Allotmenticity 21-09-09

It's been a while since I've had chance to write up the goings on down at No87. Suffice to say I'm really busy at the moment but I did manage to get down over the weekend and get some tidying up done.

The Sweetcorn is all finished and I've frozen the ones I couldn't eat straight away. Best to top and tail and leave the outer leaves on.

The French Beans are also finished and were really tasty this year. Again quite a lot in the freezer.

I'm having a MAJOR problem with Whitefly on the Brassicas. Clouds of them flying up when I brush past. I've been reading up on ways to deal with them and the best one seems to be a spray of Insecticidal Soap. Evidently if you buy Liquid Detergent you can make it up yourself.

Has anybody tried this, and if so which Liquid Detergent did you use?

It's been a strange year for pests and problems. I've had Lily Beetle, which I sprayed quite successfully and reported them to the RHS Lily Beetle website.
The French Marigolds limited the Blackfly to 2 Broad Bean plants, and although some of the Potato leaves went suspiciously like Blight they're OK.
Growing the small rounded Carrots in my containers kept the Carrot Fly at bay and worked really well. I plan to expand on that next year.
The Garlic crop suffered from mould on the thick-necked varieties, but the later ones were fine, but my Japanese Onions were very disappointing. I'm digging Horse Manure into the raised beds over winter to try and give them a boost.
I'm also going to try Green Manure where the Spuds are going next year. Has anyone any thoughts on this idea?

I've decided to go for a petrol strimmer. The rechargeable one is OK but doesn't last long enough and really struggles with deep grass. And especially since my neighbour has decided to vanish, leaving a forest of weeds, I need something more drastic.
I've been looking at a Ryobi 30cc model. Anyone had experience of this make?

Well that's about it, a satisfying win for The Reds yesterday gives us bragging rights for the moment.

The Captain.

Allotmenticity - 15-06-09 Aston FM Sod It Grow Your Own

Well that was wonderful weekend and I hope everybody managed to get down on their plots and enjoy the weather. Looks like we're in for a "splash" later today, but maybe it'll save me going down to water later.

I had my first cos lettuce yesterday. Oh the taste!

The Brassica cage is looking good and healthy. There's a couple of cauliflowers hearting up already. Also as it's enclosed I can use slug pellets without worry. Although I've still got the copper bracelets down.

Saturday was spent doing an intense weeding on the Asparagus bed, the Beans and Peas and Herbs and flowers.

Rain + Sun = WEEDS!

It shouldn't be too long before the first Garlic can be harvested. I forked up a tester and they're looking good.

My Carrots in the plastic trays are really tasty. I've used Suttons Parmex which are the small round variety. Keeping them in the containers has avoided the Carrot fly and because they're round, I don't have to worry about the depth of soil.

My neighbour Danny has got 12" high mounds which he flattens the top and plants his carrots ready started in 1/2 toilet rolls. He does the same with Beetroot. I'll keep an eye on that for future reference.

I'm hoping to acquire some stable manure. As much as I've been digging compost in, I think a good heap of manure will add that bulk to the soil and help it retain more moisture. I think my Onion & Garlic beds will definitely benefit. Also to readjust my rotation system, I'm going to leave the Brassica cage in place next year and just swap the Peas and Beans with the Spuds. So a good dose of manure will help.

I found some Scarlet Lily Beetles last week. The RHS has a form where you can report sightings. It's a vivid red colour about 1/4" - 1/2" long. If you can, squash it with your fingers before it lays its eggs. The larvae will eat all the leaves very quickly. You can get a spray, which seems to have done the trick, called Provado Ultimate Bug Killer from B&Q.

This weeks recipe is a fabulous Roast Monkfish tail. I was down the fishmarket the other day and there were some fresh in, which prompted me to share this. Not a cheap meal, but great for a dinner party.

Until next time,

The Captain.

Gigot de Mer / Whole Roast Monkfish

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 monkfish tail - about 18 oz.
• 12 thin slices prosciutto - enough to cover the fish
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1-1/2 cups sliced mushrooms - about 8 oz.
• 2 large garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 2 lb. vine-ripened tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped or 2 large cans chopped tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons sour cream or crème fraîche
• a handful of basil leaves, chopped
• coarse sea salt & freshly ground black pepper

PREPARATION:

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Set the prosciutto on a work surface with the slices slightly overlapping each other. Put the monkfish on top, belly up. Wrap it in the bacon with the ends overlapping across the belly.

Turn it over and set aside.

Heat the oil in a large skillet. Add the mushrooms and a pinch of salt and cook until browned, 3-5 minutes. Stir in the garlic, then add the wine, and cook over high heat for 1 minute. Stir in the tomatoes, and simmer gently for 5 minutes.

Pour this tomato sauce into a baking dish just large enough to hold the fish. Set the fish on top and roast for 15 minutes. Lower the temperature to 400°F and roast for 30 minutes more. Remove from the oven and put the fish on a plate. Stir the sour cream and basil into the tomatoes. Set the monkfish on top and serve. Serves 4-6.