Another load of wood to stack in the store room.Altogether a two year supply for our little stove. We also have a ton or two in the yard and in the garden. If you are passing by this winter, drop in and get warm we can afford to be generous with our frugal hospitality.I have just brought in ten kilos more tomatoes. Some for bottling some for the freezer. Plenty to come for salad.We had to remove alot of plants that had succumbed to a brown fungal infection, I will burn the plants at my first opportunity.The ground that they vacated iz now redug and moved further out and up from the circle and replanted with romanesco cauliflower and leeks, I have cleared enough space to accommodate the foundations of the roundhouse wall. It will be keyed in to the schist rock , a channel will be dug and shingle layed down to bench in the base stones. The schist ridge iz not level, the footings will be.
Many litres of chutney got made in short order this week, the green tomatoes salvaged from the infected plants are put to good use. No damaged fruit gets used,merely unripe.They will be stashed with the jars of strawberry and blackberry conserve already put away in a dark cupboard.Sauerkraut and pickled beetroot are also in store.
The several varieties of beanz sown a couple of weeks ago are now flourishing plants, The anticipated crop iz destined to be stored dry, the best seeds will be reserved for next years sowing.
Clubroot,aphids and a strange canker are attacking our brassicas,to overcome a total crop failure we planted up many small isolated patches.Ground that has failed to support a crop can then be identified and regenerated, we will have sufficient brocolli, Brussel sprouts and cabbage to meet our needs. Surplus will be given away.
Anne Sophie has built a compost box which is filling rapidly, most of the weeds I clear are used to mulch once they are dry,they can then insulate the ground and help conserve water.
There is no let up in my enthusiziasm,we appear to be "on track" , predictably so, in every small endeavour we undertake, success inspires success. My poor mortal coil, aches in a new place every day.Continually varying work never allows any part of the body to become too comfortable.We are not home yet,but content we are with the daily progress.Iznibz Wazir.
