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HELLO FORKERS - April 2020 🐣

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Posts

  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    Busy-Lizzie said:


    How come @Dovefromabove had rain at 10.30am and we didn't? Not fair!

    Can I echo that we had a (very) little rain yesterday evening  and it looks like some in the night but not much, many pots still had a dry rain shadow round them.
    Sorry to all having a tough time we are just plodding along here, we're supposed to be having a zoom meeting with family but as usual trying to get them all in front of a screen at the same time is proving tricky.
    AB Still learning

  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    BTW today's warfare is with the vine weevil, I have dosed all the pots and watered the beds with another batch of nematodes. The bit of rain will have helped make the soil moist.
    AB Still learning

  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    @Dovefromabove and all breadmakers - I need quick help please!  I am trying to make bread from a packet of wholemeal bread mix but it is not doubling in size after 1 1/2 hours! The kitchen is about 20 deg but the heating has not come on so I've now put the dough in the warm 2nd oven above the main where I've just baked a cake at 175 deg. Do I just need to wait?  The packet did note that the mix would be best before end of March, has the yeast died?  Thanks for any help!!!!
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Maybe it’s too cool ... when you mixed it how warm was the water you used?  I usually have it a bit warmer than a baby’s bath. 

    Warming it up should get it going ... prod it with your finger ... does the hole start to recover and fill out again?

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    Thanks Dove, the recipe said luke warm water so I did that. I'll go and prod it as suggested, it's warmer in the 2nd oven so I'm hoping that will do the trick.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    Hi @Dovefromabove, I've just prodded the dough - my finger just came out all sticky and the hole just sat there. Shall I give it another half hour and then try again?
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited April 2020
    I would whack it in a hot oven now to bake anyway. If the yeast is a bit old perhaps it’s not going to rise any more ... it has risen a bit hasn’t it?

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    Yes I think so, when the recipe said it should double in size, I was thinking of height but if anything I think the width has got a bit bigger. Shall do as you suggest and cook it soon. Thanks for the help.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Let us know how it turns out. If it’s a bit doughy 5 mins extra in the oven can sometimes help 🤞 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    Will do Dove, my recipe said to knead it again and leave for anor half hour to double again, which I have and the timer's just gone off so I will whack it in the oven at 230 deg for 30 mins as per the instructions. Fingers crossed!
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
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