SoS 19/12/20
As Fred has said, this will probably be the last SoS from some of us because of Christmas at the end of the week. Just a bit busy…
Let’s start with a broader shot. The purpose of the shot is to show one of the old drainage ditches that criss-cross our orchard. They also run down either side of the main garden. The gentleman who built our garden and cottage was very conscious that the soil was clay and on the edge of a network of deep springs, all sitting at the bottom of a rocky group of hills which sheets water and so therefore the property would have been prone to flooding. These ditches acted like a mini-Venice back in the days before climate change. We see them do their thing occasionally after heavy rain and always thank the stars they are there.
The rest of the pics are from the herb garden because summer food from our garden needs to sing with fresh herbs. I use the River Cottage Veg Book as the bible through summer and herbs are Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s mainstay. Rosemary is consistently in demand but it so badly needed cutting back and I left it far too late. I thought it might die, but it’s throwing some new shoots which is heartening.
Leaves of red Swiss Chard are always torn apart in salads.
I’ve also planted a lovely rich burgundy Asian herb called Shiso or red leaf perilla which I can’t wait to use for Asian salads and stir-fries.
I was surprised to find the borage was flowering with white/palest ice blue flowers instead of the normal rich French blue. Does anyone think there’s something missing in the soil?
And finally, I found this gorgeous variegated sage and had to buy it. It’s probably too pretty to use in cooking and it actually looks a twin of the variegated apple mint.
And that’s it from me.
A quick note to thank Jon so much for providing such an excellent vehicle for escape for us all during a pretty ordinary year.
Stay safe and well, everyone, and hopefully we can all talk gardens again after Christmas.
Cheers
An abundance of herbs. Reminded me to grow more volume and more varieties as I am always running out.
Hi Linda. I LOVE the fragrance of a herb garden and its so good for the bees. Currently the camomile and pyrethrum are bloom-less after a haircut but they are like bee magnets. Also facing west into the setting sun and our main winds seems to suit them and so they’ve filled a very hard gardening area.
Weird, this colour of borage flowers… It’s true that here it’s a bright blue but when it has rained, I have a colour close to yours. Maybe you got a lot of rain lately? A Merry Christmas to you and your family
Yes, Fred, masses of rain – not like our normal climate at all and the result of a seasonal La Nina rather than El Nino. Along with what Gill says, I think we might have the answer. Christmas cheer to you and yours.
Your Swiss Chard looks quite different from mine. I think I showed it a couple of weeks ago. The red variety has dark greeny-red leaves and the stalk is a deep red, yours is more subtle in colour. What does the Shiso taste like? Lovely colour. Have a Happy Christmas and New Year.
This one is very old but just keeps on trucking after a good haircut. It came from a friend who is a plantsman and has allowed it to naturalise in many places through her garden. Seasonal cheer to you and yours, Granny and stay safe.
What lovely herbs you grow! The white/light comfrey is quite normal, when they seed themselves about there are often pale seedlings. Happy Christmas to you!
Ah – well yes, the borage is self-seeded, for about 3 years now from a mother plant. That explains it. Cheers and seasonal greetings, Gill.
I’m not sure why the borage is white but probably just a genetic thing rather than something in the soil. I know what you mean about rosemary always being in demand. I need to keep planting new plants as my husband keeps nipping more off them than he should and they never grow quickly enough for the amoun he uses! Happy Christmas Prue.
Katharine, I shall have to denude this one even further on Christmas Day. I always layer heaps of rosemary across the roasting veggies for flavour. Maybe I will feed it today to give it a boost. Do have a safe Christmas, won’t you.
All the best for the festive season Prue!
Cheers, Barbara and thank you!
So many delicious herbs! I have given up planting both herbs and vegetables for the time being as although it’s raining (today, in fact) it’s too hot in the summer. I think I’ll just stick to winter veg.
These are remarkably resilient, Jane. Because Tas east coast climate (despite the fact that it’s raining today) is becoming more Mediterranean, we’re finding that herbs that grow in rocky, dry ground are doing well. I do however, mulch annually with a really good garden veggie mix from our local supplier and then in mid summer, I will mulch with our own baled lucerne. It seems to work.