I was gone for the last week of June and knew I was leaving garlic scapes, turnips, radishes, chard and mustard to be harvested when I got back. My son watered and kept up with the scapes for me. Fortunately, most items held, but that left me with a lot to harvest when I got back.
Half of the white Hakurei turnips were ready for harvesting and I pulled the batch above with more to harvest next week. These turnips are far superior to the Tokyo Cross variety I used to plant. The lavender Boro King radishes from Territorial were also ready, which was good because their foliage was shading the squash that is going to replace them. Note that one of them was white, not lavender. Also pulled a few stragglers of Cherry Belle and Zlata.
I cut the kale to reduce its volume and allow my cucumbers some sun to get a start up the trellis. The kale went into Portuguese kale soup with some of the Hakurei turnips, half for dinner and half was frozen. Another Win-Win choi was harvested and used in a Asian-style slaw for the Fourth of July BBQ that was delayed until the 5th by the rain on Friday. The snow and snap peas are now starting to come in.
This a sampling of lettuces I have been picking from the Citypicker on the deck. I planted my lettuces in a self-watering container on the deck so I can pick them when I need them. The lettuces on the top are Jericho on left and Merlot on right. That is New Red Fire on the bottom. I also have my usual Buttercrunch but mistakenly planted it in the garden, so I have to drive 2 miles to harvest it.
The chard is finally mature and producing well. The Orange Fantasia on the right obviously has some variability in its selection, with some white stems. That is Magenta Sunset on the left, not nearly as striking as it was in the Tower Hill Kitchen Garden last year. All of this and more was blanched and frozen.
More chard and some Green Wave mustard, plus more scapes. The chard and mustard was frozen.
Finally, Sunday I pulled some more of the Hakurei turnips that were throwing themselves out of the ground, just hanging on by the tap root. I guess they were telling me they were ready. I’m going to try freezing most of the snow peas. They will likely be used in a Thai curry or stir fry, so hopefully texture will not be an issue.
That’s what happened in my garden last week. To see what other gardeners around the world are harvesting from their gardens, head over to Daphne’s Dandelions, our host for Harvest Monday.
Your turnips are really pretty. And too bad about the chard. When I plant colors I want them to be vibrant, not pale. Of course my chard is a white chard. I keep thinking of planting something more colorful. Both for looks and for nutrition. I do like the taste of the one I use now though.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful harvest! I'm not a fan of turnips really as they are a bit too strong for my taste, but they do sure look pretty on your picture.
ReplyDeleteA lot of people aren't fond of turnips, including my wife. These are mild, very sweet with only a slight turnip taste.
DeleteIt looks like you were busy when you got back! I love the Hakurei turnips too. They are my favorite for eating raw, but they work so well in other ways too. I usually grow them in fall here.
ReplyDeleteYour chard looks beautiful! What great harvests!!!
ReplyDeleteThose Boro King radishes are huge! Are they very spicy? Your description of the Hakurei turnips sounds good & they do look lovely, so snowy white. I've added them to my list for next year.
ReplyDeleteThe one Boro King I tried had a little heat and the texture was more chewy than crunchy, but I will plant them again.
DeleteI'm going to make a note about the Hakurei turnips and give them a try. I know what you mean about them throwing themselves out of the ground, my beets do that. Whew, you had a lot of catching up to do!
ReplyDeleteIf you like white Japanese turnips, I think this is the one. I grew Tokyo Cross for years with never a big harvest and smaller size. Hakurei germinated well and was quick to mature and the flavor and texture is great.
DeleteThere's always so much to do when you get back to the garden after being absent, although it's exciting to see how much everything has grown. Your radishes and turnips look great. Mine did not do well this spring. I guess it got way too hot too fast.
ReplyDeleteNice harvest! I wish I'd gotten around to growing Hakurei turnips this spring, but alas, I forgot and now will have to wait until the fall. They are so mild and tasty. Yours look great.
ReplyDeleteAbundance harvest, I didn't get around to grow turnip or radish in spring, fall plant roots are better in our neck of the woods. I like JP turnips, they are so mild and sweet taste much better than the bigger variety.
ReplyDeleteGoing away and then coming back to a manic garden, still exciting. I am envious of your abundant harvest, the Green Wave mustard has got me most curious.
ReplyDeleteWow! What a haul this week! The photo of the turnips and radishes is beautiful!
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