Ravendale House

It’s the same every year, as winter approaches I’m always determined to continue gardening right through until Spring, let’s face it you can always find some jobs to do in a garden this size. But every year I don’t seem to manage it.

(more…)

I wrote some time ago of how I’d given up on my brassicas, my cauliflowers have been a disaster for the second year running, but today I’m pleased to report I harvested a cabbage.

(more…)

Yesterday I harvested my last crop of the year, sweetcorn. I didn’t think it had done too well, but when I came to pick it, things weren’t as bad as I had feared.

(more…)

It’s blowing a gale today, no change there then, so I looked for an indoor job to do.

(more…)

They say a weed is just a plant growing in the wrong place. Whilst I would argue there are some exceptions to this, I do think it perfectly describes the Speedwell that grows in one part of our garden.

(more…)

I don’t really think you can say you’ve had a tomato until you’ve eaten one, warmed by the sun, straight from the plant.

(more…)

Now that the hedges are cut there are lots of other things that need attention, so today I had a proper gardening day. What with my knee, my shoulder and the weather, these ‘proper’ days have been a bit thin on the ground this year. It’s a wonder things look as good as they do.

(more…)

Being at school in the 1960′s I was taught ‘domestic science’ by the feisty and fiery Miss Barbara Hirst, who drilled into me that peas, beans and lentils are pulse vegetables, a fact I will never, ever forget. However, today I want to talk about peas, beans and wind, a bi-product of lentils.

(more…)

We love tomatoes and grow lots every year, and this year is no exception. We grow the plants from seed and germination is not usually a problem. In fact they are normally trouble free, but this year has been a bit different.

(more…)

It’s still probably a bit early to do this, but today I’ve been counting the cost of the harsh winter.

(more…)