Sweet October

Today the sun shone

and our bees ventured out.

Time to go on a hunt.

We grew Sweet Corn for the first time two years ago, starting with a mini variety which we planted in the polytunnel. It was so lovely we went for a a bigger type last year. We still used the tunnel thinking it was a delicate species, rather foolishly as large fields of the stuff are grown commercially not far from here. The cobs were not good and the plants nearly pierced their way through the roof.

To this year, more sensibly, we planted outside

and this wilted tassel is a sign or readiness.

The Hunter’s Moon is nearly full

and we are pleased with our Sweet Corn hunting.

Tree to Glass

It is apple harvest time

We inherited a small selection of apple trees and have added some ourselves. Each Autumn the Apple Man arrives with his van full of boxes from the orchards of England. It was he who named our inherited stock and today we made a start on the Norfolk Royal tree.

We filled one box with large unblemished fruit worth storing but we also had a lot of grade two apples

So we set to work

Chopped up

In for a quick scrat

Broken down

Into the press

Trickling out

The apples were quite hard but a 25 litre tub of fruit yielded about ten litres of juice

On the tree this morning, in our glass this evening

Tomato Testing

It is that time of year when we look at some of our tomato crop

and decide which varieties are worth growing again.

This year we did some research and tried to identify some tomatoes which have a low number of “days” – the time from flowering to ripe fruit. Even so, it has not been a good year for our crop, both the amount of fruit and the degree of ripening have not been the best.

We had to track down the seed for Crushed Heart on eBay as it does not seem to be available commercially

We will grow this again (from our own saved seed)

Another new find we will grow again is Costoluto Fiorentino

because they are an exciting shape, if for no the reason.

Another visually exciting variety is Tigerella

He haven’t grown many large varieties in recent years but Black Russian we will sow again

Black Cherry

we are not so sure about. They have not properly ripened even though they look exciting.

Other varieties from this year which will grow again are

Black Opal

Brandy Boy

Ildi

Matina

Red Cherry

Roma

Sungold

and Sweet Aperitif

while, after growing it for several years, we are giving up on Ailsa Craig.

Any suggestions for things to try are very welcome…

Beware the Yellow Stainer

It is fungi season and all manner of interesting specimens are appearing. We are cautious in our consumption but in the past have enjoyed field mushrooms and inkcaps, among others.

Our guard must have been down this week when these cropped up in abundance

After a quick once over they moved to the kitchen table

on their way to tasty fry-up.

We should have looked a little more closely

we read, is a mark of Agaricus xanthodermus – The Yellow Stainer:

“Poisonous causing alarming symptoms”

which proved true.

So watch out for those yellow stains!

Harvest time

It is that time again…

We have grown some new tomato varieties this year

A lot eaten sweet fresh and some roasted for the winter freezer

Some things of course provide a lot more than needed

Plums and damsons have been a fine crop this year

Some eaten fresh but quite a lot

have so far made

Ninety bottles of wine

Never quite sure what to do with the squash, but we have discovered a good stirfry with tofu

Chillies frozen ready for bagging

First sweetcorn eaten today

And every day the rabbits get a fresh evening salad mix

Autumnal Ovipositing

The sun still shines, but for less time and with less intensity

But down at the lake

plants are still flowering

and trying to camouflage herself

the female chaser is on the prowl

looking for the right place

to deposit her eggs

The cycle of life continues.

Reflections and Colour Splashes

Here are some moments from around the plot during the last few days:

Almost Invisible Angels

Here are some of ours, photographed over the last two days.

(Well actually they are some of the more visible ones as that tends to be what gets photographed. We know there are many more almost invisible ones.)

More about Almost Invisible Angels here.

September Sights

A few flowers and vegetables from a wander round the plot today

And if you have looked to the end you get a bonus….

The first Painted Lady we have seen here for a long while:

Signs of Summer End… 1,2,3

As the Sunflower begins to shed its tears

we look around at signs of Summer’s end.

No. 1

The Rowan is ready. Last year we made forty-six litres of Rowan wine. We need more.

No 2

It has begun. Scything the Meadow. Should be finished by October end.

No 3

More wine.

So heavy…

…it needs propping up.