Seedlings to Soup

Squashes Growing on Bamboo Frame 

Is there anything that gives greater fulfilment that planting a seed, and watching it grow?

Autumnal Chilli

When my son was three, he planted an Apple pip, that grew into a small tree, that was transplanted to our allotment, where it eventually reached twice my height and produced fantastic fruit. 

Squash and Chilli Harvest

Interestingly, every Apple pip will produce its own unique type of Apple tree, the fruit will be quite distinct from the parent tree. This is one reason I don't fret about "Heritage Apples", although, I do have a favourite tree.

Squash, Ready to Roast

Earlier this Spring, I planted some left-over seeds from last year, Squash, Cucumbers and Chilli. To save space, I created a bamboo frame, for the Cucumbers and Squash to grow up. As the plants progressed, I had to train them up the trellis, constantly watering them to mitigate the drought conditions, they soon flowered.

Roast Squash Soup

We ate many of the small Cucumbers in sandwiches, but Autumn is harvesting time. I cut the Squash down and made a super tasty soup, based loosely on a Mary Berry recipe, including home grown Fennel seeds and Chillies for heat. 

Apple, Blackberry, Pear and Quince Crumble

Eating the soup was the culmination of a half-year’s worth of nurturing and tending, it was suitably tasty and satisfying, and I made enough for two days. The Squash’s offering deserved a decent farewell. So, my wife made us a delicious Apple, Blackberry, Pear and Quince Crumble, to top it all off.

Young Plums (Go For it!)

Beetroot, Pear and Walnut Salad

My wife made a deliciously zingy and very healthy salad, using Beetroot, Pear and Walnut, she also added thinly sliced Turnip, Avocado, crisp Watercress and leaves of Jack by the hedge (Garlic Mustard), from the garden. I supplied the Walnuts and added some Hazelnuts for fun; these nuts were gathered last year during October and September, they keep very well in cool, dry conditions. Apples will also last throughout the Winter, if you store them well.

Walnuts and Hazelnuts

The recent heatwave has kept me out of the midday sun and I decided it was high time to pick the Elderflowers that I have been planning to make champagne with. I got on my bike before it got too hot and cycled over to the local park, beside the river. I got a heady citrus waft off the flowers, as I approached from downwind. I filled my bag in a matter of minutes, getting covered in yellow pollen in the process.

Elder Tree in Flower

The other simple ingredients are Water, Lemons, Sugar, and a dash of White Wine Vinegar. By the time you have this little lot mixed together in a bucket, the kitchen smells terrific and gives you a strong taste of things to come. It is left (covered) in the bucket for 2 days, then the debris is filtered out and the liquid transferred into demijohns for fermentation.

Ready for Fermentation

After a couple of weeks the fermentation should have slowed down enough for bottling in Pressure Safe Bottles - but a word of caution... If fermentation continues too much under pressure, you might, at best, lose half of your lovely Elderflower Champagne all over the room where you open it. Far more dangerous, would be exploding glass bottles, so please, do keep a regular eye on anything you have bottled and always use suitable Pressure Safe Bottles!

Green Cherries

Ongoing observations include, keeping your eyes pealed for immature fruit. If you have identified a likely tree by its blossom, revisit it later, to see if any young fruits are developing. I have already seen young Plums, green Cherries, and tiny Apples and Pears; regular checking will keep you in tune with seasonal developments and ensure you are ready as fruit ripens. I recently noticed Fennel growing out of pavements in the city.

Fennel

Nasturtium are starting to grow in the garden, these are one of the most likeable garden flowers. The leaves and flowers can be eaten, or added to a salad to liven it up. They taste peppery, a bit like Rocket or Water-Cress. The Latin name, Nasturtium, translates as "Twisted Nose!"

Nasturtium