Welcome to my blog all about the things I love to grow and cook. You'll find a collection of seasonal gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan-friendly recipe posts, as well as a round up of my gardening throughout the year. I wish you good reading, happy cooking and perfect planting!
Hello everyone. I hope you well and that the sun has been shining wherever you are. It’s been a mixed bag here. Some sunshine, some rain, but warmer temperatures on the whole.
I have a very simple post this week. Several plants in the garden are about 2 weeks behind this year, and this has enabled me to put together a post I have wanted to do for a while but have not, until now, had the selection of colours to make it work.
Below is a compilation of flowering plants from my garden photographed this week from Midsummer’s Day on Monday through to this morning. All the colours of the rainbow plus a couple more. I hope you enjoy them.
The reds: Aquilegia; Plume thistle, and Skimmia Japonica berries. Images: Kathryn Hawkins
The oranges: Azalea, Lupin and Pilosella (fox and cubs). Images: Kathryn Hawkins
The yellows: Sedum, Lysimachia and Day Lilies. Images: Kathryn Hawkins
The greens: Euphorbia, lemon Thyme, and sage. Images: Kathryn Hawkins
The blues: Geranium Magnificum, Campanula and Centaurea Montana. Images: Kathryn Hawkins
The violets: Lupin, trailing Campanula and Violas. Images: Kathryn Hawkins
The pinks: Gertrude Jekyll rose, Foxglove and Lupin. Images: Kathryn Hawkins
The whites: Hebe, Veronica and Foxglove. Images: Kathryn Hawkins
I’m heading back to the kitchen for my next post. I will see again in a few days. Until then, take care and keep safe 🙂
Hello everyone. I hope you are well and have enjoyed whatever the festive season brought your way. Like so many, I had a quiet one at home, unable to travel to see my family. Hogmanay and New Year celebrations are also cancelled. There has been plenty of time to reflect on what has happened this year, and also to think about new projects for the year ahead.
Three glorious morning views. Images: Kathryn Hawkins
We have been treated to some bright, crisp days here in central Scotland this year end, with some spectacular sunrises, and the first snow of the winter falling a couple of days after Christmas.
Snow-covered seat. Image: Kathryn Hawkins
It seems like a long time ago since I was able to take a rest on my favourite seat and enjoy the peace, quiet and colours of a spring and summer garden, but even now there are some signs of new growth to gladden the soul. I took these images on Boxing Day of a primrose and one of my rhubarb plants. The poor things must have had a bit of a shock waking up the next day to a covering of snow.
New shoots. Images: Kathryn Hawkins
Back in September, once the cucumbers had ceased fruiting, I cleared some space in one of the greenhouse beds and planted 6 seed potatoes. It was an experiment to see if I could harvest fresh new potatoes for Christmas. I’m delighted with the results. All 6 plants produced, and I was able to enjoy freshly dug Maris Peer potatoes over Christmas, with a second harvest for the new year. At the same time, I sowed some carrot seeds, but these are much slower to grow, and I am beginning to doubt that they will ever root properly, but you never know. I will report back if they do develop to an edible size.
There were lots of berries in the garden over Autumn and early Winter this year, but by now, most of them have been eaten by the birds. However, our feathered friends never seems to dine out on Cotoneaster or Skimmia berries, so I am grateful to be left with these festive colours to admire.
Festive berries. Images: Kathryn Hawkins
Like so many, I am looking forward to a fresh start in a brand new year. I am ever hopeful that we will be able to return to some semblance of normality in the not too distant future. Until then, thank you for following my blog for another year, and I send you my very best wishes for the year ahead. Stay safe and healthy, and a Happy New Year to you all 🙂
Early flowering Rhododendron. Image: Kathryn Hawkins
Just a few apples left for the birds. Image: Kathryn Hawkins
I think it’s safe to say that Autumn is over now, at least it is here in central Scotland. A couple of weeks ago it was still mild and dry, but last week it felt like there was a definite season change. The last of the leaves came off the trees in heavy rain, the temperature dropped, and the daylight hours have dwindled significantly. The garden looks quite sad now. All things told, it certainly feels like December is just round the corner.
A frosty November morning. Image: Kathryn Hawkins
It’s not all doom and gloom though. There are signs of life amongst the fading foliage and fallen leaves. Spring bulbs are shooting up everywhere: in containers, borders and flowerbeds; they seem more advanced than usual.
Sprouting bulbs. Images: Kathryn Hawkins
The late flowering heather is just coming into bloom. Such a pretty colour and delicate flower for this time of year.
Just beginning to flower, Winter flowering heather. Image: Kathryn Hawkins
As a reminder of the forthcoming festivities less than a month away (I can hardly believe it!), the Santa-red Skimmia berries and the glacial-white snowberry, give seasonal cheer.
Seasonal berries, Skimmia and Snowberry
And, here is the most regular visitor to the garden at the moment. He seems to appear whenever I go outside, and chirps away from first light. This is his regular perch, in the hollow of a large conifer, not too far from the back door.
Master of all he surveys. Image: Kathryn Hawkins
And so to my final image. This Salvia was planted back in late spring and has been in flower ever since. A truly great value plant. Have a good week 🙂
Still blooming in late November, Salvia. Image: Kathryn Hawkins
My Virtually Free-from Kitchen 