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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7 July 2020

Preserving Produce!

Blackcurrant 'conserve'.
Harvesting blackcurrants

The cold, wet and windy weather has been ideal for jobs of a more culinary nature.  Having picked our blackcurrants it's been jam making time and actually enjoying the warmth of the Aga.  I can't believe I'm saying that in the middle of summer!  The blackcurrant jam set well and has a lovely tangy flavour.  


Chris arrived with some gooseberries so I made more jam with them.  As it's too late for elderflowers, so I added some Attar of Roses Pelargonium leaves.  It has a lovely clear colour but the seeds make it look like frogspawn!   Because of the high fruit content it qualifies for conserve rather than jam!

Lids were made with with brown paper & jute twine and raffia - the only materials to hand but a suitably rustic finish.

Better flavour than frogspawn!

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