What needs to be harvested or covered up?

[marigold007]

Hi,

In the following list are the vegetables I still have in the ground. Obviously some I know are going to over winter. It was my intention all Summer to plant things that would be interesting to have around during the Christmas season and early spring. If you see any that absolutely have to be dug up, done something to, or covered before the frost comes here to London. Lemme know, eh?

beetroot
parsnips
potatoes, some sprouting again already!
reddish cabbages (just hearting up)
romanesco cauliflower (starting to make heads)
Brussel sprouts
sprouting brocolli (three types)
chufa nuts
globe artichokes
Jerusalam artichokes
horse radish
carrots
black salsify
swedes
perpetual spinach
cavolo nero, kale

If you'd like to list what you're growing this winter, please do.

[marigold007]

Just updated this, adding a few more things to the list.

[Brengirl]

I have fleeced the Calamondin and Lemon. I have 3 (new to me) bougainvillea. I live in W. Dorset should I keep them protected too.

[marigold007]

I had a bougainvillea in South Mississippi. It smelled so nice! It's sub-tropical there though...

Hopefully someone will give us some answers.

[basketcase]

I believe that the Jerusalem Artichokes can stay in and that theParsnips will benefit from the frost.

I think the Cavalero Nero and the Sprouts should be OK too.

But I'm relatively new...

[basketcase]

What are chufa nuts?

[marigold007]

Hiya basketcase

Thanks for replying. I'm a bit of a basketcase too. This is a learning experience for both of us!

I love Autumn Winter and early Spring gardening. I keep a blog at Marigold Memoirs

Many gardeners here in the UK seem to stop gardening after the Butternuts and tomatoes are all harvested. On my allotment, which I have only had for a year, the weeds are a major deterrent during the Summer for me.

Chufa nuts, or tiger nuts as they might call them here, are a small root veg that make a pretty grass like plant during the Summer. They are the main ingredient in Horchata in Spain. Horchata is a sweet cold drink that tastes a little like almonds. I read that they were grown here a lot in times past.

Thanks for the information on the Jerusalem artichokes. I don't know why I grew them. I've only had them boiled and didn't much like them.

I'm really concerned about the beetroot, carrots, chufas, potatoes, black salsify, perpetual spinach, and horse radish.

The black salsify has bloomed already and might be past redemption for this year...

[Pumpkin Becki]

I would dig your potatoes up for storage in a dark cupboard. You don't want them sprouting again.

[marigold007]

Thanks Pumpkin Becki. I guess the first earlies are already goners, but the 2nd earlies might still have a chance. I could have sworn I read on here that someone just leaves the pink fir apples in until January, digging when needed.

I wonder... if the first earlies are already making plants, will they just die back when the frosts come and I'll not have to worry about them. They'll just rot away??

[Pumpkin Becki]

Thanks Pumpkin Becki. I guess the first earlies are already goners, but the 2nd earlies might still have a chance. I could have sworn I read on here that someone just leaves the pink fir apples in until January, digging when needed.

I wonder... if the first earlies are already making plants, will they just die back when the frosts come and I'll not have to worry about them. They'll just rot away??

First Earlies and Second Earlies are usually ready for harvesting by about June/July, with Maincrops ready about September/October time.

I personally never leave tatties in the ground. I always dig the whole lot up and put into storage (or at the very least dig up one complete plant at a time). Then, when they are all out, I give the bed another forking over to make sure there aren't any tubers lurking, as these can harbour disease, and/or regrow next year which isn't really what you want (especially if you are crop rotating - random spud plants in the middle of your broadbeans are a pain).

[marigold007]

Thanks again Pumpkin Becki. I better get some Wellies and dig them up ASAP then. Up to this point I haven't needed a vehicle to transport anything, unless you count the bus to cut down the 40 minutes walk there. I'm seeing a taxi in the near future!

Just to update: I've decided to also take out the carrots, beetroots, and chufa nuts, and to give the perpetual spinach a trim. I'll deal with the brassicas as they produce heads, sprouts, etc.

[basketcase]

Chufa nuts, or tiger nuts as they might call them here, are a small root veg that make a pretty grass like plant during the Summer. They are the main ingredient in Horchata in Spain. Horchata is a sweet cold drink that tastes a little like almonds. I read that they were grown here a lot in times past.

Now tiger nuts I've heard of! Used to have them instead of sweets (also licorice root!)

I thought the problem with horse radish was getting rid of it! Don't know if it dies down, though...

[marigold007]

Thanks so much for your help guys! Surprisingly, the 1st and 2nd earlies that were sprouting were perfectly lovely potatoes just waiting to be dug up today.

I've made a post about it on my blog:


Couldn't have done it without you!!

Marigold Memoirs: November's Bounty.