Weeding the Web

The Eden Project

The Eden Project, Cornwall, grasped technology with both hands earlier this year and took its own channel, Eden Project TV on myCornwall.tv, which aims to unite all things Cornish on the internet, using video and social media.

Five-minute programmes are regularly added, featuring events at Eden, local designers, seasonal gardening ideas and showing what’s blooming and fruiting with the help of Eden’s horticulturalist Catherine Cutler. CEO and co-founder Tim Smit, champion of sustainability and eco-campaigns, rants monthly in What’s Eating Tim Smit?

Other films make it on to the Eden Project blog, where a bit of lateral thinking has the Plant Records Manager, Chris Bisson, recommending a favourite plant “record” each Friday. So far we’ve had The Who’s Pictures of Lily and, in festive fun this week alt rock group Weezer's Buddy Holly (groan. But a must for fans of Happy Days).

Eden’s very busy this month with Christmas workshops, Cornish choirs, skating and curling (featured on West Country Tonight), late openings and a display of Christmas trees. Get a flavour in the Eden Project's Time for Gifts Video.

Sloe Gin

September can be an anxious time, waiting for sloes to ripen. Will you get there first, or Someone Else who also has a gin bottle begging to be filled? Ideally you should pick them after the first frost, but the sloes I've used have never been frosted and I just don't believe the end result could taste any better.

However, you can freeze sloes before using. This not only simulates frost, but makes the fruit split, which means that you don’t have to prick them all over with a needle before dropping them in the gin.

The Diversity Website comes up trumps, as usual, with straightforward instructions.

But do visit the excellent blog The Cottage Smallholder for a deeper discussion on method and tips on production, including fermenting the sloes before use.

You’ll also find a recipe for Sloe Sherry, reusing the sozzled fruit after the gin’s been decanted. I can’t wait.