The Hungry Gap

This is the time of year gardeners call “The Hungry Gap”. That is, the gap between last year’s crops and this year’s new ones. With a bit of management though we can spread a few things over the gap so there is always something fresh from the garden.

Last October I planted lettuces in the greenhouse, a kind called “Winter Density”. We are still enjoying them although they will soon have to make way for tomatoes. When I first started gardening many years ago I thought it was necessary to pull up a whole lettuce. Then I discovered you can pick individual leaves without damaging the centre where they grow and leave the plant to produce more. This way one crop can last for ages.

I also grew salad leaves, like the frilly ones you can buy in bags from the supermarket.

They have been really good and lasted all winter in the polytunnel. I’ve just pulled them out because they were shooting up and flowering. They will make good compost.

As the lettuce ends the cabbages are ready. These are delicious in salads. I use them more that way than cooked. We still have some kale as well. The plants are producing flower buds but these are so good to eat, either raw or steamed. I’ve used the first show of buds and left sideshoots to produce some more.

Not such a “hungry gap” after all. Good, healthy and tasty things to enjoy and plenty of other goodies coming along.

The rhubarb was tempting me. It hasn’t grown much yet and there is only a little patch but I couldn’t resist having some of those ruby red sticks for a bowl of Spring freshness.

If you don’t like that feeling on your teeth with rhubarb try my little tip. I bring it to the boil then tip the chunks into a colander and rinse with cold water. Tip them back into the pan and stew for a few minutes before adding sugar.

It doesn’t spoil the flavour but it reduces the acidity and makes it much more pleasant to eat. Nice as it is or made into a pie or crumble. Good with custard, ice-cream or greek-style yoghurt.

The other day I did a little refurbishing job I’ve meant to do for a while. We have a footrest which was filled with awful polystyrene beads. Terrible stuff which is not recyclable. I also hate them because they make an irritating noise when squashed. So I finally bought some soft stuffing, emptied out the beads and got on with the job. Here you can see the result from saggy item to springy, comfy puffiness.

Comfortable and quiet at last!

I’m knitting again

but with this lovely weather there is much to do in the garden so I’m trying to go outside as often as I can. I like to walk around when I’m not actually working in the garden. My camera is busy. Flowers are at their best when viewed close up and I try to focus on the beauty of each individual shape and colour.

The pear blossom looks lovely from an upstairs window, sillouetted against the blue sky. Close-up, the flowers are so beautiful on the tips of the branches. Creamy-white petals with a hint of pink.

The apples are only in bud yet but they are so pretty. Deep pink before they open and the most beautiful delicate pink in flower. Here’s how they look right now.

I noticed some lovely lichen in the garden. I read somewhere that lichen indicates clean air. Not sure about that but it’s pleasing to look at.

Lots to do now Spring is here. A busy time ahead in the garden but what better place to be. There are pleasing scents, birds singing, flowers glowing and good things to eat.

I hope you’re enjoying all that Spring has to offer. Stay safe while you’re out and about. With you again in a few days.