Cold frame gardening

So, tomorrow is the first day of Winter here in Australia and it's been really cold in Melbourne (for a while).We still want to grow some veggies over winter, so we thought we'd try using a cold frame. I saw them advertised at Bunnings, so off we went.

Mr 3P only took a few minutes to assemble this and 2 will fit just nicely on each garden bed, although we only got one for now, just too see how it goes.

Of course, I have to take weird photos of a cold frame!

But I did plant some seeds too! Over one half, I planted rocket, which I absolutely LOVE and on the other half of the cold frame I planted winter spinach.

OK,  I can't help my self with the weird shots of condensation. I can sit and stare it it for ages .

While I was out in the garden this morning in ballet flats of all things ( I must get some gumboots), I thought I'd get a few shots of some things that are still kicking on in the cold. I planted these succulents, which I got from the kids school fete earlier this year,  in the old water feature. I just filled it with a sandy potting mix and some soil (Mr3P drilled some holes in the bottom of the water feature for me), then popped them in randomly with a few rocks.

Please don't ask me what type of succulents they are, 'cause I don't have any idea.

But they are very sweet, don't you think?

These guys have already spread and multiplied, so that's good.

Parsley really kicks on here in winter. I make a mean tabbouleh ( recipe coming soon )

And of course if you plant mint anywhere near a garden tap it will go nuts! Mixed amongst our mint is also some lemon balm and soon (fingers crossed) some chocolate mint, which I saw at Bunnings the other day and have to go back and get!

This little dude is holding on and growing very slowly, but it's still growing. We planted this orange tree about 6 years ago and Mr3P will not give up on it. This is the first time it has shown any fruit. 

Any advice you can give me on winter gardening or using a cold frame would be greatly appreciated. Till next time....

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Twitter

I joined Twitter today. Not sure what I'm doing there, but am very curious.

They say curiosity killed the cat! 

But I was a suspect....for a while.

It's looking a little lonely on my Twitter account. 

I would really love it if someone, you perhaps,  would join me? 

Just click on the Follow Me on Twitter button in the sidebar.

Hope you're having a great weekend.

Autumn

It's getting colder by the day here in Melbourne as Autumn well and truly sets in. The days, when not cloudy are still really pleasant, but the nights are chilly.
Here's a few snapshots of our backyard today.

{recipe} Low Fat, Hot Chips (and truckloads of taters from the garden)

Guilt-free, hot chippies! Yum!
Peel your potatoes and slice into thick chips. Dry on absorbent paper and place in a large mixing bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of oil (I use either Canola or Olive). Sprinkle with sea salt and toss to combine. Place on baking sheet that has been lined with baking paper. Cook in a hot oven (turning once) for about 30-45 mins or until golden  (depending on your oven...just check them from time to time).

A few years ago, pickle #2 planted potatoes in our garden. Now every year we get a bumper crop...truckloads in fact!!!!

Home grown potatoes taste SO MUCH BETTER than from the shops. Especially if you mash them. But then, doesn't everything taste better when you grow it yourself? We don't use pesticides or chemicals (except for our garlic and chili spray to get rid of pests). We also compost, have a worm farm and use our chooks' poo on the garden.

Pickle #1 and #2 replanting the smallest potatoes for next year.

Dirty work....and they love it!

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http://craftomaniac.blogspot.com/
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http://paisleypassions.blogspot.com/
http://www.thefrugalgirls.com/
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{recipe} Sicilian Spaghetti

My Mum and Dad both made this pasta dish A LOT when I lived at home. Back then, I loathed pepper, but have grown to love this dish (and pepper too).
I didn't make this for Mr3P when we first met, in fact it was many years later. I can't be sure, but I think this recipe is the reason he married me.............
I don't know where this dish came from and even if it's a traditional Sicilian dish, but it's what we've always called it. Nice for a light lunch with salad and crusty bread or as an entree. By the way, if you don't like anchovies, then stop reading now. :)

Start by boiling a large pot of water for your pasta. then chop some fresh parsley. Add parsley to a small saucepan, then add about 1/4 cup of good olive oil.

To the saucepan, add 2 teaspoons of crushed garlic. I love fresh garlic, but didn't have any today, so it came out of a jar.

Drain off some of the oil from the jar first, then add a jar of anchovies  (about1/2 cup). 

Season with salt and some freshly cracked, black pepper. Slowly bring the oil and anchovy mixture to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, or until heated through and garlic is fragrant. Be careful not to "fry" the anchovies. Break the anchovies up a bit with a wooden spoon.

Meanwhile, cook your pasta. The recipe says "spaghetti", but today I used linguine.

Drain the pasta and put it back in the pot and toss the anchovy sauce through the pasta. Serve with freshly grated Parmesan or Romana cheese and fresh crusty bread to sop up the leftover sauce.

linking up to:

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He can be gentle

{recipe} Farmer's Bread

500 gr unbleached white flour 4 teaspoons instant yeast 2 teaspoons sugar 300 ml lukewarm water 1 Tablespoon oil 2 teaspoons salt

METHOD 1.Put the flour in a bowl.  2.Make a well in the middle.  3. Put the yeast and the sugar in the well. Pour water over. Mix slightly.  4.Cover and put in a warm place for 15 minutes.  5.Knead, adding the salt and oil, to a smooth elastic dough.  6.Cover and put in a warm place for 15 minutes.  7.Knead thoroughly and place on a baking sheet (or in a bread tin). 8.Cover and put in a warm place for 15 minutes.  9.Put in a cold oven and turn oven on to 375 degrees F. Bake 40 to 45 minutes until golden brown.  10.Let cool 20 minutes before slicing. BREAD MACHINE METHOD (also know as the 3pickles lazy version) Place ingredients into bread machine pan in the order listed. Set to "dough" setting and press start. Continue from step 8 above. I originally got this recipe from here years ago and have been making it ever since. You can make lots of different breads from this recipe.  Coming soon :my pizza and pita bread posts.

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{recipe} Greek Lentil Soup (fakes)

This soup is a long standing family favourite. A traditional Greek soup enjoyed any time, but also eaten during Lent,  pronounced  far-kes, which means lentils. :)
I don't think it's a very "pretty" soup, but it is really tasty and is a meal on it's own.
Sometimes I just throw all these ingredients into the slow cooker in the morning and leave it on till dinner time.

Firstly, add about a cup of dried green lentils to a pot and cover with water. Bring to the boil for 5 minutes, then drain off water (this gets rid of the frothy scum that sometimes floats on top that can make you  get the farts...hehe) Add drained lentils back to pot.

Chop some celery

Dice a few carrots

And some onions

Add them to the pot with the lentils.
Then cover with water and bring to the boil, meanwhile adding about 1-2 tablespoons of tomato paste and a teaspoon of crushed garlic then stir.
Turn down and allow to simmer till all the vegetables and the lentils are tender. Sometimes I need to add more water if it looks like its getting too thick.
Season with salt (pepper if you like too)
This is a really important step and what, I think, makes this soupAdd a splash or two of white vinegar and some good olive oil (extra virgin if you've got it).
I like to serve it  with crusty bread. I usually put olive oil, salt and vinegar on the table so everyone can "adjust" the soup to their liking.
This soup is even better the next day.

kali orexi

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