ELECTION WEEK

There is undoubtedly a connection between food and politics, or even the food of politics, or the politics of food. These thoughts were uppermost on our minds this week as Greece  approached its second election in as many months.  In many countries farmers tend to support more traditional right wing parties. I wonder if this is true for organic farmers.??? I know we generally  do not,  Despite most of us being disenfranchised and unable to exercise our democratic right to vote we nevertheless debated keenly the events of the moment.
                                                           

So back to the garden  A mid week visit to  weed and water was productive.  We have  been talking about the necessity of going more than once a week for a couple fo reasons.  One being we need to check the watering system (Turn on  turn off)

We discovered we can't automate it as the pressure is too great.  Gotta to be a solution to this though  and secondly to collect produce.




So we returned again on Sunday election day  again for more weeding,  fertilizing, de buggin, and tie-ing up (of plants  not people)

Theresa and Sarah  helping tie each other up

Brenda   star weeder

Sergio,  just - a - fixin - things


Some good growing going on  I was impressed by the toms which are approaching their tine to be chopped up and put in a salad date and the  melon which is getting bigger.

Melon looking good nice shape  not too may bugs, now lets see a few more. 

Toms really coming along well and needing the least weeding but the most pruning.  You can already see the shapes of the different varieties coming out
















And finally for this week we need to meet up mid week for both watering and to get the next batch of tomatoes in.  .  As it is getting fairly hot I think we may need to consider some shade for the toms.. see how that one goes I think by next week we will be coming to the end of the lettuces for the moment., but we tend to eat what is in season here anyway  so tomato based salads during the summer and lettuce based salads in the winter..

Basil picked...Pesto made

Ok instead of a tip this week as we all took some some basil  here's show you do a quick pesto sauce..

Ingredients

3 handfuls of basil leaves 
1handful toasted pine nuts
1 handful of; Parmesan
bit of garlic
olive oil
squeeze of lemon
salt and pepper


Home grown stuff here is the basil, lemon, olive oil (thanks to the ex.)


This pic. only shows one handful  of leaves,we will have to get more.....

Bung basil and garlic in a blender (or if you have  bash in a mortar and pestle\) and then whizz them up.  Meanwhile throw nuts into a well heated pan and toast  (not burn)


then add them to basil mulch and simply add as much olive oil as you think its needs, the Parmesan ,  salt pepper and a dash of lemon to bring all those flavors out.

And so here we are.  I wish I had a better camera as this picture does not do the colour justice.


Anyway mine will get sprinkled on a rocket and lettuce salad tonight with a bit of avocado




Bon Appetite