Gardening with Suzi M

The little red berry that makes Christmas

The end of summer and the loss of an hour, brings with it shortening days with the sun flying at half-mast in the sky.

Our thoughts turn to Christmas as we busy ourselves with celebrations and thoughts of our family and friends. Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a spoonful of homemade cranberry sauce to really bring out the best of that juicy slice of turkey. Did you know that cranberries can grow in the Many people consider cranberries to be a superfood UK, although you do need to invest a few years of love due to their high vitamin c and antioxidant content. and attention before they reward you with their bounty. Homemade Cranberry Sauce • When planting allow approximately two square feet for Ingredients: 500g cranberries (fresh or frozen) plant to spread. 200g caster sugar • If your soil tends to be dry, the dug area could be lined 100ml water with polythene. Zest & juice of 1 orange • You don’t want to create standing water (that’s a pond), ¾ tsp dried cinnamon just soupy soil, so punch a few holes in the bottom for 80 ml port drainage. What you need to do:• Fill the area with ericaceous soil, sharp sand, and add a sprinkling of blood, fish & bone to the planting hole. Put the cranberries in a large, heavy-bottomed pan with the caster sugar, water, orange zest, orange juice • Water regularly and mulch as cranberries like a moist soil and cinnamon and bring to the boil. • Water like mad through the growing season, with After 5 – 10 minutes the cranberries will pop open. rainwater whenever possible. When they have started to open and soften, mash lightly • About every 3 years during production, cut out any to let out all the pectin, this will make the sauce thicken. dead wood, never the uprights, and trim new runners to invigorate berry production Stir in the port and cook on a moderate heat for 5 minutes or until the sauce thickens. • Ripe berries are deep red and seed inside is brown Remove from the heat, ladle into warm, dry, sterilised • Before winter sets in, cover plants with heavy mulch of jars and seal. pine cuttings. Once opened, keep in the fridge and eat within 1-2 • Cover plants with fleece in spring to protect the new weeks growth.

Garden jobs for December & January

• Insulate outdoor taps and prevent ponds from freezing • Harvest leeks, parsnips, winter cabbage, sprouts and remaining root crops • Protect terracotta pots from cracking in freezing weather by bringing them indoors or wrapping in bubble polythene • Reduce watering of houseplants • Check stored bulbs and corms regularly for signs of rot • Order seed catalogues Most importantly have a great relaxing Christmas.

By Suzi M - garden lover and plotter at Roundhill Allotments