Tuesday 15 March 2011

COME ON SPRING!

Well, it's not far off the start of Spring or the 'vernal equinox' as it's officially called. Spring starts when the day and night are of the same length which usually means the 20th or 21st March. Shall be jolly glad to see it - it's been a long winter and the garden is looking decidedly sad. Managed to spend some time last Saturday weeding the onions, tying up the broad beans, removing frost damaged peas and planting some chick peas instead - donated by our very green fingered friend James.

This one not so good...
I also unwrapped the Artichokes (Carciofi) which have been suffering. I started with five about 14 months ago, had three at the start of Winter 2010 and now as you can see, have about one and a half. Not sure what I'm doing wrong, but the Italians seem to place them along under rows of vines, where maybe they get a bit of protection. So these may well be on the move.

This one is doing well
My plan for next week is to sow a veg that I can't traditionally get here - Brussel Sprouts (Cavolo Di Bruxelles) and try my hand at Asparagus(Asparaghi) and Leeks(Porro) plus try my hand at some flowers to brighten up the place. But most of my planting is going to come from seedlings, bought from a local nursery. It's cheaper and less hassle, last year my pots of seeds got blown away no less than three times!

Oh, and the wild primroses are abundant down Primrose Lane and at the bottom of our garden, so I've planted a few...

Sunday 6 March 2011

Winter Woes

Well, since I started this blog a week ago, we've had a declaration of 'regional disaster' here in Le Marche. If you read my Man Fridays blog at Casa Grotta, we've had a week of floods, snow, landslides and darkness. Without power for 48 hours can, at first, be novelty - but it soon wears off. The onions I planted last week may well have been washed away and we have had at least two casualties in our wood. 
Which is not as drastic as it seems because it will probably supply at least a winters wood supply.
I shan't go on about it, you can read more on our blog, Buona Vita, along with some photos!


So these were the onions I planted at the end of February (and the onions we planted before Xmas) just in time in what is know as the 'Lower Orto'. Lots of plans for stuff here and I have planted peas around the top fence, which seemed to work well last year, but I fear they may have been washed away!
The Lower Orto


New onions from seedlings
The broad beans and peas were looking a little weak before this onslaught from Mother Nature but now I think they may well have given up the ghost... oh well, maybe our first year with out. 


Garlic planted about four weeks ago






The garlic that I planted in pots about 4 weeks ago is making amazing progress, as are the beetroot, but the leeks (porro) and basil are not as forthcoming... so we wait for another full moon - of which I will post about later... and hopefully a little more sunshine and light.
Beetroot, rooting I hope!


Let's hope spring is round the corner... the worst winter here in Le Marche for 40 years! Not a bad record I don't suppose...