Harvest Monday - 24 June 2024

Hello again from Eight Gate Farm! Here's a representation of harvests we have had since I last posted. There are a couple of new crops, plus continuing ones.

I took the first kohlrabi. Our Harvest Monday host, Dave, grows many varieties of kohlrabi, very successfully. This purple one, a hybrid called Kolibri, is the only one I've ever grown, but it meets our needs well.

Kolibri (F1) kohlrabi

 We also picked the first edible-podded peas. On the left is Super Sugar Snap; the right is Avalanche, a snow pea. The latter suffered from poor germination again this year. I've discarded the seed.

Mangetout

For continuing crops, lettuce is coming in strong. It's almost hard to keep up with it.

Summer Lettuce Blend mix

Red iceberg lettuce

The Asian Greens are winding down. I cut two Tatsois, as they were starting to flower.

Tatsoi

Green onions (aka scallions etc.) are being taken as needed. I really like their mild but tasty flavor.

Nabechan (F1) scallions

Finally, I cut the rest of the garlic scapes. We gave away a few. The straight scapes at the top of the picture are some from the elephant garlic I planted last fall. I've never grown this type, and really don't know what to expect.

Garlic scapes

In wildlife notes, we recently had a close encounter with a very large porcupine. The North American porcupine is the second largest rodent we have (after the beaver). It's not typical to see them in the daytime. I was concerned that this guy would stray into the unfenced field garden, so I shooed him away. In slow motion that is, as he is more of a waddler.

Porcupine

That's all for now. Thanks for reading, and thanks to Dave at HappyAcres.blog for continuing to host Harvest Monday.

Harvest Monday - 10 June 2024

Here's another Harvest Monday update from Eight Gate Farm. We had several recent first harvests, plus continuing ones. For once I'll get right to them.

I took this really pretty Tatsoi, one of the "Asian Greens"  I typically grow.

Tatsoi

I've said before that we are big fans of iceberg lettuce's crisp juicy texture. I'm trying a new (to me) variety this year, appropriately called "Red Iceberg." It is making attractive compact heads.

Red Iceberg lettuce

I did the first cuttings from a row of lettuce mix. This is also a new one to me, from Fedco, named "Summer Lettuce Blend." I like how it is all lettuce, and does not contain any brassicas, for a more traditional flavor.

Summer Lettuce Blend

I also pulled the first bunch of green onions. This is a hybrid variety called "Nabechan," available from Johnny's. Despite the seeds being several years old, they germinated well; probably because I store them in the freezer.

Nabechan (F1) green onions

I also cut the first garlic scapes, the "flower stalk" of hardneck garlic, planted last fall. The Kitchen Goddess delicately sliced them lengthwise, brushed them with olive oil, and I lightly grilled them over a charcoal fire. They perfectly complimented some lovely steaks.

Garlic scapes

For continuing harvests, the radishes were starting to flower, so it was time to start taking them out.

Cherry Belle and French Breakfast radishes

The arugula (rocket) was also bolting, so I pulled out the entire crop. We gave away a large portion of this harvest, and kept the rest for ourselves.

Ice-Bred arugula

So you can see that salad season is well underway. That makes us very happy!

I also cut another head of "Asian Delight" bok choy. We love the versatility of Asian greens, and use them in a lot of ways: stir-fried, soups etc. In keeping with the theme of this year, I only planted half of what I used to...grow less and enjoy it more.

Asian Delight bok choy

In flower notes, I've written in the past about this unusual iris. I found it strangely growing on the edge of our woods, and transplanted it closer to the house. It wasn't the best location, as it is getting increasingly shaded, so it doesn't flower every year. But when it does, it brings us joy.

Iris

And the rhododendrons are really putting on a show this year.

Large rhododendrons

That's all for  now. Thanks for reading, and thanks again to Dave at HappyAcres.blog for continuing to host Harvest Monday.