We're harvesting today in earnest and in Riverton - getting in before the birds and the wasps strip our apple trees bare. First up, Spartans and they're perfect for the picking! They are a very nice eating apple, red with a stripe and sweet as!
In truth, we've already picked the Keswick Codlin and our French guests have been turning those into compote.
The birds are on high alert now, so I'm watching where they begin their infernal pecking and harvesting in response. I lost 50% of my Coe's Golden Drop plums by being too relaxed about this but those are the last fruits I'll miss this year! I'm determined to beat the avian menace! And tonight, I go on a wasp-nest hunt.
Monday, February 14, 2011
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23 comments:
What do you do to the wasps? I've been watching birds on trees with unripe wild apples ignoring nearby ripe elderberries and wondering what it is about the apples they like or need to so much.
Hmmmm....earlier I thought it was liquid but that was during a dry season. The birds go for the apples when the reach close-to-ripeness so that says there is something else they seek - sugar? variety to their diet? hmmmmmm.....
Air rifle.
Blimmin pests!
Blarrdee nature!
I am joking of course Robert.
I am known to hug trees.
But not birds Shunda!
I too feel my trigger finger itch when I see a blackbird under the nets I've carefully cast over my blueberries but I stay my hand and have no gun anyway. Tomorrow, a film crew is here, following Al Brown, celebrity chef, as he wanders my garden in search of interesting fruits and vegetables to include in his tv cook-up. I've netted everything I think he might be interested in, but perhaps I should suggest blackbird pie!
wildcrafty - I pour petrol in the evening then throw a wet sack over their hole-in-the-ground. Works a treat. Doesn't leave the soil smelling very nice though but it's a rare enough event.
Do you get to partake in the results of Al's efforts?
Pity you can't flog off your mushrooms to him..a side dish of portobellos goes for $15 at LoganBrowns!
I imagine so Suz. Is he any good or is he all show?
We'll see.
We are certainly supplying him with the best of ingredients!
I'm sure he'll be in raptures with all your produce..he seems a down to earth guy on his tv show, and I'm told his creations are world-class.
True story: For my birthday last year my partner booked us a table at LG's as I'm a bit of a foodie. I made him cancel it and we donated $200 to the SPCA instead, and we dined more modestly!! It's the Scottish in me!
If you can, take photos so we can drool.
Hey Robert, guess what I'm having for tea....
FISH PIE!
First time since Riverton!
We shall see if udder can match the standard we set.
If she can't, we'll udderstand.
It's a bloke's dish, fish pie.
Suz! You've a huge heart!
well he had seconds so.............
It is true Udder, I can not dis the dish.
The fish was delish!
Udda & Shunda..do you top your pie with a potato mash? Never had a lot of luck with fish pie so would appreciate some tips.
Nice!
You'll be wanting my courgette bread recipe next (everybody's makin' it!).
Please share...does it matter if courgettes are more like marrows? oops!
Enjoy your day with the rich & famous, but don't let it go to your head (:
He's rich and famous?
If I'd known that!
The cameraman was more famous to me. He's directed/filmed the 'Last Ocean' expose of the Ross Sea problems - heard about that? It's stunningly sad. There's a website, I'll find it and do a post.
Nice!
You'll be wanting my courgette bread recipe next (everybody's makin' it!).
Well you will have to bring the recipe when you come to visit! :)
Hi Suz
The recipe was on the side of a sealords smoked fish can. I put a mix of pumpkin,kumara and potato mash on top. so easy a man can make it ;)
Get your local garden club to invite a southern gardener to speak and pay his petrol - he'd come!
So not a terribly challenging recipe then Udda :) Thanks, I'll give it a go.
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