Not regretting the move at all BF. They've had unusual heatwaves in Belgium too with friends losing plants old and new to drought. At least here we're starting from scratch and can modify our plans and plantings. No shortage of horses around here so just need to arrange for transport of manure.
The other problem is time and human mechanics. We have other interests to pursue and I currently have an arthritic knee which needs some serious attention. Meanwhile, limited mobility. Never mind, soon be autumn which should herald both rain and knee treatments.
One of my Belgian scientists was doing all sorts of research into kefir but I've never seen it on sale and haven't tried it.
Round here they sell basmati rice with small pieces of dried seaweed in it and I like it with fish. Have recently found split red lentils with it in so will try that. Need to go to an ethnic shop for plain red lentils it seems. Possum makes good maki with seaweed sheets.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
I have been selling Scones made with Seaweed Butter this Summer very successfully, and am going to try a Seaweed & Chocolate Cake that a Scots Seaweed producer marketed on the 'One Show' earlier last month. Brittany shops are full of seaweed products and I love trying new things. GWRS - tried a Porage Bread Mix that I bought back as a sample from Irish Flour Mill. You add yoghourt and milk then chuck it in the oven for 40mins. Very good, so I have ordered a couple of cases so that I can make Flowerpot Bread for the Garden Fairs. It contains Porage Oat/Pumpkin Seeds/Chia Seeds and Bicarb Soda. Ironically cheaper to buy this mix in that buy the ingredients seperately! Stunning -and it keeps well. Off to get some jars to make marmelade and collect greenhouse cover. Wind has dropped so O/H poised for labour!! Loads of Polish Runner Beans ready -Not as sweet as Scarlet Emperor but good crop. Broad Beans podding up again. No blackfly this year. I do think that because I have let weeds grow around alot of veg they have acted as a mulch, and because I have fed the birds for the first time throughout Spring & Summer there are no slugs and snails. Seem to have got the balance right. Comments and Ideas welcome.
Why not just make soda bread with wholemeal flour, bicarb and buttermilk? There are some good recipes on BBC Good Food, including a good one with courgettes and cheddar for which I substiture mature Gouda.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Made Soda Bread with Guinness (or any Stout) great success -Courgette and Cheddar a new one to me -Great idea. Scones made with dried tomato and basil are also great but you do need to add extra salt and not just rely on salted butter. Getting ready for Salon de Fleurs at Jouy sur Eure (Dept 27) this w/e. Back home Monday, last Summer Market (already!!) Tuesday and then off back down to JardiFolies at Aubevoye (Dept 27). Its all happening! -Beans and courgettes coming out of our ears, started freezing excess Runners. Peas finished. Anyone know of a good type to plant to get some before frosts hit? Using 'grey' water to help Dahlias along as we are supposed to be 33 degrees this w/e.! Luckily both w/es our stand is in the shade. Looking forward to hotel and restaurant -No cooking!!! Oven worn out, having made 200 scones yesterday and set to make 300 cupcakes and muffins today plus Lemon Curd and Marmelade. Off to walk round garden first with mug of tea! Lifting Beetroot to make River Cottage Beetroot & Chocolate Cake and Yellow Courgettes for Harry Eastwoods Gluten Free Lemon Drops.Rolling goat cheeses in Lavender tomorrow and picking roses and Marigolds to decorate Cakes. No wonder I'm tired!!
Long List of Plants to buy if I make enough dosh -or for swaps!
Boiled last w/e at Fair 36degrees Saturday 40degrees Sunday. Cried off this w/e as same venue and same temperatures predicted. All exhibitors melted! Farmhouse Ice Cream lady did well though!! Weather prediction for September is more of the same. 1-5th predicted to be very hot again 6-19th Beautiful days but possibility of sharp showers From the 20th a change in the weather becoming more automnal with strong winds, wet and local fog. 28-29th watch out for unexpected frost. Source: Jean Marais.
Watch out for mildew on plants and spray with Buttermilk or Natural Yoghourt (1/2 to 1/2 rainwater) Butterflies still egg laying so cover cabbage family incuding mustard/turnips and Winter Radish with protection film (enviromesh/net curtains) Biodynamic treatment for mildew is a mix of marestail and nettle diluted to ratio of ten. I keep my dustbin full of this cocktail although strictly speaking you should use it within 2hrs of making. I don't find it makes much diffference and you can buy it ready made to dilute in the Garden Centres.
Watch out for rust coming on the leek family. Lunar Calender for September 1-9th
1/2 Sept - Moon descending in Virgo Root Days. Harvest beetroot, celeriac and carrots as needed. Lift last Potatoes to avoid them re-sprouting and Onions for the same reason.
3/4th Sept - Flower Days. Divide perennials such as Poppies and plant out potted perennials. (I bought 2 Chinese Rhubarb last w/e, 2 Wild Chicory and a dwarf rambling Evening Primrose with enormous flowers to scramble down new bank.)
5/6th Sept - Moon descending in Scorpio so Leaf Days. Start Blanching Celery, keeping sides covered for 2-3 weeks. Thin out vegetables sown 19-21st August.
7/8/9th Sept - Moon crossing from Descending to ascending position on 8th so no gardening before 1.30pm as noeud descending. Fruit Days. Gathe Beans for drying. Pop them in the freezer for several days to kill parasites. Start harvesting apples and pears plus continue with strawberries and raspberries. (Blackberries just ready now -seems late to me?)
I shall be busy freezing down excess Runner and French Beans this w/e and making apple sauce in handy quantities for those yummy Winter Pork Roasts.
No gardening here for a week or more other than checking treasures. Possum goes back to Namur at the end of the week so this weekend we're tackling sewing a dress with darts and going out to buy her a machine. At 24 she's finally decided it would be a good idea to learn to sew.
On Monday I have to drive our Labrador to La Rochelle cos he's booked in to have his torn cruciate ligamen fixed on Tuesday and then we fetch him again on Wednesday. Just over an hour each way and lots of faffing in between. Thursday has to be last shop and packing and then OH is driving her up to Belgium.
I shall be manning the stand for the patchwork club at the Open Days where clubs can tout for punters in a huge sports hall for 2 days.
Checked the sky in the middle of the night last night. No moon but beautiful, clear stars. Any idea when there'll be some rain on the way?
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Hello Bio , have been on holiday to Tenby in South Wales again , weather generally ok Did have home made Guinness and Chocolate cake at a local farm shop/ cafe , surprisingly good . We had stunning weather over Bank holiday Lettuce at home all gone to seed and wonder what allotment will be like when I pop up there on Sunday , must dig potatoes 🥔 Hope your forecast for September is right , lots to do at allotment/garden/g/h Obelixx , hope possums trip goes well and her sewing 🧵 Me & o/h can sew buttons on that’s about it
Seems to be end of month before major rain although it has been raining at night here in Normandy. Tipped out all pots of potatoes now. Delighted with result from 12 supermarket sprouting 'Pompadour' that I picked up for 40cents -Must have around 6Kgs lovely new potatoes tasting like Jersey Royals!. Gave up sewing in early days at school when it took me one year to make a skirt which by the time I had finished it -I hated!! Not a very domestic person really O/H does all the housework, leaving me loose in the garden and of course I do love cooking (which is lucky as I earn my living from it!!) Off to UK for 48hrs next Tuesday so tucking into reserves 'Crumpets/Baked Beans/Tomato Soup and other sundry groceries that I can top up with. Going through Tunnel on 32Euro Promo which gives us one night stay. Then back to Festival des 1001 Legumes and Salon des Plantes d'Automne the w/e before. Looking forward to break in Brittany end October. Still freezing down Runner Beans although Polish ones have now stopped. Clearing back Shrubbery, and have made plans to move raspberries into shade as just hate where they are -Too hot and lousy soil. -I think it is the ants they hate really. The wild raspberries in the wooded part of the shrubbery are thriving so I am going to pop them together. Bio-D Club are encouraging us allow lettuce to self seed GWRS -They suggest putting compost around roots so seedlings can overwinter in it to provide really early cut leaves for salads. Just a thought to save you labour!
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The other problem is time and human mechanics. We have other interests to pursue and I currently have an arthritic knee which needs some serious attention. Meanwhile, limited mobility. Never mind, soon be autumn which should herald both rain and knee treatments.
One of my Belgian scientists was doing all sorts of research into kefir but I've never seen it on sale and haven't tried it.
Round here they sell basmati rice with small pieces of dried seaweed in it and I like it with fish. Have recently found split red lentils with it in so will try that. Need to go to an ethnic shop for plain red lentils it seems. Possum makes good maki with seaweed sheets.
Oberlix your soda bread also sounds fab 🥖
On Monday I have to drive our Labrador to La Rochelle cos he's booked in to have his torn cruciate ligamen fixed on Tuesday and then we fetch him again on Wednesday. Just over an hour each way and lots of faffing in between. Thursday has to be last shop and packing and then OH is driving her up to Belgium.
I shall be manning the stand for the patchwork club at the Open Days where clubs can tout for punters in a huge sports hall for 2 days.
Checked the sky in the middle of the night last night. No moon but beautiful, clear stars. Any idea when there'll be some rain on the way?
Did have home made Guinness and Chocolate cake at a local farm shop/ cafe , surprisingly good . We had stunning weather over Bank holiday
Lettuce at home all gone to seed and wonder what allotment will be like when I pop up there on Sunday , must dig potatoes 🥔
Hope your forecast for September is right , lots to do at allotment/garden/g/h
Obelixx , hope possums trip goes well and her sewing 🧵
Me & o/h can sew buttons on that’s about it