This weeks harvest continued to give us some firsts and a good stream of strawberries.
Our first harvest was Tuesday 28 June.
Strawberries dominated this harvest with Marshmello and Cupid producing the best crop. Although we are picking plenty of strawberries the plants really need more sunshine to intensify the flavour. Also the berries were on the whole smaller than expected.
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| We picked our first few raspberries - a very small few - from the half a row of Glen Ample that survived the mystery demise of the other half row. The canes themselves are about half the height that they should be. |
Another first was also on the small side but welcome nonetheless - our first cauliflower - Mayflower - of the season.
On Saturday 2 July we picked our first ripe apricots. They weren't technically the first as we had tried some earlier when we decided they were not ripe enough. These were but unfortunately someone else was enjoying them too.
I hope that there aren't too many more of these freeloaders.
Our second harvest was Sunday 3 July
Our second harvest was Sunday 3 July
Despite the lack of sunshine the strawberries continue to ripen and are taking up most space in our harvest boxes. At present Marshmello, Cupid and Fenella are the stars. They are producing lots of tasty berries some of which are a reasonable size.
Also very tasty was another gathering of Casablana potatoes.
We were very pleased with the haul above which were produced by just one root. It's amazing how you can pop one tuber in the ground and in a relatively short time it can produce many more. If only you could do the same with pound coins!
Another first was a head of Calabrese - Marathon which we had for Sunday dinner along with the second freshly cut cabbage - Duncan - of the week, some of the Casablanca potatoes and a bowlful of Fenella strawberries.
Despite the poor summer so far - things aren't all bad!
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You definitely do a better job on potatoes than I do. You got as many out of one hill as I did out of 3 or 4 hills. I find the occasional worm on our blackberries, but thankfully not too many!
ReplyDeleteOur blackberries are usually fairly worm free thankfully, Dave
DeleteBeautiful harvests, Sue. Oh, you must be in heaven. Such bounty.
ReplyDeleteThe cauliflower would be put into soup first thing.
Do you roast it or make soup or?????
We just steamed it in the microwave and sprinkled grated cheese over it, Sue
DeleteThe great thing about growing a few different varieties of strawberries is that they usually come in at slightly different times. I found that even with the two I grew - the season is extended by at least a couple of weeks. And a few raspberries is definitely better than none - we relished the handful we harvested this week :)
ReplyDeleteWe have one variety of strawberry that is still to start fruiting, Margaret.
DeleteGreat harvest Sue but a shame about the caterpillar x
ReplyDeleteWe had more apricots today that were worm less, Jo.
DeleteI think those Casablanca spuds look really good - pretty much perfect, I'd say! I think it's a bad year all round for strawberries though. My few are nothing special, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteCasablanca tastes really good too, Mark.
DeleteWhat a varied harvest! You are having a great year for strawberries! That cauli is a magnificent specimen and what lovely clean potatoes.xxx
ReplyDeleteWe are making the most of the strawberries while we can, Dina
DeleteThe potatoes must be loving the rain and look at all your strawberries. Absolutely gorgeous. I'm so tempted to make a strawberry patch, but honestly the birds would probably go crazy for them.
ReplyDeleteWe cover our strawberries with netting, Phuong or the birds would have ours too along with the redcurrants.
DeleteUnfortunately I decided I will scrap our strawberry bed this autumn. The raccoons are no match for me. Fortunately they do not like currants or gooseberries!
ReplyDeleteThose racoons sound like a nightmare, Alain
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