Allotment update: The harvest just got better

You may remember that back in May I got a call to say that my time had come  to become an allotmenteer after a lengthy wait on the waiting list.  I was offered a quarter plot which was just a little overgrown (see here) and since that day the allotment has come a long way.  Today's harvest was easily the best yet.





The Nero di Toscano has grown well alongside my other Brassica's, the Courgette's have been unstoppable (no surprise there then) and the beans have grown amazingly well this year.  I have eaten more beans than I think I've eaten in my whole life combined.  Some of my favourites have been Runner Bean 'St George' with its red and white flowers, Broad Bean 'Bunyard's Exhibition' and French Bean 'Purple Queen'.  The latter is an amazing bean that has gorgeous purple flowers and pods that are almost black .  Upon boiling the beans magically transform and become green as per your standard French Bean.  I couldn't help but think that if there is a way to get kids interested in vegetables and cooking then this little bean may have what it takes.  It certainly entertained me.





Besides the obvious vegetable excitement you may have noticed a new addition to the harvest?  That's right, one of my new girls laid an egg today and I'm hoping that the other two will follow suit shortly so that I can make something substantial. 

The Speckledy hen above is the one that is the most likely to have laid the first egg as she is supposed to lay brown speckled eggs, the Cotswold Legbar (the brown hen above with the great hair do) is likely to lay a blue/green egg and the Copper Black Marans below should lay quite a dark brown egg.  Only time will tell but I cannot convey how excited I was to find the first egg today!

The small but perfectly formed egg was put to good use and helped to make today's Yorkshire puddings (pictured below) and besides the obvious benefit of keeping hens I'm learning that they make for great company. They have great personalities, dispose of pretty much anything, including waste from the plot or from the kitchen and they are sure to increase the fertility of my compost.  

Gardening will definitely be more interesting from here on in and I'm looking forward to my first  omelette!

If you have any Chicken keeping tips please leave a comment below!

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Get Out and Forage: An Allotment Story

There are very few things in life that are better than free food and if you know where to look you will find that it’s right on your doorstep! 





I’m lucky enough to have been granted an allotment plot this year, which allows me to grow a lot of produce and expand my gardening horizons, but what makes this acquisition even better is that it’s surrounded by a productive but rather boggy woodland, which has a lot to offer.   I’m planning to take full advantage of this great resource as much as I can and I’m sure the autumn months will allow me to cook up some great treats and several alcoholic delights.  





After feeding the chickens, oh did I forget to mention that I now have three beautiful girls?  They’re yet to be named but I can tell you that I chose a beautiful Cotswold Legbar, which escaped on day one; not to worry she’s back now after spending the night in a tree, a Copper Marans cross (the boss) and a very friendly Speckledy hen.  They are all point of lay (P.O.L) hens and I’m hopeful that they are coming in to their egg-laying phase. I will update on progress and post when the first egg arrives.  They seem to be settling in really well and have brought me that step closer to having my own small holding.  Okay, so I’m a fair distance off but I will get there eventually.  





Anyway, back to the foraging thing.  I fed the chooks and on the way out I collected some wonderful free food.  In the pouring rain and in true allotment style (I’m slowly getting used to that!) I used my ingenuity and recycling skill to conjure up some sort of receptacle.  The result, you may see, is in the image above.  Yes, that’s right it’s a dog poo bag.  I find that they pop up in the strangest places and they have so many uses.  Anyway, I collected what I thought was rather exciting and headed home.  The following dialogue ensued:





Me: I’m back!





(I run upstairs and present the bag)





OH: What is it? (Half asleep)





Me: Guess! (At this point I’m rather excited)





OH: Well don’t open it on the bed.





Me: Okay.  What do you think it is?





OH: A hedgehog?





Me: What?!





Okay, I have no idea what goes on in that head and it didn’t go exactly as I wished; I’m also not entirely sure what it says about me?  But one thing I do know, however, is that we can safely say that guess was wrong.  It wouldn’t have been too far away from the correct guess in my younger years when I would regularly come home with pots of leeches, stray dogs, cans of spiders and pets that horrified my mother, including several snakes, stick insects that later inhabited our airing cupboard and numerous pet frogs.  But no, it was not a hedge pig.  It was in fact a lovely, full bag of glistening plump Blackberries.

A bit of an anticlimax really compared to the anticipated hedgehog but in my experience they don’t really fit well in to a crumble.  





Does anyone have any great Blackberry recipes?  What other fruits and foods do you forage for?

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Buys, Buds and a Bold Move

Arisaema sikokianum

It is often said that "good things come to those who wait" and it seems as though that may actually be true.  On seeing the above Arisaema at RHS Cardiff 2009 I knew I had to have it.  As with most plants you covet at shows they are either not for sale or the nursery has sold out as everyone else wants them too.  These plants end up on my plant wish-list and then I wait for the next chance to buy them.  When it came time to visit RHS Malvern this year I was determined to find this particular plant and it just so happens that I managed to buy one.  I was absolutely thrilled as I needed a plant for a shady corner and I really did not want anything else.  The Arisaema is now in pride of place and as you can see it's in full flower.  

Another saying that has rung true this week is "good things come in threes".

Aloysia triphylla

Given the Winter that we have just endured I thought that my Lemon Verbena (Aloysia tryphylla) was for the compost heap.  Up until now it has looked absolutely lifeless and then suddenly buds formed and broke.  If you do not grow this plant for yourself then I would urge you to do so as it has to be one of the best, if not the best, garden plant to grow.  Okay, it's no show stopper and the flowers are fairly inconspicuous, however, the scent is absolutely astounding.  A scent similar to sherbert lemons this plant has many uses and is particularly good in the bath bouquet.  If I were to urge anyone to grow a single plant then this would be it.

Finally, the last piece of good news is pictured below.

My new allotment

I have finally joined the masses of allotmenteers around the country!  Since moving house a few years ago I have lacked adequate space to grow a decent crop of anything and so I put my name down on the local allotment waiting list.  Last night I 'phoned the allotment secretary, something that I have done religiously every few months in an attempt to grind them down and she informed me that she had been trying to call me on my landline all day as a space had become available.  I was thrilled with the news and arranged to meet her today at 11:00am.  Most of the day has been spent on the plot clearing the area and salvaging what there is left to salvage.  The good news is that the last plot holder has left a massive rhubarb plant, two berry bushes (yet to be identified), raspberries, chard, several rows of onions which must have been planted last autumn and a small cherry tree.  There is a lot of hard work needed to get the plot up to standard but it will be more of a pleasure than a chore.  All I need now is a decent shed, vegetable seeds or plants and a new bench.  

There is no doubt that the blog will evolve from here on in and combine the ornamental with the edible.  I will also post regular updates on how the plot is coming on and seek advice from other experienced allotmenteers.  Ryan's Garden has become a little bigger!

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Planning a Cutting Garden and a New Competition!

Have you ever been tempted by the idea of starting a cutting garden? Maybe you’ve had enough of paying for stems of over-engineered, chemically coated and unscented shadows of a former bloom, when you know very well you are more than capable of growing better yourself?  I know my answer to both questions and I imagine I’m not on my own here.

   

Since I’ve had a garden I’ve grown flowers for the home and I guess that started with my Grandmother bringing Roses in to her home and naturally roping me, an animal crazed youth, in for earwig duty. That was much more exciting at the time but the Roses never failed to amaze either.  They were always large, old fashioned, scented blooms in shades of pink and red, a much better quality rose than the mainstream tight budded chaff that is churned out en mass nowadays.  To date, I have refrained from growing roses but that doesn’t mean that the influence of growing cut flowers has been lost.  

My small garden is host to a number of plants and flowers that could be considered as vase worthy and I have been known to sacrifice a few for the home but this is not without a touch of resent.   A few decapitated blooms in a small space is often too great a loss, at least it is not something that is entirely sustainable, and it is therefore my intention to dedicate a bit of space (a small space at that) on my allotment.  The question is – What do I grow?

I have visions of growing a mix of annuals, perennials and bulbs so that I can create seasonal displays. I have a vague idea of what to grow but I want a wider and more informed view of what will grow well and last and in true Ryan’s Garden style there is an upside to this - there’s a prize in it for you!

In association with clothes retailer Lands' End I am giving away six £25 gift vouchers and several packets of Nasturtium seeds, which are perfect for sowing next spring in the garden or on the allotment.  Lands' End sponsor the Colour Garden at Barnsdale Gardens.  I was lucky enough to be invited to the garden this year but I couldn’t attend.  I will visit next year for sure as part of a number of much needed garden visits.  

So the question is - What Spring bulbs would you recommend for cutting?  To enter the competition please click here.

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Friends, Food, Flowers and France

Last weekend brought a long spell of fantastic weather, excellent company, a touch of sunburn and oodles of good food.  I couldn’t have asked for more.





The colourful salad pictured above, made up of what was available in the garden and a few extras that had to be bought in, was so vibrant I couldn’t resist taking a photograph of it and it pretty much shouted out for attention.  I put the salad together to accompany a meal made for friends who stayed over on the weekend.  They very kindly donated lots of great plants to me for the allotment and fingers crossed they will help to contribute to a meal or two at some point in the very near future.  I was also given a homemade Plum and Apple chutney . . . heaven!









Another good friend of mine is planning to move to France shortly, of which I am immensely jealous, and for this reason she asked me to pop over and pick up a water butt which is soon to be surplus to requirements.  A few hours and several cups of tea later I left her house without the water butt.  My intentions were to drop off a few saplings and collect the aforementioned water butt, Instead I came home with a horticultural bounty.  A compost bin, Blueberries, Hostas, Aeonium, Salvias, Hemerocallis, Sedums, Begonia, Lathyrus, a Golden Hop and many other fabulous plants managed to sneak their way in to my small car, most of which are destined for life on the allotment.  





It was really quite humbling that she would trust me with her prized plants, many of which were grown from seed or handed down by friends and relatives.  I think, and most definitely in my case, that plants can hold many memories, have sentimental value and become treasured items in their own right. The feelings that came with taking these plants was bittersweet.  I know that I will offer these plants the love and care that they have become accustomed to and when the time is right I will be able to provide her with cuttings and seedlings from which she can start her garden all over again with the exact plants she cherished for many years (hopefully).  I hope I can do her proud.

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Plant Focus: The Regal Lily (Lilium regale)

The Regal Lily (Lilium regale)

There is no questioning the fact that we are currently in the gentle grip of one of the nicest periods of weather we have had this year so far and I’m hoping that it continues for a few more days at least.  This has led me to spend many enjoyable evenings in the sun soaked garden or up at the allotment, often with a glass of wine, and it is at specific moments like these that I really begin to appreciate what has been created around me and the particular plants that really shine.  The Regal Lily is definitely one of those plants that earns its keep and helps to make this picture even more perfect.

This Lily makes a fantastic addition to any garden adding splashes of white and a degree of temporary height to borders.  I often use it as a cut flower to bring in to the home and, in fact, I’m planning to grow quite a large quantity of these in the cutting garden planned for the allotment plot  along with other flowers I use in the home (watch this space).  

The reason I write about this plant is because it has everything that most gardeners ask for from a flowering plant.  It’s beautiful, fully hardy, very easy to grow and it produces an intoxicating scent that fills the air, whether it be in the garden or home.  In my opinion it is one of the finest Summer bulbs available at present.

Unlike other Lilies that often require additional drainage and a bit more care, the Regal Lily is quite tolerant of moist soil and is likely to grow happily for years to come once planted in to its final position.  The height of its flower stems and the number of flowers produced will vary year-to-year depending on its growing conditions, soil fertility and available moisture.  Plant it amongst other border plants as they will protect emerging shoots from early frosts or alternatively you can grow plants in pots and place them in to bare patches of earth previously occupied by other seasonal displays, which is what I plan to do with Lilium 'Starburst'.  These plants are fairly easy to come buy from various retailers, even including pound shops, and they are also quick to grow from seed, flowering after two years in some cases.  

If you are looking for a Summer bulb that adds colour, height and scent to the garden I would most certainly recommend the Regal Lily.  Do you grow these plants? What other Summer bulbs would you recommend to other gardeners?





Please don't forget that you can enter the latest Ryan's Garden competition by clicking here and leaving a comment.

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Competition and the Perfect Green World Cup Gift

Courtesy of Aimee Furnival

The FIFA Football World Cup is upon us and as the opening matches unfold the focus of many is placed firmly on the telly box.  Homes and gardens alike are transformed, with some painted in support of national teams, to facilitate our voyeuristic pleasure, give us a sense of belonging as a nation and unite all planet Earth.  





In honour of this global sporting phenomenon the good people at Postcarden have produced a new creation entitled ‘Football’, pictured above.  Perfect for sending to friends and family, locally or internationally, the Football postcarden makes for an interesting and topical gift that will allow even the most football averse of individuals to join in with the World Cup spirit.





The postcarden team use several illustrators to design their stunningly precise multmedia creations and in support of my nation, who incidentally do not feature in the great sporting contest, each postcarden is printed in South Wales making them a great deal more attractive to me at least.  All other materials are sourced nationally also.

Courtesy of Aimee Furnival

If you like the look of postcarden please check the other designs in the range.  The allotment design is particularly nice.





You can also enter for a chance to win a postcarden by entering a comment in to the comments box on the Competition Page here.

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Shopping at Gardeners' World Live 2010

Lilium 'Starburst'

Gardeners' World Live is a shoppers paradise.  Stall after stall of stuff you didn't even know you needed, top quality plants and lets not forget the Good Food Show.  





After last years show, where I bought a fish tank, and no I didn't expect that either, I was determined to be a little bit more restrained.  A morning of battling the weather and dashing around the gardens put me in the mood for spending a little cash.  The intended restraint waivered slightly but in general I did pretty well.











I purchased the beautiful Lilium 'Starburst', pictured above, and I cannot wait to add it to the garden.  I grow several Lilies but this one appears to have a much larger and striking flower compared to my smaller Asiatics.  I also bought several Seseli libanotis, Trifolium ochroleucon and three Gooseberry bushes ('Invicta', 'Hinomaki Red' and 'Hinomaki Yellow'), which are headed for the allotment.





I had a great day at the show and you can read more about my visit on Dobbies.com blog.





Below are a few picture highlights for you delectation.  

Peony 'Bowl of Beauty'

'Room for Nest Eggs' by Heather Appleton

Beautiful Salad Leaves

Incredible India by Yvonne  Matthews Garden Design

Did you attend the show?  What were your highlights and what did you buy?

Please don't forget that you can enter the latest Ryan's Garden competition by clicking here and leaving a comment.

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Slow! Worm!

When working on the plot this week I stumbled upon quite a pleasing sight.  It appears that my plot is inhabited by slow worms.  I often write about beneficial garden insects and animals, including my tortoise and rabbit who act as weed disposal, but I never thought I would be writing about beneficial native reptiles in the garden.   I don't have anything against reptiles to be honest, hence my pet tortoise and years of keeping pet snakes, but I know that many people cannot bear to be near them and would find one in such close proximity quite off putting.  I guess that is where the term beneficial plays a part as they are actually quite invaluable in the garden.









These small lizards, yes lizards, eat slugs and many other garden pests or insects.  To help encourage slow worms on the plot or in the garden it is good practice to leave pieces of corrugated metal and black polythene on the ground under which they will shelter and absorb heat, which they need to function.  Slow worms are also a protected species and are included in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.





If you have these beautiful and helpful creatures in your garden or allotment please encourage them and afford them a little spot of shelter.  After all they will help control slugs and are completely harmless.

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Man attacked by nesting bird at leading garden centre

News has emerged that a customer at a leading garden centre in West Wales was attacked by a rather hormonal nesting blackbird this Sunday.  The customer, a young man with a floppy fringe, was perusing the shrub and bush fruit section of the centre when the surprise attack occurred.

Neither party was harmed and the mother of five or six settled down to care for her chicks while the innocent victim left with a new redcurrant bush for the allotment.  

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