Gardening

How does your garden grow? As gardening virgins, ours is a delight to discover. We like to have a go at anything, re-use as much as we can in building the garden, and are always learning something new. What’s not to like? And you get to eat the results!

2021 and New Year considerations at PumpjackPiddlewick

I said it last year, and the year before. I love the celebration of New Year. Not because of the whole fireworks, Champagne, party thing. Rather, I love that it creates an opportunity of rejuvenation – in ideas, energy, plans and new year considerations both past and looking forward. PastRead More →

Building compost bins out of pallets at PumpjackPiddlewick

When we first moved to France to look after a petite Chateau, there were a few obvious projects that attracted our attention. The vegetable garden, which had gone to seed. And, the compost bins. Or rather the compost heap. Literally. It was a heap. As we wanted compost for theRead More →

We are cooking with Pumpkins at PumpjackPiddlewick

Whether it is images for Halloween or the cornucopia concept of harvest, autumn to me can be summed up in one word ~ Pumpkins.  There is something about these roly-poly orange veg that just makes me smile.  (Maybe that is why we are driven to carve toothy faces into them?)Read More →

Planting and harvesting unusual vegetables, recipes included, at PumpjackPiddlewick

Every year I put my hand to trying to grow some lesser grown or unusual vegetables.  As a self titled garden virgin (but gaining experience all the time), I of course have varying success. I am very proud of having had a go with sweet potatoes, celeriac, artichokes, fennel, asparagus,Read More →