The Year Round Nigel Slater Discussion thread

[RainbowZebraWarrior]

Hello, all.

The Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles readalong usually takes place here between November and February each year (the Christmas Chronicles being a book written by Nigel Slater full of winter recipes and anecdotes) It's been running for a few years, and the contributors have collectively decided it would be nice to have it running all year round.

So here it is. It is a place to appreciate all things Nigel-esque. Think seasonal food and recipes, enjoyment of nature, sharing of news and small moments of joy. It's a calm, cosy space for gentle chat and merriment so pull up a chair, grab a cuppa and relax.

A very hearty welcome to friends new and old!

Ahhhh @LillianGish you're back!!

Today has been A DAY. I did a quick sweep of my garden, gave an assembly on managing stress (spoiler - it’s not really possible to manage stress when you’re 18), tended to what felt like every single child in the school (680 of them) and their ailments and then spent 2hrs on a shade less cricket pitch!

AGH!!!!

I didn't know that @sueelleker !

That sounds actually hellish @AgathaMystery Bless you.

Just wanted to quickly pop on and recommend this lovely little herb company. I've just taken delivery of the healthiest, most well packed plants that I've ever seen unlike the Sarah Raven verbena rigida I got (even more) Blackcurrant sage, Lavender, Chocolate Cosmos, Echinacea, Creeping Red Thyme and Lemon Balm. Every plant perfect. Can highly recommend and they also sell French tarragon. You get to choose a free herb when you buy 7 or more (I think it was)

www.herbalhaven.com/collections/herbs-currently-available?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0bT5gvWEjQMVHohQBh1npx2zEAAYASAAEgKx6_D_BwE

Just popping in to say hello and stumbled on all these amazing gardening posts. I need to do something with a little patio area. Was thinking of a moon garden but would like some scent as well. So will definitely look at that website. I’ve been enjoying Nigel’s programmes on the food network and dipping in and out of A Thousand Feasts. It’s such a lovely gentle read

Sending all good thoughts to @piscofriscoand @Bimblesalong Sorry to read that you’re going through such tough times at the moment. Xx

@RainbowZebraWarrior thank you I’ll have a look at their site. In our old house I did grow a few herbs but then after Covid we moved and I haven’t restarted.

@dazzlingdeborahrose and @MadMadMad I can highly recommend the blackcurrant sage and the chocolate cosmos. I got them as my parents have them and the scent of the chocolate cosmos is to die for. The blooms are also beautiful. The blackcurrant sage is a very useful plant as it is an evergreen perennial that flowers from late May to early December. The flowers are stunning and are also edible.

Some of the BS cuttings I took from my parents plant 2 weeks ago are already flowering. Unfortunately Herbal Haven now seem to be out of stock, but you can sign up for notifications and they will let you know when it's back in stock.

Thanks for this @RainbowZebraWarrior- I have some chocolate cosmos from hayloft but they were a bit sad when they arrived so it’s good to have a different supplier for next year!

Food Unwrapped Nordic Adventure on BBC 2 at the moment. Just in case our Scandinavian contingent (or any other contingent) would be interested.

I see today’s post in KD2 is new garlic - I don’t think I’ve ever had any that fresh and young before. I do like spring lamb though but as with so much the cost has rocketed!

We have some young / new garlic but for some reason it's never occurred to me to use it fresh like that. We always dry it out. Mind, I can't abide wild garlic either. I used to hate walking through the woods in Spring as a kid as you couldn't escape the pungent smell.

Oh I LOVE wild garlic!! I make scones with it.

I'm famished but wanted to check in and say you e all spurred me on and my garden is all planted up for summer with new soil and plants and mulch and irrigation and soak away areas have new gravel and EVERYTHING. I’ve never been ready this early before.

https://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/25150870.helston-flora-day-2025-morning-dance-photos-packet-part-1/

https://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/25153585.helston-flora-day-2025-hal-an-tow-packet-photo-gallery/

https://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/25153167.helston-flora-day-2025-childrens-dance-packet-photos-part-1/

https://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/25152590.helston-flora-day-2025-midday-dance-packet-photos-part-1/

the local newspaper pictures of Flora day. Here’s a few links of pictures of interested no idea if allowed.

early morning dance is the maids and servants dance. Early so they delt with the fires and cooking breakfast then danced

children’s dance is local school kids and I was one of the walkers

midday dance lords ladies local mp and business owners and those in the know . Massive deal need to apply to be invited

hal an tow ancient tradition of welcoming in spring ansd George slaying he Dragon.

lovely this evening having a pint with a view to wind off a hectic but lovely weekend.

Lovely photos @CrushingOnRubies , so nice to see everyone had made such an effort and we’re really enjoying themselves. Pleased you had a great weekend.

@CrushingOnRubies that looks spectacular - the pic with the brass band especially is wonderful. Isn’t England amazing when you think of all the local traditions and rituals?

@CrushingOnRubiesthat looks excellent! And well done on arranging fabulous weather for the occasion, I don’t suppose it is always that way

Gosh it’s absolutely glorious down here this week. The garden is thriving and I’m feeling v grateful to past me for all the stock I froze in winter as now I can make risotto etc with no fuss.

has anyone ever bought alliums in pots, not from bulb??

Yes, I bought Allium Powder puff in pots from our allotment shop sale on Saturday and they are already in flower. I also ordered a load of Allium Purple Sensation from Garden Express on 28th April, however they haven't been dispatched yet. I queried this yesterday and was told to allow 10 working days. Today was the 10th working day and no dispatch email. Sarah Raven also had some for sale with % off when I checked at the weekend.

Excellent thanks. I’ve got some from bulb but I think the squirrels got loads. I planted about 30. 7 have bloomed.

Just a quick note to say that we are on thread 2 now 😊

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/christmas/5326236-year-round-nigel-slater-discussion-thread-part-2?reply=144287406

Cold day and night again here when the rest of the UK seems to be having warm weather.

One of my roses is in bloom though, which seems to have happened overnight.

I also have 12 out of 14 dahlia tubers sprouting proudly, which I'm very happy with.

Must dip into KD books tomorrow as I have barely picked them up since getting Covid in early April.

Nigels roses are obviously way ahead of mine, as this post from 5 May demonstrates, but then I'm 300+ miles North of him.

Come and join us on the new thread.

Here's the link to the new thread 😊

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/christmas/5326236-year-round-nigel-slater-discussion-thread-part-2?reply=144308140