I just have a quick report this week - things are picking up as is to be expected at this time of year (barring any major weather or pest problems etc of course).
I've picked a few peas, they're so delicious raw. I only have a handful of plants that escaped the slugs so am savouring all the tasty morsels. On the plus side, I haven't found any pea caterpillars so far.
A quick trip to the plot one evening included the discovery of a marrow (possibly to make into a chutney if I get time) and a small orange squash. It's actually a winter squash (kuri I think) but I find that the plant usually puts out one early fruit which can be eaten now and then goes on to produce more later, which can be cured for over winter use.
Tomatoes from the lean-to are going nicely with purple basil and cheese
I have some Nero kale that's ready for eating. There's quite a bit more to pick which I might try and freeze before the white butterfly caterpillars get stuck in (I've noticed a few adults flying round today).
More green things....the runner beans, courgettes and cukes are speeding along now. At least one of the cuke plants is putting out bitter fruits though so I need to work out which one/s. Last year I had some bitter cukes and I thought it was due to lack of water but now I think it might be a duff pack of seeds as some of them are bitter but some are very sweet.
Tonight I made a curry thing with the orange squash, some kale, chard, courgette and tomatoes. I forgot to bring any onions home from the plot so instead I used a jar of chopped onion I recently froze.
Down at my folks' one of the parks has a plot dedicated to veggies, to commemorate growing during WWI. It's looking very healthy and green too.
So that's short and sweet from me. Am hoping to pick some berries tomorrow if I get down the plot...blackberries are ripening and there are some blackcurrants still ok for harvesting plus more red gooseberries and a few raspberries for munching on the go (got to keep your strength up!).
I'm linking in with Harvest Monday hosted by Dave at Our Happy Acres
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I have found one or two pea moth maggots but not many. Well done on ripe tomatoes.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sue, glad you've not had too many pea caterpillars. It's disappointing to open a pod and find them munched.
DeleteFresh peas are so delicious! I'm glad the slugs decided to share a little bit with you.
ReplyDeleteHi Julie, mmmm peas. We had a few more yesterday, yum.
DeleteToo bad about the bitter cukes. It does sound like some 'off' seeds given that some are sweet. I love winter squash in curries too.
ReplyDeleteHi Dave, yeah. I'm not sure what's happening with the cukes. I've picked quite a few more and only found one that had a slightly bitter end, as opposed to the last one affected which was the whole thing.
DeleteI admire your ability to keep producing new and different meals with your veg! However, your post also reminds me why I decided NOT to grow courgettes - they can easily overwhelm you.
ReplyDeleteHaha, thanks Mark. I'm trying freezing some courgettes - don't bother to blanch, just chop them up and freeze flat, then bag up. I googled how to freeze courgettes and found that tip on Not Just Green Fingers by Mrs Thrift, which is nice as I read her blog quite regularly anyway.
DeleteAre Kuri squash always that early to mature? I tried to grow one a few years back but planted them in a bad spot. I might have to try them again if they are ready to eat this soon!
ReplyDeleteNice looking kale, hope the bugs stay away.
Hi Susie, well I seem to get one very early fruit from a plant (which I harvest now whilst soft, as if left to fully ripen might stop the plant producing more), then the plant goes on to produce more fruit later. Not sure if it's just me it happens to though. The later fruits go rock hard when they're cured. It's nice to get the early one...a taste of things to come :)
DeleteLovely veg and, as usual, my eyes are devouring that sandwich :) We did end up topping some bread with basil pesto & goat cheese last week, inspired by one of your creations and it was so good...thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteHi Margaret, mmm, it's surprising how good a simple sarnie can be if you've got decent ingredients, glad you liked the pesto and goats cheese.
DeleteI love kuri when I grew them. And your tomatoes are delightful, we have only two plants in the greenhouse this year, we haven't managed to get on top of things this year...keep thinking next year will be better
ReplyDeleteOops meant to say that I harvested my first courgette this week too - yay!
DeleteHi shaheen, for sure there's always next year. I've had some things that haven't worked out as well (and my plot is looking rather weedy at the moment) but even just having a couple of tomato plants is nice. I bet they will taste so much better than bought ones.
DeleteCongrats on your first courgette, yippee :)