Ahhhhh. As I type up this entry I am licking my chops in satisfaction.
I have just eaten a lunch of homemade pesto and pasta. Frankly, I intend to never eat bottled pesto again.
With a food processor or stick blender (with appropriate attachments) you can pick and chooses your own flavors and have a scrumptious pesto in literally minutes. I love the way my pestos are more chunky and much less oily than store bought ones too.
Usually, if I'm doing a Q&D pesto, I grab basil from the garden, cashews from the pantry, grated cheese from the fridge and drizzle olive oil before whizzing the lot together.
Today I added some sun dried tomatoes and sunflower seeds and was certainly not disappointed with the results!! I think in the future I may try adding in some of my fresh oregano with the sundried tomato to see how that works. Yeah!
Friday, October 15, 2010
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Ode to the First Homegrown Tomato
g r o w i n g ..... impatience
g r o w i n g ..... anticipation
little golden globe
mouth-smoooosh
delectable tang on the tongue
love at first bite.
g r o w i n g ..... anticipation
little golden globe
mouth-smoooosh
delectable tang on the tongue
love at first bite.
Friday, October 1, 2010
But the Produce is More Lovely!
Though I am appreciating the wild beauty of weeds in my yard, I am loving the fruit and vegetables in it much more!
This little capsicum was only just bigger than my fist, and the only one grown on the plant. But it was my first time to grow a capsicum fully until it was red on the plant. I harvested this little guy earlier this week and put him on a homemade pizza, with scone base, baked sweet potato, basil, onion and bacon.
I bought three basil plants for $4 at the bayside markets, a real bargain! I planted them amongst two of my tomato plants to try to tempt the bugs away, sacrificial basil. I've used some on the abovementioned pizza but also made homemade fresh pesto twice now. A handful of basil leaves, a handful of cashews, a sprinkling of parmesan (or pizza cheese if you run out of parmesan as I did today!) and a dash of olive oil. Process the lot for 20 seconds on low then 10 seconds on high and you have a pesto that beats any store bought one hands down.
Last year my mulberry tree went OFF and, again, this year, it hasn't disappointed! Every 2nd morning I duck out before work to pluck down those ripe berries that I can reach. I then spend a few moments staring at the ones near the top of the tree and regret that I have to leave them for the birds! At first I ate them like there was no tommorrow- with yogurt and by themselves at lunch times. Then I decided I should freeze them and try to make a jam or conserve (and a cordial if I have enough leftover). So I have a substantial harvest set aside and frozen for this....
Of all the things I've harvested from my garden recently the peas were the most unexpected. The seeds had germinated almost overnight in a seedling tray and mini greenhouse. Then the plants shot up in a way that gave a new appreciation for the tale of Jack and the Beanstalk!
I replanted them outside only to later read that peas should be planted where they are to grow. I watched as they struggled and slowly turned a sickly yellow green. By the time they had reached a mostly yellow tinge I had completely given up on them.
But one morning, while watering the tomatoes and basil beside them I noticed something green amongst the faded leaves of a plant. A pod! My heart thrilled, I realised there were pods on most of the small dwarf plants. A week later I harvested the small number of pods (about 12 in total), realising that the plants had done as much as they could given my poor care. Each pod only had one or two seeds but they were so sweet, fresh and lovely! It was a delight.
This little capsicum was only just bigger than my fist, and the only one grown on the plant. But it was my first time to grow a capsicum fully until it was red on the plant. I harvested this little guy earlier this week and put him on a homemade pizza, with scone base, baked sweet potato, basil, onion and bacon.
I bought three basil plants for $4 at the bayside markets, a real bargain! I planted them amongst two of my tomato plants to try to tempt the bugs away, sacrificial basil. I've used some on the abovementioned pizza but also made homemade fresh pesto twice now. A handful of basil leaves, a handful of cashews, a sprinkling of parmesan (or pizza cheese if you run out of parmesan as I did today!) and a dash of olive oil. Process the lot for 20 seconds on low then 10 seconds on high and you have a pesto that beats any store bought one hands down.
Last year my mulberry tree went OFF and, again, this year, it hasn't disappointed! Every 2nd morning I duck out before work to pluck down those ripe berries that I can reach. I then spend a few moments staring at the ones near the top of the tree and regret that I have to leave them for the birds! At first I ate them like there was no tommorrow- with yogurt and by themselves at lunch times. Then I decided I should freeze them and try to make a jam or conserve (and a cordial if I have enough leftover). So I have a substantial harvest set aside and frozen for this....
Of all the things I've harvested from my garden recently the peas were the most unexpected. The seeds had germinated almost overnight in a seedling tray and mini greenhouse. Then the plants shot up in a way that gave a new appreciation for the tale of Jack and the Beanstalk!
I replanted them outside only to later read that peas should be planted where they are to grow. I watched as they struggled and slowly turned a sickly yellow green. By the time they had reached a mostly yellow tinge I had completely given up on them.
But one morning, while watering the tomatoes and basil beside them I noticed something green amongst the faded leaves of a plant. A pod! My heart thrilled, I realised there were pods on most of the small dwarf plants. A week later I harvested the small number of pods (about 12 in total), realising that the plants had done as much as they could given my poor care. Each pod only had one or two seeds but they were so sweet, fresh and lovely! It was a delight.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
The Weeds in my Garden Are Beautiful
This month, the 'weeds' in my yard have been in bloom with the coming of Spring.
From blues to oranges, bright yellows and pinks.
I have been in love with my weeds.
From blues to oranges, bright yellows and pinks.
I have been in love with my weeds.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Trials and Error
Attempt #1
My first attempt at growing plants from seeds were cornflowers. I love the stunning colour of the blooms of the cornflower plant. It is rare to see a seedling plant at Bunnings so they seemed like a good option for my first try.
I used cheap potting mix in seedling trays with no protection.
It was a delight to watch the little seedlings pop their heads out of the soil, some with the seed husk still attached. They grew up quickly, straight and proud.
Then disaster struck in the form of a destructive kitten. I came out one morning to find 10 or so seedlings had been uprooted. Not eaten... just uprooted.
So I was much more careful about where the seedlings were left around the house. The one day I was negligent, the other kitten jumped on the box, knocking dirt and seedlings into the carpet.
The few remaining seedlings were planted out the front and back. Now, a few months on, I have 3 plants at the front and 3 at the back of the house growing.
Attempt #2
My second attempt at growing from seeds was cheap Caspicum seeds, Heartsease flowers and Catnip. Not one single seed of the Catnip germinated. Only two seeds of the Heartsease sprouted. Most of the Capsicum flourished.
To protect these little guys from destructive kittens I bought a Yates mini greenhouse seedling protector. This helped out the Capsicums but still no further growth from the catnip or Heartsease.
Then I went on honeymoon and our house/kitten sitter forgot to water everything. When I came back most of the capsicums had wilted beyond repair. The tray was put outside to get some sun and aphids got in and ate the leaves off the remaining capsicum seedlings.
Total failure.
Attempt #3
I bought a 2nd seedling protection greenhouse and planted a variety of seeds, including Dwarf Peas, Marigolds and Forget-Me-Nots.
The peas grew faster than I would have imagined and were transplanted into a planting box with pea-sticks (aka sticks from the trees in my front yard!). They no longer seem to be thriving so well, though they have started flowering in the last few days.
This could be due to the fact that peas are supposed to be planted where they are to grow rather than in seedling trays.
The Marigolds and Forget-Me-Nots are doing well enough though their growth seems laboured compared to the speedy zoom of the peas.
Attempt #4
During my last Bunnings visit I was distracted by the seedling mix. I considered why people would use a specialised mix instead of just potting mix. It seemed that seedling mix was finer, alowing tiny and weak roots to penetrate the soil more easily. The potting mix I had been using was closer to compost with large pieces of bark and organic matter in it.
So I bought a coir-peat block and spent some time yesterday afternoon expanding this and filling some seedling trays with the smaller-grained stuff.
I planted out Diggers 7 colour capsicum mix, leftover Heartsease seeds and some Cut-and-Come-Again Lettuce seeds.
I'm excited to be trying something new and will be interested to see how successful it is.
My first attempt at growing plants from seeds were cornflowers. I love the stunning colour of the blooms of the cornflower plant. It is rare to see a seedling plant at Bunnings so they seemed like a good option for my first try.
I used cheap potting mix in seedling trays with no protection.
It was a delight to watch the little seedlings pop their heads out of the soil, some with the seed husk still attached. They grew up quickly, straight and proud.
Then disaster struck in the form of a destructive kitten. I came out one morning to find 10 or so seedlings had been uprooted. Not eaten... just uprooted.
So I was much more careful about where the seedlings were left around the house. The one day I was negligent, the other kitten jumped on the box, knocking dirt and seedlings into the carpet.
The few remaining seedlings were planted out the front and back. Now, a few months on, I have 3 plants at the front and 3 at the back of the house growing.
Attempt #2
My second attempt at growing from seeds was cheap Caspicum seeds, Heartsease flowers and Catnip. Not one single seed of the Catnip germinated. Only two seeds of the Heartsease sprouted. Most of the Capsicum flourished.
To protect these little guys from destructive kittens I bought a Yates mini greenhouse seedling protector. This helped out the Capsicums but still no further growth from the catnip or Heartsease.
Then I went on honeymoon and our house/kitten sitter forgot to water everything. When I came back most of the capsicums had wilted beyond repair. The tray was put outside to get some sun and aphids got in and ate the leaves off the remaining capsicum seedlings.
Total failure.
Attempt #3
I bought a 2nd seedling protection greenhouse and planted a variety of seeds, including Dwarf Peas, Marigolds and Forget-Me-Nots.
The peas grew faster than I would have imagined and were transplanted into a planting box with pea-sticks (aka sticks from the trees in my front yard!). They no longer seem to be thriving so well, though they have started flowering in the last few days.
This could be due to the fact that peas are supposed to be planted where they are to grow rather than in seedling trays.
The Marigolds and Forget-Me-Nots are doing well enough though their growth seems laboured compared to the speedy zoom of the peas.
Attempt #4
During my last Bunnings visit I was distracted by the seedling mix. I considered why people would use a specialised mix instead of just potting mix. It seemed that seedling mix was finer, alowing tiny and weak roots to penetrate the soil more easily. The potting mix I had been using was closer to compost with large pieces of bark and organic matter in it.
So I bought a coir-peat block and spent some time yesterday afternoon expanding this and filling some seedling trays with the smaller-grained stuff.
I planted out Diggers 7 colour capsicum mix, leftover Heartsease seeds and some Cut-and-Come-Again Lettuce seeds.
I'm excited to be trying something new and will be interested to see how successful it is.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Tomato! Tomato!
I found something unexpected at my local Bunnings.... seedlings from Diggers Club. There weren't many different varieties of plants but what was there sold out quickly as I found very few left when I went back a second time. With such popularity, hopefully we'll see more Diggers heirloom seedlings cropping up around there. Pun intended.
I bought four different varieties of tomatoes.
The Black Russian
Lemon Drop (Yellow, round tomato)
Green Zebra
Tigerella
They are thriving well, especially the Lemon Drop which has jumped up like a magic beanstalk! Each plant has started flowering already and two of the four have started showing signs of fruit.
You can see two little fruits started if you look closely!
For a new gardener who has faced plenty of distressing failures over the last few years having such success is thrilling.
I bought four different varieties of tomatoes.
The Black Russian
Lemon Drop (Yellow, round tomato)
Green Zebra
Tigerella
They are thriving well, especially the Lemon Drop which has jumped up like a magic beanstalk! Each plant has started flowering already and two of the four have started showing signs of fruit.
You can see two little fruits started if you look closely! For a new gardener who has faced plenty of distressing failures over the last few years having such success is thrilling.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Getting back on the rails.
I haven't written much in this blog for a while now -but I did have good reason. I was busy getting married!
It is amazing how much your lifestyle can slip when you're gearing up for such a major event. My housecleaning went out the window. My diet became full of processed food, junk and cakes. I relied on packet meals for the first time in just over a year. My worm farm was ignored to the point of mass wormy-genecide. I bought lunches and take-out..... this is starting to sound like a confessional session!
Though the wedding was wonderful and memorable, my whole life and being sighed with relief when it was over. I could finally get my life back on-track and invest my time and money into the projects I had been hankering to start.
I've attacked my garden with great relish. Rhubarb, basil, peas and four types of diggers heirloom tomatos have all found a place in my garden. I discovered the joy of mulch and swooned over a diggers catalogue which unexpectedly came in the mail. The urge to plant MORE is sometimes overwhelming so I keep myself away from Bunnings except when I have a purpose!
This morning I discovered one of my little tomato plants had started to show fruit amongst the flowers. I was delighted and pointed it out to my kittens. They looked confused at my enthusiasm over nature doing it's thing.
On other fronts I've been trying to slow down and de-tech myself. Step one was to reduce the amount of time I waste on the xbox while focusing more on craft projects. I'm working on finishing a cross-stitchery by Mirabilia that I started back in 2005 when still living in Japan.
I've also been trying to get my eating habits back into line. Last night I baked biscuits, made bread and yogurt - all for lunches this week. Going to bed with the smell of baked bread lingering in the house is heart-warming!
One of the wedding gifts we received was a slow cooker. It is a sad shame that no one had a video camera handy when I ripped the wrapping paper off. I am sure the internet would have enjoyed watching me do the "OMG-I-got-a-slow-cooker-dance". I've used it twice now to make pea and ham soup and ratatouille. A few meals went in the fridge but the rest went in the freezer, ready to defrost and go.
My husband (I still get a kick from saying that!) surprised me by making an improptu decision to pick up some woodworking tools and fix our old broken couch. It was an experiment in woodworking and upholstery and he did very well! So an old couch got a new lease on life, we get some extra seating in the lounge room and my man got a mass of brownie points.
Getting back on the rails has been a whole lot more enjoyable than it sounds. Hopefully I can get some decent blogging of it off the ground soon!
It is amazing how much your lifestyle can slip when you're gearing up for such a major event. My housecleaning went out the window. My diet became full of processed food, junk and cakes. I relied on packet meals for the first time in just over a year. My worm farm was ignored to the point of mass wormy-genecide. I bought lunches and take-out..... this is starting to sound like a confessional session!
Though the wedding was wonderful and memorable, my whole life and being sighed with relief when it was over. I could finally get my life back on-track and invest my time and money into the projects I had been hankering to start.
I've attacked my garden with great relish. Rhubarb, basil, peas and four types of diggers heirloom tomatos have all found a place in my garden. I discovered the joy of mulch and swooned over a diggers catalogue which unexpectedly came in the mail. The urge to plant MORE is sometimes overwhelming so I keep myself away from Bunnings except when I have a purpose!
This morning I discovered one of my little tomato plants had started to show fruit amongst the flowers. I was delighted and pointed it out to my kittens. They looked confused at my enthusiasm over nature doing it's thing.
On other fronts I've been trying to slow down and de-tech myself. Step one was to reduce the amount of time I waste on the xbox while focusing more on craft projects. I'm working on finishing a cross-stitchery by Mirabilia that I started back in 2005 when still living in Japan.
I've also been trying to get my eating habits back into line. Last night I baked biscuits, made bread and yogurt - all for lunches this week. Going to bed with the smell of baked bread lingering in the house is heart-warming!
One of the wedding gifts we received was a slow cooker. It is a sad shame that no one had a video camera handy when I ripped the wrapping paper off. I am sure the internet would have enjoyed watching me do the "OMG-I-got-a-slow-cooker-dance". I've used it twice now to make pea and ham soup and ratatouille. A few meals went in the fridge but the rest went in the freezer, ready to defrost and go.
My husband (I still get a kick from saying that!) surprised me by making an improptu decision to pick up some woodworking tools and fix our old broken couch. It was an experiment in woodworking and upholstery and he did very well! So an old couch got a new lease on life, we get some extra seating in the lounge room and my man got a mass of brownie points.
Getting back on the rails has been a whole lot more enjoyable than it sounds. Hopefully I can get some decent blogging of it off the ground soon!
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