Purple Mangetout

I tried out a new variety of mangetout this year, called 'Mangetout Shiraz' from Thompson & Morgan. I sowed them outside in our small, raised bed, in May or June, and we have been harvesting them daily for the last couple of weeks. The colour of the flowers and pods is beautiful and makes them easy to spot amongst the green leaves.

The purple colour becomes a dark green mixed with purple when they are cooked. We have eaten them blanched, cooled and added to salad; steamed as a side vegetable with butter; and added to pasta for the last 2 - 3 minutes of cooking and served with pesto: delicious! They would also be great in stir fries.

Garlic Harvest

I harvested our garlic crop this afternoon, and was pleased with the quantity and quality, despite the adverse weather conditions this year.

It seems to be one of the easiest vegetables to grow. I plant the single cloves in late September and harvest in June or July. That's it!

This amount was grown in two small 4 feet square beds and should keep us going for the best part of a year.