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!

Summer Fruit Tree Pruning

Did I miss summer?  Nothing but cold grey skies and damaging gusty winds. As for summer pruning fruit trees, it was more like late autumn.  Not that weather hindered progress.  Chris was out with the Niwaki steps skillfully wielding loppers. Before you knew it, both pear trees and our grafted apple had had haircuts and, as we had a bonfire on the go, we were able to burn all the prunings immediately.

Now THAT's efficient!

The Return of Garden Visitors

Visitors explore the main lawn.

One super smart Studio!

Whoopie!  It was lovely to see the return of some garden visitors today. We enjoyed the company of 16 visitors from Ludlow U3A and made £80 for nurses and carers under the National Garden Scheme.  The rain arrived with the visitors but unlike them, only stayed 10 minutes and then the sun came out.  Unfortunately, we weren't able to offer the usual level of hospitality so there were no homemade teas just a big welcome!  It was the first outing for our visitors had made since the relaxing of lockdown restrictions so how lovely they came to Pear Tree Cottage garden!! 

Of course there had been much preparation as Simon had been very busy in the garden with his paint brushes. The Studio was looking super smart with its new red roof, newly glazed and leaded windows and beautifully painted window frames. Simon also transformed the swing seat roof, the Pear Hut and even the Herb Garden niche, fence and the barn.

They certainly enjoyed the handywork of both Chris's!!  Chris Pugh's sculptures were a big hit and much commented upon.  Another lady asked for the name of our builder as she liked Chris Genever's hard landscaping and paving so much!! Also very popular was the greenhouse and its new floor!!  Let's hope this heralds the return of more visitors and more money raised for our caring charities!!

Our resident tour guide chats to visitors.

Self service ticketing & checkout systems!

Studio Make-Over: Phase II

Restyled windows in the door.

The galvanised rainwater tank.

We were most definitely NOT so clever when it came to installing the guttering!!  It poured with rain both days. Water was running along the guttering and down the outlets as it was being installed!!  We were soaked through - especially Chris who refused all water proofing! However, the end result is perfect.  As well as finishing off the appearance of a little wooden shed, it's hugely practical for collecting rainwater.

Boxed in shelving disguise the horizontal downpipe & the newly leaded north window.

It was time to turn our attention to the windows. The thin, loose glass rattled, the putty was falling out and the homemade mini portholes (constructed from glass held in by plastic tupperware lids) on the door was all falling to bits.  It was impossible to any of the large panes of glass without breaking them so new glass was ordered. These were installed with putty and beading and we decided to paint the frames white and to use strips of lead and mimic the same glass patterning as in the Herb Garden mirror and stained glass window - thus maintaining a PTC garden theme.  I should mention the addition of a rather nice & very useful little window sill.  - courtesy of more of Chris Genever's patience and skills! Simon kindly agreed to paint that in with the window frames & just a top coat remains outstanding.

Having timed the first one seriously badly ie. just before making all the mess: all that remained was another major spring clean this time in 30 degrees + of tropical heat.  Luckily Janine and I managed that before having lunch in the shade!!

Who loves their new look studio I wonder???

Studio Facelift!

Cleverly dodging much needed rain, Simon has repainted the studio roof.  We stuck with red oxide and its matt finish contrasts with the gloss of the black ridge piece.  Probably 15 years has elapsed since I painted it.  Back then, the sheet of corrugated iron were painted individually on trestles prior to being installed on the roof.  

Having been given a fabulous 50 gallon galvanised tank, what I'd really love is to install some guttering to catch and drain rain water into my lovely new tank.  Some people are never satisfied!!!

Oh, and yes. It has been spring cleaned inside!!

A Gin Throne on World Gin Day!!!

Hoovering out the debris!

All levelled, filled and in position

This Saturday has had a bit of a liquid theme!

With all the super hot weather, no rain and extra plant watering, I had been wondering what I could use in place of a galvanised dustbin in which to store water on the top terrace.

Today, Chris arrived with a galvanised tank.  So perfect for storing water and dipping a watering can.  It was as if he had known!!  Really uncanny!!!  This year I've placed quite a collection of Pelargoniums on the Top Terrace along with pots of Agapanthus, Violas and a Brugmansia.  It will be perfect for keeping them all watered.

The Gin Throne!!

The big swap around.

Today we had a bit of a move around. We swapped the old oak throne with its two big blue Hosta pots with the gin seat and the 2 cast iron steens.  Now we have a seat with a much better view, a reservoir from which I can water all the pots and a gin throne on World Gin Day!  Time for a gin now - who's a lucky girl?

PTC Wildlife Update

Breakfast time.

It's a regular baby group here in the garden.  We have babies everywhere!  Blue tits, blackbirds, great tits, wagtails and woodpeckers!!  Not all like have their photos taken but we love having them around.  The Great tits nested in a clay jar of all places and we had to shade it from the heat of the sun.  All survived and fledged safely.

6 baby great tits

Baby blue tit waiting to fledge