DROWNING OR WAVING?
In his seminal work on self-sufficiency, John Seymour stated that the only argument he had with God's great plan was that tomatoes and cucumbers did not share the same greenhouse requirements. Well I have another! Why do all the soft fruits have to crop at the same time?
As I speak, it is the first week of July; I really ought to be planting the leeks into their final position and likewise the purple sprouting and winter heading broccoli. However, I am up to, and past, my eyes in redcurrants, blackcurrants, loganberries, tayberries, raspberries and gooseberries. Thank goodness the main strawberry season has finally ended!
To be honest, the raspberries, tayberries, loganberries and gooseberries aren't too much of a bind because they are quite quick to handle and can be frozen without too much prior processing, but the black and redcurrants take a long time to strip from the strigs and once you've picked them they start to deteriorate. Yes, I've read the books that tell you to strip the currants from the strigs with a fork but it just doesn't work - you still get left with little stalks attached to the currants!
I've just made 8 jars of redcurrant jelly, which alleviates the problem of having to strip the currants, but then you have to let the witches brew drip overnight through a jelly bag before you can make the stuff! Having said all that you do get a very self-satisfied feeling when you see all the jars lined up in the store cupboard. You just know that however hard the winter might be, there will be some liquid sunshine to spread on your crumpets.
And it's not just the soft fruit; I've also got peas and broad beans to pick, blanch and freeze.
People come round to dinner and say how wonderful the fruit and veggies are, but very few of them really understand how much time and effort goes into their production.
So why do I do it? Well, for a start I know what goes into our mouths hasn't been adulterated with nasties and that all the fertiliser used comes from composted vegetable waste, hen poo and comfrey leaves. I do buy in calcified seaweed to raise the PH level because hen poo tends to be a bit acidic and it is preferable to garden lime.
My hens eat layers pellets, mixed corn, poultry grit and enjoy the odd bolted lettuce, cabbage trimmings and squashy tomato. I in turn enjoy eating their eggs and watching their antics and funny little ways. I regard them as pets and they think of me as a nice lady who gives them treats. They live out their natural lives and though they don't produce many eggs in their latter years they still produce manure!
So am I drowning or waving?
I still don't know - I'll keep you posted!