Harvest Monday - December 7, 2015


It's the beginning of December and I still have harvests to report.  I wish I could take credit for that, but I think most of it goes to Mother Nature - we have had some cold temps but also a lot of unusually warm weather.  It's 1C (34F) right now but it's supposed to go up to 11C (52F) this coming weekend - talk about a roller coaster!

I finally harvested the last 2 leeks - a mama and her baby:

Jolant Leeks

Not too much of a white bit on them, but that's ok - the light green parts are just as tasty.

One more tiny broccoli harvest - every little bit counts at this time of year:

Last of the broccoli - I mean it this time!

I know, I know...I keep saying that it's the last of the broccoli harvest, but then the weather gets a bit warmer and I see some side shoots developing and so I leave the plants.  But this is IT - the plants are pulled and waiting to be transported to the compost bins.

And lastly, a big bunch of mizuna:

Mizuna

Most of this batch will be used fresh in salads.  I washed and dried it and then gave it the same storage treatment as the lettuce (placing in a large paper towel lined bowl & covering with cling film).  It is now in the cold cellar where I grab a bunch to toss into a salad as needed.

As for what's left in the garden - kohlrabi (which is still tiny), mizuna (I may be able to get one or two more harvests from it), tatsoi (I found another surprise plant underneath the mizuna!) and several of the herbs are still in good shape (parsley, sage, thyme).  The perennial bunching onions are looking quite droopy, so I've decided to leave them for the winter.  Hopefully the most promising variety - Nebuka - will make it through until spring.

My harvest totals this week were:

Mizuna – 514 grams (1.14 lbs)
Broccoli – 34 grams (0.07 lbs)
Leeks – 156 grams (0.34 lbs)

Total for Week – 706 grams (1.56 lbs)

Total to Date – 214 kg (472 lbs)

To see what everyone else has been harvesting over the past week, head on over to Our Happy Acres where Dave is our host for Harvest Mondays.

Till next time…

Comments

  1. I definitely have broccoli envy since I never got any side shoots this fall, and I have no idea why! I think the leeks look great too, which is another crop I've not had any luck with here. I'm sticking with garlic!

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    1. While you have broccoli envy, I have kale envy - maybe next year we will both have *both* in the garden :)

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  2. Well, you are quite successful with the broccoli. I'm going to have to check your notes. I doubt you will see kohlrabi but your Nebuka onions should winter over OK. Mine always have, and since I didn't dead head them, I have volunteers all over the place.

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    1. I'll be doing a review on all the veg I grew this year including the broccoli. I haven't had an opportunity to review my notes yet but am really looking forward to doing that for the broccoli, which was one of the few successes this past year.

      I didn't realize you grew Nebuka onions as well. I just tucked in my patch for the winter with some straw; hopefully my experience is the same as yours.

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  3. Oh that broccoli, it just didn't want to give up! I finally pulled my summer broccoli which didn't want to give up either, but it had to make way for something else. I love that you can stash greens in your cold cellar and save space in the fridge. No way I could do that, I have a second fridge. I have mizuna envy...

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    1. I do love our cold cellar. But even though it's perfect once the fall hits, it's nowhere near cold enough in the summer. I keep hinting to my husband that I want a new fridge in the kitchen which then means our current one goes in the basement, but so far, he hasn't caught on ;)

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  4. Oh , you crack me up. I'll bet NEXT WEEK we see some more broccoli-LOL!
    Congrats. You've really pushed the limits. I've NEVER tried gardening late into fall, but next year I am sure gonna do it. You're really inspired me to give it a try. Usually we get frosted out beginning of September--and I'm usually glad to quit then--but seeing you getting produce this late--yowsa--count me in! Have a great week, Margaret

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    1. No more broccoli...really...for sure this time ;) I've also said that a couple of times about the tatsoi but those huge mops of mizuna keep hiding another head underneath. I guess it's the fall of surprises this year!

      I can't wait to see what you decide to do in next years fall garden...I have a feeling I'll be the envious one then! Have a wonderful week too, Sue!

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  5. Every little harvest from the garden at this time of year is a special treat. I will soon harvest small heads of broccoli for the first time from a bed that I never thought could make it. Enjoy your late bonus.

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    1. Thanks George - there are surprises in the garden every year, aren't there? Thankfully the good ones usually more than make up for the bad ones :)

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  6. There's quite a difference in the size of those two leeks, I wonder why. A good week's harvest for this time of year.

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    1. hanks Jo - I have no idea why there was such a big disparity in their sizes as they were growing right beside each other. Leeks were a last minute addition to the garden this year and the seedlings that ended up surviving were not in the best shape. I'm thinking that it was simply a matter of one seedling being more resilient than the other. I'm hoping to do much better with the leeks next year!

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  7. Your veggies just don't want to give up! A 472 lb. harvest of vegetables for the year - very impressive! Do you ever have to buy fresh produce?

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    1. Thanks Jason! Unfortunately I do still have to purchase fresh produce every once in a while, such as lettuce over the winter or cabbage which I don't yet grow (but it's on the future list!). Ideally, I would love to reduce store bought produce to zero one day - but I still have a long way to go.

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  8. Excellent job this year, Margaret! I still haven't tried mizuna, will think about it next year. Fabulous weather we are having!!

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    1. Thanks Susie! This was my first year growing mizuna and it is a definite keeper. I hope you give it a go next year - I think you'll be impressed.

      I'm loving this mild weather, but I'm afraid my garlic is enjoying it a bit too much - I've already seen some green shoots above ground which is worrying as it may not overwinter that well once the cold weather does arrive.

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