I’ve been looking to get some direction with my blog, I
didn’t want it to turn into a solely product review blog for kids apparel. So I
want to add a bit more me into it. This year we have a small garden for the
first time and we plan to take full use of it, lots of BBQ’s and growing our
own fruit and veg.
I love the idea of smallholding and living off the land, so
this is my first years practice if you like, to produce as much from our small
garden as possible. We brought a little plastic greenhouse that is currently
living in my spare room next to a nice window bringing on all my seedlings. We
rent our house so I didn’t want to disturb the garden too much so I’ve decided
on moveable raised beds, made from a strong form of tarpaulin, they don’t look
as pretty as wooden ones but they will do the jobs, I will be able to move them
with me and my dog hopefully wont trample all over them.
So I started by making a huge purchase of seeds and I’ve
plotted on my calendar when I should sow all my seedling according to the seed
packaging and a book I love “The self sufficiency manual” by Alison Candlin. I
started first of all with my chillies and peppers, since working for Nando’s
and eating a lot of Mexican food, I love a bit of heat and spice. I hope to
make my own version of chilli jam and salsas this summer YUM YUM. So for these
I started off in a plastic propagator in my airing cupboard, within 10 days a lot
of the seedlings had sprouted, I know put them in a sunny window during the day
and back in the airing cupboard by night. I’m planting them in pots to keep
them going for years and as they aren’t really suited to our climate I will be
able to bring them indoors when the weather gets cold.
I’ve also planted my first onion bulbs, 3 different colours
White, Red and Yellow. We only use Red onions at home but I wanted to
experiment with which favourites would work best. I going to plant these
periodically so I have produce over the whole season and any gluts I hope to
make into jarred goodies. I also planted on request of my partner, Ginger, this
hasn’t grown any shoots yet but I’m hopeful that it’s just waiting for it to
get a little warmer in my spare room. I haven’t ever grown anything like ginger
before so any tips would be great.
I’ve also started on my herbs, I’m bored of running out of
the dried alternatives or buying the live plants in supermarkets that last
about 2 weeks before its wilted over in the kitchen window seal. So I’ve
planted Rosemary and Thyme so far, which once I’ve got established should be
quite hardy plants, only the thyme has sprouted so far but fingers crossed my
garden will look and smell great with so many different herbs planned.
Right that’s me for now, hopefully next garden blog will
have lots more goodies spouting to shout about. So if you like this blog or you
have any tips for me please leave me a comment or subscribe. Chow
