Hi everyone, If you're looking to use up the last of your 'snips, this is pretty good. Serves 6, 30 mins prep, 1 hour to cook. Meat sauce: 2 tbsp oil 1 large onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves, crushed small knob ginger, peeled & grated 2 tbsp medium curry powder 500g/1 lb minced beef or lamb (I lik...

Hi everyone, thought I'd bring this recipe back to the top as it's that rhubarby time of year, and this is superb with blanched/forced rhubarb. Enjoy!

Rice pudding 65g or 2.5 oz pudding rice 600 ml or 1 pint milk 25g or 1 oz sugar finely grated zest of 1 orange Put everything into a saucepan, & heat gently till the sugar is dissolved. Then bring to a simmer & cook on a low heat till the rice is tender & the pudding is thickened. Rhubar...

Hi Gerry, I normally use those really small pots, about 1.5 inch diameter that sit in shuttle trays. I put a pinch of seed in each pot (about 10 pots each of curly & flat leaf), then once they've grown on and the weather has warmed, I plant the whole pot full out. I use them to edge a raised bed...

My ambitious project this year is proper, old fashioned, trench celery. I love celery and eat it regularly and really look forward to the old fashioned winter one putting in a brief appearance at the end of the year. This winter, though, not a bit of it to be had anywhere, even Waitrose. The self bl...

That's brilliant, Colin! Where did you grow the plant & at what temperatures? I rooted one about a year ago, but we didn't have anywhere warm enough to grow it on. Well done!
Vivien

I see what you mean about the weather forecast, Chantal! Even here in southern-softy Bournemouth we may hit zero, and I'm going to need at least 2 fleeces (that NEVER need ironing, Johnboy) if I'm going to get my onions and shallots out next weekend. No good at all, is what I say, especially after t...

Hi Monika,
It's quite early for this, but I have noticed that whenever my rhubarb plants send out a flower spike, these are hollow. Could it be this, perhaps?
Vivien

As it's that time of year for getting the tom seeds going, I've been looking through last year's August/September postings on toms. I grew sungold last year and despite everything else dying very quickly with blight, my sungold held on really well and still cropped prolifically - this was outdoors, ...

Do you think that if I get one of their unicycles I will reduce my carbon footprint even more than if I go on my usual bicycle?

I should say so, OH, I'm planning to spend all my pocket money there tomorrow!
Vivien

Hi Retropants, That item is on my list as well. The photo looks very similar to the one I bought a few years ago and, although it's only a plastic covering, is still going strong, so I may buy a couple. I had my best ever crop of early salads under these, so I'm quite a fan. The seeds are good too, ...

Hi Happymouse - have you changed the brand or type of vinegar you use? There isn't much else it could be. Perhaps if the vinegar wasn't concentrated enough it has gone off?
Vivien

Hi Janina - sorry to hear about your raspberries. I've looked in my doctor Hessayon book, and perhaps it could be cane spot. Here's what he says: Raspberries and loganberries can be seriously affected. In early summer small purple spots appear on the canes. These enlarge to form shallow white pits w...

I've just had a quick look on their website and they have fruit trees coming in for £4, including Victoria plum and Stella cherry. The only slight problem is to know what rootstock they're on & how big they will get, but hopefully the packet will give an idea of this. They've also got mediterran...