Harvest time

[Goatboy]

The figs are coming regularly now.

Figs by British Red, on Flickr


A warm for, straight off the tree is one of my wife's favourite things

Wow! My idea of heaven I love figs. Back when I was a kid you couldn't really get fresh figs so when I was asked what I'd like for my birthday it was usually a clootie dumpling and a tin of figs. (Simpler times )
The first time I had fresh ones was a family member coming back from abroad; they brought me a couple of apricots and fresh figs back. My first fresh ones of either. Heaven.
Figs, good cheese and some nuts, I'd sit down to that any day. How old is the tree that that's producing them if I can ask? Grown indoors?
Also like the iconography of figs in paintings, a beautiful fruit, you're a lucky chap.

Sent via smoke-signal from a woodland in Scotland.

 

[British Red]

We could grow them outdoors Colin, but they dislike the wind here, they are pot grown and moved in and out of the greenhouses. Trees are eight years old but have been fruiting a while.

 

[Clouston98]

Cracking stuff! All our stuff is a while off yet, we're like 800ft above sea level- rhubarb is close but strawbs could be a few weeks yet

 

[British Red]

Things are coming in thick and fast right now

Carrots can be had every day

Carrots for freezing by British Red, on Flickr

Trying to get all the shallots and onions strung to clear drying racks for the second flush

Shallot string by British Red, on Flickr

Blueberries are coming through now. BB loves Bluerries

Home grown blueberries by British Red, on Flickr

Trying to eat as much fresh as we can. This was lunch the other day.

Self sufficient lunch by British Red, on Flickr

Cherry tomatoes roasted with garlic, a whole head of garlic roasted and drizzled in olive oil, home made brown bread and the last of the first early spuds cut into wedges and roasted with herbs. Simple food, but we like it.

The morello cherries are incredible this year - so ripe they pluck clean off the stalk oozing juice

Cherries by British Red, on Flickr

I want to try making cherry brandy so I got out the cherry stoner - I don't want the almond taste of the stones

cherry stoner by British Red, on Flickr

Stoning cherries is a messy job, so do it over something wipe clean

Cherries in jar by British Red, on Flickr

I've added no sugar to these, I don't think it will be needed. Just luscious cherries and brandy

Cherry Brandy by British Red, on Flickr

No idea how it will turn out, but its fun to experiment!

 

[tommy the cat]

We've had success and failures here...
Some nice red gooseberries which I'd like to increase...carrots are getting there.. onions pulled a few the others are going to be pulled soon.
The beans didn't germinate so had to put in more runners that are now late, only one french bean germinated which I'm gutted about.
The parsnips are doing well and I'm nearly there on harvesting the seed from those I've left.
The toms have been slow... rasberries prolific weird how seasons can be so different success wise...
Ive been a bit distracted with my new bushcraft transport...

d

 

[British Red]

Nice muted Green transport there Dave!

 

[tommy the cat]

Yep very covert 😨☺

 

[tommy the cat]

I need to prune the goosberry bush when the times right plus propagate more.... as we really like the red goosgogs also I'm going to try another variety of strawberries.They are coming now but very disapointing. The spuds are good though..

 

[British Red]

Layer the gooseberry now Dave

 

[northumbrian]

if you want your bean seeds to germinate , just sprout them on a couple of damp kitchen roll bits then pot them up when they sprout !
I use this method every year.

 

[British Red]

Spent this afternoon peeling about 500 shallots and setting them in 10% brine to really crisp up. The ten spice vinegar is ready so this year's pickled onions will not be long


shallots in brine for pickled onions by British Red, on Flickr

 

[tommy the cat]

I never had a problem with germination before nortumbrian..... I'll look into layering now Hugh...

 

[tommy the cat]

Layer the gooseberry now Dave

Looked into this Hugh and my info says autumn. .?Dunno if it depends on variety. ...??

 

[British Red]

I do it in August. It takes till next summer so have at it. Just bend a branch down, scratch the bark off with a thumbnail, peg it down, cover the scratched and pegged area with an inch of soil and forget. I did a post with pictures somewhere.

 

[Goatboy]

Spent this afternoon peeling about 500 shallots and setting them in 10% brine to really crisp up. The ten spice vinegar is ready so this year's pickled onions will not be long


shallots in brine for pickled onions by British Red, on Flickr

500! That'shallot. (I'll get me coat).

Looking good sir, always an insperation and a way to make me hungry reading your threads.
Pickled eggs and shallots with some cheese and a pint makes a mighty fine repast.

Sent via smoke-signal from a woodland in Scotland.

 

[British Red]

I like a cheese and pickle roll. Slabs of mature cheddar and sliced pickled onion on top. Crunchy.

 

[Toddy]

It's an art is a good pickle

A wee bowl with a sliced up apple, a pear, half a dozen small cubes of rich red mature cheddar, a few olives, and a couple of decent pickled onions or gherkins. Add a couple of oatcakes, and that's lunch

I've just finished breakfast and feeling rather Hobbit like….and in need of Second Breakfast

M

 

[santaman2000]

.......I've just finished breakfast and feeling rather Hobbit like….and in need of Second Breakfast

M

Me too. These threads tend to have that effect.

 

[Toddy]

It's dreadful isn't it ?
Great when you're in need of inspiration for dinner right enough

M

 

[British Red]

Well for the pickle fans amongst you, the vinegar is infusing with aromatics overnight...and the cottage smells great!


Pickling spice by British Red, on Flickr