nickandarwenproduce.co.uk

Making stuff together…

  • Three Sisters and some Oca

    Well, Arwen and I took advantage of some glorious weather and a bit of free time to get the Three Sisters companion plants put into the allotment. It’s a little early for corn to go out, as most sources suggest late May or early June for sweetcorn in the north of the UK, but it’s… Read more

  • Prepared for companion planting

    My wonderful neighbour gifted me chives and I want to grow carrots. So I have planted the chives with enough space for carrots in between. The strawberries will not believe their luck as they have a whole raised bed to take over. We considered getting some more cultivated, larger-fruiting varieties but have decided to see… Read more

  • Learning about the root structure of grass

    I weeded bed three of four today…and went back over bed one of four. So. Much. Grass. It’s not enough to get the top shallow rooted grass. There are long, deep cords beneath. So I dug deep. The first earlies are also showing green! Read more

  • A little bit more work

    After a slow start, we got to the allotment. Bed two of four weeded! Read more

  • Playing in the dirt

    This afternoon I weeded a raised bed we tried to grow broad beans. No dig requires more mulch than we have. So I dig. The soil was great, just full of grass. Nick tidied up the tree trimmings from the big apple prune. Read more

  • Potatoes

    Wedded and hoed a large bed, and planted four rows of spuds: Java, Casablanca, Rocket, and Heidi Red. Woo! Read more

  • Chocolate Cake

    I made a birthday cake for a colleague. I have fallen in love with this recipe. It is the triple chocolate cake from Sally’s Baking Addiction. The frosting is whipped ganache. I had some left over so I made a sheet cake to take to the scion swap on Saturday. Life is full of joy. Read more

  • Doughnut

    Yesterday I made doughnuts for the first time. I now know why the recipe suggested ring doughnuts – and after a few raw centres – I capitulated. Let me assure you that the first ones were simultaneously overcooked and undercooked. These, however, seem to be pretty good! Read more

  • Cider from the last of the 2025 apples

    Saturday and Sunday were all apple prep. Monday after work was pressing. We had 33 litres of fine packed pomace to yeild almost 18 litres of juice. And the best part of Monday: the first crusty loaf from the new bread maker! Read more

  • After the AGM

    Last Saturday was the Northern Fruit Group AGM. It was lovely, with a presentation about the new learning garden near Manchester. The new cordoned orchard is only a breath away from an old orchard and the Northern Fruit Group are clearing under the trees. When they started clearing they found green parakeets were everywhere. Read more