The green and rolling countryside of Worcestershire, England, is home to the cider apple orchards which surround the gardens of Pear Tree Cottage. They enjoy a sunny south westerly aspect with sweeping views across to Martley Hillside, Woodbury and Abberley clock tower. The Teme Valley lies just over the hill and, not far away, is the Herefordshire border. Although our climate is temperate, our seasons are often uncertain and always a challenge to a gardener! This began in 2010 & follows the weekly ups and downs of garden work chronicling both successes and failures but, above all, demonstrates the fun enjoyed by three people who regularly garden in all weathers

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19 August 2018

Well and truly in the soup

Genever tomatoes ripening
Newly pruned vine
With next Sunday's Twilight Garden by Candlelight looming worryingly close, work started early - in the greenhouse. The grape vine suffered serious mildew in such a dry season and, as it's only grown for shade, I decided to give it an early prune. It was a fairly major task with my new and extra stable steps on duty as the apex is really quite high. There were mountains of prunings to clear up but hopefully the extra light will help ripen the still green tomatoes. Talking of which, they have been cropping really well and I've made 10 pints of delicious tomato soup already. Served with fresh basil from the Herb Garden it's taken a cast iron will to freeze batches and not just eat it all straight away! These are the tomato plants grown from seed by Chris Genever. Many are large Italian varieties which are ideal for cooking and really full of flavour.

Homemade tomato soup with basil & crouton pockets.




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