8, plums x8, Rhubarb x2 plus a bag of raspberries and one of blueberries from the SM.

Let's see how that goes this winter!

A good haul! Well done 😊

KK

alicef

@Sweetbriarrose - thank you so much for the podcast mention - it sounds really interesting; I'm going to queue them up for when I have the ironing.  I do know some fellow smallholders who are totally self sufficient but they are superorganised, (we're not!).  @Suffolk_lass - great haul! I do freeze fruit, (mainly berries as the OH has them on his porridge), but not veg - though I shall try freezing chillies. 

This week - well I survived our orchard visit. Next up is our pressing day on National Apple Day – much smaller visitor group though. Mainly, I've been picking apples for pressing. Took fruit to the honesty box, (apples Bramleys; Adam’s Pearmain; Ellison’s Orange and Blenheim Orange); and took pumpkins to the library for decorating for Hallowe’en. Started to clear the polytunnel; harvested all the peppers and the last of the cucumbers. Have taken the chillies from the polytunnel to the potting shed – it’s closer to the house. Picked sweet chestnuts, (just a small amount to toast on Bonfire Night) – they were falling, and if they go onto the ground the voles nab them. Picked some of the larger heads of sunflower seeds, and attached to the bird table, plus a jug of sunflowers for the house. Picked some medlars – I’ll make fruit cheese from these. Sowed a few trays of sweetpea – stuck them into a propagator to protect from mice as I’ll be leaving the trays in the potting shed, (better light levels). Raked where the garlic will go. Did a sneaky bulb order (prices were reduced).

FreeBear

Suffolk_lass said:

Well, I have just written a list of all the garden produce that is in the freezer

My freezer list is pretty short. Just paper, lots of paper, some odd bits of film, and some leftovers. Oh, and a tub of ice cream.

alicef

@Sweetbriarrose - I came in from planting the garlic because I got stung, or bitten, just under the side of my face, (queue me rushing indoors to find the antihistamine tablets).  One tablet later, application of bite cream and cold spray, I think I've caught the reaction in time so I won't spend the rest of the weekend looking like a lopsided hamster.  Anyway, feeling rather sorry for myself I did the ironing and started to listen to the Growing Solo podcasts.  I've also found out that he is on Youtube, (which is more material than that covered by the podcast).  It is quite fascinating - though I'm pleased to hear that he does make 2000 bottles of rose - I couldn't take nettle tea for long without a back up plan. 

@FreeBear - I'm thinking your freezer stores have something to do with photography? 

Suffolk_lass

alicef said:

@FreeBear - I'm thinking your freezer stores have something to do with photography? 

I assumed cling film 🤔🤣