brr – its cold and wet – the chooks are huddled inside – all nicely refeathered – and the grapevine should have moulded months ago but turned autumn tones last week

the winter garden is now four months old and will last for two months more. cold days and nights, with little sun, means that winter gardens are a lot slower growing than summer gardens.

pepe said:

brr – its cold and wet – the chooks are huddled inside – all nicely refeathered – and the grapevine should have moulded months ago but turned autumn tones last week

like how the rooster is guarding the door ;)

picking celery, broccoli and loads of lettuce

elsewhere – kale and spinach in the old summer garden has just been weeded and mulched – lemons are just ripening and the compost is starting to grow.

bluegreen said:

pepe said:

brr – its cold and wet – the chooks are huddled inside – all nicely refeathered – and the grapevine should have moulded months ago but turned autumn tones last week

like how the rooster is guarding the door ;)

he is the boss but he came from inside to check me out – poor photo with a few heads missing – ah well

pepe said:

elsewhere – kale and spinach in the old summer garden has just been weeded and mulched – lemons are just ripening and the compost is starting to grow.

LOL! Lurve your compost!

Good to see someone down that way is havin a go Pepe.
Nice lemons. I believe you can pickle lemons if there is an excess.
How delish!

pepe said:

picking celery, broccoli and loads of lettuce

A lot of my lettuce has gone to seed…planted too much and haven’t been able to eat it or give it away quickly enough. The chooks have had a couple of feeds which made them very happy. At least I’ll have good seed for next year.

Longy said:

Good to see someone down that way is havin a go Pepe.
Nice lemons. I believe you can pickle lemons if there is an excess.
How delish!

we pickled lemons once…

AnneS said:

pepe said:

picking celery, broccoli and loads of lettuce

A lot of my lettuce has gone to seed…planted too much and haven’t been able to eat it or give it away quickly enough. The chooks have had a couple of feeds which made them very happy. At least I’ll have good seed for next year.

Sounds good, AnneS!

Dinetta said:

pepe said:

elsewhere – kale and spinach in the old summer garden has just been weeded and mulched – lemons are just ripening and the compost is starting to grow.

LOL! Lurve your compost!

not much else i can do with weeds this time of year. impossible to kill them by hoeing, forking or hand weeding because they reshoot.
composting is hard work – sometimes it takes me two hours to turn a pile into the next bin. mind you i’m getting slow with age.
its interesting that the heap on the right (summer collection of weeds) is growing its own green manure crop.

Longy said:

Good to see someone down that way is havin a go Pepe.
Nice lemons. I believe you can pickle lemons if there is an excess.
How delish!

da-daaah!!

my wife may not be a brewer but she is a co-conspirator in saving the citrus.

pepe said:

Longy said:

Good to see someone down that way is havin a go Pepe.
Nice lemons. I believe you can pickle lemons if there is an excess.
How delish!

da-daaah!!

my wife may not be a brewer but she is a co-conspirator in saving the citrus.

I’ve often seen preserved lemons in shops, but have no idea how one would use them…?

AnneS said:

pepe said:

picking celery, broccoli and loads of lettuce

A lot of my lettuce has gone to seed…planted too much and haven’t been able to eat it or give it away quickly enough. The chooks have had a couple of feeds which made them very happy. At least I’ll have good seed for next year.

mine are starting to go to seed. i thinned a lot of my crops out and transplanted many lettuce as i thinned them. that gave me succession cropping because bare rooted transplants are set back by two weeks. chookies have had so much lettuce they are dismissive of it.
butter lettuce or mignonette has been the best this year.

I’ve often seen preserved lemons in shops, but have no idea how one would use them…?
———————————————
my wife has become quite a fan – they give a lemon zest where you would use rind. i believe maggie beer is a fan of them.

pepe said:

I’ve often seen preserved lemons in shops, but have no idea how one would use them…?
———————————————
my wife has become quite a fan – they give a lemon zest where you would use rind. i believe maggie beer is a fan of them.

Could you be more specific, Pepe? As in, Mrs Pepe uses the “juice” as zest? she takes a lemon out and peels it????

What does she use for the pickling agent, and does she cook them (a la Vacola) into the pickling agent or does she just drop’em in and put the lid on?

Could you be more specific, Pepe? As in, Mrs Pepe uses the “juice” as zest? she takes a lemon out and peels it???? What does she use for the pickling agent, and does she cook them (a la Vacola) into the pickling agent or does she just drop’em in and put the lid on?
——————-
she’s gone to work so answers will have to wait until tonight.
afaik they are preserved in their own juice and removed whole and sliced (rind and pith combined) to add to meal.

pepe said:

Could you be more specific, Pepe? As in, Mrs Pepe uses the “juice” as zest? she takes a lemon out and peels it???? What does she use for the pickling agent, and does she cook them (a la Vacola) into the pickling agent or does she just drop’em in and put the lid on?
——————-
she’s gone to work so answers will have to wait until tonight.
afaik they are preserved in their own juice and removed whole and sliced (rind and pith combined) to add to meal.

looks like she might have sugar or something in there too?

bluegreen said:

pepe said:

Could you be more specific, Pepe? As in, Mrs Pepe uses the “juice” as zest? she takes a lemon out and peels it???? What does she use for the pickling agent, and does she cook them (a la Vacola) into the pickling agent or does she just drop’em in and put the lid on?
——————-
she’s gone to work so answers will have to wait until tonight.
afaik they are preserved in their own juice and removed whole and sliced (rind and pith combined) to add to meal.

looks like she might have sugar or something in there too?

Salt, and pleny of to make a brine. I added peppercorns and a bay left to each jar. I rinse and chop the rind for lamb tagine, and other red meat recipes.

Preserved Lemons from ‘a little taste of morocco’ by tess mallos murdoch books page 251

8-12 small thin skinned new season lemons
310g rock salt
500ml lemon juice
half teaspoon black peppercorns
1 bay leaf
olive oil
Fills 1×2litre jar.

preheat oven to 120C – wash jar in hot soapy water rinse – put jar in oven to dry for 20mins –
scrub lemons in warm running water to remove wax coating -
cut into quarters leaving attached at stem end – gently prise quarters apart – remove visible seeds and pack rock salt against cut edges – push lemons back into shape and pack tightly into prepared jar.
add half the lemon juice, peppercorns, bay leaf and remaining salt to jar. fill the jar to top with remaining lemon juice, seal and shake.
leave in cool dry place for 6 weeks inverting the jar each week.
The lemons should be soft skinned and the pith the same colour as the skin.
once the lemons are preserved cover the brine with a layer of olive oil. replace oil each time you remove a lemon. refridgerate after opening.
discard both pulp and membranes, then rinse and thinly chop or slice the rind before adding to dish.

Thanks Pepe

:)

As a matter of interest, buying a “good juicer” of a lemon or other citrus fruit, is an art I’ve been trying to explain to my children…how I do it I don’t know but with two lemons side by side, I can usually tell if one will give more juice than the other…I tell them to look at the skin…usually the thin-skinned-looking ones give more juice…

Dinetta said:

Thanks Pepe

:)

As a matter of interest, buying a “good juicer” of a lemon or other citrus fruit, is an art I’ve been trying to explain to my children…how I do it I don’t know but with two lemons side by side, I can usually tell if one will give more juice than the other…I tell them to look at the skin…usually the thin-skinned-looking ones give more juice…

you can also tell by weight, the heavier the fruit the more juice. Also the more mature the fruit the more juice. The more mature fruit tend to have thinner skin so that fits in with your theory as well Dinetta.

my wife may not be a brewer but she is a co-conspirator in saving the citrus.

+++++++++++
excaellent. So long as she’s not idle….

my wife may not be a brewer but she is a co-conspirator in saving the citrus.

+++++++++++
excellent. So long as she’s not idle….

Longy said:

my wife may not be a brewer but she is a co-conspirator in saving the citrus.

+++++++++++
excellent. So long as she’s not idle….

“spot the difference”

You removed the “a” from excellent.

GF has preserved lemons in the past by making the four cuts in the sides, packing with plenty of salt and then squashing into a jar, and in more agreement, we have used them in Moroccan style lamb tagines and also a nice Greek chicken dish. Just by adding thin strips of the preserved lemon peel.

i am pushing on with improving the soil where the old heap of building materials were stacked after renovating.
i have planted 10 kilos of s/mart chats and my chickpeas have surfaced and been weeded.

bundaleer forest. what does one do in a forest ? go for a walk in the morning, another in the afternoon – plenty of trees to look at – and elves to talk to. in between times you eat and drink and throw the ball for the dog to retrieve.

some forest fungi – there were bracket fungi but my batteries ran low.
can anyone tell me if the last shot is ‘native geranium?

pepe said:

bundaleer forest. what does one do in a forest ? go for a walk in the morning, another in the afternoon – plenty of trees to look at – and elves to talk to. in between times you eat and drink and throw the ball for the dog to retrieve.

Lovely pics , looks so serene! Welcome home Pepe :) I hope you had a nice quiet break .

http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Geranium~graniticola

it looks a bit like this one pepe…

Happy Potter said:

pepe said:

bundaleer forest. what does one do in a forest ? go for a walk in the morning, another in the afternoon – plenty of trees to look at – and elves to talk to. in between times you eat and drink and throw the ball for the dog to retrieve.

Lovely pics , looks so serene! Welcome home Pepe :)
I hope you had a nice quiet break .

thanks happy – freezing cold in the forest and windy/rainy as well – still we had a good time – the old restored stone hut cost us ten bucks per couple per night and it had four rooms and two fires. we were warm and dry – great.
i see you have been building up your soil fertility ready for spring – attagirl.

Happy Potter said:

http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Geranium~graniticola

it looks a bit like this one pepe…

sure does thanks – but i’ll wait to see if anyone is certain. there was lots of it and it could hardly be endangered.

Hey Pepe, you getting much rain out your way???? We’ve had hail overnight and this morning. Lots of water sitting around now. Soil is soaked and is full:D

pepe said:

bundaleer forest. what does one do in a forest ? go for a walk in the morning, another in the afternoon – plenty of trees to look at – and elves to talk to. in between times you eat and drink and throw the ball for the dog to retrieve.

Looks like a very pleasant way to waste an hour or three. Kudos.

From your thumbnail it does look like a native Pelargonium, but I ain’t 100%

I ain’t 100%
+++++++++++
Yeah. I coulda told you that.

Longy said:

I ain’t 100%
+++++++++++
Yeah. I coulda told you that.

If I wanted a second opinion I would’ve asked…

Hey Pepe, you getting much rain out your way???? We’ve had hail overnight and this morning. Lots of water sitting around now. Soil is soaked and is full:D
———————————-

G’day Lucky 1
we got 25mm of rain here on peps prairie during the 4 days i was in the forest.
so the soil is soaked and its impossible to work. so for the next few months i’m reduced to doing nuthin but weeding, fertilising and mulching. weeds are growing ridiculously fast – nearly 6” a week i reckon.

pain master said:

From your thumbnail it does look like a native Pelargonium, but I ain’t 100%

thanks – 90% ain’t bad – scribbly gum might ultimately be definitive – i’ll wait.

water flowing in the creeks around here – adelaide’s best winter in 3 years

pepe said:

water flowing in the creeks around here – adelaide’s best winter in 3 years

Love that first photo Pepe. I want that tree in my back yard.

Love that first photo Pepe. I want that tree in my back yard.
—————————————-
the ripples on the bark do look like water – ah.
might be a bit late to start planting those gums – i reckon it might already be older than the two of us put together.

an orb spider – butter lettuce looking like a rose – grevillea

sprouts just forming – broad beans flowering -2 compost bins brewing -

pepe said:

an orb spider – butter lettuce looking like a rose – grevillea

Which grevillea is it Pepe?

pepe said:

sprouts just forming – broad beans flowering -2 compost bins brewing -

Go the Sprouts!!!

pomolo said:

pepe said:

an orb spider – butter lettuce looking like a rose – grevillea

Which grevillea is it Pepe?

The one on the right Pom….

;)

Love your photos, Pepe…inspire me every time…

pain master said:

pomolo said:

pepe said:

an orb spider – butter lettuce looking like a rose – grevillea

Which grevillea is it Pepe?

The one on the right Pom….

;)

You’re a mine of information as usual Pepe. It’s a pretty one anyway.

Tossing up whether to water all the gardens today or hang out a while longer. New plantings have to be done but the dry air is having an effect on all the plants and they are starting to feel the pinch. The usual winter dilemma.

Carrots have to be pulled soon. I’ll take pics. Potatoes will be dug as soon as I’ve finished the current bag of bought ones. Cabbages are starting to form hearts. Shared a handful of freshly picked peas with MrP. So tender and sweet. Strawberries are beginning to ripen. They need more sun and it’s slowly moving their way each day.

That’s it for now. Love your Wednesday!

pomolo said:

Which grevillea is it Pepe?

dunno – i remember i bought it from barossa bush gardens – so i might have it recorded
somewhere.
marigolds & jonquils to brighten your day

pepe said:

pomolo said:

Which grevillea is it Pepe?

dunno – i remember i bought it from barossa bush gardens – so i might have it recorded
somewhere.
marigolds & jonquils to brighten your day

possibly nareens – der.
someone will know LOL.

pepe said:

pomolo said:

Which grevillea is it Pepe?

dunno – i remember i bought it from barossa bush gardens – so i might have it recorded
somewhere.
marigolds & jonquils to brighten your day

That must be a Claytons jonquil you have there Pepe. I have a bunch of mine in a vase inside. Jonquil erlicheer. The perfume is over powering.

Would you ask Mrs Pepe to verify if that’s a jonquil please?

pepe said:

pepe said:

pomolo said:

Which grevillea is it Pepe?

dunno – i remember i bought it from barossa bush gardens – so i might have it recorded
somewhere.
marigolds & jonquils to brighten your day

possibly nareens – der.
someone will know LOL.

Ha Ha! On ya Pepe.

you can see i’m fighting weeds on all fronts
here my lavendar and spuds have been weeded, mulched and fertilised but are surrounded on all sides by a very well adapted green jungle

That must be a Claytons jonquil you have there Pepe. I have a bunch of mine in a vase inside. Jonquil erlicheer. The perfume is over powering. Would you ask Mrs Pepe to verify if that’s a jonquil please?
—
very funny mrs pomolo – how do you spell ‘nareen’ – and yes the flowers are ms pepe’s pets.
i only post flowers to keep you gals happy. LOL.

pepe said:

That must be a Claytons jonquil you have there Pepe. I have a bunch of mine in a vase inside. Jonquil erlicheer. The perfume is over powering. Would you ask Mrs Pepe to verify if that’s a jonquil please?
—
very funny mrs pomolo – how do you spell ‘nareen’ – and yes the flowers are ms pepe’s pets.
i only post flowers to keep you gals happy. LOL.

Nerine AFAIK. It’s a pretty flower anyway. I have a blood red one. I have been planting and moving the bulb for a few years and never knew what it actually was. It flowered earlier this year and turned out to be a nerine. No wonder it never flowered because I never left it in one spot for long enough it seems.

pomolo said:

pepe said:

That must be a Claytons jonquil you have there Pepe. I have a bunch of mine in a vase inside. Jonquil erlicheer. The perfume is over powering. Would you ask Mrs Pepe to verify if that’s a jonquil please?
—
very funny mrs pomolo – how do you spell ‘nareen’ – and yes the flowers are ms pepe’s pets.
i only post flowers to keep you gals happy. LOL.

Nerine AFAIK. It’s a pretty flower anyway. I have a blood red one. I have been planting and moving the bulb for a few years and never knew what it actually was. It flowered earlier this year and turned out to be a nerine. No wonder it never flowered because I never left it in one spot for long enough it seems.

these nerines are reputed to come from the home of an ex- prime minister – so they ahve a bit of history. we have left them in the same spot for four years. the only time I know they are there is when they flower.
your flower collection does sound intriguing – hint – i luv pics and could do with a bit of an education.

pepe said:

pomolo said:

pepe said:

That must be a Claytons jonquil you have there Pepe. I have a bunch of mine in a vase inside. Jonquil erlicheer. The perfume is over powering. Would you ask Mrs Pepe to verify if that’s a jonquil please?
—
very funny mrs pomolo – how do you spell ‘nareen’ – and yes the flowers are ms pepe’s pets.
i only post flowers to keep you gals happy. LOL.

Nerine AFAIK. It’s a pretty flower anyway. I have a blood red one. I have been planting and moving the bulb for a few years and never knew what it actually was. It flowered earlier this year and turned out to be a nerine. No wonder it never flowered because I never left it in one spot for long enough it seems.

these nerines are reputed to come from the home of an ex- prime minister – so they ahve a bit of history. we have left them in the same spot for four years. the only time I know they are there is when they flower.
your flower collection does sound intriguing – hint – i luv pics and could do with a bit of an education.

I’m working on it and it won’t be long I hope. Will also have some photos of my vegie crop to show. If God is on my side that is. I need all the help I can get.

Dinetta said:

Love your photos, Pepe…inspire me every time…

oh good – prepare now for spring – somehow i don’t feel inspirational.

- a friend dropped in unannouced with some kennebec spuds to plant. i had given up finding some. now where am i going to plant them? apparently cummin and cabbage are companions – mmm?

When you check in next Pepe, could you please give me the rough dimensions and an idea of the materials used to construct some compost bays?

I have a lovely lot of grass (buffel) and horse manure that I can’t collect because the grass is too long, just where the planned vegetable beds are going to go. Shame to waste the grass and droppings, so I thought I would construct some compost bays right against the fence that the pony likes to break through between the house and the milk yard…use the mower to collect the materials…there’s more manure at the racing stables, with sawdust, that’s perfect for composting…

I went and re-wrapped the worm farm as that south-westerly’s dry and cold…they are very much enjoying the two dissolving pumpkins that I placed in there yesterday…

About another 3 barrow-loads of HP and my front round bed will be ready for working…

When you check in next Pepe, could you please give me the rough dimensions and an idea of the materials used to construct some compost bays?
—————
g’day dinetta

compost bays need to be one metre cube to generate heat. the easiest method of construction is to use timber pallets as sides with a star dropper in the corners. i have done this very quickly at my daughters place. these pallets are being used to deliver white goods (fridges, stoves, washing machines) to homes, and are often thrown away or burnt like cardboard.

second hand galv. iron will span up to 1800mm between supports so you can use a green post in each corner and lay the iron horizontally between posts and screw fix. you must have a wire mesh front when using solid sides – to get the air into the heap. my compost bins ( 4) are about 1500mm cubed and take 40 wheelbarrow loads to fill. they are a tad big. i used a couple of old garage doors ( dug into the ground) as my western walls.

arvo all.