Tsoi Sim: the first time I have ever grown anything that I have no experience with. I have never eaten it before or even seen it in a grocery store. So I don't really know how to harvest it. I've read about it, but it's not the same thing as having actually done it. I know what a beet is supposed to look like or a bunch of parsley ... but when you have never seen a vegetable before, how do you determine when it is ready to be harvested? Based on what I have read, I think I let it go a bit too long (should have harvested before the flowers got so advanced). I also don't think it is as healthy as it should be - seems to me that there should be more leaves than stalk. If anyone has some advice, it would be appreciated!
Luckily, I've had other harvests this week that I am more familiar with including a bit of kale (mostly just thinning out the plants) and my first batch of the Easter Egg radishes.
I've also harvested 4 more asparagus spears. I'm a bit disappointed that I'm not getting more asparagus but I realize it's only year 3 and it can take a long time to establish. If I don't start getting more out of the patch next year, I'll consider adding more crowns just so that I have a steadier supply ... it's not easy to make a meal of it when you only get 3-4 spears every few days!
I'm looking forward to seeing what other gardeners have going on in their neck of the woods - pop over to Daphne's Dandelions to see who is doing what on this Harvest Monday!
Wish I could help you with the Tsoi Sim - I've actually never heard of it. I'll likely be in the same boat as you are this year as I'm also growing several Chinese greens that I've never grown nor eaten before.
ReplyDeleteThe tsoi sim is what I call choy sum. I usually harvest it in bud, right before the flowers open. They are best when the flower stalk is really thick. When they aren't as happy they have spindly stems that aren't as tender. I find it a hard vegetable to grow. A real pain. I do it anyway because I love it when it turns our right. Which is not every year.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly seems a pain to me so far ... I've actually just ripped out the ones in the greenhouse but I have more planted outside so I'll see how they do.
DeleteI know what you mean. There are lots of Asian greens that sound good but growing them is another matter. Try a nibble of the tsoi sim. If it is edible, you're good, eat it.
ReplyDeleteIt was definitely edible ...
DeleteI'm with you on growing something new. It's always a learning experience for sure! I think the flowers of most Asian greens are tasty, though I guess some are tastier than others.
ReplyDeleteI was a bit wary of how late I picked them so removed the flowers before eating. Will try them another time!
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