It takes some willpower to go down to the vegetable garden on a cold, gloomy February day. But as soon as I’m out the door and heading down the main street of the village, my spirits lift. Even though driving rain for the last two days has melted all the snow around Casabasciana, the Alpi Apuane in the distance are dusted white.
Snow-capped Alpi Apuane
My camera and I aren’t up to showing you how beautiful the 3-minute walk to the orto is. And as for how fresh the air smells…
Sala, the hamlet just below us, and the silver road snaking up to Brandeglio opposite
Around the next curve and I can see the Prato Fiorito capped with snow and the Apennines stretching back into the distance.
Prato Fiorito mountain across the Lima Valley
My last report on the vegetable garden was in September. I’m now harvesting what we planted then, but it’s not a great success story. I followed the instructions of the man I bought the plantlets from, but you need a magnifying glass to see the fennel bulbs.
Why doesn't the fennel have a bulb?
Any experienced fennel growers out there who can tell me what I did wrong? Maybe the same thing as the Savoy cabbage? Are they a special variety for one-person households?
Savoy cabbage struggling to grow
Then there’s the Cercospora leaf spot on the bietola (Swiss chard), but I’m cleaning that up and the new leaves are clear and green.
Bietola looking healthier now
The cavolo nero stands sturdily against all ravages except mine. It’s so good in soups and on crostini.
Cavolo nero looks a bit bare around the knees. Will it last out the winter?
If I start to feel depressed or bewildered, I only have to look up.
So what if the radicchio rosso doesn't have a heart.
At least the produce is fresh and tasty.
It will certainly be better next year.
Hi Heather – Fabulous to see what’s going on – do let us know how good the vegetables taste – and look forward to see how the garden looks in the spring
The vegetables taste delicious. Even the tiny stringy fennel is crisp and had a more intense fennel flavour than any I’ve ever bought in a shop.
I love your upbeat take on the cold and the challenge of the winter garden Heather. It looks gorgeous to me and perfect for the one person household just as you say…;-) Enjoy the winter, rug up and walk those beautiful hills of yours. x
I ran into the neighbour who has the orto next to mine and is a consummate gardener. With a smile on is face he told me this is a bad year for fennel. His hasn’t done well either, but next year will probably be better. I like his cheerful acceptance of fate. Che sarà, sarà.
I love cavalo nero. I wish I could grow it at home in Brisbane, it is very expensive in the shops.
Indulge while you’re here!
It looks lovely to me! I love all the winter greens. Wish I was there to get in the kitchen with you and do some cooking!
So do I. We’d have so much fun. But you’d have to take turns going down to the orto in the rain and snow!