Elderberries can be found growing along hedgerows, in gardens and on allotments. They typically ripen during August and September, and are full of antioxidants and vitamin C. Easy to harvest, cooked elderberries are the perfect natural way of building up immunity over winter to protect against colds and flu. They may also alleviate high blood pressure and anaemia, whilst improving exercise performance and brain health. If you don’t have time to cook them immediately, they can be frozen raw and cooked later. What are you waiting for..? Read on to find out how to spot elderberries and transform this free, nutrient-rich fruit into elderberry syrup.
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Salty fish, fresh beans and fruity mango combine wonderfully in this delicious and easy fish curry. Most of the ingredients can be found on the spice rack. A one-pot dish served with rice or pitta bread. The only fresh ingredients needed are French beans, onion, mango and ginger.
One problem with having a greenhouse or polytunnel is that you need to water the plants regularly. This can be awkward, especially when your garden is an allotment over a mile away, or you are away from home. This is where automatic watering systems can save you time. We have tried various watering systems with mixed results, from fabric wick systems to ring culture, from automatic irrigation to bucket wicks. Continue reading for an overview of the watering systems we have tried and tested in our greenhouse and polytunnel.
Everyone enjoys a sweet and shiny red tomato, but believe me, nothing tastes as good as homegrown fresh tomatoes; the many tasteless supermarket versions offer no contest. Vine tomatoes grow vertically, so can be planted in smaller gardens where space is limited. Trailing cherry tomatoes can be grown in hanging baskets. Delicious roasted, raw, puréed, grilled or fried, they form the basis of sauces and dishes that span continents and cultures. They grow best in a greenhouse or polytunnel, but you can get outdoor varieties. Read on to find out how easily you can grow tasty tomatoes of your own.
This cucumber and mint tzatziki recipe is fresh-tasting and quick, plus it uses up a glut of cucumbers. The only fresh ingredient needed is cucumber because you can use dried garlic and mint instead of fresh.
This cucumber and onion pickle recipe is so easy and quick, plus it uses up a glut of cucumbers and means you can enjoy them for months to come. The only other fresh ingredient needed is onion.
A fast-growing, low-maintenance plant, just snip your homegrown cucumbers off the vine and add them to salads or sandwiches. They grow best in a greenhouse or polytunnel, but there are also outdoor varieties. Provide them with lots of water and support as they climb, and they will reward you with an abundance of juicy cucumbers. You can also grate them into a homemade tzatziki dip, or even add them to cakes and buns. Cucumbers are delicious pickled in vinegar, allowing you to enjoy them well beyond their growing season.
The easiest way to start saving seeds is from self-pollinating fruiting vegetables that are being grown in the greenhouse or polytunnel, such as tomatoes, chilli peppers, aubergines and sweet peppers. Their seeds should last for a few years when stored correctly. Read on to find out how to save seeds from self-pollinating vegetables, so that the seeds you save will grow ‘true’ and you get the same healthy vegetables next year.
A simple and tasty lunch, side dish or starter, this stuffed balsamic courgettes recipe is great for using up a glut of courgettes. The only fresh ingredients needed are courgette, celery and onion.
