Monday, 1 June 2009

a tour of the garden... and the first leaves of summer

I will get over myself soon, I promise. But I'm just loving watching all the herbs and veggies grow in the meantime. If there's one big tangible positive from all the credit crunch stuff, it's that lots of people, like me, are rediscovering the joys of growing your own. Long may it continue. The joys of growing your own, that is - not the credit crunch, obvy.

You've seen the veggies. Now, enter stage left - the herbs:

herbs

a mess of thyme, nasturtiums, rosemary, and lovage. More about the lovage soon.

And right on their tail, (l-r), the invisible (as yet) spring onions, radishes, and sorrel:

radishes and sorrel

For the keen-eyed, behind are (l-r) lemon thyme, straggly chives, and mint.

And while we're at it, a quick check on the monster courgettes/aspiring triffids:

monster courgettes

I swear they're growing about 10cm a day. Mostly when I'm not looking.

And a glance at the veg patch again, 'cos I'm just showing off now:

the veg patch

(l-r) lettuce, lollo rosso, chard, cauliflower, leeks, parsnips, more lettuce (don't ask), and calabrese

And then, at last, the first leaves of summer, with some vine tomatoes, and topped very simply with a cold roast leg of chicken:

chicken and new lettuce

No, the chicken didn't come from the garden.

Yes, I know - nothing flash at all about that. I just wanted to properly taste the lettuce. And you know what? It was bl**dy good, even though I say so myself. Young, succulent leaves - from soil to plate in less than five minutes. Served with a bowl of home-made, home-baked chips (yes, I forgot to put them in the picture. I was in a hurry, ok?). What could be more perfect?

Bottle of chilled white, anyone?

16 comments:

Manggy said...

Yes please! Now, you are really just showing off, and just in time when I've recently killed my poor lemon basil plants :( The heat was just too much for them, or they were suffering some disease which I was too ignorant as a non-green thumb to diagnose. Sigh!

Sylvie said...

I don't think you should get over yourself!

♥Rosie♥ said...

You should be proud and I agree with Sylvie, I don't think you should get over yourself!

Finla said...

Wish i had that herb pot.
Mine always dies off , when i leave them in veranda, it is just his year it is still doing little bit better.

Helen said...

It all looks fantastic! I am growing loads too as I probably commented before but the only problem I have is geting the compost home - its proving very tedious indeed.

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

Nothing like being able to create amazing dishes from what you have grown yourself.I will have to be content with my patio pots.

Maggie said...

It certainly does look as though you have ' gone for it'.
A few simple lettuce leaves - not messed about with - that actually taste of lettuce - can't beat it.

aforkfulofspaghetti said...

Mark - next time, just sent your basil plants over to me ;-)

Sylvie - oh, I don't know. I promise a post on a different subject next time!

Rosie - thank you, but I'm more amused than proud! I'm just constantly amazed at how quickly everything grows.

Happy cook - better luck this year...

Helen - I completely agree. I bought 8 75litre bags last time, and hauling them through the house + into the garden was NOT funny.

BV - I love my patio pots. They're just as important to me as the veg patch.

Margaret - the young leaves are superb. So fresh, succulent and tasty. The difference between them + those you can get from a supermarket is HUGE!

Cakelaw said...

It looks bl**dy good - what a lovely garden you have.

Susan from Food Blogga said...

Are you should you didn't just eat all the chips before taking the pic? ;)

Darius T. Williams said...

GREAT looking garden...invite me over - I could use that rosemary - lol.

Hollow Legs said...

I'm growing veg too - tomatoes, aubergines, courgettes and chillis. No lovely garden like yours, they all live on the balcony!

aforkfulofspaghetti said...

Cakelaw - thank you. Actually, the garden isn't all that - most of the lawn is overrun by dandelions...!

Susan - um, maybe... ;-)

Darius - you're welcome any time

Lizzie - quite a lot of my stuff is on the patio rather than in the garden - toms, chillies, blueberries, herbs, radishes...

Alicia Foodycat said...

Just because it isn't flash, doesn't mean it isn't perfect! That is a beautiful plate of food!

We have too many slugs to do leafy veg well.

Nic said...

And not a weed in sight! Lovely plants!!

Maria Verivaki said...

i'm intrigued by your garden - we dont plant cauliflower in greece in summer: does it grow all round in the uk?