Yes folks, the long hot summer of ’25 is coming to an end, so make the most of what remains of the beautiful sunshine and balmy temperatures. That’s not to say that the weather is going to be awful in the days ahead, it isn’t, it’s just going to be bitsa…..bitsa this and bitsa that. Bits of cloud, a bit cooler, bits and pieces of rain (though probably not enough), just a bit more like April really. It has been lovely while it has lasted though and it has enabled a wonderful display of spring flowering shrubs and trees, with the Fancy Dan prunus (cherry/plum family) taking front and centre stage, but stand under the more unassuming Field Maple and look up at the delicate lime green blossom and listen to the bees a-humming as they gather pollen and nectar. I love it, but I know that it’s not so enjoyable for those of you that suffer with hayfever from the tree pollen, it must be a real curse. The photo above is of crab apple blossom on a tree seen on this morning’s dog walk.
So I am almost a week in to my detox/homeopathic psoriasis treatment but have not yet noticed anything changing in my body. I didn’t expect to see any physical signs of improvement in my condition, it’s far too soon for that, but I did think that I might have felt something happening inside, particularly as it’s about correcting my gut biome and liver function. In addition to what I have been advised to take I have also been making and drinking nettle tea every day. There is no shortage of fresh young leaves at the moment, and it is when they are young that they are most nutritious. I actually quite like it, and like other green leafy vegetables nettles are high in vitamin K and are also a good source of vitamin A, calcium and magnesium, which help support healthy skin and bones, and help maintain a healthy immune system, so what’s not to like? What is left in the jug the following day I pour onto plants I have growing in containers as it’s a good source of nutrients from them too. If you are tempted to join me in this daily ritual please wear gloves when gathering the leaves, because those young leaves are the most spiteful and the site of stings can tingle for days!
As you are no doubt aware we are now in Holy Week in the run-up to Easter, and if any of you have been partaking in any abstinence during Lent, the end is in sight. My own break from alcohol will continue for at least another 3 weeks, but it isn’t bothering me at all, I haven’t gone cold turkey yet. I can indulge in some chocolate next weekend, but to be honest I can take or leave the stuff. I am more more inclined towards a good hot cross bun – not those cheap and nasty supermarket ones, the buns made by Wooster’s are very good – about 4x the price but 4x better. Anyway, what I was setting out to say is that just because it’s Holy Week doesn’t mean that delivery arrangements are any different, they are not. So most of you will see me on Good Friday, and if you happen to have made any decent aforementioned buns, or even Simnel cake (I’m not fussy), any donations will be very gratefully received.
Last week in the garden I got the onions all planted, but haven’t yet got the second early potatoes in the ground, which has now gone very ‘tight’, making it difficult to work because of its dryness. That is one of the downsides of the clay soil that I am on, it’s very rare when conditions are at the Goldilocks point when it is just right to work. However, there is no such problem in the greenhouse where I planted the first of the cucumbers, interplanting them with lettuce that will be harvested before the cukes smother the bed. The spinach bed is the next to clear so that I can plant some tomatoes, which in the bright sunlight and heat of the propagating greenhouse have started to go a bit leggy, so they will be better off in the soil. In the polytunnel the courgettes are coming on well, as is the chard and lettuce, and the row of dill that I sowed the week before last has germinated nicely.
Newly planted cucumber
Courgette in the polytunnel
We are in the hungry gap now, with UK grown produce becoming more scarce, though the greenhouse grown short cucumbers and courgettes are filling part of that gap, albeit at a price, and this week there is a very limited number of heads of celery from a grower in Herefordshire. This will go quickly, so get in fast with your order if you want some, I will remove it from the shop once it has all been allocated. There will be some Spanish grown aubergines again and cherry tomatoes, and some red onions from France.
I would like to remind you that I will be suspending the veg boxes and farmers market attendance for a couple of weeks in May. By that time there will be real shortages of affordable fresh produce, so I will take a break to concentrate on growing, but also to have a bit of time off to recharge. I will let you know nearer the time what the specific dates will be for my sabbatical.
As I look out the window it has just started to rain! Its not hard and I don’t suppose it will amount to much, but the ground is properly wet. The rain guage is already showing 1.2mm, so it might be enough to freshen things up.
Have a good week whether the weather is hot or whether the weather be not. And remember, ready, steady….BAKE!
Phil