How are the veggies coming along?

[Conor Wright]

Had a late start in the greenhouse but making up for it now, Tom's are just starting to turn, peppers on the way, cauliflower too. 

Outside the carrots have just swelled this week and we are thinning them as we go. Most of the garlic is out and drying, first harvest of onions too.

Beetroot are in full swing. My better half is jarring about half a dozen every night, along with strawberry, gooseberry, red and blackcurrants for jams. Ogorki (similar to gherkins) are coming steady. She jars them too. Looking at about 30 jars worth so far and not even halfway through yet. 

[david lawrence]

Nice

What part of the country you on mr wright?

[Conor Wright]

1 minute ago, david lawrence said:

Nice

What part of the country you on mr wright?

Thanks. Galway, Ireland.

[david lawrence]

Hardly any frost then ?

im in northumbetland

frost til mid may

 

[Conor Wright]

We are well in from the coast, but only one proper frost this winter. plenty of cold easterly and northerly breezes, in fact today is only the second time this year its been nice enough to lie off on the hammock for a few minutes!

In 2014 (I think, could have been 13) we had a late frost on the 3rd of June. Knackered me spuds! 

We are reasonably lucky here, we have a sheltered site but its not a frost pocket either.

[gary112]

On 17/07/2022 at 05:20, Conor Wright said:

Had a late start in the greenhouse but making up for it now, Tom's are just starting to turn, peppers on the way, cauliflower too. 

Outside the carrots have just swelled this week and we are thinning them as we go. Most of the garlic is out and drying, first harvest of onions too.

Beetroot are in full swing. My better half is jarring about half a dozen every night, along with strawberry, gooseberry, red and blackcurrants for jams. Ogorki (similar to gherkins) are coming steady. She jars them too. Looking at about 30 jars worth so far and not even halfway through yet. 

That’s a great crop of onions 👍

[gary112]

First pick of french beans,not bad 

[Conor Wright]

9 hours ago, gary112 said:

That’s a great crop of onions 👍

It is, our best yet by far. Looking like we will have all our own veggies this year and if our stores and preserves keep enough to see out the hungry gap and keep us going until next year's plants come ready to harvest. Such is the plan!

Good to see you back by the way.

[sime42]

13 minutes ago, Conor Wright said:

It is, our best yet by far. Looking like we will have all our own veggies this year and if our stores and preserves keep enough to see out the hungry gap and keep us going until next year's plants come ready to harvest. Such is the plan!

Good to see you back by the way.

I reckon your plan stands a very good chance of succeeding, judging by the impressive lot of stuff you're producing.

You mentioned jarring things, is that in vinegar? How else do you store things?

[Conor Wright]

6 minutes ago, sime42 said:

I reckon your plan stands a very good chance of succeeding, judging by the impressive lot of stuff you're producing.

You mentioned jarring things, is that in vinegar? How else do you store things?

I don't, my better half does! I just eat them! But yeah, mostly vinegar although tomatoes are lightly salted and vacuumed in reusable jars, a lot of the veg is blanched and frozen or just straight frozen. Jams obviously sugar based and herbs are dried.

While vinegar is the base adding a few bay leaves, a ring of onion, star anise etc adds another dimension of taste. Beetroot in vinegar with 2 cloves half a star anise and a bay leaf is delicious!

The ogorki I mentioned earlier can be kept in salted water for a good few weeks, a bloom forms on top but that actually helps protect them. 

I can't claim to have much knowledge of the preserving side of things but it might make an interesting thread of its own, there must be a few others out there doing similar.