I only had one harvest this week. I harvested some mizuna, bok choy, and radishes. I picked them on Saturday as today was predicted to be only 30F and indeed it didn't get above freezing. Tonight will be in the teens. Brrrrrr. I figured I had better pick some in case things don't survive. I left all the tatsoi because it can handle it as can the spinach. I was surprised the radishes sized up at all. I planted them way, way too late. Basically after the area was in total shade all day long. But they performed decently given the lack of time and light. The Japanese turnips on the other hand are smaller than pea sized. I'll leave them in. I doubt they will survive until spring. But like I said to myself with the radishes. It doesn't hurt to try.
Though it looks like a lot in the basket, I picked only about a third of the mizuna and half of the bok choy. I probably won't use up what I have before it starts to spoil. I'm more than willing to risk what is out there to pick it fresh later in the year if at all possible. It isn't protected, so the odds of it living long are slim.
I probably should have picked the broccoli too and some spinach. The latter just because I could use some in the kitchen this coming week. But I had forgotten about the change in temperature until late. And I was freezing my butt off picking the greens I did get. I couldn't convince myself to go back outside to pick anymore after coming into the warm house.
I made a lot of things to eat over the week and all I could remember to take photos of is the dog poo... err the refried beans. I wasn't happy with them. The beans I used were Mexican Pinto that I got from the Seed Savers Exchange yearbook. Well they might look like pinto beans but they don't have that pinto flavor. They taste like generic bean. Which I suppose is good enough except when you want the pinto flavor. Which I do. So I probably won't grow them again. I might try growing out the Ga Ga Hut pintos. If that fails I might have to resort to bush pintos. It is so hard to find a good pinto pole bean.
Greens, Asian 2.41 lbs
Radishes 0.21 lbs
Weekly Tally 2.62 lbs
Yearly Tally 526.03 lbs, $1100.22
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.
Know what you mean with the pinto beans flavor, I too get very disappointed when I have a certain expectation and the reality turns out differently. Hope the ga ga hut pintos are what you are hoping for.
I know what you mean about having trouble finding good pole pinto beans. I have been contemplating some bush beans because of the same trouble. There are so many great bean varieties that it is really disappointing to grow a mediocre one.
A great harvest for this time of year. Wow, I can't believe you are seeing teens already. We have had an uncharacteristically warm fall. The lowest temps we have seen so far is about 27 and most of our days are still in the 50's. That has been nice for our garden!!
Beautiful greens and radishes, I forgot to sow Mizuna and have ONE Tatsoi growing without cover, will see if it makes it through the winter, if it does, that will be one of my winter greens for next year.
I didn't know that spinach would withstand the cold. I have some planted in my cold frame but it is not very large yet. I have been snipping some though. Is there a certain kind that withstands the cold better than others? Your little harvest is encouraging this time of year for me to keep trying. Did you post somewhere what kind of green beans you like for freezing? Wondering what I want for next years planting. Nancy
I didn't plant a green bean specifically to freeze. They are just my Kentucky Wonder and KW Wax beans that I love. I don't think KW makes the best freezer bean, but its OK.
All spinach is pretty cold hardy. Probably down to zone 5. The one I planted is Winter Giant. I used to plant Space too, and they both survived the winter well. But I find the Giant one really easy to pick in the spring as by then its leaves are about a foot long. Huge spinach. I boil it and freeze it for winter. I don't think over wintered spinach makes good salads (too much oxalic acid), but it is still good cooked (preferably boiled to get rid of the oxalic acid which is very water soluble).
Maybe that's why I've never been a fan of pinto beans, I've never had good ones. I tend to favor beans with good texture (silky but not falling apart) and add seasonings to round out the flavor, bacon always helps. :) I hate beans that are waxy, like cannellini, they are like chewing on crayons.
It's frrreezing...here, too, brrr!! Nice that you were still able to harvest some greens. I harvested a few leafy and twiggy things for my Thanksgiving table, but not to eat! Lol...I used them as decorations, instead.
I was looking at SSE's bean seeds the other day. I'd like to plant one or two major bean crops next year and was actually considering the mexican pinto. Based on your review, I think I'll pass. Trail of Tears though will definitely be one of them.
I'm sure I would have still loved your refried beans. Your radishes are a lovely shape - I haven't grown a variety like that before.
ReplyDeleteKnow what you mean with the pinto beans flavor, I too get very disappointed when I have a certain expectation and the reality turns out differently. Hope the ga ga hut pintos are what you are hoping for.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about having trouble finding good pole pinto beans. I have been contemplating some bush beans because of the same trouble. There are so many great bean varieties that it is really disappointing to grow a mediocre one.
ReplyDeleteI actually have a decent refried bean recipe. In the crockpot.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful greens, Daphne! I hope to follow your lead next year and try to grow more fall greens.
ReplyDeleteA great harvest for this time of year. Wow, I can't believe you are seeing teens already. We have had an uncharacteristically warm fall. The lowest temps we have seen so far is about 27 and most of our days are still in the 50's. That has been nice for our garden!!
ReplyDeleteThose Asian greens and sturdy and undemanding!
ReplyDeleteHilarious commentary on your bean photos. Maybe they need more cumin, or something?
ReplyDeletelovely greens, the poo I mean beans..still look pretty good too but then again i am pretty hungry right now..LOL
ReplyDeleteBeautiful greens and radishes, I forgot to sow Mizuna and have ONE Tatsoi growing without cover, will see if it makes it through the winter, if it does, that will be one of my winter greens for next year.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that spinach would withstand the cold. I have some planted in my cold frame but it is not very large yet. I have been snipping some though. Is there a certain kind that withstands the cold better than others? Your little harvest is encouraging this time of year for me to keep trying. Did you post somewhere what kind of green beans you like for freezing? Wondering what I want for next years planting. Nancy
ReplyDeleteI didn't plant a green bean specifically to freeze. They are just my Kentucky Wonder and KW Wax beans that I love. I don't think KW makes the best freezer bean, but its OK.
DeleteAll spinach is pretty cold hardy. Probably down to zone 5. The one I planted is Winter Giant. I used to plant Space too, and they both survived the winter well. But I find the Giant one really easy to pick in the spring as by then its leaves are about a foot long. Huge spinach. I boil it and freeze it for winter. I don't think over wintered spinach makes good salads (too much oxalic acid), but it is still good cooked (preferably boiled to get rid of the oxalic acid which is very water soluble).
Maybe that's why I've never been a fan of pinto beans, I've never had good ones. I tend to favor beans with good texture (silky but not falling apart) and add seasonings to round out the flavor, bacon always helps. :) I hate beans that are waxy, like cannellini, they are like chewing on crayons.
ReplyDeleteOne harvest it may be but a bountiful basket!
ReplyDeleteIt's frrreezing...here, too, brrr!! Nice that you were still able to harvest some greens. I harvested a few leafy and twiggy things for my Thanksgiving table, but not to eat! Lol...I used them as decorations, instead.
ReplyDeleteI was looking at SSE's bean seeds the other day. I'd like to plant one or two major bean crops next year and was actually considering the mexican pinto. Based on your review, I think I'll pass. Trail of Tears though will definitely be one of them.
ReplyDelete