I have to admit, this last move fell harder than expected. Whether this was because the wait had been so long, because I know I’m closing the nomadic chapter of my life or because the garden became a part of me and well, you can’t fit a garden into a couple of moving boxes. Or, can you?
The last weeks I’ve been harvesting all things harvestable, the beetroots, leeks, kale, zucchinis, cucumbers and carrots. Okay, the carrots could have grown a little longer, but they are super tasty nonetheless.
I’ve fermented them together with a chilly and some foraged seaweed. It’s like bringing the ocean with me.
The leeks looked good though. About three weeks before harvesting I’d bleached the stems and it was well worth the effort. Ideally, you should ‘ridge’ your leeks every now and then which is nothing more than piling up soil around the base so they stay white, but since this garden is too small for this technique I wrapped them with an old cloth. You can also use the empty toilet or kitchen paper rolls, but I compost them and always forget to save enough rolls.
I made a batch of ‘soup powder‘ which is the essence of a vegetable broth with all its greens, but instead of boiling everything I’ve dehydrated the ingredients and ground them into a fine powder to be added to stews or just add water and fresh veggies for a nice comfy cup of soup. I’ll write the recipe for you any time soon. Remind me if I don´t!
Good-looking beetroots as well. I think it’s my garden’s way of saying ‘I love you too‘ with its big beautiful red heart, even though they are not my favourite. I’ve planted them nonetheless to try out all possible ways to prepare them until I found a way I could truly enjoy them.
I discovered that when I dehydrated them and process them into a powder they are an amazing add to any sweet dish or smoothie. Next year I’ll plant even more!
The real star in the category of movable veggies though, much be the tomato. You can pick them green and they will ripen in their new home without any complaints. Check for the slightest hint of orange and they’re good to go. Keep them nicely together in a sunny place, not too warm, not too cold, but definitely not too moist and they’ll do fine.
So, yes you can move a garden!
On the morning of the move, I walked a last round through the garden and filled my chest with gratitude. Rather than feeling sad to leave this garden behind, I feel grateful. So many nutrient-dense dishes, so many peaceful and joyful moments spend on this little patch it’s truly been bliss. Besides, it’s a great feeling knowing you’re leaving a place better than you’ve found it.
Blog update
I have my heart and head full of the stories I want to share with you, like my famous tomato sauce, my zucchini hack for growing loads of zucchinis or how to compost in an urban environment with little space. But, this blog writing thing comes with its technical struggles. Specially, as I am trying to set it up in Dutch and Spanish as well. So, please be patient with me.
Till then lovelies!
Great post
Thanks luv 😊
This is such a beautiful post, I can feel your love for your garden shining through and what an amazing range of vegetables you have to take with you. As something of a nomad myself, I know what you’re feeling and each time we move, lifting a few treasures to take from the garden is always my first priority ~ I have plants here that have travelled from the UK to France, back to the UK then to Spain and finally to France again! Good luck with your move and I’m looking forward to reading all about your new Galician garden and delicious recipes. 😊
Oh, thanks so much! Yes, we almost literally grow attached to our gardens, right? I had tried to propagate some of my perennials, but I wasn’t able to give them the love and attention they needed in this delicate state whilst getting the new home livable. But, I’ve saved the seeds 🙂
It’s a lot dryer and hotter over here, so I’m keen to learn from your experience this summer.