It’s surprising just how much food is growing in the gardens of Bealtaine at this time of year, the time of scarcity…but far from it!
There’s the makings of a decent salad, with Fennel, Japanese salads like Mizuna and others as well as a lovely edible garnish in the form of Pansy flowers.
In other parts of the gardens, where little micro-climates exist in the form of stones and shed walls, there’s Flat-leaf Parsley and Thyme.
I used Thyme in roasted potatoes yesterday…delicious!
Purple Sprouting Broccoli is giving lots of florets…delicious raw or cooked and full of goodness! 
Then there’s Leeks…all grown from saved seed and the stronger for it!
Elsewhere in the gardens I found stands of Kale…shred this in salads and roast as chip dips!
Here and there in the flower beds and in pots…lots of Sage and Rosemary…great herbs to add taste to root vegetables at this time of year!
Bay is growing in abundance, quite acclimatised to the Irish climate.
Golden Oregano continues to thrive past Midwinter.
All of this is growing outdoors, not in the tunnel and these pics were snapped today, 26th of December!
Even the Rhubarb is beginning to produce!
There’s lots of other food in the garden…for birds and small mammals, in the form of berries.
Seeds are available from the link below…
https://bealtainecottage.com/seeds-for-sale/
To join the Bealtaine Cottage Good Life…
https://bealtainecottage.com/bealtaine-cottage-good-life/
Lovely photos – thanks. It’s nice to see how many useful/edible plants you have growing right in the middle of winter. Do you do anything to protect these plants from frost? We have mild winters where I live, but the occasional hard frost is still pretty tough on many things. Thanks
The plants that I grow here are developing a hardiness as many of them seem impervious to frost!
Lovely photos – thanks. Nice to see how many useful/edible plants you’ve got growing right in the middle of winter. Do you do anything to protect those plants from frost? We have mild winters where I live, but the occasional hard freeze is still pretty tough for some things… Thanks
Great post! I was thinking of planting a herb/ bee garden. Would this time of year be a good time to plant it?
I’m planting my new bee and butterfly garden at this time of the year…so yes, go for it!
Do you have any herbs or bee friendly flowers avaliable?
This is a full list of seeds and whether they’re bee-loved or butterfly suitable.
https://bealtainecottage.com/seeds-for-sale/
Also how should I prepare the soil for planting?
I don’t dig, as you know from my blog. I plant then mulch around the base to prevent weeds competing.
Thanks for the advice! I’ll update you about it in a while. Have a happy new year!
You are so blessed with the Irish weather! Here in New England USA, we are covered with over a foot of snow and ice. Luckily, we have a full pantry and freezer. Busy planning spring gardens here. My husband’s grandparents came here from County Tyrone, is that anywhere near you? Happy boxing day dear Collette.
I was born in County Tyrone…Omagh. It is about a two hour drive from here!
I wonder if your family knows anyone from his? His family name is Gormley (O’Gormley) and his grandmother was a Tracy, I believe.
Both Gormley and Tracy were popular family names in Omagh! My family are all scattered and no longer live in Omagh…though two of my brothers live there.
Such lovely abundance. Leek and potato soup with rosemary and oregano. Cooked kale mixed into mashed potato’s. Cooked kale and stinging nettle as a vege side dish. Wonderful green salads, Home made bread with some of your best current jam. Happy winter days. Looking forward to the returning light of longer days. Hope you had a lovely family gathering Colette. Happy New Year in 2017.
Some good ideas for the culinary here…thanks I had a great family gathering and it continues!
It’s so glorious to see all the green growth in your garden! I noticed a little Holly coming up and your Rhubarb is wunderbar…… and the return of the sun will only stir them even more from slumber <3
Yes, that’s a little Holly tree! great to see the returning light!
How wonderful. I am determined to transform my large grassy lawn into an edible one. You inspire and encourage me. Thank you!
And now is the time to begin! Good luck!