Whats happening in your veggie plot today?

[AndyAudi]

MonkeyMatt said:

.. have got so many chillis comming I dont no what to do with them! ...

The following is a recipe from a Jamie Oliver cookbook which I used for mine a couple of Years back (didn't grow again as I found they attracted greenfly which wasn't desirable for the other things in the Greenhouse)

PICKLED CHILLIES

Pickled chillies are absolutely superb. They are brilliant because they can just sit in the fridge waiting to be used. I particularly like to use them in stir-frying or in broths or to eat them just as they are with some cheese and bread.

600g/1lb 5oz medium green chillies
15 black peppercorns
5 bay leaves
3 tablespoons coriander seeds
5 teaspoons salt
6 heaped tablespoons caster sugar
1 litre/1¾ pints white wine vinegar or rice vinegar

For this recipe you must use perfect green chillies without any blemishes (you can use red chillies, but they will be slightly hotter).

Carefully score from the stalk end to the tip on one side only and remove the seeds (use the handle of a teaspoon for this). Pour boiling water over the chillies, let them sit for 5 minutes, then drain. This will get rid of most of the seeds left behind.

Next put the black peppercorns, bay leaves, coriander, chillies and salt into a large jar, or other airtight container. Put the sugar and the vinegar into a pan and heat until the sugar is fully dissolved. When this is quite hot, but not boiling, pour it into the jar with the chillies. Allow to cool down and then put the lid on.

Put in the fridge and leave for a minimum of two weeks before using. They will keep in the fridge for at least four months.

[anonymous-user]

Thanks, might try that, though not sure if it will work with scotch bonnets (not sure why I grew those!)

[dickymint]

Picked the first of my second bed of corn yesterday (first lot was pretty poor, only half of each cob had pollinated). Had the water already boiling when I picked them - nothing could be fresher or tastier
Today I will be manuring one of my beds to get it ready to sow broad beans in about 3 weeks time.

[AndyAudi]

AndyAudi said:

dickymint said:

• If you can't get seed use any old spud that has been kept in the dark untill they sprout. (chitting).

Almost, Potatoes sprout after their natural dormancy period has elapsed, this dormancy can be extended by refrigeration between 2 and 4 degrees. The best wasy to sprout them is in the light, sprout will grow slower, stronger+and be green, and the potato more likely to adopt a dominant one. In the dark they grow spindly and quickly (like bean sprouts) in all directions trying to find the light.

If using any old spud from the supermarket beware as some may have been chemically treated with a chemical to prevent sprouting to aid storage. There is a school of thought that says Potatoes grow best after a long dormancy period 9months between harvesting and planting.

Has anyone managed to get their spuds sprouted yet? I'm trying but can't seem to get mine on their way, (looks like I'm going to miss xmas).

[Rude Girl]

Our spuds are finished now, and the carrots and radishes and strawbs. Tomatoes and beans got flooded and failed, and the baby sweetcorn have been very unhappy with the water and have only just flowered, so we're not hopeful about those.

Only really the(indoor) chillis now, which have just turned red. A friend who has a smallholding has invited us for a hedgerow day so we'll have sloes and brambles at the weekend, and cob nuts in a few weeks, but apart from that we're dependent on the box scheme this year.

[littlegreenfairy]

Last sunday (last time I was at home) the toms were just beginning to turn red! Not an awful lot of them but it was a pleasing sight.

[dickymint]

Disaster!!! 2 weeks ago I covered my spud bed with a layer of bird netting then frost fleece. Yesterday I pulled them off to have a peek. Bloody trapped to much water in and the leaves are rotting. They may pick up but it's doubtfull Luckily I kept four seeds back so should just be ready for Christmas if I get them in today.