Potatoes???

Well what can I say ....

Here is a picture of our potato crop....just goes to show that you don't always have success.There was just enough for both of us to have one meal with!
Ah well... will see how the weather goes and maybe plant some more at the end of August.
Temperatures have remained in the high 30's low 40's and for yet another 2 weeks we have had no rain at all.Everything, including myself, is suffering in this heat.
No amount of watering in the garden seems to be helping and no gardening is being done either.

The grapes are doing very well and the first lot of vines will be ready to pick from in a couple of weeks

Apricots..........

We had some very strong winds late last week and as a result most of the apricots fell off the trees.




Our trees are of the late fruiting variety and as a result did again produce a very good crop this year.
Unfortunately most of our neighbours have the early fruiting variety and due to the frosts in April this year have had little to no fruit.

So some early harvesting was required and after 2 days we had them all picked and stoned ready for jam and wine making.

The jam is already made.A simple recipe
5lb fruit simmer for 15 minutes until well broken up...
add
1.5/2lb sugar
1 small packet pectin.....
make sure all sugar is dissolved and then place into jars.

We are also going to try to make our own chutney this year.I have frozen some apricots until we find the right recipe....
We also managed to give some away to our neighbours...which made for a refreshing change.

Cherry Liquor results.......

We tested the cherry liquor today.

It tastes good rather like a tasty dry red wine than a liquor of any kind...and we think it is around 11/13%.

Would definitely try this again next year!

Onions & Garlic.....

The onions and garlic have all been pulled up this week and have been put in the barn in shade to dry a little before being plaited and stored for the Winter.




We have had a great crop of onions this year and we have already been busy pickling the smaller ones with some with hot chillies again for the Winter.