Harvesting v Holiday conundrum

[steveadlem]

Hi

Not long ago (8 or so weeks) I took hold of an allotment plot and managed to get some bits and pieces in to grow. I think it has done quite well considering the time I took it on. However, we already had our summer holiday booked and we are due to go in two weeks time for 10 days.

My problem/fear is that everything is going to fruit and be ready to pick when I am away. I have:

Lots of runner beans that are in full flower with lots of tiny beans already appearing.
Sweetcorn where the tassles are starting to brown.
Potatoes that have flowered and are starting to die down. I can even see potatoes bulging through the ground.
Broad beans in flower.
Tomatoes which are growing in size but not ripening yet

So I realise there is not much I can do to the beans/tomatoes etc until they are ready to pick, so it seems my parents who will be looking after things and watering will get paid in fresh vegetables, but do I leave the sweetcorn and potatoes in until our return home (will they be ok left )? or should I harvest them?

Thanks
Steve

[Martin H]

Summer holidays are stressful for gardeners!

Runner beans: tell the parents to keep picking them. They will produce more for you later if they are picked, but if they don't get picked the plants will stop making more.

Sweetcorn: Cross your fingers and hope they don't reach peak ripeness until you get home.

Potatoes: pick off or cover up any that are coming through the ground or they will go green and inedible. Cut down all died down foliage on early and second early potatoes but leave the potatoes in the ground till later.

Broad beans: No idea. Mine are over.

Tomatoes: Your parents can have the early ones and you can have the later ones.

[bearded bloke]

Potatoes,you can simply cut the haulm's off & leave the spuds underground until you return,that way they form a thicker skin & store better


I see you say " I can even see potatoes bulging through the ground." rake some extra soil over those,if tubers are exposed to daylight the will go green,not good as green spuds are poisonous




Edit: Snap Martin