onions

Normally I leave my onions in situ to dry naturally but this year I have had a plague of moles who have developed a taste for raw onions, so had to come up with another plan for drying them

the picnic table came in very handy

and now they are all home and hanging, hopefully should see us through the year

getting crafty again

I was asked by a friend here to make a gardening pinny, I did, she loves it and never wants to take it off!!! result

also made a tea cosy for my sister-in-law who is training to be a vicar

perfect slogan, how often does the chance to put that on a home-made tea cosy come around?

Also embarked on peg bags, this is the first one I have made, given to my dear friend Pat, who doesn't want to use it!!!! not sure if that is a result or not, but if you're not going to use it Pat, can I at least have the pegs back!!!

14 poppies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

garlic

I have been growing vegetables, either organically or bio-dynamically for nearly 15 years. I had never had a problem growing basic veg until we moved to Portugal. I can grow alot more varied veg here than I could in UK and often can get two harvests in one season which is great, but I have not been successful with potatoes, garlic or onions, probably due to lack of water, So this year I have been determined to at least grow enough onions and garlic for us for one year. I think I may have succeeded. I was a bit disapointed when the garlic started going to seed in April, so quickly whipped the heads off and flooded them regularly

Aside from the usual pathetic small ones

the rest seem fine and contrary to everything I've read about plaiting thick necked garlic, 

I managed it and am pleased to say I now have 7 large plaits

French apricot jam

Thanks to a friend, I was given enough apricots to make this delicious jam, it has the added benefits of a vanilla pod and the kernels from the fruit, split and skinned

the whole house was filled with it's delicious aroma