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We finally got some spring weather, be it in Dec 2022, and now we are finally getting some summer weather.

The cool nights through Nov/Dec 22 meant our seedlings were bedded back into the greenhouse most nights, with planting out only occurring during mid to late Dec. Even then, our gherkins and zucchinis suffered some set backs due to some late cool days and nights and have only now (early Jan 23) got into production, see gherkins and zucchinis picked today.

The zucchini beds are now looking good, hopefully a long and fruitful Jan and Feb and hopefully Mar ...

Our heirloom tomatoes are starting to fruit...

And another bumper beetroot harvest is about to be made with those beauties soon to be turned into our delicioius pickled beetroot and beetroot relish...

This year we have created a new garden, the "woodshed garden" so we can increase our production of pickled gherkins, gherkin relish and our chilli sauces..

Our garlic (goes into most of our delicious products) has been picked and is currently drying...

Given the winter, spring and early summer conditions (cool and wet) and the prospect of not getting any produce planted and growing, we are now hopeful...

It has been a slow and worrying start to the 2022 season, the cool wet spring followed by a cool wet summer has had a significant impact on our tomato growing.  The last week or so has given us some sunshine and temperatures consistently into the high 20's which has got the tomatos ripening, and so the first harvest for the season has now taken place ....

The gherkins have been fruiting, even though the lack of bees in early January were a worry. However, the eucalyptus have flowered this year and that seems to have attracted the bees.  This has been good for both the gherkins and zucchinis, with a good harvest well and truely now in swing, in fact, another large batch of pickled zucchinis is underway...

And a batch gherkins being sorted before being pickled...

The cooler start to the season also meant that our serrano chillies were late into the ground, we are only now seeing the fruit appearing, we might have to finish them off under a "polytunnel" if we look like getting early frosts...

Here's hoping for slow end of summer and a long autumn.

What can you say about the weather here on the Central Tablelands, nothing that would not offend the delicate shell like ears of most.

Horrendous does just not cut it.   We have waited and waited for the weather to improve during the Spring, but with little hope of that on the horizon we planted out the seedlings from the greenhouse, wished them all the best and crossed fingers.

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We have mulching to finalise and we hope that this latest rain event won't lead down a path of powdery mildew and tomato fungal diseases, but we intrepid gardeners have faith and will see our little seedlings through to the harvest line.

We have had some success with the Garlic crop which was looking very uncertain.  With the massive winter and spring rain, collar rot was a big concern and we waited as long as we could before taking the plants out to dry for a couple of weeks.  They have not been all cleaned and prepared for storage as yet as they were harvested in the pouring rain from sodden soil and will just wait for a week or so to let all the dirt dry to brushing and trimming.

All in all despite the conditions not a bad harvest and should see us through the harvest season and the new season preserves.

H&H can create a beautiful and unique Xmas Gift Basket as a Corporate Gift, to say thank you to a special Teacher, a great Kris Kringle idea or just something different for that someone special.

Gift Baskets can be made with your specific combination of H&H products and can be presented in a cane basket, wooden box or cardboard gift box. 

Prices will depend on presentation specifics, see below for some examples, but prices are generally based on $30 for three products, $40 for four products and so on. 

Delivery can be arranged to Crookwell, Goulburn and surrounding districts.

Contact us to discuss your specific requirements.

The sun has decided to shine for the last couple of days and it was time to break the seedlings out of the Greenhouse and let them bask in the sun - for a while at least.   These are the Zucchini seedlings planted up from their seed raising mix and in a couple of months they will become the next batch of delicious ZUCCHINI PICKLES.

The new season seedlings - Tomatoes, Capsicum, Gherkin Cucumbers and Beetroot having a day in the sun.  Soon they will be ready to plant up from their seed raising mix so they can get cracking to be ready for planting in mid November.

The GARLIC is coming along and despite all the endless rain, seems to be holding up well.   Plenty of Garlic to use in the SWEET CHILLI SAUCES.  I just joined a Facebook page for Australian Garlic Growers to get as much information from other growers on tips and tricks and understanding what is going on with your garlic crop and different harvesting times depending on your location.   It has been really helpful in understanding the problems Garlic can have, in different growing conditions, so encourage anyone who is interested in growing their own garlic to have a look at the page it is great.

Meanwhile, their less cold tolerant counterparts the CHILLI SEEDLINGS still have pride of place in the loungeroom window, on their heat pad, growing ever so slowly.   Very pleased that the seeds saved from last year's harvest have germinated brilliantly.

Just planted out some Rhubarb plants, which are sharing the Asparagus patch.  Have a new product in development but we will need a couple years to get the Rhubarb to full production.   The guard dog is making certain all is well and no interlopers go undetected.

Things are progressing well and all on track for next years harvest.  We just need a whole lot more sunny days, and warmer weather and whilst we always need rain, maybe just not quite as much and a little less hail and hurricane winds would be appreciated.

ENJOY YOUR NEW FREEDOMS N.S.W. 

EVERYONE BE SAFE AND LOOK AFTER EACH OTHER

We have all come out of hibernation, the long cold and very wet winter is behind us, hopefully.  We have had snow a couple of times this year, and of course, yet another Covid lockdown.

Some have found it all just a bit overwhelming all this confinement!

However this last weekend we were one of the very lucky Shires to be allowed to come out of lockdown and happily it co-incided with some of the warmest weather we have had for many a month.

The trees are now starting to bud up or get their new leaves and so all thoughts turn to preparing the gardens and the next harvest.

The greenhouse is full of the seeds awaiting their little green heads to pop through the seed raising mix.  The Chilli seeds, raised from seeds saved from my harvest last year, have been sitting on their warming pad, in the sunniest spot in a window and like magic they have germinated in record time.

You always know it is spring time when we start to harvest the first of the Asparagus, and this year looks to be a record crop.

This is one morning's harvest!

The asparagus patch is looking good and will continue to give a crop each day for some months.

The Garlic crop which should be ready Nov/Dec are coming along wonderfully and the peas, as always, will give us a bumper crop to freeze for use throughout the year.

The sun is shining the weather is warming and it is a brand new day.

Everyone enjoy the beautiful spring weather wherever you are.

It is now the quiet of winter and the last of the garden beds have been cleared, planted with green manure and left to recover over the winter hiatus.

Focus moves away from the garden and the preserving kitchen to the planning for next season.   As well, we are excited about our new location Crookwell Emporium and how warmly those wonderful folk have welcomed us into their beautiful store.

We have just created a little window display, which we hope sets the taste buds dreaming of a glass of wine, some wonderful local cheese and a selection of H&H preserves to serve with them.  If your lucky share it all in front of a lovely warm fire.

Take some time to put your feet up in front of the fire and enjoy the wonderful winter in the tablelands!

H&H Preserves is now a part of the Crookwell Emporium, 100 Gouburn Street, Crookwell NSW.  We are so pleased to be a part of this wonderful store, a friendly authentic environment which supports and showcases local artisans and producers.

The Crookwell Emporium stocks the whole range of H&H Preserves and holds tastings on most Saturdays featuring one of it local suppliers.

So we hope to see you soon for a tasting of our H&H products.

Come in and see Sandy and Susan and pick up one of our delicious preserves next time you are in Crookwell.

The Emporium is a must see when you are next in Crookwell, as there are some beautiful products in store and we are sure you will find something you will love.