My first harvest was the last of the celery. We were going to get temps in the mid 20s. I wasn't sure how well celery would take it. It does like the cool weather, but freezing weather is another matter.
I didn't mean to go out in the snow, but I really needed some carrots to finish off a recipe. So out I went. Gardening in the snow is not my favorite activity.
I'm not a fan of beets, but I do grow them for my townhouse mates. I pulled the last ones in the bed as I was cleaning it out. I'm going to keep these this year. I've decided to make a platter of pickled vegetables for Thanksgiving so I'll make my first ever pickled beets. And probably my last.
The other pickles will be from my other root crops. I had forgotten about my turnips and radishes under the row cover. They may look small, but those carrots are of decent size, with the largest about 6" long. I tested the biggest Japanese turnip. It was still tender and sweet so I used it. The radishes were slightly hot, but I figured that was a good thing. Personally I like hot radishes. I'm thinking they will mellow as they age over the next week.
- Carrots 1.38 lbs
- Greens 2.72 lbs
- Roots 2.06 lbs
- Weekly total 6.16 lbs
- Yearly total 628.34 lbs
- Tally $1228.44
Harvest Monday is a day to show off your harvests, how you are saving your harvest, or how you are using your harvest. If you have a harvest you want to show off, add your name and link to Mr Linky below.
Well, those beets look great to me! I love them roasted then put in salads. I never have enough to pickle any, but they are good that way too!
ReplyDeleteThe carrots look great to me. And pickled veggies sound good too. I'm going to pickle some Daikon radish this week. Which reminds me I need to check on my pickled turnips. They should be ready to eat.
ReplyDeleteI left one celery plant in the ground. I wanted to see how much cold it can take.
After you taste your first home made pickled beet you may be turned into a fan of beet. I just love pickled beets.
ReplyDeleteThose roots all look so yummy. I don't have much for fall crops; crazy job kept me out of the garden too much, the weather too dry and not enough time to water properly.
ReplyDeleteRoot crops are highly underrated, especially if you have to contend with light frosts. In my Massachusetts garden, I remember covering them with leaves or placing the cold frame over the carrots and continuing to harvest into the winter.
ReplyDeleteA cold night for us in San Diego last night: low humidity and 42 degrees. Susan
I don't think I would want to get out in the snow to garden either, but you did get some good carrots!
ReplyDeleteWell, gardening in the snow is not fun, however, I think beets are the best! And pickled beets? One of my favorite garden items ever! Pickled veggies at the Thanksgiving table sounds wonderful :-)
ReplyDeleteIsn't it a nice feeling to be able to garden in the snow - even if you really don't want to so much?! LOL! Having crops going through winter is a real plus for good eating.
ReplyDeleteThose turnips and carrots look great.
I haven't harvested the first of my celery yet and I'm not sure that I'll be getting much of it. The aphids and ants attacked it and made a mess of things. I think I've finally got that mess under control but I'm not sure that the plants will bounce back very well. My husband would have loved it if I had managed to get some beets growing this fall - too bad, I'll have to buy him some at the farmer's market.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous pix of carrots in snow, worth the foray out!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that pungent radishes would mellow after they are pulled. Good to know for the future.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure they will. But many spicy things mellow when they get pickled. So I'm thinking they might too.
DeleteHi Daphne,snow looks so pretty in photos but I'm sure gardening in it is a different matter! great looking carrots.
ReplyDeleteFor me beets are one of those veggies which tastes better cooked with others,at present I'm enjoying (and making another batch ) of beetroot and apple relish. Good luck with the pickling.
No root crop for me this year. Love roasted beet salad and pickled beets, will try to grow some next spring.
ReplyDeleteI've just posted my first (EVER) Harvest Monday post. I'm in Australia so the weather is heating up (though I've just picked my carrots too). We LOVE beetroot in Australia...especially on a hamburger. YUM.
ReplyDeleteThats a nice variety of root crops. I think radishes should have a bit of spice, it keeps my kids away from them so I actually get to eat something I grow from time to time....
ReplyDeleteI love pickled beets so hope you will try them. Seems funny harvesting all those things and you have snow! It has gotten COLD here but no snow. A little hail or sleet last night tho! This will probably be my last harvest except for trying to grow greens. Nancy
ReplyDeleteGosh; you've got snow on the ground and I am complaining bc I needed a jacket today!
ReplyDeleteI am so impressed by what you get in the winter. I have a new link up called Tuesday Greens on www.craftygardenmama.com if you want to swing by. Hope the pickled veggies are yummy!
ReplyDeleteThis is a good thing to do with beets. I just slice them, no fancy shapes. I use cider vinegar. If you increase the recipe, cut back on the vinegar or it is too strong.
ReplyDeleteHarvard Beets, from Fannie Merritt Farmer
Wash twelve small beets, cook in boiling water until soft, remove skins, and cut beets in thin slices, small cubes, or fancy shapes, using French vegetable cutter. Mix one-half cup sugar and one-half tablespoon corn-starch. Add one-half cup vinegar and let boil five minutes. Pour over beets, and let stand on back of range one-half hour. Just before serving add two tablespoons butter.
I like hot radishes too, are yours French Breakfast radishes? I'm growing them too, they're among my favourite ones. I love the watermelon radishes, they're sweet (I mean, actually sweet, like fruit) when you first bite them, then become pungent on your tongue.
ReplyDeleteYes they are French Breakfast radishes. I did a taste test one year and it was one of the ones at the top for me.
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