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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: supersprout on December 23, 2006, 13:26:11

Title: Christmas Harvest
Post by: supersprout on December 23, 2006, 13:26:11
Would love to see everyone's Christmas veg - ours to kick off, gathered in this morning :)
Left to right: Bramley apples and Desiree spuds from store, Jerusalem artichoke Fuseau, leek Yates Empire, celeriac Prinz and Parsnip Tender & Twisted ;D

(http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e220/supersprout/Christmasveg.jpg)

someone commented on the size of the JA crop this year. These are Jennym's Fuseau, I've never grown such big, smooth JAs :o so BIIIG thank you Jenny! :-*
Title: Re: Christmas Harvest
Post by: Trixiebelle on December 23, 2006, 13:55:50
No camera here, but on Xmas morning I'm getting spouts, parsnips, sage (for the stuffing), rosemary for the roast tatties, white cabbage for coleslaw and onions for the bread sauce :)

Can't grow carrots, red cabbage was the size of a golf ball and I ran out of potatoes 8) I LOATHE exchanging money for vegetables at the Co-Op 8(
Title: Re: Christmas Harvest
Post by: saddad on December 23, 2006, 14:00:48
Were we meant to get a picture Supersprout? OK pic there now!
I've dug the parsnips, we have loads of spuds still in store, I have endive/chichory/winter radish and chinese leaves out on the lottie and will be digging leeks and picking sprouts, red and green, on the day!
 ;D
Title: Re: Christmas Harvest
Post by: Trixiebelle on December 23, 2006, 14:04:14
My red sprouts are the size of hamster nuts  ::) I'm hoping they'll be ready for St. Patrick's Day!
Title: Re: Christmas Harvest
Post by: Curryandchips on December 23, 2006, 15:46:11
Can't match your fresh harvest supersprout, but I have just harvested big fat artichokes just like yours and not so big fat parsnips, these were planted using my metal parsnip planter, and holes filled with compost to prevent forking etc (doesnt work !). I still have to lift some horseradish, sage and leeks tomorrow. Onions and potatoes are in the conservatory (international kidney are in the freezer ...) together with beetroot, carrots, brussels, broad beans, other assorted beans ... and anything else I can be bothered to lift out  :D
Title: Re: Christmas Harvest
Post by: mc55 on December 23, 2006, 15:48:25
got desiree potatoes, onions, shallots and butternut from store.  Going up later or tomorrow for parsnips and leeks.  No carrots - dratted flies had them.  Bet I forget the herbs.

Happy Christmas everyone !
Title: Re: Christmas Harvest
Post by: supersprout on December 23, 2006, 16:01:01
Heh heh, enjoying veg by proxy here 8)
Do red sprouts taste different to green? ::)
Curry, were your JAs originally Fuseaux too? I'm wondering if the size and yield are due to weather, excellent stock, or good ground?
Title: Re: Christmas Harvest
Post by: manicscousers on December 23, 2006, 16:12:02
dyou know, our red sprouts are the same, brilliant green ones, picked today, left on the stick for freshness, leeks prizetaker, first time grown, highly recommended, butternut from store, parsnips from lidl, half price, ours didn't grow,
have a wonderful time, everyone, see you all after christmas  :-*
Title: Re: Christmas Harvest
Post by: Trixiebelle on December 23, 2006, 16:18:17
Merry Christmas Everyone  :) XXXXX
Title: Re: Christmas Harvest
Post by: Curryandchips on December 23, 2006, 16:30:57
My JA's were provided by an allotment friend, all I was told was they were Fuseau. This didn't mean anything to me, until I recognised the variety on the forum. I have no idea whether my yield is good, poor, or normal, or the factors which control it, but I have discovered yet another vegetable which is appreciated in my diet ...  :D
Title: Re: Christmas Harvest
Post by: grawrc on December 23, 2006, 16:58:39
 Carrots, swede, parsnips, leeks, celeriac, onions and garlic from the allotment. Rosemary and thyme from the garden. Potatoes from our "butcher" - the local farm where we buy our meat. No flouries left for potato/carrot/ celeriac gratin which BTW is delish!!

Only the two of us and no 2 son at home this year - we've managed to "farm out" the rest. ;) ::) No 1 son to Norway with his girlfriend; his daughter to France with her mum, siblings  and new partner to visit the other grandparents who live there now; Pete's Dad to his other son in Glenrothes. Peter and i feel as though we were 21 again!! Woohooo ;) 8) Freedom at last!
Title: Re: Christmas Harvest
Post by: Curryandchips on December 23, 2006, 17:14:48
Enjoy the selfishness of it grawrc, doing what you want for a change ...  :D
Title: Re: Christmas Harvest
Post by: cornykev on December 23, 2006, 18:19:29
;) Harvested some parsnips, cabbage and celeriac today, some of the parsnips are very big. I will get the potatoes and shallots out of storage tommorrow, sadly I have eaten all the carrots still got leeks in I take it no one will be cooking them or have I missed something and finally celeriac can I boil and roast like spuds any suggestions?   :) ;) ;) :D :D ;D ;D 8) :-*
Title: Re: Christmas Harvest
Post by: Curryandchips on December 23, 2006, 18:25:57
celeriac can I boil and roast like spuds any suggestions? 

I make celeriac 'wedges' and roast these - delicious !

Sadly, my celeriac crop failed this year due to lack of moisture ...  :-\
Title: Re: Christmas Harvest
Post by: kt. on December 23, 2006, 18:31:02
Due to taking over a jungle / building site earlier this year i didnt have time to plant much winter veg in my other plot due to handing it over shortly. So I only have sprouts left for chrimbo lunch.  :(

As the plot is now all prepared - next year should be a 'free' grand feast ;)
Title: Re: Christmas Harvest
Post by: supersprout on December 23, 2006, 18:41:28
celeriac can I boil and roast like spuds any suggestions?

exactly like spuds!
that gratin dish earlier looks good too :P ::)
Title: Re: Christmas Harvest
Post by: cornykev on December 23, 2006, 18:46:00
Thankyou both for that. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D :-*
Title: Re: Christmas Harvest
Post by: Tinkie_Bear on December 23, 2006, 19:48:54
I have dug my parsnips, they are not perfect by any means but they are massive and will be OK when I peel them :-)


(http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/7325/parsnipsqt6.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)

I will pull some leeks tomorrow and get the butternut from the shed.

I have also traded some romanesco and sprouts with a friend, he is on holiday and I am looking after his lotty while he is away, not a bad trade, 1/2 an hour with a hoe = veg :-)

Merry Christmas to one and all.

Helen
Title: Re: Christmas Harvest
Post by: manicscousers on December 23, 2006, 19:51:51
very envious,  :)
Title: Re: Christmas Harvest
Post by: Curryandchips on December 23, 2006, 19:56:27
Excellent looking parsnips Tinkiebear, wish mine looked as robust. I am very generous with my peeling now I grow my own, as all the peelings end up back on the plot ... (as mulch this coming year) ...  :D
Title: Re: Christmas Harvest
Post by: tim on December 23, 2006, 20:12:22
Can't compete - long day - off to bed!!
Title: Re: Christmas Harvest
Post by: supersprout on December 23, 2006, 20:12:49
very very envious! ;) ;D
Title: Re: Christmas Harvest
Post by: Tinkie_Bear on December 23, 2006, 22:27:09
My dad told me to make big holes with a broom handle and widdle it arround, then fill the hole with sand and potting compost so the parsnips don't go too wonky, it looks like it worked this time - even though carrots grown in the same way were very twisted and ugly!

I thoroughly enjoyed digging them up, like finding burried treasure.  The biggest one is 12" round, I just hope it's not too woody inside.  Should be enough parsnips there to feed us all on Monday, 11 for dinner (OMG what have I done!!!)

Thank you for your nice comments, Merry Xmas

Helen
Title: Re: Christmas Harvest
Post by: supersprout on December 24, 2006, 08:28:40
I'll def. try that next year tinkie but will need a lighter parsnip planter, the one I made is like a caber :-\ and I won't multi sow either :-[

Still puzzling out why the JA crop is so good - several the size of sweet potatoes this year. Apart from Jen's brilliant tubers (and m*lch) the 'different' thing this year was spacing - the JAs were planted 1m apart.  One of my old gardening books says that that generous spacing can make a big difference to the size of the tubers. Having planted anywhere from 12" apart in the past, I'll give them the full metre from now on :) IMO they're a gorgeous plant and luxury vegetable, at this size they're as easy to peel as spuds so well worth it ;D
Title: Re: Christmas Harvest
Post by: Curryandchips on December 24, 2006, 08:35:31
the JAs were planted 1m apart

 :o Mine were about 15 inches apart, same as for my first early potatoes. The tubers are coming out the size of average carrots (not my carrots  :D). I think I will increase to 2ft spacing.
Title: Re: Christmas Harvest
Post by: Mrs Ava on December 24, 2006, 09:30:54
Off to the plot after breakfast.  A normal 8 minute journey by car is going to take nearer 40 mins as I sit in the queue at Kelly's Turkeys whilst peeps go to collect their bird for the big day.  Promise to take a photo once I am home, mulled wine in hand!  ;D
Title: Re: Christmas Harvest
Post by: Georgie on December 24, 2006, 15:41:17
I've been using home grown herbs and garlic in various dishes today and tomorrow morning I will be going out to pick watercress for garnish.  Not as impressive as everyone else's harvest but I'm pleased with myself anyway.   ;D

Season's greetings to one and all.

G x
Title: Re: Christmas Harvest
Post by: saddad on December 24, 2006, 17:51:52
Proper Watercress is impressive Georgie I make do with Land Cress a weed with an attitude problem! My Chrysanthemum greens are doing so well they are pushing up the frame lights so I feel a stir fry coming on soon!
 ;D
Title: Re: Christmas Harvest
Post by: kt. on December 24, 2006, 18:28:13
A normal 8 minute journey by car is going to take nearer 40 mins as I sit in the queue at Kelly's Turkeys whilst peeps go to collect their bird for the big day.  ;D

I'm lucky enough to only be a 5minute walk from mine. ;D
Title: Re: Christmas Harvest
Post by: Mrs Ava on December 24, 2006, 18:36:42
Made it!  Took number one daughter and we giggled the whole time.  Did very well for the big day - plenty to see us through until New Year!

(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a364/Mrsava/christmas_dinner.jpg)
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a364/Mrsava/snips_leeks.jpg)
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a364/Mrsava/carrots_kingston.jpg)
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a364/Mrsava/cavalo_kale.jpg)
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a364/Mrsava/romanesco_cauli.jpg)
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a364/Mrsava/spowts.jpg)

Chard, brussel tops, sprouts, cavalo nero kale, parsnips, leeks, carrots and romanesco caulis.  Pulled a small celeriac which went in with the ham which is still cooking, along with any damaged or slugged carrots.  Plus picked a BIG handful of flat leaf parsley which has now been mixed with chestnuts to stuff the bird tomorrow!

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!
Title: Re: Christmas Harvest
Post by: Curryandchips on December 24, 2006, 18:38:24
Wow Emma, that looks fabulous ... I think there is a cooker underneath there somewhere ... ?
Title: Re: Christmas Harvest
Post by: Deb P on December 24, 2006, 18:47:05
I went out this afternoon to my kitchen garden (plot will hopefully be up and running this time next year!). I only have two raised beds, and managed to find TWO whole parsnips, and ONE  huge carrot (from some French seed tape I bought on hols at Easter..the rest didn't germinate!) all hidden amongst my chard which is still going strong.

Luckily I had two big pots of carrots as well, both pots will just about do the 6 of us at lunch tomorrow! Purple dragon look very pretty, but I just know my father will baulk at the colour! Can't wait to get growing at the lottie now.... ;D
Title: Re: Christmas Harvest
Post by: supersprout on December 24, 2006, 19:13:50
Fabulous EJ, bee-yoo-tiful veg :o :D
worth starting all over again, hope the rest of winter whizzes by
It's great to think of all those healthy platefuls going down tomorrow! :P ::) ;D ;D
Title: Re: Christmas Harvest
Post by: cornykev on December 24, 2006, 19:29:30
Looks top notch EJ, OH's sister came round for dinner she lives next to a farm so she brought me round a bale of straw so I give them some leeks,parsnips and shallots hope they bring me another next time.
( someone mention no names will be jealous of all that straw. )   :D :D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Christmas Harvest
Post by: Curryandchips on December 24, 2006, 19:37:48
she brought me round a bale of straw

I hope you said ta! very mulchly ...  ;D
Title: Re: Christmas Harvest
Post by: supersprout on December 24, 2006, 19:49:06
(http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e220/supersprout/smilies/angelic006.gif) @ kev! ;D
Title: Re: Christmas Harvest
Post by: Georgie on December 24, 2006, 19:56:17
Thanks Saddad.  Watercress is easy peasy in pots - just stand in a deep saucer (the watercress I mean  ;)) and keep the saucer topped up with fresh water.   ;D

G x
Title: Re: Christmas Harvest
Post by: Grandma on December 24, 2006, 20:36:43
Ooooooooh! Drooling all over the keyboard-thingy. Pictures and descriptions of all your goodies truly wondrous! I used to LOVE Christmas Eve (when my nearly-a-lottie was productive) - just seeing the fruits of time well spent over previous months was always so rewarding and preparing the stuff was a delight, not a chore! Even picking frozen sprouts was a pleasure! And oooooooooooo the flavour at nose-bag time!!!!! These days I get 'catered for' at my daughter's. Lots of fresh veg, of course, but all bought from the local farm shop this year. She only moved into her present house in late August so nothing home-grown. Big garden, though, (and a Mum very willing to sow, prick out and do all the non-physical stuff!) - so maybe next year.............. ;) ;D
Bon appetit for tomorrow. I hope you all have a magical Christmas! xxx
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