September Vegetable Growing Update – Harvesting Carrots, Beetroot, Lettuce

Posted on 21. Sep, 2010 by Tracey in Veg Plot

After my relaxing break away in the stunning scenery of the Lake District, I have come back to a vegetable plot which is in disarray and needs some much needed love, care and attention. My french bean plants and the stinging nettles in amongst my carrot rows needed pulling out and my perpetual spinach is bolting again.

Vegetables still growing well are:

Tomato ‘Yellow Centiflor’ – Unfortunately no miracles have happened whilst I have been away, my tomatoes are still green. A quick check on the real seeds catalogue website says harvesting is anytime up until the end of December so there’s still a chance (slim) that they may turn yellow yet.
Sweet Peppers ‘Tequila Sunrise’ - Again still green and should be orange, don’t think there is enough sun for this colour change, so I will pick a few to see what they taste like and leave the rest in.
Cabbage ‘Cantasa Savoy’ – Three large savoy cabbages and 1 small sacrificial plant which is being eaten by something have survived, I’m a very happy bunny, savoy cabbage and mash potato tonight I think!
White Carrots ‘Kuttiger‘ – Growing strong, will grow stronger once the stinging nettles have been pulled out.
Spring Cabbage ‘Pixie’ – Seedlings doing very well, first batch look strong, second batch have a bit of leaf miner damage so I have removed those leaves.
Kale ‘Dwarf Green and Black Nero’ – I thought my kale was all but gone with all the caterpillars I saw crawling all over them but it looks like things have taken a turn for the good with luscious green curly leaves and baby crinkled nero leaves forming.

Harvesting

Beetroot ‘Moneta’ – This has been my first successful year of growing beetroot and this is the second time I have harvested a big bunch.
Lettuce ‘Flame’ – (from Real Seeds) has preformed brilliantly, originally sown in between my french beans, now it has some space it adds a browny red tinge to the green leaves.
Carrots ‘Scarlet Horn’ and ‘Beta III‘ (both from Heritage Seed Library) – This year again my carrots have flourished and this a lovely bunch of carrots has kept us fed throughout the spring and summer months.