Pear and melon salad

We're lucky to have our very own pear tree out in the back garden.  I was greeted to the kitchen today by my beaming husband and a pile of pears he'd collected.  Had you asked him a few years ago would collecting pears from his own tree have made him so happy, he'd have probably scoffed at you for talking rubbish and hotfooted it to the pub or some other manly hubspot. In fact, even today when I asked him that very question he was quick to remind me that he still remains committed to his love of football, beer and golf!

So, I've an abundance of fresh pears and a mission to use them well. But what to make?

First up is a super simple - amazingly tasty recipe I discovered last pear season (seriously, I can't stress enough just how brilliant this recipe is!).



Juice of 1 lemon
2 large pears
Melon - as much and what ever type you like
3 teaspoons of sugar
Same amount of water as you have lemon juice

Bring the water, lemon juice and sugar to the boil together to make a syrup (should be as tart as you like). Leave to one side to cool completely.

Cut the pear and melon up whichever way you like.

Mix the syrup and fruit and serve whichever way you like.

Suggestions are:

• As a fruit salad
• With home cooked ham, rocket, toasted sunflowers, feta and roasted Mediterranean vegetables - we had this for dinner tonight.
• With pancakes
• With ice cream 

Let there BEE sun!

Call in an Indian Summer, call it a cruel world for making the sun shine when the kids are back in school, call it what you like but the point remains the same.  The sun is out and it's more than making up for a pretty dull Summer.

So, as I have a free weekend for the first time in months I decided to take advantage and get out in the garden for a bit of a tidy up.  It was a short lived attempt! Within minutes I was being chased away from the Sedum's by a feisty Honey Bee and on closer inspection (from a safe distance) I realised it was one of many little bees busily tucking in to the Sedum flower heads. I've resolved to wait until later today, when it's cooler, to tidy up that particular section as the bees will be lest active.

Now, I've never been stung by a bee or a wasp and I hope to elude this painful experience and to never find out if I'm allergic to either.  To continue gardening and avoid getting stung I'll have to take some precautions.

Tips for avoiding the sting whilst gardening:

• Don't wear bright colours that will attract bees.  This includes your gloves.  Wear neutral earth based colours.
• Move slowly if you are near bees so not to aggravate them.
• Don't wear perfume
• Wear shoes, this should be a given anyway as it's never safe to garden barefoot.
• Don't flap around if one lands on you, it'll move on peacefully as long as it doesn't feel threatened.
• If there seems to be a lot of bees think about waiting a while until they've moved on.  Also, have a look around and see if there is a bee nest on your property somewhere.  If there is, do not disturb it and call a professional if you want it removed.

Happy safe gardening.

Beware of snail eggs - always wash your pots

What a glorious day! I popped outside to re-pot the Succulents and ended up staying out there for hours.  How could I not with an actual summer day on offer!

Succulents in their new pots.

I've let the garden do it's thing over the last year or so, whilst I dealt with all manner of distractions. Now that I'm back to lend a hand/interfere, I can happily report that there seems to be an all round agreement between the plants to have a growth spurt.  Unfortunately this includes the grass, creeping butter cup and dandelions.  Dorris, the resident rabbit, is delighted with our dandelion cultivation skills though. 

Whilst having a tidy up I came across a couple of my saplings that were in need of bigger pots.  When I took them out to upgrade them I spotted what, I first thought where eggs but then realised where snail hatchlings [pictures below].  This is a new one on me.  I've seen the eggs before, small white balls that are often described as 'looking like polystyrene balls' but I've never seen them at this stage.


My instinct is the same though - get rid of them!  Now, I do feel bad about this - as a child I wanted a pet giant snail and I honestly feel like a a traitor!  But, when it comes down to it these little creatures will reek havoc in the veg plot. So, go they must!


My advise to you is this: When re-potting plants have a poke around the root ball for the a fore mentioned 'polystyrene balls'.  If you spot them, gently scrape them into the bin with a twig, be careful not to damage the roots.


And, always always wash your pots in warm soapy water before reusing them.


Happy gardening.

Snail/Slug eggs || 2 sizes

Snail Hatchlings

Snail/Slug eggs || 2 sizes