Hoeys's Journal

First stop - Violetta's, second stop- Liga's

three...

Been busy all morning until heavy rain rushed me inside.. Been planting all the gifts i got from Violetta and Liga.  

Yesterday, finally we made a move to see my garden. ie friends and more. First stop was Violetta's house and city garden. its amazing how many plants you can plant in small garden, how beautifull you can mix colours and plants. great job Violeta. We could probably spent more time in the garden, but we were fed so much that couldn't move.. thanks a lot for for Lavenders and cutting, hope they will go some progress..

next stop Liga's house and botanical garden... i never saw so many varieties of mints and herbs..  we were smeling and sniffing every plant, rubbing leaves and all. i guess for person who is not into gardening we looked so funny.. mad or what. Liga was so good with all the names and advises and she is the most generous gardener i ever met... yep full boot again... thanks  a mill Liga. and the pineapple cake?//? any chances for recipe?. 

I guess its great to meet the ones like yourself...

Yesterday's harvest

Yesterday's harvest

picked all them yesterday. will keep me busy today, cause the weather doesn't look very promising

Melon

Melon

was in work for 3 days... that means been away from my garden.... came back yesterday and my melon in the tunnel just got grew... hurray i might have one or 2.

Day 3.....

yummy

Well its day three living of the land... its only me cause hubby is in work and he never eats at home.... thanks for this, cause i would be divorced by now.... me and my projects never stops.. gosh i love some chocolate.... I think I am doing very good cause been in the garden all weekend so no need for comfort food. made risottos, fried some courgette chips and real home made potato chips for kids. soups and all the good stuff. its much nicer but its time consuming too. i used to open the packed and of we go, now i have to find right veg, take it, clean it and cook it.... i i know most of you doing it already and now news here, but i need it to learn... still disasters with making cottage cheese.... but fresh cream its lovely. ok enough about food its not Food .ie

I have new project- yes another one.. going to make new area call - tea for 2. its lovely small area near the river very sheltered so i only need little hedge from one side and Willow arch to make romantic and some pebles for the surface. then flower. i already planted geraniums to start...

have to go to work for 3 days.... any tips on snacks... can not just eat carrot on my coffee breaks... sweeties??? 

Its so Hard.

Its so Hard.

well its a big difference between Artichoke and apple pie.. One its sweet and yummy, another just looks pretty as a flower and taste..... like .... not sure. Last night my hubby came home with half fresh apple pie so i can enjoy my morning coffee... He totally forgot my Living of the land plan.... To be honest to you all i did had a slice in the morning, followed with fresh tomatoe soup for lunch and veg stir fry for dinner. the rest of the pie went to  farmer. Lets see.

Did lots in the garden. Getting strawberries ready for winter.Planted levanders and got Fig tree ' brown turkey'. so can have deserts in few years.... 

Living of the land plans....

veg veg veg....

Not been on site for a while.. busy with all the things growing and weeding also preparing them for long winter. I know most of you are great veg growers and have them on your tables everyday, but its all new to me. So I have decided to try to survive at least a week without shops and live what I grow... Not easy task with kids but we will see. I have enough Olive oil for cooking and pasta and rice( if will not stop raining Ireland will be good for growing rice). Can not grow coffee and have to have everyday cause would kill without it... and salt. Gosh sounds like camping but lets see. I will be getting milk of the local farmer as always... kids allowed cereals in the morning.... i will keep you posted cause its starting tomorrow....

Netting problems

rescued

To use or not to use.... this is a problem... I got some nets to cover my soft fruits as Strawberries and black currant- just to stop the birds eating them... but i do not want to make any harm to nature.On sunday i have found the black bird in it, well they do deserved so fright .., but today i came back from work and found this little fellow.. just went to pick some strawberries and this female hedgehog was trapped in the net... sad really cause i think she left her babies somewhere close.. but after good 15 minutes i have rescued  from net and let her go.. now i feel like she would be easy killed if i was a bit late... Felt like taking nets away... maybe tomorrow.

what is this one?

name, please

well thanks to Liga i have this lovely plant- flower in my tunnel. but not sure what is it??? 

ups the Daisy

ups the Daisy

Last year i have planted some Daisy.. and this year they came up more then i have bargain for. I think they looks so lovely....

Jam making

Jam making

Just having a small break from my jam making... cause its been raining I have decided to be real good house wife and make some jam (my close friends know- I do not like cooking). Yesterday we picked most of our Black currant and strawberries so after freezing a bit I started to prepare them for jam-boring.. Really to clean them takes ages, i would better be digging in the garden. But finally i put all the ingredients and can not stop tasting it like Winnie the Pooh, hope some will be left to fill the jars.

hope it will stop raining by tomorrow. still weeds to do..  

Morning wake up..

some excitement

Well the day started a bit weird. Just after i was having my first cup of tea, i heard terrible noise. We are in the country side - so no noise please...(maybe fer tractors).

then  i went outside and could not believe what it was. this big thing was lending in the field next to us. garbed  my camera and a child and went close to it. poor sheep were frighten so much.. me too a bit.

Back to normal

Back to normal

Well big hello to you all.. Just back from holidays and really happy to be home and find my garden in shape. Kind of. My hubby did great watering polytunnel so no disasters here. I was  a bit nervous to leave everything and come back to few dried stems.. 

But the main thing is- how much everything grows in 10 days. I guess when you in the garden , you do not see it. my tomatoes did really well. have nice yellow  crop and not sure what to do with them (so much you can eat and give away). strawberries near finished, but i have about 5litres of jam, also frozen and we eat them for breakfast and lunch and dinners. next step black currant, they are nearly ready. potatoes still on the small side, but are great for potato salads. onions are massive. and its looks like all happen in 10 days...

bad things happen too- cabbages been eaten by -???? not sure who yet, but they were hungry. cucumbers are a bit bitter guess not enough watering.

i had quick look at yours journals and photos- lots of colours and lots of grows. happy gardening to you all.  i am going to prepare my plan for tomorrow. where to start weeding...