tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609139417798015922024-02-08T13:12:26.933+00:00A beginners attempt at growing vegetablesA week by week guide to a novice vegetable grower's attempt to produce some home grown crops in a small vegetable garden. Each type of salad or vegetable is listed on the right, and you can click on each link to follow the progress of the vegetables from seed to seedling to fully grown vegetable to hopefully the dinner table, with a week by week update and photograph of the crops.Blackberry Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701423381927559053noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460913941779801592.post-81580068392539162022011-06-11T22:31:00.002+01:002011-06-11T22:31:58.285+01:00Spring onions 10 weeks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wyng53rhmnc/TfPevP1r7pI/AAAAAAAAARM/M6p-i8lK3lo/s1600/10th+June+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wyng53rhmnc/TfPevP1r7pI/AAAAAAAAARM/M6p-i8lK3lo/s320/10th+June+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Blackberry Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701423381927559053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460913941779801592.post-73689653763776194042011-06-11T22:29:00.000+01:002011-06-11T22:29:12.623+01:00Tender and True parsnips<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qLX9KZtOpYk/TfPd9dtYQOI/AAAAAAAAARI/HgHp1ZjU2Vs/s1600/10th+June+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qLX9KZtOpYk/TfPd9dtYQOI/AAAAAAAAARI/HgHp1ZjU2Vs/s400/10th+June+006.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">parsnips 10 weeks after planting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Blackberry Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701423381927559053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460913941779801592.post-92006619455634336582011-06-11T22:26:00.000+01:002011-06-11T22:26:34.139+01:00Purple carrots after 6 weeks<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2O8h1F-HbPY/TfPdCGXmjkI/AAAAAAAAARE/FpNmgBUM7Wc/s1600/10th+June+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2O8h1F-HbPY/TfPdCGXmjkI/AAAAAAAAARE/FpNmgBUM7Wc/s400/10th+June+005.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Carrots after 6 weeks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The purple carrots are still doing nicely - I had to thin a few out earlier this week as I noticed that there were some plants very close to others. Reassuringly there were already nice long roots on each of the thinnings.Blackberry Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701423381927559053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460913941779801592.post-88572969021474834522011-06-11T22:22:00.000+01:002011-06-11T22:22:58.846+01:00Last little gem lettuce<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iLwxoBizUOM/TfPcIEQAJtI/AAAAAAAAARA/hsM6NlRIHs8/s1600/4th+june+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iLwxoBizUOM/TfPcIEQAJtI/AAAAAAAAARA/hsM6NlRIHs8/s400/4th+june+001.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Gem lettuce</td></tr>
</tbody></table>So this is the last little gem lettuce, and frankly I'm glad. I've eaten so many of these damn things I'm fed up with them, and they did not turn out as the seed packet promised. I shan't be growing them again.<br />
<br />
On the plus side, I have today planted some more interesting plants - being japanese radishes in the place of the lettuce.Blackberry Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701423381927559053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460913941779801592.post-29611867492668198662011-06-11T22:18:00.000+01:002011-06-11T22:18:20.035+01:00Horseradish leaves after 9 weeksThe leaves are now getting huge.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6scmopTpQGo/TfPbY8yaE_I/AAAAAAAAAQ8/QkNbA7Al2cY/s1600/4th+june+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6scmopTpQGo/TfPbY8yaE_I/AAAAAAAAAQ8/QkNbA7Al2cY/s400/4th+june+005.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horseradish leaves 9 weeks after planting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I'm very much hoping the roots are growing as strongly below the surface.Blackberry Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701423381927559053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460913941779801592.post-55508134516692585742011-06-11T22:15:00.000+01:002011-06-11T22:15:17.440+01:00Boltardy beetroot at 8 weeks<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_8BGkEO3VoA/TfPaMWSG79I/AAAAAAAAAQ4/0UISaLdBg54/s1600/10th+June+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_8BGkEO3VoA/TfPaMWSG79I/AAAAAAAAAQ4/0UISaLdBg54/s400/10th+June+004.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boltardy beetroot at 8 weeks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The beetroot at 8 weeks is just starting to show some roots at the foot of the plant. I've been reading about this, and will need to thin out the plants shortly, in order to let the others have room to grow to their full potential, but I hope to get some small edible beetroots from the thinnings, rather than do it now.Blackberry Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701423381927559053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460913941779801592.post-86917791517896494502011-06-11T22:10:00.000+01:002011-06-11T22:10:58.260+01:00Beetroot after 12 weeks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Z8loiWn3GE/TfPYevbFadI/AAAAAAAAAQw/R31RleaTcXo/s1600/4th+june+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Z8loiWn3GE/TfPYevbFadI/AAAAAAAAAQw/R31RleaTcXo/s320/4th+june+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7FOfG6tSN2w/TfPYrJr4bCI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/C6-_Nq7I2GE/s1600/10th+June+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7FOfG6tSN2w/TfPYrJr4bCI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/C6-_Nq7I2GE/s320/10th+June+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
So here are the Alto F1 Beetroots after 12 weeks. I picked another few of the plants, and even though above the soil they looked promising, there was very little below the soil. <br />
<br />
I've today planted a new variety of beetroot, being Cylindra Beetroot. Like the Alto F1 variety, the Cylindra should produce long cylindrical roots, but hopefully the roots will turn out to be bigger than the F1. I'll be keeping track of the progress.Blackberry Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701423381927559053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460913941779801592.post-19377618832372397322011-06-04T18:43:00.000+01:002011-06-10T19:53:00.321+01:00Early Nantes Carrots 12 weeks in and first harvestIt's been 3 months already, and the carrots are showing nice broad shoulders above the soil, so I've been wondering whether to harvest or not.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kFF7nLmEFR4/TfJWQySmaQI/AAAAAAAAAQo/FYevtrh5Q5A/s1600/4th+june+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kFF7nLmEFR4/TfJWQySmaQI/AAAAAAAAAQo/FYevtrh5Q5A/s400/4th+june+008.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">12 week old early nantes carrots</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Impatience got the better of me and I decided to uproot two carrots to see how they are doing, and they would be able to be added to a salad that evening. The carrots I picked were the same two shown in the photo above. There seemed to be quite a lot of carrot there, but I had been stung by the lack of depth of the beetroot, so still was not expecting a decent sized carrot. Below is the result.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cP2nPnHZxDo/TfJWccuS6zI/AAAAAAAAAQs/djcj8MSGeq4/s1600/4th+june+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cP2nPnHZxDo/TfJWccuS6zI/AAAAAAAAAQs/djcj8MSGeq4/s400/4th+june+009.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early nantes carrots just after harvest.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>So weirdly, one is short and fat, the other longer, but thinner. Neither were as big as I was hoping, but they were very nice.<br />
<br />
I've left the others in the ground to get a bit bigger. I'm coming to the conclusion that normal carrots are a bit of a waste in a small vegetable garden as they take a long time, take up a lot of space and are so cheap to buy in the supermarkets that the garden crop is very expensive by comparison. <br />
<br />
I'm still holding out more hope for the purple carrots though.Blackberry Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701423381927559053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460913941779801592.post-81266020262038258372011-05-30T17:01:00.000+01:002011-05-30T17:01:10.188+01:00Parsnips taking overThe Tender and True parsnips are now 8 weeks old, and suddenly the greenery has shot up and is getting very bushy and tall.<br />
<br />
I only hope that the parsnips are growing equally as vigorously beneath the surface. Sadly it will be months before I find out.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9aWXnQmAvCw/TeO-zr8rK-I/AAAAAAAAAQk/RK6nyS3lVeE/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9aWXnQmAvCw/TeO-zr8rK-I/AAAAAAAAAQk/RK6nyS3lVeE/s400/007.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tender and true parsnips after 8 weeks</td></tr>
</tbody></table> I've also this week taken out some of the smaller plants, to give the larger ones room to grow. I've transplanted these into gaps where carrot seedlings did not come up. I don't know whether they will continue to grow or not, but it's worth a go.Blackberry Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701423381927559053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460913941779801592.post-76133123765890629262011-05-30T13:36:00.000+01:002011-05-30T13:36:25.605+01:00Spring onions - at 8 weeksThe spring onions are doing very nicely now, and are even resembling small spring onions.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H2O9V3PKXf4/TeOOzJUDh7I/AAAAAAAAAQc/_-TtrwwfIP8/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H2O9V3PKXf4/TeOOzJUDh7I/AAAAAAAAAQc/_-TtrwwfIP8/s400/008.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spring Onion Sentry plants - after 8 weeks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>It still looks a while until I can eat them though. I suppose I could pick some now, but it seems a waste after waiting this long to eat them before they really get to full size.Blackberry Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701423381927559053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460913941779801592.post-48449371512309295732011-05-30T13:32:00.000+01:002011-05-30T13:32:39.784+01:00Last Tom Thumb lettuceSo, as with the Little gem lettuce, they have been disappearing fast. This is the last one.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LwgE_iIJcyc/TeON9qwrCsI/AAAAAAAAAQY/fp7IkVzEZQs/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LwgE_iIJcyc/TeON9qwrCsI/AAAAAAAAAQY/fp7IkVzEZQs/s400/003.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom Thumb lettuce</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Of the two types, this has been my personal favourite, as I think it has the slightly better taste, and has given more of a predictable crop.<br />
<br />
This will be the last of the Tom Thumb lettuce posts, as there will be no more to eat by the end of this week.Blackberry Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701423381927559053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460913941779801592.post-72489845472297749512011-05-30T13:29:00.000+01:002011-05-30T13:29:25.710+01:00Last few little gem lettucesWe've been steadily eating and giving away to friends and family our crop of little gem lettuces.<br />
<br />
This is one of three that currently remain. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_blJT9B0gfg/TeONYe_sHxI/AAAAAAAAAQU/tZ8mHEMi8Hw/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_blJT9B0gfg/TeONYe_sHxI/AAAAAAAAAQU/tZ8mHEMi8Hw/s320/002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I'm resigned to the fact that they will never grow to resemble the picture on the packet, but still have no idea why not. They were certainly tasty enough though!Blackberry Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701423381927559053noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460913941779801592.post-42797854910479884972011-05-30T13:25:00.000+01:002011-05-30T13:25:39.048+01:00Purple Haze - after a monthSo a month has passed since I planted these, and they are still growing well, but I'm a long way from taking a first harvest.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jumcu6fyRNU/TeOMfnsFBII/AAAAAAAAAQQ/hjsA59AlRi4/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jumcu6fyRNU/TeOMfnsFBII/AAAAAAAAAQQ/hjsA59AlRi4/s400/006.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Haze carrots after a month</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I've actually planted a few more of these in some gaps where I have eaten the lettuces, so I'm hoping they will be tasty when I do get to eat them.Blackberry Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701423381927559053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460913941779801592.post-39009866988457253502011-05-30T13:22:00.000+01:002011-05-30T13:22:46.624+01:0011 weeks in - Early Nantes CarrotsHere's how the carrots are looking after 11 weeks.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--gLzXG2jR9M/TeOLSKHRzII/AAAAAAAAAQI/SrZeNLlulbg/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--gLzXG2jR9M/TeOLSKHRzII/AAAAAAAAAQI/SrZeNLlulbg/s400/001.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">11 Week old Early Nantes Carrots</td></tr>
</tbody></table>As can be seen, they are still growing nicely, and I can only hope that the carrot is buried deep into the soil.<br />
<br />
The second crop, now at 7 weeks old is shown below.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RS3HHHN8DtQ/TeOL23sE94I/AAAAAAAAAQM/_smuzwPIZ2Y/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RS3HHHN8DtQ/TeOL23sE94I/AAAAAAAAAQM/_smuzwPIZ2Y/s400/010.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">7 Week old carrot seedlings</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>No sign of carrot tops poking through yet, but healthy seedlings nonetheless.Blackberry Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701423381927559053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460913941779801592.post-35444333727168375142011-05-30T13:01:00.001+01:002011-05-30T13:44:35.206+01:00First harvest of BeetrootI took a look at the Alto F1 Hybrid beetroot this morning, and while some of the roots don't look up to much, some of them were showing quite a lot above the soil, as in the picture below.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9valyMwmr9M/TeOFAVx5cLI/AAAAAAAAAP8/s-5uW1pW_lc/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9valyMwmr9M/TeOFAVx5cLI/AAAAAAAAAP8/s-5uW1pW_lc/s400/004.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alto F1 Hybrid beetroot at 10 weeks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>It's been 10 weeks since I planted the beetroot, and I've read guides saying they shall be ready for harvest after 72 days, so I thought I'd uproot a few of the largest to see how far down under ground the roots went. Especially as some of the leaves are looking a little worse for wear - here's a photo of the beetroot plants from above.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MoFTHyZNZNA/TeOQ5_GDjoI/AAAAAAAAAQg/1clxzxRnEB8/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MoFTHyZNZNA/TeOQ5_GDjoI/AAAAAAAAAQg/1clxzxRnEB8/s400/005.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alto F1 Beetroot as seen from above</td></tr>
</tbody></table>You can see a lot of marks on the leaves, and some going very brown. I thought, therefore, that it was well worth picking a few to see how they are doing.<br />
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This is the result...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jhFUuXdRf0E/TeOFLrJDw2I/AAAAAAAAAQA/DPIv0SnsbTI/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jhFUuXdRf0E/TeOFLrJDw2I/AAAAAAAAAQA/DPIv0SnsbTI/s400/011.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harvested Alto F1 Beetroot after 10 weeks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>You can see from the picture exactly how much of the beetroot was sticking out of the ground, and how much was below. In truth, I'm a little disappointed as I was imagining great big roots burying down, and the result isn't great. They are about two inches long. I'm not sure how long the beetroot should be, but I was hoping for a bit more. I'll leave the remaining beetroots in the ground for a lot longer, as these were the biggest of the plants. I'll next harvest in two or three weeks and hope that the roots are a lot longer.<br />
<br />
Now I just need to decide how to cook the beetroot. I was hoping to pickle it, but there doesn't seem sufficient to allow that.Blackberry Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701423381927559053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460913941779801592.post-80298897045494749412011-05-25T22:09:00.002+01:002011-05-25T22:14:48.611+01:00French Breakfast Radishes - Harvested!We had a salad this evening which meant eating more of the bountiful crop of lettuces and joining them this time was the radish crop which was finally ready ( as well as lots of shop bought bits and pieces!).<br />
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We only took a few radishes, so there are plenty more for further meals. These are the lucky radishes who made the cut.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5MfpmI2GL34/Td1vJGVdA-I/AAAAAAAAAP4/RntM8iluvF4/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5MfpmI2GL34/Td1vJGVdA-I/AAAAAAAAAP4/RntM8iluvF4/s400/001.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crop of French Breakfast radishes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Not exactly uniform size and shape, I've no idea how supermarket produce all seem to look exactly the same! It's quite tricky to tell how long each radish is until they are uprooted, as they all looked much the same when in the ground. They tasted very nice though, not as peppery as other radishes, but nice and crunchy. From hole in the ground to on the dinner plate and eaten in less than an hour, you can't get much fresher than that!<br />
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So now the postings for French Breakfast radish are complete, and by clicking on the link "French Breakfast Radish" you can see the photos and growth from seed to harvest. This one can be put down as a success I think.Blackberry Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701423381927559053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460913941779801592.post-67944868739985611712011-05-21T21:59:00.002+01:002011-05-21T22:01:51.164+01:00Spring onions (sentry) doing nicelyThe final post for this week is a catch up on the Spring onion seedlings. They are growing along nicely and starting to look like mini spring onions now.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RsRm3BZBKg0/TdgnQ2kGo0I/AAAAAAAAAP0/VZKXro9X_Sk/s1600/May21+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RsRm3BZBKg0/TdgnQ2kGo0I/AAAAAAAAAP0/VZKXro9X_Sk/s400/May21+013.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spring onion seedlings 7 weeks after planting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Blackberry Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701423381927559053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460913941779801592.post-23379283026909027522011-05-21T18:32:00.000+01:002011-05-21T18:32:37.860+01:00Tender and True parsnips still going wellJust a quick post to show how the parsnips look today - still growing nicely.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xZFwmaPd4WI/Tdf2gFdeEPI/AAAAAAAAAPs/z5M8KMDRLeg/s1600/May21+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xZFwmaPd4WI/Tdf2gFdeEPI/AAAAAAAAAPs/z5M8KMDRLeg/s400/May21+005.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jg3M-AwB-Es/Tdf2on_gKKI/AAAAAAAAAPw/3p165mdvJU4/s1600/May21+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jg3M-AwB-Es/Tdf2on_gKKI/AAAAAAAAAPw/3p165mdvJU4/s400/May21+014.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The only worry now is how large the parsnip plants with grow to. After just a few weeks, they are already a decent size, I just hope they don't grow to take over the vegetable plot.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Remember to click on the "Tender and True parsnips" link on the top right of this page or directly below here to see week by week how the parsnips have been growing from seed to seedling to fully grown plant to the date of harvest. </span></span>Blackberry Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701423381927559053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460913941779801592.post-77140275977543477202011-05-21T18:26:00.000+01:002011-05-21T18:26:37.045+01:00Purple Haze Carrot seedlings after 3 weeksThey're coming along nicely now and a lot of carrot shoots have surfaced, so as they come up I have just tried to ensure none are too close together. I'll thin them properly when a little bigger, but for now I'm happy to see the seedlings just growing stronger.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aD3Z1Ingjac/Tdf1cHPdlJI/AAAAAAAAAPo/LUO3PCf5zBk/s1600/May21+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aD3Z1Ingjac/Tdf1cHPdlJI/AAAAAAAAAPo/LUO3PCf5zBk/s400/May21+007.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Haze carrot seedlings</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Remember to click on the "Purple carrots" link on the right of this page or directly at the bottom of this post to see week by week how the carrots have grown from seed to seedling to fully grown plant to (hopefully) the date of harvest.</span>Blackberry Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701423381927559053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460913941779801592.post-1707711592798527592011-05-21T18:22:00.000+01:002011-05-21T18:22:06.910+01:00Horseradish leaves<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PLsg0ckYIrM/Tdf0Rvu0mUI/AAAAAAAAAPk/kWRynVJBBvE/s1600/May21+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PLsg0ckYIrM/Tdf0Rvu0mUI/AAAAAAAAAPk/kWRynVJBBvE/s400/May21+001.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horseradish pant leaves</td></tr>
</tbody></table>It's been about 6 weeks since I planted these, and the leaves are growing well. Not a lot else to report on the horseradish as it (hopefully) is growing well under the soil. I may not update this weekly, but maybe monthly until harvest in early Winter.Blackberry Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701423381927559053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460913941779801592.post-78907792264781411322011-05-21T13:29:00.000+01:002011-05-21T13:29:27.693+01:00French Breakfast radishes nearly ready for harvestingThe last week has seen the radishes suddenly go supersonic. Checkout the photo from last week, and compare it to this. A huge growth spurt in just one week.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fy-ReflbKFk/TdevPV7YPhI/AAAAAAAAAPY/k3zRG4LktcE/s1600/May21+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fy-ReflbKFk/TdevPV7YPhI/AAAAAAAAAPY/k3zRG4LktcE/s400/May21+011.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">French breakfast radish after 4 weeks</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">So it seems it is almost ready for eating. I'm stunned how much it has grown this week, after such a lacklustre start. Still, I think I'll leave it for one more week as allegedly the longer it is in the ground, the pepperiar it gets, if that is a word (probably not). so that will be 5 weeks from sowing to harvest, which is longer than I was expecting, but not by much.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Remember to click on the "French Breakfast Radish" link on the right of this page or directly at the bottom of this post to see week by week how the radishes have grown from seed to the date of harvest.</span></span>Blackberry Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701423381927559053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460913941779801592.post-27454286639114543902011-05-21T13:19:00.000+01:002011-05-21T13:19:33.507+01:00Tom Thumb lettuces disappearing quicklyThere may not be too many more photos or posts of these lettuces as there isn't too much more to add. They look to have grown to their full size, and are being steadily eaten.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FKThHUHsaBE/TdetpHUo-lI/AAAAAAAAAPU/PRTecGdS31E/s1600/May21+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FKThHUHsaBE/TdetpHUo-lI/AAAAAAAAAPU/PRTecGdS31E/s400/May21+008.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom Thumb lettuce after 10 weeks</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Remember to click on the "tom Thumb lettuce" link on the right of this page or directly at the bottom of this post to see week by week how the lettuce has grown from seed to the date of harvest.</span>Blackberry Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701423381927559053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460913941779801592.post-23543528320620536332011-05-21T13:13:00.000+01:002011-05-21T13:13:59.448+01:00Little Gem lettuce - maybe growing a head?So my problem with the little gem lettuce not growing according to plan, maybe me being a little too over eager for results. This is how it is looking now, after 10 weeks.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xep9rFFUzmU/Tderg0QOGoI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/GQuCnkBVciI/s1600/May21+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xep9rFFUzmU/Tderg0QOGoI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/GQuCnkBVciI/s400/May21+009.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Gem lettuce after 10 weeks</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">You can see the centre of the lettuce is closing up a little, and maybe, just maybe forming a small little gem lettuce head in the middle. I'll just have to wait a little longer to see, thankfully despite eating lots of these and the Tom Thumb lettuce over the past few weeks, we still have loads left and so I can let these grow and grow without fear of them getting eaten before they reach maturity.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Remember to click on the "Little Gem Lettuce" link on the right of this page or directly at the bottom of this post to see week by week how the lettuce has grown from seed to the date of harvest.</span></span>Blackberry Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701423381927559053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460913941779801592.post-88982788861360341192011-05-21T12:27:00.003+01:002011-05-21T12:34:41.285+01:00Early Nantes 2 carrots at 10 weeks10 weeks in, and I couldn't resist scraping away a little soil to check if the carrots are growing or not. It's quite frustrating just seeing the green leaves and hoping something is going on under the ground. Anyway, I was happy to see that there is something definitely carrot like there.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_sSvzhmkOd8/TdeggT92WkI/AAAAAAAAAPE/lNCUCsQxKpo/s1600/May21+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_sSvzhmkOd8/TdeggT92WkI/AAAAAAAAAPE/lNCUCsQxKpo/s400/May21+010.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early Nantes 2 carrots at 10 weeks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>As you can see, it is not much, but still encouraging to see something there! I've added a second photo showing how the carrot seedlings look without the top bit of soil being scraped away.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bJhTuPGPJmA/TdehFzGasJI/AAAAAAAAAPI/VphRdfSCk4w/s1600/May21+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bJhTuPGPJmA/TdehFzGasJI/AAAAAAAAAPI/VphRdfSCk4w/s400/May21+003.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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The second crop, which is a month behind, so now 6 weeks old is also growing well.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W2oOamuedKA/TdehQJKit-I/AAAAAAAAAPM/BalVuV32HiE/s1600/May21+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W2oOamuedKA/TdehQJKit-I/AAAAAAAAAPM/BalVuV32HiE/s400/May21+018.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6 week old carrot seedlings</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Remember to click on the "Early Nantes 2 Carrots" link on the top right of this page or directly below here to see week by week how the carrots have grown from seed to the date of harvest. </span>Blackberry Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701423381927559053noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460913941779801592.post-22757427146749047592011-05-21T12:19:00.000+01:002011-05-21T12:19:42.739+01:00Boltardy Beetroot update after 6 weeksStill no sign of any beetroot poking through the soil, but hopefully in the next couple of weeks, I'll see the first signs.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1pxZL9f3eNg/Tdee5d_NFEI/AAAAAAAAAO4/ETrcXW4IZfA/s1600/May21+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1pxZL9f3eNg/Tdee5d_NFEI/AAAAAAAAAO4/ETrcXW4IZfA/s400/May21+002.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boltardy beetroot after 6 weeks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>It still seems to be growing strongly, but still a long way off getting a crop I think. Not much else to add, so a few photos instead.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5FFCp6rdAD0/Tdee-btfKNI/AAAAAAAAAO8/HFnfqCwx92U/s1600/May21+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5FFCp6rdAD0/Tdee-btfKNI/AAAAAAAAAO8/HFnfqCwx92U/s400/May21+012.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boltardy beetroot seedlings</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GeuMyOMCPng/TdefGZceSFI/AAAAAAAAAPA/3G8X8hCH83o/s1600/May21+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GeuMyOMCPng/TdefGZceSFI/AAAAAAAAAPA/3G8X8hCH83o/s400/May21+019.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Boltardy Beetroot</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Remember to click on the "Boltardy beetroot" link on the right of this page to see week by week how the beetroot has grown from seed to the date of harvest.</span>Blackberry Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701423381927559053noreply@blogger.com0