This is the journal of my endeavours to grow a range of fruit, veg and flowers from seed, grow organically, and my attempts to create a personal paradise with 1/2 acre of maintained gardens and 1/2 acre wild meadows. Northern Ireland's average daily high temperatures are 18 °C (64 °F) in July and 6 °C (43 °F) in January. Soil type: Clay

Wednesday 7 May 2014

Edibles in the Garden


It would be great to have lots of edibles at all times in the garden, however, at this time of year I'm quite limited. I've only a few things I can eat but this will change soon as I've many seeds growing strongly and it won't be long until I'll have a daily supply of organic salad amongst other things.

Here's what's edible in the garden right now...

Left: Calabrese (purple broccoli) - I've had limited success with this in past and present years however I'll keep trying. I've been using what I have in stir fries and soups.

The plant behind the Calabrese is white stemmed chard. It was grown from seed last spring, over Wintered well and is giving me lots of Spring leaves to eat. 
Above: Chard growing strongly. I enjoy it in soups and find it cooks well in the slow cooker. It is good stir fried too. I imagine it will begin to bolt soon so I need to get eating!
Above: Perpetual spinach, grown from seed last Spring and coming up after lying dormant over Winter. Something is eating on it (not sure what).
Of course I've herbs that can be used daily as required. Many of my herbs are in the new herb box above. More on this can be found by clicking here. Below: Mint is thriving and begging to be used! Maybe some minted potatoes or mojitos soon!

Copyright: All words and photos are property of Kelli's Northern Ireland Garden.

9 comments:

  1. Our broccoli problem is either club root or pigeons. One year pigeons when we removed the net from mature plants and then the next year when we had learned from that lesson it was club root!

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  2. I missed not being able to pick purple sprouting broccoli this year. I have sown both purple & white sprouting for next year though which will be very well protected from the cabbage whites.

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  3. The plants are looking good. The herbs look green and healthy. I have not seen purple broccoli. Very interesting.

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  4. Although I don't grow my own veg, I know enough to know that there's not an awful lot on offer at this time of the year. You have done well with what you've got and I do hope you find out what's munching on your Spinach.
    Nice new herb box - looks very sturdy.

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  5. I'm really interested to your herbs patch. It's so interesting to be used daily

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  6. Kelli, that broccoli must be the "Purple Sprouting" type, because Calabrese is green and has bigger, more compact heads. I reckon you should persevere, because when you get it right PSB is absolutely delicious. The Chard and Perpetual Spinach will both come back year after year if you let them, and will self-seed if you leave the flowers on. Your garden is in the same state as mine - lots growing, but not much to harvest just now - the "Hungry Gap".

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  7. I have nothing left to eat in the garden now - I pulled up the last of the PSB as it had gone to seed - it is now a long wait for the next lot of edibles. Your herb garden is looking lovely.

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  8. I've got purple sprouting broccoli and chard on the go, but none to pick at the moment. I must do better with sowing things to harvest the year round.

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  9. Like Ann, I haven't seen purple sprouting broccoli here. It doesn't appeal to me as a veg to eat because of the color, but I would really like to use it in floral bouquets and if I find any plants here, I will try it for that reason alone! Does it taste like regular broccoli? I love it.

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