Comments on Hazeltree Farm: 2011 in hindsight - successes and failures

Sounds a wonderful place and I can't wait to v...

2012-01-12T08:48:34.260+13:00

Sounds a wonderful place and I can't wait to visit one day :)

Regarding the jam - strawberries are naturally low in pectin, which is what you need to add for it to set. Strawberry jam is notorious for not setting, so don't write yourself off as failing that on your first go!

I always add lemon juice to strawberry jam, as it adds the pectin. You can't taste it, though! You could also add some sour apple varieties.

Did you do the "setting test"? I put a saucer in the fridge, and then when I want to test the jam, I drip a little onto the cold plate. Put it back in the fridge for a minute or two, and then do the test: put your finger on the edge of the drip, and push the jam across the plate while watching it very carefully. If you can see the surface of the jam folding up as you push it, then it will set. If not, then keep cooking. While you're doing the test, take the jam off the heat as you don't want to burn the bottom or over-cook it. After a bit of practice you'll recognise how the jam drips off the stirring spoon, so you'll know when to do the test.

All lessons learned from my Mum :`)

Happy New Year to you too, Mrs D!

2012-01-08T13:33:59.738+13:00

Happy New Year to you too, Mrs D!

Happy New Year and I hope 2012 gives everything yo...

2012-01-07T21:15:58.344+13:00

Happy New Year and I hope 2012 gives everything you are hoping. Just found your blog, you're doing an amazing job on your farm, thanks thanks for sharing all the work online here for us. xxx

Happy new year :) I'm hoping for a better yea...

2012-01-06T16:11:09.465+13:00

Happy new year :)

I'm hoping for a better year this year. We only have peas in the main garden as the soil was so bad we turned the whole lot into a compost pile using all our own stuff and a fair bit from the neighbours too. Should be good by next year :)

viv

Hi Eco Yogini - The lambs were gorgeous. The sad t...

2012-01-05T16:19:43.115+13:00

Hi Eco Yogini - The lambs were gorgeous. The sad thing is they're a whole lot bigger and starting to really look like sheep now. I'll have to take some "now" photos, now they're growing up and probably weighing about 35 kgs / 80 pounds apiece.

Not so cute any more :-( But they're be good eating for all the families they're going to, and I hope the girls we're keeping will be producing lovely little lambs of their own in 2013 :-)

HI Michael - Oops - how could I forget the bees!!!...

2012-01-05T16:17:47.517+13:00

HI Michael - Oops - how could I forget the bees!!! Now I've got to get trained up and remember everything I learned but have forgotten about them before we get them in.

Beekeeping lessons, here I come!

Hi Mrs W - It's going well, now, and I actuall...

2012-01-05T16:17:00.597+13:00

Hi Mrs W - It's going well, now, and I actually feel like I might know what I'm doing.

Uh oh - that means I'm in for trouble, doesn't it!

Our weather has been pretty good so far, but we got battered a bit when we were on holiday over the break up at Picton. So much for summer :-( Oh well, I can't complain when I think of everything others have been through in 2011.

Take care, and all the best for you and yours XXX

Happy New Year! Wow the lambs are SO SO CUTE!!! s...

2012-01-05T03:06:54.946+13:00

Happy New Year!
Wow the lambs are SO SO CUTE!!!

sounds like you've been busy, and 600 flowers is a LOT (also, didn't know lupins grow in NZ too, weirdly Nova Scotians think it's a purely Atlantic Canada flower... or that we have a lot that grow here in the wild or something).

What an amazing year you have had. It must be very...

2012-01-04T21:20:12.768+13:00

What an amazing year you have had. It must be very fulfilling to see that your list of successes is so much longer than the failures.
I thinkiIt is always so exciting to learn new things and a lifestyle change like yours brings so many learning opportunities.
I look forward to reading all about it in 2012.

Good summary ... but don't forget the bees as ...

2012-01-04T16:56:35.967+13:00

Good summary ... but don't forget the bees as a 2012 project :-)

Happy New Year Leanne! Wow your farm sounds just g...

2012-01-04T13:31:29.662+13:00

Happy New Year Leanne! Wow your farm sounds just gorgeous! you are doing an amazing job getting through everything that you need to on a small farm and it's neat to hear that you are starting to reap the rewards for your hard work :)I look forward 'watching' the developments at Hazeltree farm through your blog, and can't wait to see the new kids play area and garden when it's all done and dusted. I hope you haven't been battered with to much bad weather done where you are this holiday season, it's been quite wet up here near Akl. Take care and wishes of good health to all your family for 2012. Regards, Ruth @ Come Smell the Roses