https://www.parcancolan.co.uk https://www.parcancolan.co.uk/how-wrong-was-i <div data-rss-type="text">   <div> Hello everyone </div> <div> <br/> </div> <div> I just wanted to talk to everyone about the commitment required of taking on a plot at the allotment. </div> <div> <br/> </div> <div> I have now been with the Parc-an-Colan allotments for five years.  </div> <div> <br/> </div> <div> Over that time, I have seen many plots fall into decline because people don't realise how much commitment and energy it takes to maintain their plot.  </div> <div> <br/> </div> <div> I thought that it would be a piece of cake, a bit of digging, a bit of planting, and loads of lovely fruit and veg.  </div> <div> <br/> </div> <div> I had that romantic view of the allotment, that it would be like the TV series, the Good Life.  </div> <div> <br/> </div> <div> However, Lesley my wife, did warn me, it’s not going to be easy, but being a typical man, I ignored her advice, I thought it would be easy.  </div> <div> <br/> </div> <div> How wrong was I.  </div> <div> <br/> </div> <div> I think after the first year I realised how hard it would be.  </div> <div> <br/> </div> <div> Honestly, if I had known, I think I wouldn’t have taken it on.  </div> <div> <br/> </div> <div> Trying to manage the weeds, improve the soil, adding a fence, adding another shed, adding a greenhouse, all the while keeping everything from blowing away in some heavy storms. </div> <div>   </div> <div> I am not trying to talk people into giving up their allotment  </div> <div> <br/> </div> <div> It does have many benefits, it supports health, fitness and wellbeing, it can save you money by growing your own fruit and veg and the food tastes so much better.  </div> <div> <br/> </div> <div> After a few years and a lot of hard work things start to get established, things do become easier. </div> <div> <br/> </div> <div> Now that I have invested blood, sweat, and tears into the 30ft x 60ft area, I feel I have achieved that balance, effort against return. </div> <div>    </div> <div> What I am trying to say to you all is, please be honest, is this for you, are you prepared to commit all this time and energy to the allotment.  </div> <div> <br/> </div> <div> Do you know that especially during the summer you need to spend at least 6 to 8 hours a week to stay on top of the weeding, watering, digging, composting and general management of your plot?  </div> <div> <br/> </div> <div> Overall, I have found that balance, but it’s taken me five years to get here.  </div> <div> <br/> </div> <div> Just ask yourself do you have the time and commitment to keep this going? </div> <div> <br/> </div> <div> Thanks for reading. </div> <div> <br/> </div> <div> Eddie Plot 5 </div> <div> <br/> </div> </div> Tue, 09 Aug 2022 13:32:05 GMT https://www.parcancolan.co.uk/how-wrong-was-i https://www.parcancolan.co.uk/pickled-courgettes <h3> This is a subtitle for your new post </h3> <div data-rss-type="text"> This is my friend Liz’s recipe for pickled courgettes and it’s delicious! <div> <br/> </div> <div> <br/> </div> <div> Pickled Courgettes. </div> <div> <br/> </div> <div>  300g courgettes sliced super thin </div> <div>  300g onions sliced super thin </div> <div>  2 teaspoons of salt </div> <div>  275ml white wine vinegar </div> <div>  100g demerara sugar </div> <div>  1 teaspoon black onion seeds </div> <div>  2 tablespoons black mustard seeds </div> <div>  1 teaspoon of fennel or celery seeds </div> <div>  ½ teaspoon ground turmeric </div> <div> <br/> </div> <div> Place courgettes and onions in a colander, sprinkle with the salt, mix well and leave for two hours. </div> <div> <br/> </div> <div> Meanwhile, bring the vinegar, seeds and turmeric to the boil in a large saucepan and simmer for two minutes. </div> <div> <br/> </div> <div> Add the rinsed and thoroughly drained veg and quickly return to the boil. </div> <div> <br/> </div> <div> Pack in hot sterilised jars, seal and store somewhere dark for one month.  </div> <div> <br/> </div> </div> Sun, 01 Aug 2021 16:54:39 GMT 183:791769171 (Kerry Burt) https://www.parcancolan.co.uk/pickled-courgettes https://www.parcancolan.co.uk/drying-herbs <div data-rss-type="text"> Tips for drying herbs using a microwave <div> <br/> </div> <div> I have used this method for drying parsley, sage and mint and it works very well. In theory you could also try other herbs. </div> <div> <br/> </div> <blockquote> <div> 1. Pick your herbs on a dry day. If you need to wash them make sure you dry them well. I must admit if the herbs are clean and dry, I don’t bother to wash them. </div> </blockquote> <blockquote> <div> 2. Cut the tops of the herb from the stalks, you just need the leaves. </div> </blockquote> <blockquote> <div> 3. Place the leaves on a paper towel space out evenly. </div> </blockquote> <blockquote> <div> 4. Place the paper towel in the microwave and cook on high for 2 minutes. Depending on the wattage of your microwave, you may need to do it for one more minute. The leaves should be dry and brittle to touch. </div> </blockquote> <blockquote> <div> 5. Then simply scrunch the leaves in your fingers and place in a container. I used old herb jars that I had saved. </div> </blockquote> <blockquote> <div> 6. Label and keep in your herb cupboard and use in the same way as you would dry herbs from the supermarket. </div> </blockquote> <blockquote> <div> 7. I find the colour stays well and the herbs keep their smell. </div> </blockquote> <div> <br/> </div> <div> Tricia Davies </div> <div> Plot twenty, garden of plenty  </div> <div> 5th September 2019 </div> <div> <br/> </div> </div> Sat, 07 Sep 2019 19:32:28 GMT https://www.parcancolan.co.uk/drying-herbs https://www.parcancolan.co.uk/our-new-site <div> <img src="https://cdn.website-editor.net/a42203bbde54494ab8a1b850bb9eff6b/dms3rep/multi/kerryallotment.jpg"/> </div> <div data-rss-type="text"> Our first post <div>   </div> </div> Sun, 21 Jul 2019 14:59:06 GMT https://www.parcancolan.co.uk/our-new-site