Fruit and veg 2014
The weather this year has made it a bit of a challenge getting fruit and vegetables. This began with a series of frosts in October which were, I believe, the reason that no apples set. (Others have similar outcomes.) The dryness of December didn't help anything: we try to be conservative in our watering. Then the heat seemed to reduce the enthusiasm of the tomatoes (which I find interesting as they seemed to grow OK in Dad's glasshouses in England where the temperature was often >40C).
However, assisted by the rain in late February, some of the crops are now hitting their stride.
This is a day's pick of tomatoes and trombocini (the worlds most amusing vegetable).
I tend to pick the Red Pear tomatoes a little unripe as they seem to be attractive to some birds. Not naming names, but I did see 6 Red-browed Finches flee the tomato area just as I found some fruit with peck marks.
They do ripen up nicely indoors. Although not magnificent in intensity of taste they cook up nicely and make a frozen preserve which Frances uses throughout the year,
The little yellow pears tend to get eaten as 'nibbles' as well as adding a nice bit of alternative colour to the aforementioned preserves.
This image shows that there is still a lot out there. Frances is expecting a good supply of green tomato chutney.
This is the second half of our spud crop. Possibly it is more economic to buy them at the Fyshwick market but I find digging potatoes very satisfying.
Peppers are one family which like the heat, I think the first two images are of chilis: I am pretty sure the second lot are Jalapenos.
The capsicums are also doing well.
As are the petit maron pumpkins.
Although apples are a no-show the two pear trees have done the right thing.
These white grapes are notable for a very strong scent, often described as 'foxy'. I am sure this makes them Vitis lambrusca, a North American species as opposed to Vitis vinifera, the European grape. I suspect they are the variety 'Niagara'.
However, assisted by the rain in late February, some of the crops are now hitting their stride.
This is a day's pick of tomatoes and trombocini (the worlds most amusing vegetable).
They do ripen up nicely indoors. Although not magnificent in intensity of taste they cook up nicely and make a frozen preserve which Frances uses throughout the year,
The grapes are also producing, with the first bunches of white grapes picked this morning.
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