Around the garden

In the garden late January and early February, we start to see tiny shoots appearing, as year on year, by clockwork, small rumblings of life are occurring in the soil beneath us and hints of what’s to come are now peeking through. Crocus which form a border around our lawns, bluebells, and hyacinths planted by previous owners long ago all begin to make an appearance around now.

February is National Bird Feeding Month

Are you avidly watching your feathered friends as they gather momentum in and around the garden? February is National Bird Feeding Month, so we’ll do what we can to help them transition from winter to spring. Why not have a go at making a simple feeder to keep your local bird fraternity happy and satisfied as they prepare for the busy months ahead.

Everyone needs to eat - squirrels enjoy the feeders too, but watch they don’t steal the whole thing and scurry away with it.

To make your feeder you will need:

Coconut oil (preferably organic)

General bird seed plus some bird-friendly nuts and dried fruit
Small amount of grated cheddar
Either a small yoghurt pot, plastic plant pot or coir seed pots
Length of twine to hang your feeder

Method:

Melt the coconut oil in a saucepan over a low heat and set aside
Place the twine inside the pot and sit on a heatproof plate to save your surfaces
Fill the pot/s with bird seed, grated cheddar, and carefully pour over the melted coconut oil until it covers the seed and is up near the top
Sprinkle a few nuts and dried fruit on the top
Reposition your twine, if necessary, so that it can be used as a hanging loop
Allow to cool a little before placing it in the fridge to fully set (this can take more than two hours, but you can always freeze it if short of time
When fully set, carefully remove it from your pot and hang it in a suitable position in the garden.

If you have Instagram you can watch a little video I made last year which takes you through the above steps. Watch it here.

From the Cottage Kitchen

Late last year, I gleefully discovered an organic farm shop about ten minutes away from the cottage and have been visiting at least once a week to stock up on locally grown, seasonal produce ever since. The difference in taste and quality is unsurpassed, and I adore how proper organic vegetables are generally gnarly looking and often, a parsnip will have a “pair of legs”, which always gives me a giggle.

Nothing is perfect - and that’s just the way nature intended.

Try my herby, garlicky roast potatoes

We love nothing more than a big dish of fluffy roasties cooked in lashings of quality extra virgin olive oil, plenty of sea salt, organic black pepper, and topped off with rosemary and sage. For the last few minutes of roasting stir through two freshly minced garlic gloves - I promise you, it’s delicious.

Keep the potatoes small and give them a good shake in the pan to fluff them up before tipping them into the hot oil.

Serve with a mix of green vegetables - kallettes (a cross between kale and brussels sprout) carrots and crispy cauliflower cheese. Surely one’s tastebuds should have something to think about every day? Other seasonal veg to try if you can find it locally is purple sprouting, celeriac, and heritage or perpetual spinach.

We are a vegetarian household, but why not try my herby potatoes next time you serve a roast dinner and keep the green leafy vegetables coming.

I always make enough so that I can devour the leftovers for lunch the next day with an omlette to deliver a healthy portion of resistant starch.

We are still mid-wintering so Let’s not forget a hearty pudding to follow. I’ve got a delicious fruity pudding recipe to share (I’m a bit late with it, I know) from a lovely food writer who kindly shared it with me for the scrapbook journal. Look out for that.

Choosing organic seeds

I’ve evolved as a person over the last few years, and I’ve been on a keen learning journey around food/nutrition, and what an eye-opener it has been. I don’t wish to support intensive farming practices and actively avoid foods sprayed with pesticides and herbicides. I decided to grow some of our food this season which led me on a search for organic seeds.

I came upon a company called Ethical Organic Seeds and after thoroughly reading the website, I went ahead and purchased some herb and tomato seeds in readiness for sowing a little later on. Sourcing organic compost in which they will grow has given me peace of mind that what we (and our animals) are consuming here at the cottage is the healthiest it can be. Browse Ethical Organic Seeds here.

February Listens - podcast recommendations

As The Season Turns is a firm favourite of mine and one I very much look forward to each month. Presented by Lia Leendertz a renowned nature writer and author who partners with Ffern fragrance to bring you an uplifting, seasonally inspired podcast that is released on the first day of each month. We hear about traditions for the month, folklore, moon cycles, garden life, and much more. It really is a fascinating must-listen for anyone grounded and inspired by nature. I really can’t recommend it enough.

My love letter Time Machine Simply a joy, this one has been keeping me company for months. It’s a true Victorian love story of two ordinary people from Sheffield; Fred Shepherd and Janie Warburton. Their love letters date back to the 1800s and are read by the couple’s great-great granddaughter Ingrid Birchell Hughes who, I might add, has the most wonderfully soothing and relaxing voice. Settle somewhere in a quiet corner, hot coffee in hand, and let yourself be transported back one hundred and forty years to be thoroughly immersed in Victorian history. A truly enchanting insight into social history, family dramas, and day-to-day living at a time when things weren’t quite so easy.

In the words of Ingrid Birchell Hughes, “I’ll leave it there for now”.

With very best wishes for a wonderful new month,

Sam

Featuring our rustic terracotta pot sets and galvanized zinc bucket Fern garlic and ginger grater.

February At Home