August

August is the month for dusting off the jam pan.  So far the apples have started landing regularly on the lawn.  Rather than waste these early fruits they have been transformed into ‘Spiced Apple Jelly’ with just a hint of the old favourite – Chilli!  Without a greenhouse at the moment the chillies are slow and few, but the next project, since there are apples a plenty on the tree, is an apple press, it seems the best way to construct one is with a bottle jack and some stout timber, both of which are lying around in the shed!  Whether cider is attempted or not rather depends on the juice – it might get drunk too quickly!