Wild produce around the Lane

Wild produce in August

I live in a semi rural situation. All these photos were taken within a 200 meter radius of the house. At other times of the year, there's wild garlic, strawberries and chestnuts.

Don't forget to look up uses for stinging nettles (hair tonic, garden fertilizer spray) etc., plus rose hips and.....just about anything has a use. Add to this, the wood which can be collected for open fires, it's good news week all round!

A low cost living indeed

Left and Centre - A favourite Wine ingredient - Elderberry and right, the Jam favourite - Blackberry

Left; Sloes, only really suitable for Gin. Centre; Apples (watch out you're allowed them) & right, Hops

Right: Hawthorns coming along nicely
Far right:
Horseradish - Now's about right for digging up and using the roots for sauce.
They will by now be more easily recognised from Dock Leaves, which are similar until about early August. Horseradish leaves though are a lot shinier..
If in doubt, dig down to the root and break a bit off. The smell will tell you!
For Horseradish sauce, follow the recipe below.

The nettle is a plant that requires high levels of nitrogen in the soil to grow well, using the leaves in sprays of several kinds. As well as using nettles as an activator on the compost heap the organic gardener can use them as a liquid manure and as an aphicide - to kill aphids (greenfly)
Gather 224g (l/21b) young nettles and soak in a bucket of water for a week. Strain and use undiluted as a control of aphids and some other insects. Add the mushy nettles to the compost heap.

Long-keeping horseradish sauce

For the syrup: 1/2 pt white vinegar to 1/2/pt white sugar + a little salt. Dig horseradish root in midsummer.Wash well and peel underwater. Cut up the root roughly and put through the finest cutters of mincer. In meantime make the syrup by dissolving the sugar and salt in tye vinegar over a low heat. Allow to go cold. Use a wide-neck jar with a vinegar-proof lid. Pack in a little horseradish then add a little syrup - fill the jar in this manner. Make sure it is tightly packed and no air spaces are left. This will keep 12 months or more. To serve: To a tablespon of horseradish add same quantity of thick cream and extra vinegar to taste

Frugal Living

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Wild produce in August