Spring has come and gone, and the veg patch has been in full swing. Over six months ago we (my mate JB and I) started digging over and boarding up a new vegetable garden out at his property called Graceview. The idea was to set up a garden that could grow most of the required vegetables for the households. I guess its also an experiment in community cooperation. I needed more soil space, and JB was keen to learn the process of DIY food supply. It seemed and win win approach that is now paying dividends.
The first summer (in unknown soil) is always a bit of an experiment and Graceview has clay soil so we knew we had a challenge on our hands. And although clay soil is full of nutrients it can be difficult for some veg to thrive in (especially the root veg). This is evident, as you can see by our crazy carrots which don’t like too much nutrient and they prefer softer soil. With a few more seasons passing we shall have pretty good soil as we’ll continue to add manure and straw, with a little clay breaker and blood and bone. And we too will improve as growers, as we get to understand what veg works best in this location with it’s aspect, climate and soil potential.
Green Peas were a real success!
Crazy carrots….maybe. But they made a good stock.
The festive nails ARE NOT MINE.
Once bugs are removed the cauliflower is ready to eat. Or you can go Bear Grylls style and chow down on the green bugs.
Cauliflower and Pea soup. Cooking at it’s most basic, but damn fine food.
I scored a chicken carcass off mum after a sunday roast, and made a stock with our own grown onion, carrot and celery. We don’t buy stock, we make our own, and have been doing for a few years now. A good stock is the basis of really honest dish. It’s so easy to make and, and unlike the supermarket version, you know exactly what’s in it. The stock has already been used in two meals, a soup and a risotto. And this week we harvested the last of our green peas, the first few onions and cauliflower for the season. The food is so fresh you have to peel off all the other buggers wanting to feed on it. Once the bugs are removed and the veg is washed it undoubtedly stars in any dish it’s added to.
I keep saying this over and over again, and I must sound like a broken record…….It’s not difficult to grow your own food, you don’t have to grow all of your food supply but you can grow decent old chunk of it. And we prove that with each meal we cook that celebrates something we harvested from our soil. The more I read about massive companies owning huge sectors of the food industry the happier that I’m semi self sufficient. Sure our veg doesn’t always look perfect, nor grow into impressive size but it provides us with some of our meals. We’re not foodies, nor chefs, or experts in gardening. We’re a simple family that is kept happy with simple pleasures, just like the sights of our 3 year old slurping down my cauliflower soup and enjoying every last spoonful.
Jason Landry said:
My 5 year old son would devour that risotto. I think I’ll improvise a version over the holidays.
Beth Cregan said:
I so agree! It’s really not hard to grow your own food and it’s not all that time consuming. I work full time and with very little effort, we live off our veggie patch, espcially in the Summer months. I have a few good reference books but overall I am a pretty ordinary gardener. Like my house, my veggie garden gets a bit messy now and then but I couldn’t live without it. Just going out there now to see what we’ll have for dinner…P.S I have loved your blog. Merry Christmas!
Phill said:
Those peas look killer bee…
WholeLarderLove said:
They where!!! Delish mate!
birdy popcorn said:
My carrots looked that crazy too, they tasted normal though
ps your risotto looks unbelievable!!!!
Fraser from Old Mill Rd said:
“Sure our veg doesn’t always look perfect, nor grow into impressive size but it provides us with some of our meals. We’re not foodies, nor chefs, or experts in gardening. We’re a simple family that is kept happy with simple pleasures, just like the sights of our 3 year old slurping down my cauliflower soup and enjoying every last spoonful.”
This is, if you don’t mind me saying so, pure gold. It’s so honest and true and I for one hope that you have conveyed to the humans that are interested enough to read your contributions that even though food security is serious business at the end of the day feeding yourselves is enjoyable, and simple and in our DNA.
Love it.
WholeLarderLove said:
Thanks Fraser!!! Keeping it simple the key….and yeah food security is a challenge for our future I’m sure.
leaf (the indolent cook) said:
Such enticing food. I like the zany imperfection of home-grown fruits and vegetables. It gives them character!
WholeLarderLove said:
You should see some of the things I pull out of the garden. nikonD70s too boot!
Elizabeth said:
Yep. I’m living in a house where I’m able to have a vegie garden for the first time, and it’s fantastic. I’m not trying to do too much – just tomatoes and red runner beans and lots of leafy greens for now, and some mystery pumpkins that have popped up, but I hope we’ll be here for a few years and so I can get a good thing going! I have no idea what I’m doing but it’s such fun.
WholeLarderLove said:
Thats the way to do it Liz! I’m still learning and I’ve been tending to veggies since I was 11!!!
Each year I get some wins and some fails……but I keep on with the basics and it does provide us with food.
angie said:
Oh man, that risotto. I’m drooling!
WholeLarderLove said:
I have leftovers….want some? ;-)
Just A Smidgen said:
That soup, that risotto.. must have been so delicious with the fresh garden veggies. There’s no comparison! There’s an undeveloped bit of land around the corner with a boarded up old home… I dream of turning it into a potter’s shed and having a community garden there… Maybe one day!
Just A Smidgen said:
Oh.. and the crazy carrots were hilarious!
WholeLarderLove said:
That sounds like a great project! A bit of hard work and you’d have a great patch!
Erin Block said:
Love the carrots! And glad you clarified the nail issue. ;)
WholeLarderLove said:
You thought it was me didn’t you Erin……hhhmmm strange boys down there in Australia.
Jason said:
Winter is just days away from me. Thank you for reminding me that Spring (and glorious Summer) are coming back around in a few short months, and for giving me inspiration for what to do when it arrives.
Cinnamon said:
Those peas look so good, especially as I’m staring down the long start of winter here. Happily my garlic and onions seem to be doing okay and I can spend the rest of the time planning my planting in the Spring. Delicious looking risotto, the nails too ;) Happy Holidays to you and yours!
WholeLarderLove said:
I’m glad you like the nails! Maybe I might paint mine next Christmas. ;-)
Jess O'Toole (@ladomestique) said:
Those peas! It’s winter here now, but during the growing season I experienced success and failure. The failure is a lesson learned, and the success, like those peas, is a celebration that fills my heart with joy. To nurture something so beautiful and tender from the land is a wonder that never grows old. I like how you’ve encouraged others to give it a try here. Even the smallest garden plot is capable of producing a surprising bounty of produce.
WholeLarderLove said:
It truly is an endless source of joy! Now that summer has arrived the kitchen garden is giving back more than ever! Every day I go out to check on her progress. She’s growing into something quite beautiful.
Conor Bofin said:
Christmas Eve tomorrow here. We are not cooking the traditional. We never do. On Christmas Day, we will cook roast rib of beef, Yorkshire puddings, potatoes and roast winter vegetables. We will have smoked salmon and home made brown bread to start. A meringue cake with raspberries to finish. There will be no photos or posts. It is a family time. On the up side for next week, a friend was out shooting last week and gave me a leg of venison, now hanging in my shed. Wishing you a happy Christmas and all the best in 2011.
Conor
WholeLarderLove said:
Conor that sounds like a feast for for kings!!!
Ro said:
Hope the christmas cooking is going swimmingly. Google and co have left me dissatisfied so I’m wondering if you have any celery growing tips. I’m a month in, tackling it for the first time. Happy days to you!
WholeLarderLove said:
Hey Ro, The celery we grew out on the block bolted to seed as soon as there was the smallest hint of warm weather, so I’ve planted a new batch in my kitchen garden garden which seems to be doing well. I don’t think they like clay soil, but they thrive in friable light soil.
robbie. said:
i tried to grow peas two years ago, and ended with about 10. 10 peas. which i later accidentally dropped into the garbage disposal! most disappointing. i’m glad yours worked out :-)
madmingei said:
Love your blog, thank you. Great photos too!
WholeLarderLove said:
Cheers!!! Thanks for dropping by Jane!!
Greg Hatton said:
happy x mas big fella, hey that old stone building in yandoit you photographed is up for sale be perfect for you! Few little repairs and good as new
WholeLarderLove said:
Back at you mate!!! I hope you’re little bundle of joy is keeping you two in pure parental bliss.
Yep that Yandoit is perfect….if only I had the coin!!!
We ran out of Hatton Elderberry Juice…..I need get that recipe of you!!
Isabel said:
I adore this site! It makes me think of growing up in the country and gardening with my Dad, I miss it a lot and look forward to the day I start my own little family and move back to the country. Apartment living just isn’t the same but reading this blog has inspired me to hunt down my closest community garden and join in getting dirty. Thank you!
WholeLarderLove said:
Do it! Well I might be a tad biased in my suggestion! But if it’s possible, going back to the simple life is very rewarding! Thanks for visiting!!
WholeLarderLove said:
Thanks Isabel!!! Lovely to hear your comments
the Outage said:
Re. your last paragraph: thanks for the reminder that the perfect can be the enemy of the good.
Too often, I get overwhelmed at the prospect of growing my own food (which we hope we can do once we move out of this suburban basement). I know next-to-nothing about gardening, my recipes are stupid-simple, and my kitchen gear is cut-rate.
But–you’re right–you don’t have to be an expert to make a change. When it comes to becoming self-sufficient, doing something is better than doing nothing.
WholeLarderLove said:
That’s the spirit! I’m still learning with growing my own. The best equipment you can have is perseverance. Or in my case stubbornness to learn more. I hope you get some good use out of my blog!!