Although I will continue to check in throughout the winter with the Harvest Monday contributions at Our Happy Acres, my harvests are quickly coming to an end. I might have something next week, but there isn't much left. Luckily Harvest Monday's are about all things related to harvests ... including what we do with them! It's been a while since I posted a recipe but managed to squeak one in yesterday as I sat inside watching the windstorm (remnants of Hurricane Patricia).
As it happens, even as my harvests are coming to a close, I have managed to come up with two newcomers! The first new crop this year are Jerusalem Artichokes. I had planted them in the spring of 2013, my first year in this location. Having had experience with them in the past, I am well aware of their invasive nature. However, they don't seem to be growing at the rate I had expected them to. There are some pros and cons to that. Well, one pro and two cons.
Pro: I'm not as worried now about an uncontrollable invasion that would eventually spread into my neighbour's yard.
Con: (1) They grow so poorly in this location that they never seem to flower and (2) the tubers are very small.
Assuming the small size doesn't impact the flavour/texture too much, I believe the pro outweighs the cons and I will continue in the current location.
My second new crop ... Brussels sprouts! Oh my, they sure are a challenge to grow. Last Monday, I announced my intent to give up on growing cauliflower (well, unless I have some seeds left, but not buying anymore!) and I believe I will officially give up on the sprouts as well (again, unless I have some seeds left). The plant that produced these minuscule sprouts was started from seed in late March and planted outside in mid-May. After all this time, these are the largest of the sprouts on the plant (that's just a regular soup bowl, so the largest is about 1.5-2 cm diameter). Argghh! I started to harvest from the bottom up and went less than halfway so there are still some left. But they are so small, I expect not to harvest much else ... although there is a bit of a warm spell this coming week so you never know!
And my only other harvest this week are shown in the main photo (along with the sprouts) ... Tuscan Kale and two radish!!
I've almost managed to put everything away in preparation for winter ... a few more pots, garden tools, etc. here and there to put away. Unfortunately, I still have a massive pile of soil in the driveway but my new snowplow guy doesn't seem overly worried.
Looking forward to seeing the other Harvest Monday contributions at this time of the year.
That's a beautiful basket of Tuscan kale! I predict you will be harvesting the sunchokes for years to come. I have a patch that keeps coming back no matter how much I discourage it. I do hope you keep on sharing on Harvest Mondays. You know, we are pretty loose with the whole 'harvest' theme! ;-) I'll be switching over more to what I do with the garden harvests once the actual harvests slow down (or disappear). Which reminds me I need to check out your kale/butternut tart recipe. That sounds like something I would like, and I have both of the key ingredients!
ReplyDeleteThanks, i think it was the photography styling against the plain white wall that made it look so good (LOL, no idea how to take pics).
DeleteNice fall harvest basket! Congrats on the Jerusalem artichokes. I thought I had some of them, but we dug up a plant and found no tubers. Guess that explains why it wasn't behaving invasively! I still do want to plant some, if they really do taste like artichokes.
ReplyDeleteHmm, no I don't think they taste much like globe artichokes. Maybe a hint somewhere, but more like a nutty potato, I think (my opinion only).
DeleteThat harvest basket full of veg is so pretty! I would say that is a wonderful harvest for the beginning of November - most people wouldn't think that we could harvest anywhere near that much at this time of year.
ReplyDeleteI grew Brussels sprouts in my first garden many years ago and gave up on them after that one attempt. Yours look gargantuan compared to my pea sized specimens! I'll likely give it another go at some point.
I would definitely say that the pros outweigh the cons on your Jerusalem artichokes - and I bet that they still spread so each year you will get a few more. Much better than a difficult to control patch!
I thought I was harvesting later than last year, but it looks pretty similar to last November (some sprouts and other brassicas mainly).
DeleteI'm actually secretly happy that the chokes aren't growing well there and won't be unmanageable.
This is the first time in years that I have no kale in my garden at this time of year so I'm eyeing yours with envy. I hope you continue to post to Harvest Monday through the winter, it seems the perfect time to catch up on recipes. I need to check out your kale and squash tart, I can probably substitute my leafy Spigariello broccoli for the kale.
ReplyDeleteMichelle, this is the first time EVER that I have actually had kale in my garden this time of year! Yes indeed, I think I'll have some recipes on the go in the cold winter months.
DeleteYour Tuscan kale looks fantastic. I tried growing Brussels sprouts as well but the plants died before forming sprouts, they were well loved from some weird yellow and orange spotted beetles. It sounds like you definitely started the sprouts early enough.
ReplyDeleteYour kale certainly looks better than mine, which I just pulled today and tossed in the compost.My sprouts are similarly a disappointment, just pea sized sprouts. I think I will be joining you in eliminating them from the garden. They are just a waste of space.
ReplyDelete