Monday 4 February 2008

Mixed skies

It's the time of year the weather often does this, or worse.



Although it's not always that bleak.


Blue skies in February. Normally, by this time of year everything is convered in snow. The neighbour's mimosa adds a welcome dash of colour whatever. As does the minature version on this side of the fence.



Vegetable planting has been started. In December a packet of chilli seeds arrived in the post, sent by a friend in the UK. Each of five friends has a packet and we're going to see who can grow the best chillies.



According to the bumf that came with the packet, you're not supposed to plant them until February. I cheated and sowed them about four weeks ago. They're currently in a propagator on a sunny window ledge, looking very happy.

And this is what I should hopefully have come summer.



The variety is called Twilight, I'm very enamoured with the colours, especially the purple. Almost too good to eat.

9 comments:

lorenzothellama said...

Mimosa? I love mimosa
LtL

lorenzothellama said...

Raelha, je bouve le gin et je suis pisse. Au secours.
L.

simon said...

I found Spains climate similar to ours- and then I noticed a lot of gum trees now a wattle tree!

And the Chillis look "hot"

Metamatician said...

Cut it out with the French, you two. Aren't they your bitter historical enemies? What kind of Brits are you anyways? Certainly not the kind my grandfathers fought to protect! French indeed...

LOVE the pictures Raelha, but then you take such lovely shots on such a consistent basis you're actually in jeopardy of getting Taken For Granted. I'll never do that, I'm just saying. It's been known to happen.

Still, my mouth water at the chilis and far from being "bleak," the toppermost picture looks quite dramatically grand. Maybe it was the photographer who injected it with such life. Or maybe I like storms and contrasty images.

You chili growing contest sounds great! It's cool that you have four other friends all willing to do that. Makes it even more fun to grow things, not that they need another reason. Just to see edible things emerge from the ground out of your own efforts is amazing; it puts one back in touch with our pre-modern roots and the food ALWAYS tastes so much better than anything you can buy.

Hmm...maybe I'll start my own little jalapeno or habanero plant. Anyone know how they would do in a pot indoors with plenty of sun? Those look like sweet peppers you're growing. I want to reach into the monitor for a taste, but for some reason it won't let me.

Metamatician said...

Obi-Wan says, "there aren't any typos or forgotten letters in the above post. Move along."

Gledwood said...

Milk? Hmmm... honey...? good in coffee. Cyder?? Yumm!

Your photos are quite arresting... where ARE you in Spain... I don't get it... somewhere in the north over Portugual nr la Coruna? or where?...??!?

rsvp

gledwood vol 2! ta!!

Unknown said...

Lorenzo, see, I said the odd drink improved use of foreign language.

Meta, more compliments, it could go to a girl's head. And don't you know we're all in the EU now? Even the French are learning English.

I presume my firends are busily growing chillies, or maybe they followed instructions and waited, I must find out.

Yes, I do love growing my own food. The excitement at seeding the lants tentatively pop thier heads out fo the ground, the anticipation as you watch them grow and finally, the picking, just before dinner and the knowing that it's all going to taste far superior to anything you could've bought.

A chilli plant in a pot with plenty of sunshine will be fine. I'll proabably keep a few of mine in pots - they seem to like a lttle root restriction. Don't know what your monitor was playing at, try again. if you still have no luck I'll just have to send you some of mine later in the year. Anyone else fancy any?

Anonymous said...

I'm impressed by the head start you have on the chillies Rachel. I won't panic just yet though. I plan on having a seed planting session this weekend. Not only will i get my chillies going but also a lot of other juicy veg including cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers. mmmmm

Metamatician said...

Did the chilies ever grow up? Were they delicious?