For the first time in living memory the quince tree is laden with fruit.
I picked one today, cut it into slices and tried to eat a bit. Its a bit mouth puckering - like a lemon and very hard. I know you can make jam with them but I wondered what else - and it has to be easy.
Youtube came up with https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5tUUtsK6Ks  If, like me, you enjoy watching local people cooking in traditional ways, without gadgets, have a look. 
The channel is Samovar Tea. 

Following their example, I washed and chopped the quince, poured some water on brought it to the boil. It softened very quickly and the peel disintegrated - needed sugar but it is delicious. Tomorrow, I may pick some more. 

If anyone has any simple recipes for Quince, please post them. I may never have this many quince again.

The Student Planner I picked up recently has one section that spoke to me - Habit tracking record pages. Its just a page to list the habits you'd like to have and 31 squares for every day of the month to tick off if you achieve them.
I've read elsewhere that, if you can adopt a habit for 30 days, it will stick and become part of your normal way of life. Does anyone want to join me in tracking a new habit? 
Ideas also sought for good new habits. All I can think of at the moment are:-
Sow seeds every day
Take cuttings every day.
Eat something from the garden daily.
Hoover somewhere
Go for a walk whatever the weather.

Suggestions welcome.

Because P is replacing some of the floor in the shed I had to have a bit of a sort out to expose the floor. I found a packet of old but in good condition Fyba ring culture pots. Basically floppy pots with no bottoms.  I see they recommend using them with growbags.  The query is:  are they of any benefit placed on the gh border soil that is dug down to  say 2ft?  If so I'll experiment next season, if not they'll probably get shoved back into  the hidey hole they came from

Names........and why

Browsing our tablets while having our morning coffee in bed....as you do, P came across something that tweaked his interest. 'Have you ever climbed a Graham'?  Now in all  my years I'm not sure I've even met  Graham, let alone attempted to climb him!

SC may have an inkling of what I'm talking about (that's a clue folks)

So the first question is, what the dickens am I talking about, and the second is WHY?

So boys & girls when you put your trousers into the wash, what do you empty out of your pockets?

Mine looks like this   .

   

 Things at the bottom of the pile you can’t see. Loose change, another 2 pencils, builders chalk. Plus keys & phone which go straight into the next set of pockets.  Not forgetting the usual sawdust, rust, bits of rubbish and fluff that always finds it’s way into my pocket. Does anyone else turn pockets inside out, into a bin before putting in the washing machine? 

What you got?

You've made it to another year Can. Happy birthday have a good one. A good excuse for a few bevvies,  if you need one.

I've been sorting through my Leek seed collection and they all look very similar to me! Some are described as "blue" or "yellow", some boast about their size but basically, a leek is a leek, whichever way you look at it. 
Do you have a favourite leek please?

I'm also wondering whether they can be sown in autumn for overwintering, instead of January onwards as the seed packets advise. If some onions can be sown now, why shouldn't leeks?

Is there an easy way? Can you thresh them once dried ? If I have to hand shell my beans I will be on forever!

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Sorting through a heap of beetroot seed packets and thinking aloud about the differences between varieties - or not.

Beetroot come in different colours - red, yellow, white and stripy (Chioggia).
They come in different shapes - small ball, big ball, flattened and cylindrical/conical.

There are several with similar names - starting with BO - Boltardy, Bono, Boston, Boldor (which is yellow)

Detroit 2 is the same as Crimson Globe

Real seeds say that Beetroot seeds are viable for 2-3 years.

Beetroot leaves are edible as well as the roots. use like chard or leaf beet.
Bulls Blood beetroot is grown primarily as a cut and come again salad leaf. 

Anything you can add? Favourite varieties? How to grow? When to sow?

Any ideas?