We managed a toe freezing visit to the plot last week to harvest a few things and do a little work on the plot.
We had run out of fresh vegetables and as it wasn't raining or blowing a gale, we would have considered it a poor showing if we hadn't done a little work whilst we were there.
Martyn did a bit of renovation work to one of our compost bays. Our plot neighbour had sorted out an old fence panel for us, so the job couldn't be put off any longer.
I have also started a long overdue task of sorting a flower/rose/shrub border at the edge of the plot.
It doesn't look like I did much but the bed is matted with couch grass roots and it is going to be a long job. Before, Martyn spills the beans, I did have to stop for a chat with a couple of other plotters. A girl has to be sociable doesn't she and Martyn did spend some time playing filming a piece of video which is available here
Of course the main reason for the visit was to harvest and we came away with this.
Another typical winter harvest but let's look closer. I think this carrot is our largest specimen ever.
The parsnips have been the best ever this year in size and shape.
We will move swiftly on with only a passing mention of the diminutive leeks.
We still have sprouts left on the plants.
The plants have been grown under enviromesh in an attempt to keep them clean. In the past they have attracted nasty, grey, brassica, aphids. This has worked but something has still nibbled at the outer leaves.
The damage doesn't look extensive enough to have been caused by slugs so I am thinking the culprit must be some sort of small caterpillar. The evidence is purely circumstantial as to date I have not come across the culprit.
Does anyone know who the nibbler may be?
Michelle is standing in whist Dave has a well earned break.
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I had those same "nibbled" leaves-found TINY green worms on them.
ReplyDeleteLuckily, only the outer leaves were gone through and they cleaned up nicely. Hope yours are damage free inside as well.
That carrot was HUGE--glad you put it in hand to show the size. Impressive---a meal in itself!
I haven't found anything on ours, Sue but I suspect the same culprits. Our sprouts were fine after taking the outer leaves off.
DeleteOh my! That carrot and that parsnip! Wow. I get those aphids on my sprouts also, they are such a nuisance, but I haven't had much critter damage otherwise.
ReplyDeleteCovering with the enviromesh has kept the sprouts much cleaner, Michelle.
DeleteChatting to your allotment neighbours is all part of allotment life. I am very impressed with the massive carrot and parsnip.
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed, Margaret.
DeleteThat is definitely a a parsnip with Attitude (and a lovely long tap root). 🙂
ReplyDeleteIt makes recipes that call for two parsnips rather ridiculous, Jayne.
DeleteEducate me, please? Are carrots and parsnips that size still tasty? I would have thought that veg that size would have been tough and as woody as a branch, no?
ReplyDeleteWe haven't eaten that particular carrot yet< Tracy but have eaten ones almost as big and it was still tasty and unbranchlike. Large parsnips are also tasty and just the same as smaller ones other than they last for a couple of meala
DeleteWoW!
ReplyDelete;-)
DeleteOMG! The SIZE of that parsnip, that would certainly have won a prize somewhere.xxx
ReplyDeleteWe have been really pleased with this year's parsnip crop, Dina
DeleteYour carrots and parsnips are huge! Very impressive I hope they are tasty, you will get a good few meals out of them. Such a perfect parsnip too with no forking at all. And yes you definitely need to chat with your allotment neighbours thats part of the fun of having a plot!
ReplyDeleteThey are tasty, Annie and they are definitely providing for lots of meals both for us and my sister.
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