Produce > Edible Plants

Excited

(1/2) > >>

cambourne7:
So excited after last two years poor brussle sprouts, cabbages and pak choi i have two beds now packed with glorious veg !! Only thing i did differently was to cover in  netting earlier :)

As yet all the plants are below the blue hoops on the beds but thats going to change shortly does anyone know if i need to remove the netting or would just leaving it on the plants would that be ok? Its not very fine stuff just standard garden net.

I have lots of pak choi probably enough to do me till christmas will it last in the ground for a while?

Also found a butternut squash in the garden growing on what i thought was a dead plant as yet its a creamy white which is going yellow when do i harvest that?? Its probably the size of a small football at the moment. Far to scared to check it for damage though :)

thanks

cam

Digeroo:
Peronally I would leave the netting on brassicas.  I had the blue debris netting over mine last year and when the plants got too large they simply pushed the netting up.

The leaves of squashes start to die back so the sun I presume this is to allow the sun through to ripen the fruit.

galina:
I would lift the squash up and check it underneath.  If it is intact, leave it for a bit longer, if not, it looks like there is a lot that can be had for food now.  You wouldn't want to lose even half of it now it has come this far. 

And congratulations on the brassica.  Can't say whether pak choi will keep, but at worst they will start to flower,  They are still useable when this happens.  If we have a cool autumn, there isn't much chance of flowering.  :wave:

lezelle:
Hi Ya, I would leave it in place and let the veg push it up as a bit of protection. As it's ordinary net you may get some pigeon damage as it grows but should not effect the hearts. I use a fine weave fleece as we have a big problem with white fly and debris netting does not keep them out. Still enjoy your reward and results of your work.

Beersmith:
I grow my brassicas under butterfly mesh. It also prevents pigeon damage. But in all honesty it is not a perfect solution. I am sure I  get slightly more problems with white fly and flea beetle than when grown without coverings.

On balance I'd leave the covers on. While butterflies are getting less common at this time of year, around here pigeons can flatten brassicas in double quick time. If pigeons are not a problem in your area you could risk uncovering. Not an easy choice!!

PS Despite the drought it seems to have been an excellent year for squashes. I've got crown prince, butternuts and some "honey bear" all producing in prolific numbers. The great thing about squashes is that given a degree of care, they keep for ages. Once ripened, I hang mine in net bags at the back of the garage. I usually have some still in good condition as late as the following May.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page