Allotmenticity - 27-07-09 Aston FM Sod It Grow Your Own

I had the privilege of a visit by The Earl & Duchess of Edgbaston with their daughter, Andrea, The Princess of Edinburgh on Saturday. She has applied to Edinburgh council for an allotment and now has a 3 year wait. So she came down to visit the Captain's patch for a few hints & tips.
As I said before, always spend the most you can afford for your tools. It's false economy to buy cheap as they'll soon let you down.



They brought a Ploughman's picnic down which was a rare treat.
It's not often the Captain gets a lunch break!





The Brassica cage is "groaning" with produce right now. There's even Sprouts forming on the stems. A little early I think but everything seems healthy and growing well without the attention of the local pigeon & magpie population.
Despite the Liming of the planting holes there's still evidence of Clubroot, but it doesn't seem bad enough to effect the top growth.




I mentioned last week about cutting Cos Lettuce just above the stem. Here's what I mean about secondary growth. You won't get full blown lettuce, but you will get a good supply of fresh leaves.



About a month ago I had some fresh Root Ginger which developed new growths on the surface, so I thought I'd plant them and see what happened. Below is the result. I'm not sure what the next step will be but there's certainly strong growth there.

Has anybody done this before?



I can't let Lewis Hamilton's victory go by without a mention. I'm afraid that it's more down to the machinery and less to the driver though!
I still think they should all be put in identical vehicles with the same engines and tyres. That would soon sort out the wheat out from the chaff.

Oh and whilst we're on the subject of motor sport, did anybody see Jeremy Clarkson's comment in last week's Times? Here it is - "Gardening is like doing a jigsaw. A pointless way of passing time until you die" I met JC a few years ago and thought he was a self-opinionated .... then, and this has not changed my mind!

It would appear that Tescos are planning on releasing some of their urban land for use as allotments. Let's hope this can be a way of reducing the waiting lists and getting more people "On the land".

Does anybody know any Guerilla Gardeners who plant stuff on roundabouts or in public places?
I'm definitely going to suggest to my friend Igor Romanoff to set up one of his style bulletins. He posts stuff on The Stirrer.com so watch out for his ideas, I'm sure he'll come up with something unusual.

I also mentioned last week about finding a pigeon ring. Well having registered the details on the RPRA website I received a call from it's owner. He only lived locally and was training a new bunch and was thankful for my report. At least he knew what had happened to it.

This week's recipe is one you'll either love or hate. I found the Marmite Appreciation Society on Facebook and this was on it.

Enjoy,

The Captain.

Recipe

Marmite Spaghetti

350-380g dried spaghetti 50g unsalted butter 1 tsp Marmite freshly grated parmesan cheese, for serving

Cook the spaghetti in plenty of boiling salted water. While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a small saucepan and add the Marmite and 1 tablespoon of the pasta water.

Mix thoroughly to dissolve.

Allotmenticity - 06-07-09 Aston FM Sod It Grow Your Own

Another great week for growing conditions. Loads of sunshine then a good splash of rain. It's so much better to have natural rain water than using a hose. I don't know about anyone else but I can really see the difference.
The brassica cage is in full flow now. It's strange, even though I tried to stagger the sowing and planting they're all hearting up and arriving together.




















































My Carrots in Choff's plastic trays are really tasty. Suttons Parmex variety. Rounded roots so
they grow well in the trays in compost.























I've tried to keep regular sowings going and because I put the lid on during the early days it
seems to be keeping the Carrot flies at bay!
















I emptied my potato barrel and found these beauties. I remember Matron advising to make sure it was well watered, and there was evidence that more moisture was needed at the bottom, soI'll take heed and make sure that doesn't happen again. I'm going to sow some more for Xmas in the potting shed.



















My friend The Earl of Edgbaston donated a bookshelf for the shed after his visit to No87. It's now residing in the Flght Deck laden with pots, seeds and fertilizers. Bless you M'Lord!
























And finally a couple of flower images.


My Lilies have bloomed for the fist time so deserve a mention.
























And this is the Elephant Garlic showing off.
























Time to savour the fruits of all that hard work last year. Broad Beans, picked young are sweet, Courgettes, Brocolli, Cabbage, Carrots, Onions and fresh Garlic.

Until next time,

The Captain.

This weeks recipe was from The 2 Fat Ladies. A tasty Potato dish which can be served with any meat roast or as part of a vegetarian spread. Enjoy!

2 Fat Potatoes

Thinly slice 4 large waxy potatoes. (Possibly using Mandolin but mind your knuckles!)

Dry potatoes with kitchen towel.

Put glug of Olive oil in ovenproof dish then layer of potato slices.

Sprinkle with chopped Parsley, Rosemary, Thyme, Garlic.

Season with Salt & Pepper.

Add another glug of Olive Oil.

Another layer of Potatoes, more herbs and moisten with Vegetable Stock.

Finally add a couple of knobs of butter on top.

Put in a hot oven for about 45mins – 1 Hour.

Check after 30 mins.

Serve slightly crisp around the edges.

Allotmenticity - 24-04-09

Just an update from Monday's broadcast, I was down at the plot with my old mate "Lard" and thought I'd illustrate my various comments a bit more.

My "Dustbin Spuds" are through and I'll add some more compost in a couple of days.

I've started the "Parsley Project".
The 4 rows of seeds are, from the left,
1) seeds kept in the fridge for a week,
2) Boiling water poured in the drill,
3) The Captain's wee poured on the seeds,
4) just normal seeds.

I've got my first Strawberry flower!

And in the final picture, 36 slabs!!!

This weekend I intend to get my Brassica cage ready weather permitting.