FRESH EGGS AND FORCED RHUBARB
Valentine's Day on February 14th was once known in country areas as 'the birds' wedding day'. It was thought to be the day birds began singing sweetly again after the worst of the winter and started searching for their mates.
It's also the time when hens begin laying: another seasonal country saying is hens are 'in lay from Valentine's Day to Guy Fawkes night'. Others, say hens begin laying at the start of the month, roughly halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox.
Rhubarb, forced under large plant pots, the tops stuffed with straw, upturned dustbins or dedicated forcing pots (Covered since the beginning of January) should be coming into its own now with some lovely tender pink stems.
Celebrate the first early signs of spring on your smallholding with an old-fashioned seed cake to showcase your home laid eggs, and an equally old-fashioned beautifully pink rhubarb compote. The compote is terrific for breakfast over cereal or with yoghurt or as the basis for a rhubarb fool. A spoonful served with the seed cake works nicely too.
RHUBARB COMPOTE
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der February 2023-Ausgabe von The Country Smallholder.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der February 2023-Ausgabe von The Country Smallholder.
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How to Buy a Smallholding in France- Long-time smallholder Lorraine Turnbull looks at the practicalities of moving to rural France
Aspiring smallholders are continually thwarted by the prices of smallholdings and property with land located within the UK. Even the humblest croft in Scotland comes with a substantial price tag and conditions which would make even an adventurous wannabee consider carefully. But all is not lost. For those willing to take the adventure of a lifetime, there is always Europe, and one of the most popular places is France.
Meet the Bournemouth goats and their supporters
These capricious animals are hard workers preserving the natural habitat
Still warm enough to sit outside with a Pizza
Henrietta Balcon uses fresh figs to create an unusual dish at Harvest time
Goodbye to the birds of spring and summer
If you look and listen you might be able to see them preparing to leave says The RSPB
Get ready for the colder weather in the warmth of late summer
Claire Waring advises on doing the best to make sure your colonies survive until next spring
Preparing the Veg Patch for Winter
Lee Senior says, a well-run plot can excitingly continue to produce good quality, tasty, fresh food for much of winter
Time to prepare to plant your orchard
Wade Muggleton, smallholder and author of The Orchard Book, shares his practical experience so you can create your own fruit collection
Choosing feed for the autumn
As autumn approaches, Joanna Palmer, nutritionist at the Smallholder Range, offers advice on choosing the right feed to support your adult birds through their annual moult and ensure your young birds grow and finish well at this time of the year.
Vet advice from an experienced poultry vet
Reflecting on how much the humble hen has helped people world wide plus advice on stopping the scourge of red mite
Give your hens some support
Paul Donovan looks at the right and wrong ways of handling birds
