Tuesday 10 January 2012

Winter Wonders





At the end of last season I sowed two pots of carrots with the last of the seeds in the packets.  Amsterdam Forcing and Autumn King.  I brought them into the greenhouse when it got too cold and more or less forgot about them.  Here are the results.  As you can see from the pictures, the Amsterdam Forcing produced better carrots, nevertheless, I was pleased with the results.  I will definitely grow end of season carrots again to provide little sweet treats throughout the winter.



My four containers of salad leaves are still going strong, enough for one or two salads a week, but soon I will start sowing new batches, a little at a time, for continuous crops right through the spring and summer.  These have overwintered well - I haven't watered them too much, as those that I planted in the grow bags started to go mouldy.  It's hard to get the ventilation in the greenhouse right over winter, I don't think the mildish weather helped.



These onions in a container in the greenhouse have sprouted beautifully.  I won't be using them as onions, as such, just using the greentops as you would chives.  The theory is that they will just keep growing and producing tops for cutting, and live permanently in the pot.


Just had to show you again the beautiful scarlet Kale, as it has matured the colour has got better and better.  Most of it is lying flat after the heavy winds but the colour certainly livens up the garden.
The picture top right is the purple sprouting broc which managed to stay upright.  One of the plants is producing spears, and  I have just harvested a second meal from it.  It is one of my favourite greens and even though it takes room up for several months - I believe it is worth it and gives you something to harvest when there is little else in the veg plot.
The Cavolo Nero, bottom right,  is a bit pathetic this year due to insect infestation earlier in the year, it never really recovered, but it  is showing new leaves so I may well get a few meals from it yet.
Finally, you know I keep banging on about the Calabrese that has been shooting non-stop since March - well, I checked the plants over this morning, and managed to pull another few tenderstems from it.  Will these plants ever stop producing - hope not!

18 comments:

  1. The idea of the everbearing onions is attractive. I always find chives too bland, and having Spring Onions available when you need them is difficult to stage-manage.

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  2. Your carrots sure do look a winter treat! The onions in a container are a very good idea, never thought of using them like that.

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  3. Lots of good ideas there, Elaine. I'm taking notes...
    I gave up on the greens over the winter as they went mouldy. But the onions in a pot are such a good idea!

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  4. Beautiful carrots!
    growing up my Grandma always had an onion growing on the window sill during the cold season or potted like yours in the warmer months, for green onion rings, to be added to salads, and tomato slices on bread, phili cheese... yumm
    :-)

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  5. Yes, I agree with Janet, lots of good ideas here. I have some shallots starting to grow greens, and after seeing your blog..with the onion starts, think I will try the shallots the same way. Great idea and looks lovely in that container you have.

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  6. Those carrots are gorgeous! I bet they taste so sweet and fresh. I tried growing carrots but they didn't do well in my container garden. I did buy a bunch last weekend at the farmers' market, and they were excellent. You should be very proud of your winter harvest.

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  7. I'm envious of those carrots! In my continuing quest to grow even half decent ones I might well try that this year! Flighty xx

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  8. Ooh lovely carrots. Something I've never been able to grow because of the badgers at the allotment. This year I am determined. I'm going to sow some in containers at home. Well done with the over wintering produce, lovely to have your own fresh veggies!

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  9. Red kale is always decorative isn't it? Your pot grown carrots are far better than the ones we tried to grow in potato bags - sometimes though I wonder whether rubbish compost is to blame!

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  10. You've done really well with your carrots, they're certainly a treat at this time of year. The pots I sowed with carrots have been left outside, I forgot all about them so they haven't grown much, but they might still come on a bit, I suppose there's time yet. Your calabrese has done so well too, who would think you'd stil be harvesting now.

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  11. Lovely to see so much growing at this time of year.

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  12. Interesting to see your carrot results, I grew Autumn King last year and was disappointed with them. Will certainly consider trying them in containers in the greenhouse next Winter.

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  13. Good advice as ever. Lovely looking Kale, the purple colour is beautiful. Iv'e decided to grow all my carrots in containers this year (outside though). Autumn Kings were v. good last year but not this.

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  14. I like the idea of those perpetual onions and you've still got so much going on. I always find the balance between watering enough, keeping plants frost free but providing enough ventilation very difficult. A couple of plants in my coldframe have succumbed to botrytis but most are still doing well. I think some plants are more susceptible than others

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  15. Lots of great ideas on this post for making the most of crops over winter. Especially the onions, really good idea. The carrots look great too.

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  16. I like your variety of kale...the purple variety. I will have to try that for this spring.

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  17. Nice onions! I've got garlic cloves in a container too. I will use only their greentops, as you.
    I liked your blog!

    Nadezda
    http://northern-garden.blogspot.com/

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  18. I'm looking at growing some onion sets in a container due to space.

    What depth would you suggest as a minimum for the container.

    Love the pictures and read some of your site...I'm definately subscribing ;)

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