Gardening

In The Backyard
As it is Spring time now,  everything is growing, in every patch of the garden beds, the wild weeds are multiplying. It is time to tidy up.  Thanks to the rains, the wet ground helps to let them pull out more quickly.  That is what I have been doing for the past weeks also. Weeding then followed by fertilising and finished up by mulching.  It was a big job, now the rose bed looks great and clean; hopefully the mulch will compress the weeds not to grow and spread. The mulch keeps the soil moist and is suitable for the plants, and also saves water.

The Rose Bed

Gardening is so therapeutic, it is not a chore particularly when the weather is right, I could enjoy the fresh air, the smell of earthy soil, and looking after all the plants and of course harvesting. Now it is so right, as the children have grown up, and they have their own places.  I must say I could not do these freely when they were little.
The benefits of gardening are so priceless, it is not only having a beautiful garden, lovely flowers which I pick for the house, and the fresh herbs, vegetables, and fruits for cooking. Gardening is one of the indulgences that I could afford, particularly harvesting and sharing.

The forecast from the weatherman is that soon the strong wind will come and also it will be raining.  I am disappointed, as my crab apple trees are blossoming, and I noticed this afternoon that a lot of flowers had dropped.  I was looking forward to seeing them in full bloom, and they can be very spectacular.  I took snapshots just in case!!!

The Crab Apple Trees

The view of the backyard from the kitchen

I mentioned earlier this year that the vegetable patch needs a new irrigation system, well we have not done it yet.  But I am so lucky the patch is full of self sewn lamb lettuce, and all the herbs come back and grow green and lush.  I did plant some coriander, carrots and new lettuce (it is darkish red with magnificent leaves).  

The vegetable patch is looking so green and lush.

Fresh leafy salad is prepared daily, and maybe I could do (Trancam) fresh vegetable salad Javanese Style.

Potted Fig

Potted Clivia

Planting Irises was a new experience, they grew well from the start.  After they were resting from the Winter, now they are back and looking good. Last year not one single plant stood right up, they all were dropping or resting on the ground, see what happens this time.
Having potted garden is good too, you could control their needs by moving the pots around.  Potted Fig has new leaves, and potted clivia is almost in flowers.

Other easy plants to grow are succulents, they are beautiful, and don't need a lot of care.  I put the potted one inside the house to fill up an empty corner, and they do look lovely.  However, they don't like to be in forever, but it is good to have a change.

Succulent-Black Rose

Harvest To Table
A fresh and healthy salad, based on Javanese salad 'gudangan mentah'-Trancam (Fresh Vegetable Salad)

Sharing a recipe of a fresh salad.

Trancam:  

Javanese Salad-Fresh greens and sprouts dressed with coconut dressing.

Trancam-Javanese Salad
Mixed Fresh Vegetables with Coconut Dressing

The Recipe

Trancam
Fresh Vegetables
- lamb lettuce, or baby spinach
- young carrots
- Endive
- cucumber
- lettuces
- bean sprouts
Herbs

Savoury Coconut Dressing

basil, coriander, and kaffir lime leaves
(any fresh vegetables as you like)

The Dressing
Savoury Coconut Dressing

Ingredients:
1 cup desiccated coconuts
1 cup of water

Ingredients of the Dressing

2 tablespoons grated palm sugar/coconut sugar
1 shallot and 1 garlic
1/2 teaspoon coriander seeds
1 small sliced galangal
1 kaffir lime leaf
Salt to taste
1 cup of water extra
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 juice of a half lemon


Method
Place the peeled shallot, garlic, coriander seeds in a grinder, grind them to make a rough paste
In a saucepan, place the coconut, water, sugar, galangal, kaffir lime leaf and cook to soften.
Add in the rough paste, extra water and lemon juice, keep on cooking until all liquid is absorbed.
(about 11 minutes and cook it in low heat)
Transfer to a bowl, add the oil and mix them together.  The dressing is ready, and it keeps well refrigerated.

Give the recipe a go, a new flavour salad for you, and YOU MIGHT LIKE IT.

Other Cooking from Java

Using the Fresh Herbs and Greens from the Vegetable Garden

SAYUR   LODEH (braised vegetables in coconut milk)

Today it is raining, but not too bad, I must plant my sweet basil and rainbow Swiss chard seedlings, the fresh rain is right for them.
Never get lost in the garden what I have is only to gain something right, and better.  The family enjoy all these: the citrus harvest is for cakes, salad dressing,  preserving, and so forth. Fresh herbs and vegetables from the patch are for daily salads, what a luxury we could have.


Happy Gardening To You All.



Until Next Post
Thank You For Visiting
Susy