January 1, 2021 - Garden and Allotment Tips and Advice

Can You Freeze Radish?

February 27, 2024January 1, 2021 by Gardening With Ben

Can You Freeze Radish

Have you grown too many Radish in the garden or allotment? Have you purchased too many Radish when you have seen a special offer? Radish does not last long once they have been picked or bought from the shop so the question a lot of people ask is can you freeze Radishto use at a later date? The answer to the question is yes you can freeze Radish. Here we will provide you with the step by step process on how to freeze Radish for a later date.

Allotment and Kitchen Garden Book

Are you starting an allotment or planning on growing your own fruit, vegetables, herbs, and flowers in a kitchen garden? If so we highly recommend the book Allotment Month By Month. This does exactly what it does on the cover to help you with what you should be doing in the allotment and kitchen garden each month. Below you can see the link for Amazon where you can purchase the book directly. This book is extremely popular with all allotment holders as you will read in the reviews:-

You can check out all the allotment and kitchen garden books we recommend here.

How to freeze Radish

Here we will give you an easy step by step process on how to freeze your Radish so that you can use them at a later date and not waste any food.

Sort your radish out – Check through your radish and find the best ones that are ideal for freezing. Any that you don’t think are any good will need using up.
Wash your radish – If you have freshly picked your radish they will need a good wash. Scrub them clean so no dirt is left on the radish.
Slice your radish – Carefully slice your radish into thin slices.
Boil the water – In a pan boil a pan of water until it’s bubbling.
Cook your radish – Place your radish into the boiling water for 2-3 minutes – no longer.
Drain the radish – carefully drain the boiling water out of the pan.
Put the radish in Ice water – Place the radish into a bowl of ice water for two to three minutes. This will stop the cooking process of the radish.
Place on a baking tray – Get a piece of grease proof baking paper and place it on a baking tray. Place your radish on the baking paper so they are not touching.
Freeze the radish – Place the baking tray in the freezer for two hours until your radish is frozen solid.
Put you radish in zip lock bags – Take your radish off the baking tray and put them in zip lock bags. Make sure the date is on the bag, so you know when you froze them. Place back in the freezer
Take your radish out of the freezer as and when you need them.

We hope you have got the answer to the question “Can you freeze Radish?” Now you won’t be wasting any Radish by throwing them away. Safely freeze your Radish until needed.

Can You Freeze Jerusalem Artichoke

February 27, 2024January 1, 2021 by Gardening With Ben

Can You Freeze Jerusalem Artichoke

Have you grown too Jerusalem Artichoke in the garden or allotment? Have you purchased too much Jerusalem Artichoke when you have seen a special offer? Jerusalem Artichoke does not last long once they have been picked or bought from the shop so the question a lot of people ask is can you freeze Jerusalem Artichoke to use at a later date? The answer to the question is yes you can freeze Jerusalem Artichoke. Here we will provide you with the step by step process on how to freeze Jerusalem Artichoke for a later date.

Allotment and Kitchen Garden Book

You can check out all the allotment and kitchen garden books we recommend here.

How to freeze Jerusalem Artichoke

Here we will give you an easy step by step process on how to freeze your Jerusalem Artichoke so that you can use them at a later date and not waste any food.

Wash your produce – The first step is to thoroughly wash your Jerusalem Artichokes. If they have been picked recently they will be dirty from being under the ground in the soil. You will certainly need to scrub them to make sure they are clean.
Slice your Jerusalem Artichoke – Slice your artichokes into small pieces ready to boil
Boil a pan of water – On the cooker get a pan of water to boiling.
Boil your Jerusalem Artichoke – These will need boiling for around 5 minutes until they are tender.
Place them in a bowl of ice water – Once they are cooked take them out of the hot boiling water and place them in a bowl of ice water for as long as you cooked them for. This will be for around 10 minutes.
Place your Jerusalem Artichoke on greaseproof baking paper – Get a piece of greaseproof paper and put it on a baking tray. Arrange the Jerusalem Artichoke on the tray so they are not touching.
Put the Jerusalem Artichoke in the freezer – Place your baking tray with the Jerusalem Artichoke on in the freezer for around 2 hours till they are frozen solid.
Place the Jerusalem Artichoke in a zip lock bag – Take the carrots off the tray and put them in a zip lock bag. Write the date on the bag so you know when you cooked them. The reason why you do not put the Jerusalem Artichoke in the bag first is that they will all freeze as a lump.
Use the Jerusalem Artichoke when needed – The frozen Jerusalem Artichoke will last for around a year. When you are ready to use them take out the amount you need and finish cooking them.

We hope you have got the answer to the question “Can you freeze Jerusalem Artichoke?” Now you won’t be wasting any Jerusalem Artichoke by throwing them away. Safely freeze your carrots until needed.

clear drinking glass with red liquid beside green vegetable

Can You Freeze Beets?

February 27, 2024January 1, 2021 by Gardening With Ben

Can You Freeze Beets

Have you grown too many beets in the garden or allotment? Have you purchased too many beets when you have seen a special offer? Beets do not last long once they have been picked or bought from the shop so the question a lot of people ask is can you freeze beets to use at a later date? The answer to the question is yes you can freeze beets. Here we will provide you with the step by step process on how to freeze beets for a later date.

Beets are not just red these days, they come in plenty of various colours from white to orange. You will also find various beet shapes. If you cook and freeze your beets you can add an extra 8 months to them. Not everyone has beets picked they like to eat them roasted or freshly boiled.

Allotment and Kitchen Garden Book

You can check out all the allotment and kitchen garden books we recommend here.

How To Roast Beets and Freeze Them.

If you have got to many beets and want to roast them and freeze them so they they won’t rot we give you the tips and advice for doing this.

Trim the beets – Cut the leaves off the beet but leaving around 1-2 cm stem. This will stop the beets from bleeding. Do the same for the roots on the beets.
Wash the beets – If you have grown your own beets they will be filthy from being in the ground.
Heat the oven – Make sure your oven is heated to around 400 degrees Faranheight.
Place the beets in a roasting tray – Arrange the beets in a roasting tray, pour around a cup full of water in the tray.
Cover the beets – place tinfoil over the beets covering the roasting tin.
Roast the beets – Roast the beets for around 45 minutes or longer if needed. Do this until they are tender.
Remove the skins – Once the beets have cooled down you can remove the skin from the beets and the rest of the stalk and roots. You are best wearing gloves for this or the beets could stain your hands.
Slice the beets – Gently slice the beets into thin circular slices.
Place the beets on baking trays – Put some greaseproof paper on baking trays and gently place the beets on the paper. Make sure they are not touching.
Put the beets in the freezer – Place the baking trays of beets in the freezer for around 2-3 hours until the beets are frozen solid.
Place the beets in ziplock bags – Take the beets out of the freezer and put them in ziplock bag with the date written on the bag so you know when you cooked them.
Place them back into the freezer until needed.
When you are ready to use them take them out and reboil until soft.

How to Blanche and freeze beets

Here we will give you an easy step by step process on how to freeze your beets so that you can use them at a later date and not waste any food. This process is called blanching. This means you partially cook the beets and then freeze them ready to finish off cooking when you next need them

Trim the beets – Cut the leaves off the beet but leaving around 1-2 cm stem. This will stop the beets from bleeding. Do the same for the roots on the beets.
Wash the beets – If you have grown your own beets they will be filthy from being in the ground.
Boil a pan of water – bring a pan of water to the boil ready to Blanche your beets.
Match up the size of your beets a the different sizes will take longer to cook. Large beets take 1 hour, medium 45 minutes and small beets take 25 minutes.
Drain the beets – once the beets are tender you can carefully drain the beets. Be careful they will be hot.
Put the beets in ice water – Gently place the beets into a bowl of cold water. This will stop the cooking process of the beets.
Remove the skins – Once the beets have cooled down you can remove the skin from the beets and the rest of the stalk and roots. You are best wearing gloves for this or the beets could stain your hands.
Slice the beets – Gently slice the beets into thin circular slices.
Place the beets on baking trays – Put some greaseproof paper on baking trays and gently place the beets on the paper. Make sure they are not touching.
Put the beets in the freezer – Place the baking trays of beets in the freezer for around 2-3 hours until the beets are frozen solid.
Place the beets in ziplock bags – Take the beets out of the freezer and put them in ziplock bag with the date written on the bag so you know when you cooked them.
Place them back into the freezer until needed.
When you are ready to use them take them out and reboil until soft.

We hope you have got the answer to the question “Can you freeze beets?” Now you won’t be wasting any beets by throwing them away. Safely freeze your beets until needed.

Can you freeze Carrots?

February 27, 2024January 1, 2021 by Gardening With Ben

Can you freeze carrots?

Have you grown too many carrots in the garden or allotment? Have you purchased too many carrots when you have seen a special offer? Carrots do not last long once they have been picked or bought from the shop so the question a lot of people ask is can you freeze carrots to use at a later date? The answer to the question is yes you can freeze carrots. Here we will provide you with the step by step process on how to freeze carrots for a later date.

Allotment and Kitchen Garden Book

You can check out all the allotment and kitchen garden books we recommend here.

How to freeze carrots

Here we will give you an easy step by step process on how to freeze your carrots so that you can use them at a later date and not waste any food.

Sort through your carrots for the best ones. The carrots that are not too good you will need to use up as they will not freeze very well.
Clean your carrots – Even if you have purchased your carrots they will still need washing before you freeze them. If you have grown your own carrots make sure that you clean them thoroughly so that they are sparkling.
Peel your carrots so that there is no skin left on them. Use a vegetable peeler to do this so that you don’t waste much of the carrot.
Chop your carrots – carefully slice your carrots into thin circles
Boil the water – On a cooker boil your water so that it is steaming and bubbling.
Put your carrots in the water – boil your carrots in the water for a brief time. You don’t want to fully cook the carrots. 2 minutes should be enough. You don’t want them to lose any flavour or colour.
Drain the carrots – Carefully pour the water out of the pan not losing any of the carrots down the sink.
Put them in ice water – Place your drained carrots in a bowl of water with ice in. This will stop the cooking process of the carrots. Leave them in the ice water for as long as you boiled them. This will be around 2 minutes.
Place your carrots on greaseproof baking paper – Get a piece of greaseproof paper and put it on a baking tray. Arrange the carrots on the tray so they are not touching.
Put the carrots in the freezer – Place your baking tray with the carrots on in the freezer for around 2 hours till they are frozen solid.
Place the carrots in a zip lock bag – Take the carrots off the tray and put them in a zip lock bag. Write the date on the bag so you know when you cooked them. The reason why you do not put the carrots in the bag first is that they will all freeze as a lump.
Use the carrots when needed – The frozen carrots will last for around a year. When you are ready to use them take out the amount you need and finish cooking them.

We hope you have got the answer to the question “Can you freeze carrots?” Now you won’t be wasting any carrots by throwing them away. Safely freeze your carrots until needed.

In this post we are sharing what herbs grow well together

10 Best Herb Books

February 27, 2024January 1, 2021 by Gardening With Ben

Best Herb Books

Are you looking at growing herbs or looking at finding out the benefits of using herbs? Here we look at all the herb books available to purchase online. We have found all the best herb books which are available to purchase. You can then click the links where it will take you through to Amazon to purchase the book or find out more information on the herb book. Whether it be the best herb book for beginners or the best herb growing book we have all the reviews here in one place.

Book:- The Kew Gardener’s Companion to Growing Herbs: The art and science to grow your own herbs

About the book:-

Growing herbs is beneficial in many ways. It can add amazing flavors to your meals, they are also known for the health benefits. In this book they look at the 80 herbs that you can try growing. Find out the best way to grow herbs in beds, pots, borders and window boxes, how to plant, propagate and harvest. They also provide 12 projects to try and design your own herb garden at home or the allotment.

Purchase the book:-

Here you can see the price the book is currently on sale for at Amazon. Click the link below where you can purchase the book safely and securely through Amazon

Reviews of the book:-

This gardening book has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5. It has a 5* percentage of 82% from over 160 purchases. It is a very popular book for gardeners. Here is what some of the purchases have said about the book:-

Click to purchase the book from Amazon

Book:- A Pocketful of Herbs: An A-Z

About the book:-

This handy pocket herb guide is an A-z of all the herbs. You can carry it around easliy so that you can go and identify herbs in the wild, your garden or the allotment. This book provides information on how to look after the herbs and when the best time is to plant them.

Purchase the book:-

Here you can see the price the book is currently on sale for at Amazon. Click the link below where you can purchase the book safely and securely through Amazon

Reviews of the book:-

This gardening book has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5. It has a 5* percentage of 74% from over 60 purchases. It is a very popular book for gardeners. Here is what some of the purchases have said about the book:-

Click to purchase the book from Amazon

Book:- Jekka’s Complete Herb Book: In Association with the Royal Horticultural Society

About the book:-

Jekka has been growing herbs now for over 30 years so their knowledge on growing herbs is fantastic. The tips and advice in this book is essential. Jekka provides details growling herbs be it for aromatherapy or cooking too. There is also basic guidance on propagation, harvesting herbs in containers, pests and diseases as well as a yearly calendar.

Purchase the book:-

Here you can see the price the book is currently on sale for at Amazon. Click the link below where you can purchase the book safely and securely through Amazon

Reviews of the book:-

This gardening book has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5. It has a 5* percentage of 83% from over 100 purchases. It is a very popular book for gardeners. Here is what some of the purchases have said about the book:-

Click to purchase the book from Amazon

Book:- Growing Herbs for Beginners: How to Grow Low cost Indoor and Outdoor Herbs in containers, for Profit or for health benefits at home, Simple Basic Recipes

About the book:-

Knowing how to grow herbs as a beginner can be daunting but it certainly isn’t. With this book it is ideal for beginners and it is perfect for those who do not have gardens as herbs are great grown in pots and containers. All the herbs are listed in this magazine with pictures and key information on how much sunlight they need, how to nurture your herbs and how to grow them.

Purchase the book:-

Here you can see the price the book is currently on sale for at Amazon. Click the link below where you can purchase the book safely and securely through Amazon

Reviews of the book:-

This gardening book has an average rating of 4 out of 5. It has a 5* percentage of 56% from over 100 purchases. It is a very popular book for gardeners. Here is what some of the purchases have said about the book:-

Click to purchase the book from Amazon

Book:- The Complete Guide to Garden Herbs: How to Identify, Choose and Grow Herbs, with an A-Z Directory and More Than 730 Photographs

About the book:-

Herbs have been used for hundreds of years. Many different cultures like to use herbs in dishes to add amazing flavors to meals and also use the herbs for aromatherapy. This book has over 250 pictures of herbs. You will find out information on habitat, cultivation and the parts of the herb used for their culinary, fragrant or medicinal properties. The book explains how to design and plant your garden.

Purchase the book:-

Here you can see the price the book is currently on sale for at Amazon. Click the link below where you can purchase the book safely and securely through Amazon

Reviews of the book:-

This gardening book has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5. It has a 5* percentage of 69% from over 30 purchases. Here is what some of the purchases have said about the book:-

Click to purchase the book from Amazon

Book The Herb Book: The Most Complete Catalog of Herbs Ever Published

About the book:-

Written by an expert and pioneer in the field, this easy-to-use reference features three parts. The first presents introductory historical information and background for using the rest of the book. The second part features individual numbered listings of medicinal plants with their botanical descriptions and uses. The third part emphasizes the variety of uses for the plants listed in Part 2, including mixtures for medicinal treatments, nutritious and culinary plants, cosmetic and aromatic purposes, plant dyes, and other applications. The book concludes with a captivating look at plant-related astrology, lore, and legends.

Purchase the book:-

Here you can see the price the book is currently on sale for at Amazon. Click the link below where you can purchase the book safely and securely through Amazon

Reviews of the book:-

This gardening book has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5. It has a 5* percentage of 80% from over 320 purchases. It is a very popular book for gardeners. Here is what some of the purchases have said about the book:-

Click to purchase the book from Amazon

Book Growing Herbs: A Beginners Guide to Growing, Using, Harvesting and Storing Herbs: 19 (Inspiring Gardening Ideas)

About the book:-

This herb guide book is ideal for beginners. This book explains growing, Using, Harvesting and Storing Herbs. Herbs are fantastic to grow in the garden especially in pots and tubs. This book will explain how to grow and nurture 49 herbs. This book covers the topics:-

Why Grow Herbs? – understand why people grow herbs at home and the many benefits not only to you, but to our declining insect population.
How To Grow Herbs – a guide to growing herbs indoors, outdoors, in containers, vertically and hydroponically plus the common mistakes to avoid.
Starting Herbs From Seed – how to successfully germinate seeds that will lead to healthy, fully grown plants.
Pests and Problems – some of the common pests and problems that you will encounter when growing herbs, plus how to treat them and minimize the risk. Later in the book, you learn what specific pests and problems each herb may encounter.
Drying and Storing Herbs – how to dry your herbs so they will store for months, if not years, including some clever freezer techniques!
How to Root Cuttings – a guide to rooting cuttings for free plants or to propagate your current plants.
Making Herbal Mixtures – how to use your herbs for healing by making infusions, decoctions, tinctures, poultices and more.
Growing Instructions – step by step instructions on how to grow 49 different herbs, including how to care for them and harvest the herb.
Culinary Uses – detailed information on how each herb can be used in the kitchen.
Health Uses – traditional and modern health uses for each herb and how they can benefit your health.
Beauty Uses – simple yet effective beauty uses for each herb to make your skin, hair and more look fantastic.
Recipes – multiple delicious recipes to make in your kitchen and simple beauty recipes for every one of the herbs in the Herb Directory

Purchase the book:-

Here you can see the price the book is currently on sale for at Amazon. Click the link below where you can purchase the book safely and securely through Amazon

Reviews of the book:-

This gardening book has an average rating of 3.8 out of 5. It has a 5* percentage of 45% from over 40 purchases. Here is what some of the purchases have said about the book:-

Click to purchase the book from Amazon

Book The Complete Book of Herbs: A Practical Guide to Growing And Using Herbs

About the book:-

This book of herbs covers how to grow herbs looks at how they can be used in floral arrangements, cooking, beauty care, and folk remedies, and lists useful herbs.

Purchase the book:-

Here you can see the price the book is currently on sale for at Amazon. Click the link below where you can purchase the book safely and securely through Amazon

Reviews of the book:-

This gardening book has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5. It has a 5* percentage of 72% from over 1000 purchases. It is a very popular book for gardeners. Here is what some of the purchases have said about the book:-

Click to purchase the book from Amazon

Book RHS Grow Your Own Crops in Pots: with 30 Step-by-Step Projects Using Vegetables, Fruit and Herbs

About the book:-

Herbs are best grown in pots and containers as this will stop them from spreading in the garden. Herbs can easily take over if they are not looked after. Hence growing them in containers and tubs will stop them spreading and keeping them maintained and organized. RHS are well known for there amazing gardening tips and advice so this book will be great for giving advice and tips for growing herbs in pots.

Purchase the book:-

Here you can see the price the book is currently on sale for at Amazon. Click the link below where you can purchase the book safely and securely through Amazon

Reviews of the book:-

This gardening book has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5. It has a 5* percentage of 69% from over 420 purchases. It is a very popular book for gardeners. Here is what some of the purchases have said about the book:-

Click to purchase the book from Amazon

Book Vegetables and Herbs for the Greenhouse and Polytunnel

About the book:-

Herbs don’t necessarily have to be grown outdoors they can be grown in a polytunnel or a greenhouse. Especially with the knowledge of the UK’s unpredictable weather. This book does not only cover herbs to grow in the polytunnel and greenhouse but what vegetables to grow in them.

Purchase the book:-

Here you can see the price the book is currently on sale for at Amazon. Click the link below where you can purchase the book safely and securely through Amazon

Reviews of the book:-

This gardening book has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5. It has a 5* percentage of 70% from over 170 purchases. It is a very popular book for gardeners. Here is what some of the purchases have said about the book:-

Click to purchase the book from Amazon

Can you Freeze Potatoes?

February 27, 2024January 1, 2021 by Gardening With Ben

Can you Freeze Potatoes?

Have you grown too many potatoes? Have you purchased too many potatoes and have not got anywhere to store them, are you scared they will start to go rotten? The question you want to know is Can you Freeze Potatoes? Well, the answer is yes! You can prepare the potatoes for when you actually need to use them so freezing potatoes is a good way to meal prep in advance.

The benefits of freezing potatoes is that you can partially cook them so they are ready at your convivence. They won’t take as long to cook once prepared and frozen. Growing potatoes you can end up with hundreds of potatoes and they can take up so much room in the garage, shed or kitchen. So preparing and freezing your potatoes will condense them and take up less room.

Allotment and Kitchen Garden Book

You can check out all the allotment and kitchen garden books we recommend here.

How to Freeze Potatoes

Here we will explain the best way to prepare freeze your potatoes for when you actually need to use them.

Decide if you are going to peel the potatoes or not.
Cut the potatoes in to the size and shape you require.
Place them in a pan steam the potatoes until soft but not to soft to eat. The main thing about freezing potatoes is not to cook them fully just enough
The time it will take to cook the potatoes will depend on how thick the potatoes are that you have sliced up.
When your potatoes are cooked but not fully cooked you need to drain all the water out of the pan.
Chuck the potatoes into a bowl of ice water. This will stop the cooking process.
Once the potatoes have cooled down drain them again and place them on a piece of kitchen roll to dry out.
Once the potatoes have fully cooled down you need to get a baking tray and place a piece of grease proof paper on it.
Carefully place the potato slices on the baking tray so they are not touching.
Place the tray in the freezer for around 12 hours till they are frozen solid.
Take them out of the freezer and put the slices in a zip lock bag.
Put the date on the bag so you know when you cooked them. The reason why you do not put them straight into the bag is that they will all freeze together.
You can store your frozen potatoes in the freezer for up to 3 months.
When you are ready to use them take them out of the freezer and finish the cooking process.

We hope you found these tips useful on freezing potatoes. Now you know the answer of the question “Can you freeze potatoes?”