Spring

Spring is lovely and long here, near Beaune in France. It starts in February with the daffodils blooming followed by the asparagus shoots appearing in March. Then the strawberries come into fruit. And then there are the eggs… Spring is when our flock gets broody and we are up to our eyes in eggs.

Growing garlic is something I had never tried. I am a garlic virgin. But it turned out to be easier than I thought. Let's see what's involved at PumpjackPiddlewick

If you have read any of my gardening posts you understand that I classify myself as a Garden Virgin.  I suspect no matter how many years I garden, I will always think of myself as such.  Why? Because other than the occasional foray into ‘how to?’ on the internet IRead More →

Last year I planted Chamomile, with no great success. I tried it in various places and had a little bit grow around my homemade birdbath. It produced one really good bunch of flowers, which were duly harvested and made into Chamomile tea. But what I had forgotten, when I hadRead More →

Pumpjack Piddlewick Who We Are

If you’ve read any of our posts about working in a vineyard, you’ll be coming to realise that a vineyard’s work is never done.  Each season brings a different requirement. Obviously harvesting grapes in autumn, then there is pruning in winter. And spring in the vineyard? It’s all about de-budding. Read More →

Are you taking care of your trees and pruning suckers? | PumpjackPiddlewick

One of the great benefits of living with someone who has a degree in oenology and viticulture (fancy titles for winemaking and vineyard management) is that he is a wiz at pruning. Pumpjack really understands how things grow and what to do when. He is my mentor and has taughtRead More →