All posts by Mark Abbott-Compton

Jerusalem artichokes -end of season care

One of my winter staples Jerusalem artichokes are so much better fresh out of the ground.Great as a temporary windbreak and with very few problems and because there perennial incredibly cost effective as they will last for years
I made a film showing you how to plant these great vegetables here I show you how to prepare Jerusalem artichokes for the Winter, its simple                                                   one small tip, you can incorporate the herb Winter Savory into your dishes when cooking it as the herb counteracts the affects this great vegetable has on some people

How to grow Jerusalem artichokes

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NO DIG STRAW BALE BED UPDATE

One of the quickest ways to make a No-Dig bed and this update shows just how productive it can be with very little input,in fact this bed was left very much to its own devices and wasnt treated like a film set more like an Allotment of a busy gardener.

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CHRISTMAS PRESENTS FOR GARDENERS (That they wont hate!)

I know it seems an odd film to make but I got fed up of being given the latest gadget or gardening ‘super tool’ because of some misleading advert convincing someone I would be over the moon with it!!

So here my personal list of things I have used and wouldnt be without and some of the gardening things I would love to receive,I have done a separate film purely on tools and its worth watching as well

Twool

Higgledygarden

Hill & Sons

Niwaki

Sneeboer

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HOW TO MAKE TOMATO KETCHUP

One of the easiest ways of making use of your tomatoes is to make a homemade ketchup,its quick easy and has a rich fruity taste,you can even spice it up by adding chilli.

Please be aware that I say in the film add 60grams of sugar when listing ingredients  and later in the film when telling you when to add say 600!!!!, Sorry me trying to multitask and cook diner at same time, its 60

It will keep for 3 months in fridge but i tend to use mine in a couple of weeks of opening so best to store in smaller jars

 

• 1kg ripe toms,seeds removed roughly chopped
• 1 carrot, chopped
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 celery stick, chopped
• good pinch ground cloves
• 1 large bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon ground mace
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp black peppercorns
• 1 tsp whole allspice
• 150ml red wine vinegar
• 60g light soft brown sugar

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THINGS TO DO AND WHAT TO SOW IN OCTOBER

October is really a great time to forage for wild damsons,sloes,elderberry and Blackberry’s to name a few all great for making a variety of fruit Vodkas and Gins which will be ready in time for Christmas.Its also the time for harvesting apples and a great way to use bruised apples which wont store is to make cider vinegar its really easy and far superior to shop bought.

Still lots to sow and plant really important to get garlic planted as it needs the cold to split the bulbs,and if you don’t like garlic try elephant garlic much milder,you can still sow salads and lettuce Meraviglia inferno will cope with the coldest weather as will ‘Lunga delle Cascine’ broad beans

 

 

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