To make up for this poor harvest we have three big pumpkins (the one above is the smallest), and quite a good crop of these delicious Delicata Squash (below); again about a dozen.
I really do recommend these small but tasty Squash. If you know someone who grows them; ask for a few seeds.
Otherwise, I'm not quite sure what happened, but we have very few winter 'greens' this year. Most of my sowings failed, and frankly I was too busy with our building project to do much about it. I have just 2 Swiss Chard plants, a few Kale plants, and some Calabrese.
All other stuff is now indoors. Plenty of red onions, a few marrows, apples, pears, tomatoes (whilst they last), as well as all our preserves.
It'll be a strange winter having to BUY Sprouts, and Leeks, etc. A lesson to be learned for next year, when I should have a lot more time on my hands.
Also for 2016, I'm entering into the realms of 'Raised Beds'; I have a feeling it'll make life easier.
But how will you get a rotavator through a raised bed?
ReplyDeleteI'm going to make a small 'entrance'.... it's all planned.
DeleteI buy everything that i eat, and so sorry for it.
ReplyDeleteI only buy meat, cheese, wine, and household things.
DeleteI can only think of one thing when I look at that pumpkin and it's rude.
ReplyDeleteYou should see the BIG one!
DeleteYes, I thought about that too. Wicked!
DeleteLucky you, with home grown vegetables!
ReplyDeleteAs long as my back holds out!
DeleteYou'll love having raised beds, Cro. They make my life so much easier. I have five large ones and two small. Mine are very Australian looking, being made from colour-bonded corrugated steel. The soil stays lovely and loose (I did buy it in) so no need for heavy digging and weeding is a breeze.
ReplyDeleteI think mine will be more 'compartmentalised' than 'raised'. A smaller boarded area, but used more efficiently.
DeleteI had good sized vegetable gardens when I was younger but now we have raised beds. They are so much easier!
ReplyDeleteThat's what I'm hoping.
DeleteAgree about raised beds Cro - I think (hope) the farmer is coming round to my way of thinking.
ReplyDeleteThos squash look tremdous - I love them but we are just too far North.
There is no telling why some crops fail. Up until last year Leeks were one of our most successful crops - but last year and again this year they have rapidly gone to seed. They are alright for leek and potato soup, which I am making every week, but not for much else.
Soup is the only reason I grow/buy Leeks. The best.
DeleteWe have failed with winter greens this year, just nine brussel plants, six Russian kale and a dozen winter savoy. We usually have rows of Kurly and Black kale and purple sprouting Brocolli. I can't remember how we ended up this way!
ReplyDeleteOh yes and our leeks are pathetic.
Sounds like here, all my Black kale (cavolo nero) failed.... no idea why. This'll be the first year for ages without any. Woe is me!
DeleteWell you can certainly be proud of the veg. in the photos. They look perfect. I suppose "bad" years are occasionally inevitable, and the downside of growing any fruit or veg.
ReplyDeleteThose 'bad' years are usually my own fault.
DeleteOh I am so envious. I really want to let the man out in a garden bigger than our Amsterdam canal balcony to see what he coulc produce for us. Miserable harvest this year, really only chilies and herbs.
ReplyDeleteYour Amsterdam canal balcony sounds wonderful, but, yes, probably a bit limited for growing too much.
DeleteIt is lovely, I am bragging (but I like a bit more muck for the man to do his potato and pumpkin in)
DeleteThe slugs have been at my kale again, so I've had only two leaves to eat. I can see why the slugs visited, the little bit I had was quite tasty. Can't you sow some seeds now for the greens? I imagine you don't get a hard frost much before November, and that'd give the kale enough time to grow a bit.
ReplyDeleteI wish my elderly neighbor who has since moved south closer to his son were still here with his chickens and ducks. they kept the slugs in check.
You've just reminded me; I'd better put some slug pellets down (wildlife friendly, of course).
Delete