Are there any backyard veggie gardeners here?

[achookwoman]

Garlic.  Plant on shortest day,  harvest on longest day.   General rule. 

[cookie1]

That is such an easy rule Chookie. I will plant some when the shortest day gets here. I love fresh garlic. The stuff from the shops can go yuk if not used quickly. At least I can confit it now.

[mcmich]

That's a good rule of thumb Chookie. INAID has inspired me to plant some in a pot. 

[goldfish]

I've just been watching this for the second time . . . it's a TED talk by a teacher, Stephen Ritz, working in the South Bronx, NY.  Every teacher - every adult, especially those working with children, should see this and see what this man has inspired in the lives of some of his students.   

Having lived in New York City  during the 70s and 80s it brought quite a smile to hear these students were invited from the Sth Bronx (poverty stricken and disadvantaged) to take part in a project in the Hamptons on Long Island (summer playground of the rich and sometimes famous)

If you have a spare 13.5 minutes, do watch it.  I really wanted to share it with you all but couldn't think of an appropriate thread to pop it into, but since it's all about plants, vegetables, etc. this seemed like a good spot . . .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RF6qTlgtHU0&feature=youtu.be

[achookwoman]

Thanks GF,  will watch when I have a few quiet minutes.
The snow burnt off the leaves of all our potatoes.   I am hoping that there will be some 'new' potatoes under ground. 

[obbie]

replanted our vege garden yesterday. 

[Itsnotartitsdinner]

Creating another and ordered more soil.

[astarra]

DH fixed a few boards surrounding my veg patch yesterday - and also added and mixed fertilizer into the soil for me too 
Too early to plant outdoors here yet, but I have seedlings sprouted in toilet roll tubes ATM 

[kezza]

My DH and I have a vegie patch which currently has different varieties of lettuce, kale and for the first time, artichoke.  I won't know what to do with the artichoke!  It also has our herbs - lemon thyme, thyme, sage, parsley.  We are experimental vegie gardeners - haven't got a clue what we are doing, but learning along the way!  We always plant a lot of lettuce because we eat salads even in Winter.

[cookie1]

It sounds wonderful Kezza. I think that is how most of us learn. Maddy has a lovely recipe for an artichoke quiche on here, but I don't know how you would prepare them as I always use bottled ones. http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=5313.0

[achookwoman]

Go for it Kezza.  I have an artichoke plant.  Never eat the artichokes from it.  Just like the look of it.

[kezza]

Thanks for that cookie.  I also eat them from a jar!  The plant does look very impressive in the patch.

[achookwoman]

2 hours in the Veggie garden yesterday.  Mostly weeding. Covered the potato patch with leaf mulch , the snow had killed all the leaves.  The 2 little chooks kept me company.  Dug some new potatoes , a mini cauli and mustard cress for stir fry.  2 more hours today, I hope.  Ral has been sawing up tree branches that have fallen in the windy weather.

[cookie1]

You have both been very busy Chookie.

[achookwoman]

You have both been very busy Chookie.

Yes Cookie,  but only managed 1/2 hour today.