Vegetable Patch

We have tried many veg patch systems, we are now moving towards a no-dig contained bed system using straw as the top mulch. We grow many of the classic veg; tomatoes, leeks, onions, peppers, parsnips, cabbages, fennel, aubergines, frigitelli, beans, artichokes, and leafy greens.

Chestnuts

When we asked a neighbour, “When do the chestnuts fall?” He replied “13th October.” We were surprised how accurate this has turned out to be. Since 2018, we have harvested about 3-4,000 kg of chestnuts, always with the help of Workaway travellers. While sorting our chestnut harvest, we enjoy the everlasting philosophical debate, “is that a small or a medium?”

Olives

For the first week of November, the olives are happening. With a team of 5, we pick for two weeks. There is nothing like fresh olive oil.

We also prepare olives ready to eat, drawing out the bitterness with salt before storing them under oil.

Bees

We have had bees at Rimondato since 2010. The season starts in March with the harvest in early Autumn. Many visitors have had their first experience of bees visiting our hives.

Truffles and Mushrooms

Our dogs, Pluto and Truly, love to hunt Truffles. The season runs most of the year, as different truffles have their season. We are not mushroom specialists but there are 5 or 6 types, including the prince of all mushrooms: the Porcini, and the Trumpetti del Mort, Trumpets of the dead, that we know well, harvest and dry.

Frutetto

Frutteto: the Italian word for Orchard. Around Rimondato there are many different fruit trees; plums, peaches, nectarines, walnuts, figs, mulberries, and cherries. The abundance of each year is different.

Kaki (Persimmons)

This late autumnal harvest is packed with energy. You love it or hate it. It goes from inedible, bitter, and hard, to a sweet-soft mush. We process them in two ways. Peel them when they are just orange, then hang them to dry. When they are super ripe, we dry them in the dehydrator and turn them into Kakki leather.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are one of our main harvests. We plant some 100 or more plants in a range of varieties. The warm Italian sun makes for the sweet tomatoes. If all goes well we make enough passata to fill our cupboard and last untill spring.