I have had to keep the bed covered with a net, because if I don't the animals get in it and dig things up.
This year the bed is hosting Celeriac, Leeks and Parsnips. Although the Celeriac are the biggest I have grown to-date, they are still decidedly unimpressive. Maybe what they lack in size will be compensated for by superb flavour...? Just maybe?
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| Celeriac "Monarch" |
There are 24 Leeks in that bed. No, actually there are 23, because I did harvest one the other day, mainly just to see what they were like. They are growing slowly, but at least they look as if they will eventually provide a worthwhile yield.
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| Leeks "Apollo" |
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| Leeks "Toledo" |
I don't yet know what the Parsnips are going to be like. I have resisted the temptation to dig some of them up, because it is alleged that Parsnips are sweeter after the frost has got to them. We had our first frost of the year about 10 days ago, so it won't be long before we see what's under that rather sparse foliage.
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| Parsnips "Hollow Crown" |
When I planted my Leeks I had loads of spares, so instead of throwing them away I planted them in some of the black plastic 35-litre containers which had previously held potatoes.
Bearing in mind that these plants are the ones that looked least promising at planting time, and that they are growing in second-hand compost, they seem to be doing OK, although still small. I don't know whether they will bulk out at all. I may just end up harvesting two dozen "Baby Leeks" all in one go!
The Cabbages you see above are also "Reserves" for which there was no room elsewhere. Like the Leeks they are looking fine in all respects apart from their size.
In one of my other raised beds I have 8 small Brokali plants. This is the most advanced one, just beginning to flower now:
One flower-shoot like this is no good. If they are going to produce a worthwhile quantity I need all 8 to come on at the same time!
It's good to see your beds, and pots, still productive at this time of year. It's a good idea planting up the spares in pots, they may be smaller in size but at least they haven't gone to waste and you'll get something from them.
ReplyDeleteYour celeriac actually looks quite good to me - I received an even smaller root from the farm a couple of weeks ago. I'll be pulling up the last 2 leeks soon - I've also been waiting for them to size up a bit more, but it won't be long before we are in the deep freeze of winter.
ReplyDeleteI recently discovered a really easy and tasty way to cook celeriac - just trim away the leaves and roots and scrub the skin clean. Then bake in the top of the oven (prefably above a long cooked casserole!) as halves placed cut side down on a greased baking sheet for at least an hour until soft when tested with a knife (times vary depending on celeriac size). To serve, just hold the celeriac in a cloth and scoop out the middle with a spoon, leaving behind the skin, to give a pile of easy 'mash'.
ReplyDeleteIt has weathered nicely & your cabbage pots look like they are doing well too.
ReplyDeleteYour celeriac looks fine to me, much prettier than the ugly things I find in the stores here. Maybe I should try it.
ReplyDeleteAs others have commented the celeriac looks to be a success
ReplyDeleteThe smaller sizes of the veg growing in pots is a great way to demonstrate the need to stick to the advised spacings for full sized veg! I rather like baby leeks (currently I've never grown my own) so growing in pots would work well for me. It all looks very productive plus it's great to still have fresh veg to look forward to.
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