There's been successes and failures this year in the veg plot. The curly kale has done really well and is good in stir fries. It also looks great planted in the flower beds. I prefer to eat Kale 'Nero di Toscana' (as I prefer its texture to the curly leaf) but the slugs are eating it before I can. For some reason slugs don't bother with the curly kale (another perk).
Left: Kale Curly Scarlet, sown from seed indoor 8
April 2012 and planted out early June 2012.
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| I'm finally getting a regular supply of courgettes. Blossom rot is still a problem and affecting many plants but also managing to harvest some. |
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| The cherry tomatoes are starting to ripen. Soon I will have more than I can eat! |
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| Above: The yield from 3 grow bags. This looks to be my worse year for potatoes. Pictured they aren't much bigger than golf ball size but will be eaten all the same. |
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| The aubergine /eggplant are growing and growing. The colour seems to be stretching as the fruits grow. |
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| Yellow Courgettes 'Soleil F1' didn't perform last year and aren't doing too great this year. They seem prone to blossom rot. The bigger one in the photo is looking good. It's about 1.5 inches long. |
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Another year of flowering broccoli for me. This is 'Annual Summer Sprouting'. It's planted in the flower bed so I'll leave it to flower rather than try harvesting.
All of the plants above have been grown from seed. To view my seed list click - 2012 Seeds |
Copyright: All words and photos are property of Kelli's Northern Ireland Garden.
That Curly Kale is so pretty; it would make a gorgeous painting! Your tomatoes and squash and potatoes all look so good. It is nice to have grown your own veggies!
ReplyDeleteI've never used grow bags. Do they work well? Considering the weird summer you've had, I think your harvest is great, but I understand your frustration. Beer traps are a great way to get rid of your slugs. They work really well.
ReplyDeleteHi there, grow bags usually work quite well for potatoes but this year wasn't a good year generally for potatoes (for me). I also have success with growing potatoes in an old wheelbarrow (similar to bag idea). I'd recommend this as the no dig is a plus. I agree, beer traps are really effective and are a nice way for slugs to spend their final hours.
DeleteI am always amazed at your garden. Just when I think I have it all figured out, you throw out a new one: purple flowers on broccoli. Ours have yellow flowers. With the heat the first heads bolted and I just let them bloom on. You must be having some amazing stir fries and salads.
ReplyDeleteOur yellow courgettes are actually doing better than the green ones but I don't think we'll get any aubergines
ReplyDeleteFor the last few years I have grown courgette Gold Rush which is a very heavy cropper, but I prefer the green ones My aubergines are up to their old tricks dropping off and rotting - yours look really good. I think we are all just going to have to put this year behind us as being not very good for growing veg and hope that next year is better.
ReplyDeleteThat curly kale is so pretty...! Do they retain the beautiful purple color even after you cook them.
ReplyDeleteHi Sri, I'm trying to think whether they retain their colour when cooked (and I can't remember). I think they do.
DeleteI agree with you regarding yellow courgettes. I am coming round to the view that they are not worth growing.
ReplyDelete