Casalinho

Tag: Broom

  • Monster 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 is incredibly flammable, and having a giant impenetrable thicket of them (belonging to our neighbour) so close to the more »

  • Fabulous 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).

  • In 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 like to pickle a few jars for use on salads through out the year. As with any wild food, don’t more »

  • Windy 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.

  • Easter 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 their trail around the garden, a good opportunity to take the camera. Easter more »

  • Our 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 of rain have reminded of how much winter preparation still remains undone.   Left to right, top to bottom: 1) Beyonce enjoying an autumnal morning walk more »

  • Our 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 feed. Left to right, top to bottom. 1. We discovered that the dead stalks of the parsnips we more »

  • 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 difficult for us to keep under control. I can fully understand why, in some parts of the world, it’s considered an invasive pest. As more »