We have had some amazing chilli growing weather of late, and that, along with Elliot fertilising the crap out of the plants, has made for some amazing looking chilli and tomato plants which will soon be providing a plethora of fire-filled fruits.
The fertilising is only one part of the Elliot care package these plants receive. The love and attention these things get may be considered somewhat obsessive, weird, extreme. It all just seems kinda normal to me now. Not sure if that says more about me or him. No less than four times a day the jandals and sunglasses go on and a quick "you know where I'll be" signals I have a good half hour to watch a snipet of Come Dine With Me, Project Runway or am able to cook in peace.
I'm still trying to figure out whether the comment the other night about playing music to them was in jest.
However, whatever he is doing is working as these are some extremely good looking plants which are bigger and bushier than last year and will be providing an abundance of fruit in no time.
 |
| When they went out at Labour weekend |
 |
| 7 December |
 |
| Just three weeks later |
As you can see from above, the three weeks we have had of hot, still, dry weather has worked absolute wonders and the plants are thriving. Flowers are blooming and fruit is setting on the chillies and the rest of the garden of herbs, lettuces and strawberries are growing extremely well. And we are getting very good at nabbing the strawberries and tomatoes just as they begin to ripen before those pesky birds get to them.
We have harvested the last of our potoates - half of which went with Mams to help feed the troops at the Dunedin Christmas and half stayed with us for an amazing potato salad and some potato rosti topped with bacon and eggs for one of those brunches that contributes to the inevitable weight loss new year's resolution.
 |
| Potato salad with bacon, sundried tomatoes and basil mayo |
 |
| Potato rosti with eggs, bacon and sundried tomato and basil mayo |
So, here are some pics of the chilli plants, the rest of the garden and just a few of the meals we have enjoyed over the summer so far made better by some of the fruits of our labour. More food and recipes to come.
 |
| Ornamental chilli - NuMex Twilight |
 |
| Not having any trouble with basil this year |
 |
| This is this Bhut Jolokia's third season |
 |
| Bushier tomato varieties for the pots have worked really well |
 |
| Carolina Reaper - the world's hottest chilli |
 |
Big Bhut Jolokia
 |
 |
| Jalapenos a plenty |
 |
| Takanotsume |
 |
| Chilli row |
 |
| Habanero - from the seeds of last year's best Habanero plant |
 |
| Just planted some new coriander as am using plenty |
 |
| A few decent sized lemons have set |
 |
| Quesadilla feast with herbs from the garden |
 |
| Lettuce, coriander and mint ready for spring rolls |
 |
| Our delightful summer deck |
No comments:
Post a Comment