We took advantage of a decent day on Friday to pop to the allotment and have a spell of green gym exercise.
I'm tackling an overgrown flower bed which given how wet and soggy everything is, and the fact that the predominant problem is couch grass and bindweed, is likely to be a very long job.
Martyn was busy emptying the compost bins and spreading it around fruit bushes etc.
As well as getting some fresh air and exercise we needed to replenish our fresh vegetable cache.
Our collection was typical for the time of year.
The parsnips are far larger than usual and, in spite of various protusions are longer rooted. One root had to be discarded as it was badly affected with canker and one in the photo above has a small patch so I hope this isn't going to be a major problem with the remaining roots.
Conversely the leeks haven't really made the expected growth and are smaller than usual.
The carrots are harvested from a late sown batch. These were a variety called Flyaway and sown as insurance when we thought the main sowing was making slow progress. They weren't protected as carefully from carrot fly attack but had enviromesh loosely draped over. The sowing was later - mid June -, after the first main carrot fly hatching period should have passed. I'm guessing the small amount of carrot fly damage in the harvested roots was caused by the second hatching which in theory is in September.
Some fairly wonky individuals as usual but our carrots have character.
We picked our first lot of Horbury sprouts - can they be called Brussels sprout when grown elsewhere?
The outer leaves are a little nibbled but the sprouts are a good size and so should be fine once the damaged leaves have been removed.
One surprise find was a patch of self sown cerinthe in full flower in spite of also displaying the odd frost nipped, blackened leaf.
I cut a few sprigs to add to the few chrysanthemum flowers. The plants are producing a disappointingly small number of flowers this year.
I also found one or two osteospernum flowers in the garden greenhouse. They are difficult to spot in the vase above as the flowers are exactly the same deep red as the chrysanthemums.
Today I am linking to Harvest Monday over at Dave's blog Our Happy Acres
Today I am linking to Harvest Monday over at Dave's blog Our Happy Acres
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I like the arrangement of Chrysanthemums and Parsnips!
ReplyDelete:-)
DeletePicking sprouts, it must be getting close to Christmas. have you put them on to cook yet?
ReplyDeleteFunnily enough, Brian, I ended an email yesterday with - I'd better go and start cooking the sprouts or they won't be ready for Christmas! :-D
DeleteBeautiful flowers. I do love winter veg, they always seem something of a miracle don't they. I need to pop down to the allotment this week and pick sprouts for the Christmas table. Let's hope there are some decent ones there!
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed for your sprouts, CJ.
DeleteOh my-those bouquets are gorgeous. What a beautiful spot of color!
ReplyDeleteI'm so envious of your carrots. We just ate the last of ours from storage today. Back to grocery store carrots--blech.
It's very complimentary to call it a bouquet, Sue.
DeleteHow lovely to still have fresh flowers. I love the character of your carrots and parsnips....you'll be sorted for Christmas dinner!xxx
ReplyDeleteThe roots definitely have je ne sais quoi, Dina.
DeleteYou've got a nice harvest this week sue. I'm trying to tackle couch grass too...definitely the bane of my allotment.
ReplyDeleteThat and bindweed, Lou. The bed needs to dry out a bit before I can get stuck in.
DeleteIsn't that the way it always is, the parsnips are big but the leeks are smaller than usual. At least that's the way it is for me. Those sprouts look great to me since I can't seem to grow them!
ReplyDeleteIt's always swings and roundabout, Dave.
DeleteCarrot fly seems to be a major pest for UK gardeners. I'm thankful that that's one more pest that I don't have to deal with. I do find aphids in the crowns of the carrots and the ants tend them vigilantly, but they only damage the necks of the carrots so I don't intervene much unless they start in when the plants are very small. 'Tis the season for Brussels sprouts here too and we're loving it!
ReplyDeleteWe all have our fair share of gardening pests, Michelle, they just vary. 😟
DeleteThat's good harvest Sue! You are cooking them for Christmas dinner?
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
We will some of them, Malar.
DeleteBeautiful harvests, really! But those flowers, though! How nice to pick those bright colours when it's so grey outside!!
ReplyDeleteHello Lotte and welcome. We had more flowers last year so to be honest this year is a bit disappointing.
DeleteIts lovely to get out and get some fresh air and you have to make the most of any good days to get to the plot at the moment. Love those Chrysanthemums nice to have such home grown colour at this time of year
ReplyDeleteI agree, Annie you have to make the best of any spells of decent weather.
DeleteHorbury sprouts? Is this a Brexit term?
ReplyDeleteI hadn't thought of that! Maybe we won't be able to make French onion soup either or grow French beans.
DeleteYour veg look great ! Next year I will have a bit more space to grow carrots and sprouts again ..tomorrows the day I will dig up my parsnips ....fingers crossed !
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas to you ! : ) x
Something to look forward to next year, Debs.
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