I've found myself with a spring in my step and rather productive. Perhaps it's the long-awaited arrival of March. Could 2025 be the year of homegrown basil? Could my pesto be the besto?
Just love your 'rambles" - you have a great gift for storytelling in that I, for one, can almost imagine being there with you all- all you write is so descriptive so well done. Your friend's home is beautiful and I can see where you get inspiration from. Thanks for this window into your stunning world in beautiful Scotland - brightens my day. Hugs to those gorgeous fur kids of yours too🐶💙🐾🤗🐶💙🐾🤗
Gareth there is nothing silly about your weekly blog. This week I've saved it until now as the weekend has been a bit hectic. Your last few words about our desperate world really touched me. I often say I'm glad I'm old, we do live bin dangerous times. It's little things like your blog and your Instagram that keep me cheerful and I'm not the only one by far. Basil keep it inside and well drained. It should be OK. Have a great week.
It absolutely isn’t a silly little blog, it’s a highlight of my week in these topsy turvy, scary times we find ourselves living in. I’m with Sheila (in the UK though) in that I’m trying to read at least some pieces that aren’t politics, just in an effort to shield my mental health a little ; my instagram has become increasingly political over recent months (years when I think about it, and of course it’s what/who I’ve chosen to follow)and Substack was meant to be my place to switch off a little, but of course I’ve now found I’ve also politicised my Substack…So, a big thank you; I’ve followed you for a number of years now over on Instagram, and I was SO pleased when you started your Substack. Please keep on writing and sending some lovely cheer our way (but of course only if it’s not adding to your sense of overwhelm) 😊
As ever a lovely read. Humorous, interesting and a little window into life in Argyll. I would heartily recommend the best greenhouse you can afford. I have a rhino and it is built to last. Strong and has withstood every storm and we have had a few this winter. I have seen others disintegrate and believe me it was not pretty with tiny glass shards spread far and wide. Plant your basil or indeed marigolds with your tomato plants and the white flies will be deterred. 🤞
I love reading your posts Gareth… so much inspiration! For consideration… I am not sure about grocery stores in Scotland, but in the US we can buy basil in soil almost year round … my trick is to bring it home and take all the dirt off and put it in water like flowers… it will continue to “grow” all winter long and I can enjoy fresh basil from my vase … friends are amazed by this but I swear it works!
Love reading about your week. I think it’s a YES to the greenhouse - you won’t regret it. Also….a pizza oven. After all, you’re going to need some pizzas for all the basil 😁
It's a breath of fresh air from Scotland that comes into our heads and hearts. I'm always eager to read about your adventures with the embarrassment of someone who intrudes into your lives uninvited🫣 but at the same time excited to learn more and share a pleasant moment. Thank you🙏
Hi Gareth .. just a little 'cheats' tip re Basil... and I always end up with so much I am giving away plants 🪴... Go to the supermarket and buy a pot of Basil; the reason it doesn't last is because each of the stems is an individual plant. So, chop each stem down by half and use that in the normal way..... Then take the pot off your plants and separate each stem. Next repot three stems into a pot and create as many pots as possible. Allow to grow and keep pinching out and using the largest leaves in your cooking. I find I have more Basil than I know what to do with it... and I am still using last year's, which I froze.
Good luck with growing from seed...but if all else fails, I recommend my way 😀👍
Hi Gareth! Thank you for a lovely read! Greenhouse - get one as you will never ever regret it! So useful for tender plants in the winter as well as summer food growing. We have had winter green salads all through winter from the greenhouse here in Monifieth on the cold east coast!
We have discovered if you plant basil in between your tomatoes the basil will deter insects & help with the blight that attack tomatoe plants. We also at the end of the season before frost pick our basil leaves soak in good olive oil & place in ice cube trays in freezer. When frozen we pop into freezer bag. Then when making pizza or sauce we have basil without buying a store plant. We also make pesto, using the same method to preserve. You can just toss a cube into pasta sauce soup stew etc.
Thank you for the beautiful Sunday escape. I live in the U. S. and am in desperate need of some peace and your blog takes me away from the horrors going on over here. I love the pictures of your friends’ house - so charming!
You should so get a green house!!! I would love to see the things you grow!
I find reading your rambles cathartic and look forward to them every week. Will be watching to see how the herbs grow! Take care x
Just love your 'rambles" - you have a great gift for storytelling in that I, for one, can almost imagine being there with you all- all you write is so descriptive so well done. Your friend's home is beautiful and I can see where you get inspiration from. Thanks for this window into your stunning world in beautiful Scotland - brightens my day. Hugs to those gorgeous fur kids of yours too🐶💙🐾🤗🐶💙🐾🤗
You WILL make sourdough - I have your phone number. (That sounds fffaaaarrrr more threatening than intended 😂) 😘 xx
Gareth there is nothing silly about your weekly blog. This week I've saved it until now as the weekend has been a bit hectic. Your last few words about our desperate world really touched me. I often say I'm glad I'm old, we do live bin dangerous times. It's little things like your blog and your Instagram that keep me cheerful and I'm not the only one by far. Basil keep it inside and well drained. It should be OK. Have a great week.
As always, a delightful read. A window into life at Keepers' (and long-suffering Paul 😁). Please keep writing and sharing your musings.
It absolutely isn’t a silly little blog, it’s a highlight of my week in these topsy turvy, scary times we find ourselves living in. I’m with Sheila (in the UK though) in that I’m trying to read at least some pieces that aren’t politics, just in an effort to shield my mental health a little ; my instagram has become increasingly political over recent months (years when I think about it, and of course it’s what/who I’ve chosen to follow)and Substack was meant to be my place to switch off a little, but of course I’ve now found I’ve also politicised my Substack…So, a big thank you; I’ve followed you for a number of years now over on Instagram, and I was SO pleased when you started your Substack. Please keep on writing and sending some lovely cheer our way (but of course only if it’s not adding to your sense of overwhelm) 😊
As ever a lovely read. Humorous, interesting and a little window into life in Argyll. I would heartily recommend the best greenhouse you can afford. I have a rhino and it is built to last. Strong and has withstood every storm and we have had a few this winter. I have seen others disintegrate and believe me it was not pretty with tiny glass shards spread far and wide. Plant your basil or indeed marigolds with your tomato plants and the white flies will be deterred. 🤞
I love reading your posts Gareth… so much inspiration! For consideration… I am not sure about grocery stores in Scotland, but in the US we can buy basil in soil almost year round … my trick is to bring it home and take all the dirt off and put it in water like flowers… it will continue to “grow” all winter long and I can enjoy fresh basil from my vase … friends are amazed by this but I swear it works!
Love reading about your week. I think it’s a YES to the greenhouse - you won’t regret it. Also….a pizza oven. After all, you’re going to need some pizzas for all the basil 😁
Get the greenhouse. Start w a small one and see how it goes!
Gareth, your blog is anything but stupid.
It's a breath of fresh air from Scotland that comes into our heads and hearts. I'm always eager to read about your adventures with the embarrassment of someone who intrudes into your lives uninvited🫣 but at the same time excited to learn more and share a pleasant moment. Thank you🙏
Hi Gareth .. just a little 'cheats' tip re Basil... and I always end up with so much I am giving away plants 🪴... Go to the supermarket and buy a pot of Basil; the reason it doesn't last is because each of the stems is an individual plant. So, chop each stem down by half and use that in the normal way..... Then take the pot off your plants and separate each stem. Next repot three stems into a pot and create as many pots as possible. Allow to grow and keep pinching out and using the largest leaves in your cooking. I find I have more Basil than I know what to do with it... and I am still using last year's, which I froze.
Good luck with growing from seed...but if all else fails, I recommend my way 😀👍
Hi Gareth! Thank you for a lovely read! Greenhouse - get one as you will never ever regret it! So useful for tender plants in the winter as well as summer food growing. We have had winter green salads all through winter from the greenhouse here in Monifieth on the cold east coast!
Thank you Rebecca. And that's really good to know. They do sound brilliant. G xx
We have discovered if you plant basil in between your tomatoes the basil will deter insects & help with the blight that attack tomatoe plants. We also at the end of the season before frost pick our basil leaves soak in good olive oil & place in ice cube trays in freezer. When frozen we pop into freezer bag. Then when making pizza or sauce we have basil without buying a store plant. We also make pesto, using the same method to preserve. You can just toss a cube into pasta sauce soup stew etc.
Oh wow, thank you so much for sharing. That's brilliant advice I'll be following! G xx
Thank you for the beautiful Sunday escape. I live in the U. S. and am in desperate need of some peace and your blog takes me away from the horrors going on over here. I love the pictures of your friends’ house - so charming!
Thank you for your kind words Michele. It's nice to know that they provide a bit of escapism at these very scary times. Take care, G xx