The Greenhouse,

is about growing matters, focusing on my greenhouse and potager. I grow mainly vegetables, herbs and spices but flowers have their given place too. From seed to table, this is the nursery for my living food, we cook a lot of delicious food and I say a potager is the cook’s best friend. The greenhouse makes it possible to grow essential, colourful, warmth loving fruit and vegetables even in this climate such as tomatoes and chillies. My main blog is Tyras Trädgård/Tyra's Garden. View my profile

Sunday

Frost Hardy Borecole - Pentland Brig

This post 'Frost Hardy Borecole - Pentland Brig' was originally uploaded by Tyra in the blog The Greenhouse


The last harvest from the Potager 2009


The day before Christmas day!

Under a thick duvet of snow I dug out my Portland Brig kale.

Some call it Kale - the edible plant (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) in the mustard family, having spreading crinkled leaves that do not form a compact head. Also called borecole, cole, colewort, collard. I personally say GRÖNKÅL (green+cole) and my faavourite is the Pentland Brig. Långkål -is slowly cooked dish with kale, butter and creme is a favourite on our Christmas table . Recipe below** this recipe 'Långkål' is an old recipe from Halland and that is from the southern part of Sweden.




Frost hardy borecole. Heavy cropping leafy winter vegetable with a distinct flavour. Also produces leafy side shoots and spears like broccoli. SOW: March to April in seed bed in shallow drills 15cm apart. TRANSPLANT: in May-June 45cm apart. HARVEST: Late autumn onwards. Soil Association Certified Organic Seeds. Seeds and text at the Green Chronicle Shop


Grönkål - allmänt ifrån Runåberg


"Grönkålen har odlats mycket länge. I de Egyptiska pyramiderna har gjorts fynd som visar att grönkålen var högt värderad både som föda och till dekoration. Hos oss här i Norden är den troligen en av de äldsta odlade köksväxterna. Grönkålen knyter sig inte till ett huvud och bladen är mer eller mindre krusiga. Vitamin och mineralinnehållet är mycket högt och det gör grönkålen till viktig höst- och vintermat för både människor och djur. Den delas efter höjden upp i låga, halvhöga och höga sorter, som kan variera mellan 10 till 150 cm. Grönkålen kan odlas på de flesta jordar, men trivs bäst i en näringsrik och fuktighetshållande jord med bra tillgång på fosfor och kalium"
Brassica oleracea var. acephala sabellica 'Pentland Brig' - en av de godaste!

Den godaste grönkålen enligt min mening med lite svagt syrlig smak är Pentland Brig . Varje år till jul gär jag långkål recept nedan* jag kan inte tänka mej ett julbord utan. Stammen blir dryga halvmetern hög och bär en stor mängd ljusare gröna , spröda (det knakar om dom), vågkrusiga vackra blad. Pentland Brig var mycket nära att försvinna för några år sedan, men räddas av en liten engelsk fröfirma läser jag hos Runåberg. Ekofrö från Runåbergsfröer
Recept på Långkål

*Repa av bladen från grönkålsstånden. Här Pentland Brig (Räkna med att 1 kg färsk grönkål ger 400-500 gram kokt kål.) Koka i 20 minuter i buljong.(ex. skinkspadet) Låt kålen rinna av i durkslag jag brukar lägga allt i en ren silduk och krama ur spadet . Grovhacka. Fräs hacket av grönkålen i en stekpanna med smör, häll på grädde och låt det stå och småputtra. Salt och peppra efter smak.

RECIPE for Långkål

**Tear of leaves of the kale and leave the stems. I use Pentland Brig borecole but there are many different kales to choose from. (Expect that 1 kg of fresh kale gives about 400-500 grams of cooked kale.) Boil for 20 minutes in the broth. (I use the broth from my Christmas ham) Allow the cabbage to drain in colander, I usually put everything in a clean cloth and squeeze out the broth . Chop roughly. Fry the chopped kale in a pan with a nob of butter, pour in the cream and let it simmer for 10 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste, some even add a very small amount of syrup.


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Monday

Vegetables for the Potager - Cucumis sativus

This post 'Cucumis sativus 'Marketmore' was originally uploaded by Tyra in the blog The Greenhouse in Tyra's Garden



They are best raw straight from the plant...






Cucumis sativus 'Marketmore'



At this time every year the glossy seed brochures arrives and it's time to dream about the growing season 2010. I know it is very early but I have already started with some planning for my potager; still it is all in my head, but after all the Christmas and New Year holidays I’m doing the real thing. This is a tip to those of you that grow your own food. It is a delicious cucumber perfect in Greek Salads and in the Tzaziki sauce, but I think they absolutely taste the best raw straight from the plant, Cucumis sativus ‘Marketmore’



For Scandinavian growers I know that Impecta got seeds for Cucumis sativus 'Marketmore'


Seeds of Change "Sweet Marketmore Cucumber, Cucumis sativus 6-8 in fruit Tender Annual One of the most widely grown slicer/salad varieties. Prolific 4-6 ft. vines. Dark green, smooth-skinned 6-8" variety has sturdy skin that holds up well in packing and transport." Planting Depth: 1/2-1" Soil Temp. for Germ.: 65-70°F Days to Germ.: 4-12 Avg. Spacing: 6 seeds/ft. in rows 36-72 in. apart Avg. Seeding Rate: 3-6 lbs./acre Days to Maturity: 60-75 Partial Shade/Full Sun Moderate Water. You can get seeds and more information from Seed of Change.






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Thursday

December Harvest from the Greenhouse - Jalapeño?


This post 'Jalapeño?' was originally uploaded by Tyra in the blog The Greenhouse in Tyra's Garden


When I bought the seeds for this plant it said Capsicum annuum L. 'Early Jalapeño' on the label but I do have serious doubts about that, they do not look like Jalapeños nor does the flower look like a Jalapeño flower, they are usually off-white aren't they and Early Jalapeño? It is LATE. It is the last of them all and I planted them at the same time! Well anyway... I'm very proud and glad over my December harvest from the greenhouse. Now all that is left are some herbs like estragon and parsley. If anyone recognize this chili and know what it is please let me know. They actually taste just like Jalapeños...I'm confused.

Pretty purple chili flower - 'in floribus' July

Tasty chilies from the greenhouse, hot, but edible ;-)



It is Blooming Friday today and this little flower was my contribution, you find more participants at Katarinas.

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Sunday

Borage - a Medicinal Herb in the Kitchen Garden

This post 'Borage' was originally uploaded by Tyra in the blog The Greenhouse in Tyra's Garden






Borage - Borago officinalis it was probably one of the first medicinal plant I planted in my potager, I think the reason was it is so easy to grow and also because it has such beautiful flowers. The leaves are rich in both potassium and calcium, they have a bit salty cucumber flavour which I think is a very pleasant taste . I think it is for that reason that it’s called ‘gurkört’ (cucumber-herb) in Swedish. The leaves are a bit 'downy' (is that the correct word? hairy) I do not really like that, but if you chop up the young leave they can be useful in all sorts of fresh cooking, a 'bit more green' tzatziki, for example, if you use them in warm cooking the hairiness disappears. I use the beautiful blue flowers from Borage in salads, or just sprinkle some as decoration on all kind of food like cakes, cream cheese or drinks.





The Borage, in my garden anyway, are all self sown, but is not a problematic weed, they are easy to manage. I have actually never bought any seeds and that I like. There are some others in my garden that also likes the Borage and those are the birds and the bees and you know we have to look after and care for our small friends especially the bees.



For medicinal uses: Borago officinalis - Plants For A Future




Borage - Borago officinalis at MMS Gardens - Hortus Medicus




Happy Bee Picture from the Bee Movie Do you want to watch some clips?





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Tuesday

Garlic - Allium sativum

This post 'GARLIC' was originally uploaded by Tyra in the blog The Greenhouse in Tyra's Garden



Healthy food in the potager





AUK, did U know that...
Amusing Unnecessery Knowledge:

" Much of the garlic production in the United States is centered on Gilroy, California, which calls itself the 'garlic capital of the world'." I like that, garlic capital of the world.

China produces over 12.000.000 tonnes of garlic, US 222 thousand tonnes and Sweden...well we are not even on the list. I can contribute with 1 kilo or so :-)




This year I planted the garlic together with some houseleeks Sempervivum, just a crazy idea I got, I wonder how this bed will look next summer.


Happy gardening/ TYRA




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Thursday

Cucurbita Maxima - Uchiki Kuri

This post, 'Cucurbita Maxima - Uchiki Kuri' was originally uploaded and written by Tyra at the blog The Greenhouse in Tyra's Garden.
curbita maxima Uchiki Kuri




Japanese Winter Squash


.I planted Cucurbita maxima Duchesne 'Uchiki Kuri' this year and I got two and one wasn't even big enough to save so I had to throw that one away. But the one I saved looks nice doesn't it, however when I look at other pictures of this variety of Kuri they don't look the same! Is it really what it said on the label a Uchiki Kuri? Well perhaps they differ a lot in size etc. Anyway I'm looking forward to do something nice in the kitchen with this little fellow later this winter but first it has to mature a month or two in the greenhouse.





"This is an improved Hubbard-type squash with orange-red rind, creamy yellow, thick flesh that is very sweet and nutty flavored. The approximate weight for Uchiki Kuri is 1.5 kg or 3.3 lbs. Use in soups, stir-fries and pies. Bred in Japan, this winter squash is popular braised in dashi stock, or for a Thai dish, braised in coconut milk."



KITAZAWA SEED CO.



Maturity: Approx. 100 days
Planting season: Late spring to early summer



~~~

..
Don't be a stranger - Do write something/ TYRA




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Sunday

A box of goodies - No. 1 Cherokee Purple

....

We are now in the month of October and I can still harvest some great vegetables from the greenhouse. Here I got a box full of goodies, bell peppers, red hot chilli peppers and some lovely tomatoes; Great White, Plum Lemon, Gardener’s Delight, Green Zebra and last Cherokee Purple this year favourite.


Read more about my huge Cherokee purple here in - A Beauty or a Beast The first tomatoes this growing season were huge and very meaty flesh, one can certainly understand why they are called beef tomatoes. The tomatoes that ripened later were considerably smaller and I do prefer the smaller Cherokee tomatoes. they are definitely not the best looking tomatoes but the taste is great.

No. 1 (2009)


It is Harvest Monday at Daphne's Dandelions!
...
TYRA

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Tuesday

PICK ME - she says - Rubus idaeus

Pick me! she says...


Yes my yellow raspberry is a she. This Rubus idaeus is called 'Allgold' or sometimes 'Fall gold' I think it is a perfect name for this sumptuous and delicious berry. But you have to pick it fast or she falls easily to the ground. I often just hold my hand underneath the cane and shake it gently.


I must try to put a plant or two in a large bucket and place it into the greenhouse and see how late I can harvest these berries. You can harvest the Rubus idaeus 'Allgold' twice per season first in July and secondly during the autumn months. Isn't that just amazing?

Såhär säjer Herbert om Allgold Risarp.


Remonterande gul sort. Rik avkastning, välsmakande. Lätt Jord, zon I-III. Urval har skett i sorten under en lång följd av år, vilket har medfört en tidigare skörd och en större mängd bär och bärstorlek.
Remontera innebär att man först skördar på sommaren, sedan fortsätter sorten att ge skörd som hösthallon.
Skaka ner Allgold. Då de är guldgula är de fullmogna. Särskilt när kärlet med plantan är inställt i växthus på senhösten, är den bästa skördemetoden.



Ni måste besöka Herbert och Ingeborg på Hallonplantor.se



...and here at last another simply delicious one, 'Lucia' and more about her in Tyras Garden.


Queen of Light





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Monday

The Greenhouse and potager in September - GBBD

This post, 'The greenhouse and potager' was originally uploaded and written by Tyra at the blog The Greenhouse in Tyra's Garden.




September pictures from my potager and greenhouse.



The harvest continues and just now I have a lot of plums to take care of. Today I've just made some jars of lovely plum marmalade and some chutneys, I think that will be nice to have together with all the up-coming winter-food. Created one totally new recipe with plums, added a small amount of rom, chillie and also YOGI tea 'Jamaica blend' in it, you will find the recipe in Tyra's Garden on Friday




September i trädgården är väl alldeles underbart, skördefesten fortsätter och nu kommer frukten, alla härliga äpple och plommon. Just nu skördas det plommon och då kokas det marmelader och chutneys. Satte ihop ett alldeles nytt recept på en lite annorlunda plommonmarmelad hela receptet på hittar du i Tyras Trädgård här kommande fredag.





GBBD September

Hosted by Carol at My dreams Garden

This time I'll show you the roses that are 'in floribus' on this Garden Bloggers Bloom Day. I planted these in 2007, please see the chart below for the names. It is just nine o'clock then I took these pictures and the dew from the night is still there and making the petals a bit heavy.







Happy gardening / Tyra





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Tuesday

Mixed Tomato Salad

This post, 'Mixed tomato salad' was originally uploaded and written by Tyra at the blog The greenhouse in Tyra's Garden.
This post, 'Mixed tomato salad' was originally uploaded and written by Tyra at the blog The greenhouse in Tyra's Garden.
Mixed tomato salad...
...
...
... just add a flavoursome dressing and a nice piece of bread and you got yourself a great summer lunch.
...
This is my favourite dressing.
...
My own creation - it is strong in taste so you do not need to take a lot of it.
...
~ Tyra's special dressing ~
...
Chop up 1 small red onion
add 1 teaspoon of mustard and mayo
½ cup of vinegar (red or balsamico)
½ cup of virgin olive oil
Fresh herbs - parsley, thyme, basil and tarragon
1 Garlic clove
Salt and pepper
...
Top off the salad with seeds, nuts and black olives.
...
Bon Appétit!/ TYRA

Smaklig måltid!

...


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Malakhitovaya Shkatulka - The Malachite Casket

This post, 'Malakhitovaya Shkatulka' was originally uploaded and written by Tyra at the blog The greenhouse in Tyra's Garden.


Harvest in Tyra's Garden - July




I have now harvest my first Malakhitovaya Shkatulka! Sown in Febuary heirloom seeds from Rare Seeds . I didn't know that it was a 'green' tomato or I at least I had forgot it. Malakhitovaya Shkatulka means something like Malachite casket or box and when I cut my red/brown tomato open I found that it has this fantastic colour inside, bright green, Just as a small box with a treasure inside...it is so pretty! And my friend I have to inform you that it is very delicious too.




Malakhitovaya Shkatulka is also a famous folklore fairy tale written by Pavel Bazhov and in 1976 they made an animated film about The Malahkitovaya Shkatulka









This information about Malachite is from Wikipedia





Malachite is a carbonate mineral normally known as "copper carbonate" with the formula CuCO3.Cu(OH)2. This green-colored mineral crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system, and most often forms botryoidal, fibrous, or stalagmitic masses. Individual crystals are rare but do occur as slender to acicular prisms. Pseudomorphs after more tabular or blocky azurite crystals also occur.



Happy gardening my friend!


Don't be a stranger - do write something/ TYRA

What is for dinner? Gazpacho?

from the garden...Yummie




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Thursday

Birdie Nam-Nam

This post, 'Birdie nam-nam' was originally uploaded and written by Tyra at the blog The greenhouse in Tyra's Garden.


I just love cherries, but mouth-watering Yum-Yums gets easily Birdie Nam-Nam if you don't watch them carefully.


Ha...This year I won!

xoxo TYRA

~¨~¨~

Y as in Yesterday it was ABC Wednesday and Yum-Yum.



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Saturday

Rose Collage

Just a collage of one of my favorite Rose. It is a very fragrant bush rose with roses in many different colours, from the creamy pale yellow, through the apricot hues to a lovely pink colour.

Unknown name unfortunatly, I just call it my Watercolour Rose

~~~
Namnet är okänt tyvärr, jag kallar den bara för min Akvarell ros.

...
...
TYRA


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Tuesday

ABC Wednesday

This weeks ABC Wednesday is in Tyra's Garden



Your find it here

Ops! / TYRA



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