Flop of the Crops, Seed ‘em and Reap, Slow-drops & Dog Treats

Taken from Lynne’s weekly column ‘Green Scene’ for the Western Mail
19^th February 2022

Flop of the Crops

I made the most of a wet Sunday last weekend to ‘leaf’ through my seed catalogues and plan out my veggie plot for the coming season.  I love the planning stage but it has yet to actually turn out anything like I sketch it out on paper.  I love to see the wildlife around the cottage but it does tend to mean sharing my produce with them too.  Unfortunately rabbits, pigeons, pheasants, mice and voles don’t seem to understand the word ‘share’, instead relying more on the ‘first come first served’ attitude … and they are always first.

But I keep ‘sowing’. Over the years I have experimented with different varieties of old favourites and with quirky newcomers – all with varying degrees of failure.  My chickpeas amounted to nothing.  My pea shoots and asparagus peas were completely devoured by the ‘wildlife’.  I failed to see the appeal or even the point of cucamelons and my Munchen Bier radish launched a take-over bid for the whole plot. Not even the rabbits would touch it.

So I am reigning in my enthusiasm and just sowing good old-fashioned, reliable crops, which I know I will enjoy – if I beat the fur and feathers to them.  This year I’ll be growing runner beans, spinach, cut and come again greens, loads of herbs, peas, tomatoes and new potatoes in tubs.  Gardening – or happy and successful gardening – is a fine line between enthusiasm and experimenting, and ‘reality’.  I think it’s great to keep experimenting and would always recommend trying one new variety every year but remember that success is a bonus not a given.  With hindsight, I don’t ever recall my granddad or my dad ever experimenting – they knew what worked, kept the seed from year to year and enjoyed prolific crops of tasty veggies – that were appreciated.  I don’t think Granddad would have been terribly impressed by a cucamelon either.

Seed ‘em and Reap

However, if your enthusiasm levels are still high – then check out www.plantsofdistinction.co.uk

I must admit their website elevated my enthusiasm and I’ve ordered Coriander Confetti, variegated land cress and the climbing bean Mushy Pea – described as, “Years old but with the distinct ‘Mushy Pea’ texture and flavour. Delicious even after the beans have passed maturity when, remarkably, they remain tender. Allow to ripen and they become a Soup Bean for winter use. A rare discovery this past year.”

And as my cauliflowers always bolt, I couldn’t resist trying Cauliflower Sprouting Fioretto, described on the website as, ‘For the adventurous we have something rather unique! Sweeter than a traditional Cauliflower and with an amazingly nutty flavour, Fioretto is sometimes known as the Stick Cauliflower because its small florets sprout on top of long thin stems.  It is fast growing and delicious when eaten fresh, grilled, sauté or stir-fried.

If you are feeling a bit jaded, or February-esque, I highly recommend a browse through a seed catalogue or scroll through a seed website – as I’ve proven, it won’t be long before you are ‘adding to basket’.

Slow-drops

I was a bit concerned about the snowdrops being ‘slow-drops’ this year but they have got a real wiggle on of late and are providing some stunning white carpets in my own garden and others.  Dad always used to say, ‘Nature always catches up.’  It certainly does.

And my bees have been grateful for the bloomin’ lovely early flowers too.  As you can see in the photo, they appreciate the early pollen source – and it’s bright orange!  You can see the pollen they have gathered and put into the pollen baskets on their legs.  Not only does nature always catch up, but she never ceases to impress either.  And whilst I am usually the first to have a moan about technology, I absolutely love my phone when it enables me too take spontaneous photos like this.  I have always said it is a camera that I can text with rather than being a mobile phone.

Dog Treats

My research into February the 13^th being Wingman/dog Day also turned up the fact that February 23rd is observed around the world as International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day.  I love these random ‘special days’.

I often make homemade treats for Yogi and her absolute favourite (although not mine) is liver cake. Slightly easier and less testing for vegetarians are the homemade biscuits I make.  Do remember though, although they are relatively healthy, too many biscuits and treats are not good for your dog.

For ‘Yogi’s biscuits’, you’ll need around 6 oz rolled oats, 1 beaten egg and 125 ml unsalted beef broth or chicken broth.  I sometimes use the water that I cook my veggies in, as it is a super-healthy, unsalted liquid option.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F and then simply mix the three ingredients together in a bowl. Pour onto baking paper and knead the mix for 2 or 3 minutes. Let it stand for about 3 minutes and it will firm up.  Then roll or press into 1/2-inch thickness.

Cut with cutter (treat yourself to a bone shaped cutter) and place biscuits onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes and then allow to cool completely before storing in an airtight container or a zip-lock bag.  They also freeze well – and make lovely little gifts for the four-legged friends of your two legged friends and family.