Doing Battle with Broom
We’ve obviously had weather conditions perfect for broom this Spring, because the hillsides are entirely yellow at the moment. Although beautiful when all in flower, broom is a plant that proving...
View ArticleOur Week in Pictures: 8th September 2014
It’s been another week of harvesting and processing. I’ve been making the most of the summer sun to dry as much as I can, with particular emphasis on things that can add variety to the animals’ winter...
View ArticleOur Week in Pictures: 10th November 2014
Our weekly round up of what volunteers have been working on at Casalinho, our developing permaculture project in central Portugal. Well autumn has certainly arrived! Cooler temperatures and the threat...
View ArticleEaster at Casalinho
I’m pleased to report that the Easter Bunny appears to be well and living in central Portugal. We heard rumour that he had a mysterious horned assistant this year. I followed...
View ArticleWindy morning
Drifts of broom blossom on the roads Driving home from Pampilhosa this morning I needed the wipers to sweep the rain of yellow petals away. I’ll pickle some flowers in the next days if I get a chance....
View ArticleIn the Kitchen: Broom Blossom Pickles
The hillsides and road edges are vibrant yellow here at the moment with the blooms of the broom bushes (Cytisus scoparius – Scotch, or Common Broom). The flowers have an interesting flavour, and I...
View ArticleFabulous Time of Year to be a Goat
After some rain, it’s a fabulous time of year to be a goat. The hills are totally yellow with broom (Cytisus scoparius) and carqueja (Baccharis trimera). The post Fabulous Time of Year to be a Goat...
View ArticleMonster Broom
Wikipedia tells me ”Plants of Cytisus scoparius (broom / giesta) typically grow to 1–3 m tall, rarely to 4 m.” We’ve been cutting down specimens easily 6m today. We’re so happy to see these go. Broom...
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