Mwillis

LATEST ARTICLES ( 1426 )

• Some Wintery Conditions

  

  This past week we have had weather a bit more like a "normal" Winter, including some heavy frosts. Fleet had minus 7.6 degrees Celsius last night (OK, I know... Read more

  Posted on 23 January 2015 GARDENING, HOME

• Some Seeds to Trial

  

  A few days ago I was contacted by Marshalls, the vegetable and fruit company, to ask if I would like to try some of their new seed varieties (for free), and... Read more

  Posted on 22 January 2015 GARDENING, HOME

• Perks of Parenthood

  

  This past weekend we had the pleasure of the company of our "French" daughter Fiona and her family. When I say family, I mean Fiona, her husband Juan Fernando,... Read more

  Posted on 21 January 2015 GARDENING, HOME

• Out with the Old, in with the New.

  

  There is precious little left in my garden from last year - in the way of vegetables, I mean, because plenty of the shrubs and perennial flowers are still... Read more

  Posted on 20 January 2015 GARDENING, HOME

• Harvest Monday - 19th Jan 2015

  

  Again, a very small harvest for me this week, although that is hardly surprising at this time of year. Still, it gives me a legitimate reason for entering this... Read more

  Posted on 19 January 2015 GARDENING, HOME

• A Vegetable Dish "on the Fly"

  

  Last weekend we paid a visit to our local Chinese cash-and-carry, coming home with a lot of oriental goodies and plenty of inspiration! Read more

  Posted on 18 January 2015 GARDENING, HOME

• Swedes - a Disappointing Result

  

  I can't claim to be very proud of my efforts at growing Swedes. They haven't been a total washout, but not far off it. For reasons of lack of space, I only... Read more

  Posted on 17 January 2015 GARDENING, HOME

• Christmas Roses

  

  Our Winter has been quite mild so far. A few cold days, the odd frost or two, but no snow or long periods of freezing temperatures (yet). Read more

  Posted on 16 January 2015 GARDENING, HOME

• Perennials - Increasing My Stock

  

  The other day I went to the Garden centre to buy more ericaceous compost for re-potting my Blueberries. Well, I did buy the compost, but I also made an... Read more

  Posted on 15 January 2015 GARDENING, HOME

• Coming Soon - PSB

  

  At this time of year (that is, when chillis are not in season), my favourite vegetable is Purple Sprouting Broccoli. One of the reasons why I like PSB so much i... Read more

  Posted on 14 January 2015 GARDENING, HOME

• Hardware Upgrade Required

  

  I sometimes refer to the plants in my garden as "software" and the structural items as "hardware". My raised beds therefore count as hardware. Read more

  Posted on 13 January 2015 GARDENING, HOME

• Harvest Monday - 12th January 2015

  

  I thought I wouldn't be contributing to Harvest Monday for a while, but I just can't stay away! There was no way I was going to miss an opportunity to brag abou... Read more

  Posted on 12 January 2015 GARDENING, HOME

• Re-potting Some Blueberries

  

  In the Summer of 2013 I acquired a couple of new Blueberry plants (another freebie from a magazine), and one plant died, so I now have six. Read more

  Posted on 11 January 2015 GARDENING, HOME

• Roast Pheasant with Bread Sauce

  

  In the UK, the season during which you are allowed to shoot Pheasants runs from 1st October to 1st February, so if you want a fresh Pheasant you had better hurr... Read more

  Posted on 10 January 2015 GARDENING, HOME

• Chillis - Where Do I Start???

  

  You can hardly miss the fact that I like growing chillis! Jane and I feel the same about chillis when it comes to their culinary qualities: we like them in... Read more

  Posted on 09 January 2015 GARDENING, HOME

• Where Have All the Veg Plots Gone?

  

  Is it just my perception, or are there 10 times as many blogs about flower-gardens as there are about veg-patches? It certainly seems that way to me. Read more

  Posted on 08 January 2015 GARDENING, HOME

• Starting to Think About Asparagus

  

  Yes, it's a nice thought... But at present fresh Asparagus from the garden is still a distant dream. Nonetheless I am already doing what I can to ensure the bes... Read more

  Posted on 07 January 2015 GARDENING, HOME

• Living a Sheltered Life

  

  No, not me, my Parsley! Following my success with this technique last year, I have got some Parsley growing in one of the raised beds, but covered with long... Read more

  Posted on 06 January 2015 GARDENING, HOME

• Harvest Monday - 5th January 2015

  

  Well, I finally have to admit defeat. I haven't harvested anything all week, unless you count a few herbs. I have Parsnips I could pull; I have Brussels... Read more

  Posted on 05 January 2015 GARDENING, HOME

• How to Make Cheese ... (or Not)

  

  Some of you may remember that one of my Christmas presents was a cheese-making kit. On New Year's Day I had my first try of it. The kit included equipment and... Read more

  Posted on 04 January 2015 GARDENING, HOME