Gotcha Oca! Oxalis tuberosa – A new root crop with a future?

I first grew Oxalis tuberosa about fifteen years ago. I received the seed from a seed list, it was listed as an alpine plant from South America. I grew it in a well drained compost, lean, without much fertilizer and it eventually produced an attractive yellow flower. It was quite nice. Last year I wasContinue reading “Gotcha Oca! Oxalis tuberosa – A new root crop with a future?”

The New Season Starts Now- 5 things to do in the garden now…

Traditionally autumn is the harvest festival, apples have been picked, the jams made and as the nights get longer and the days cooler, we gardeners may be tempted into hibernation. Yet, there is lots to do in the garden. October is time to start planing and planting for next year’s harvest. Five jobs to doContinue reading “The New Season Starts Now- 5 things to do in the garden now…”

Fruit of the vine- a gift of grapes means lots of grape jam

I got the call on Sunday morning,” I have friend of a friend who has a grape vine…”. The vine grower now lives in France, but the vine in question grows in Sligo. Nobody wanted the grapes, the caller thought of me, “would I like the grapes?”  Yes, definitely. We arranged to meet on TuesdayContinue reading “Fruit of the vine- a gift of grapes means lots of grape jam”

Kitero’s arrival and the cabbage that was loved

Amelie walked with her dad, or rather she ran ahead and he followed. Fueled by the curiosity and enthusiasm that only a young child can possess, running along the grass path and past the stone-walls she entered the vegetable patch. Calendula flowers made her exclaim, then she saw the heads of cabbage, firm pale green globesContinue reading “Kitero’s arrival and the cabbage that was loved”

Growing A Stir-fry part 2 – Chop Suey Greens

Chop suey greens are sometimes called chrysanthemum greens. They have a nice aromatic flavour, the leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. The young stems and leaves are great in a stir fry. Chop suey greens are types of Chrysanthemums, botanists have done a bit of chopping and slicing of the Chrysanthemum genus and theContinue reading “Growing A Stir-fry part 2 – Chop Suey Greens”

Growing a stir fry- Pak-choi

Quick, easy, healthy and tasty, stir frying retains the goodness of your freshly harvested vegetables and with the addition of chili, garlic and spices you have a quickly prepared and flavoursome meal. This year in the garden we have grown pak-choi. It is a cabbage relative, Brassica rapa Chinensis Group with distinct wide white midribsContinue reading “Growing a stir fry- Pak-choi”

Green Elder Shoots – Recipe

Green Elder Shoots in Brine This is an old recipe, and an odd one. While elder flower coridals and elder flower ‘Champagne” are becoming more widely known, I bet not many people are trying out the new green shoots! In spring and early summer the common elder, Sambucus nigra, produces very vigorous strong green shootsContinue reading “Green Elder Shoots – Recipe”