We’re nearly at the end of tomato season so I’m thinking about what I’ll be able to provide to customers into October, November and December. Some of this is already growing in the outside beds and some is just starting in the polytunnel.
I have just started selling kohlrabi on the stall and expect to do so for the next few weeks. I’m also planting some in the polytunnel this week so hope to be able to offer it later in autumn.
One particular valued customer has asked repeatedly for more beetroot and it looks like we are nearly there with the latest crop. Fingers crossed.
I have some fennel growing nicely and with good-ish weather forecast I think it should be about ready by mid October if not earlier.
Squashes have begun to ripen and will finish doing so in October I think. We have Crown Prince, Uchiki Kuri, butternut and Winter Luxury varieties. None have been stellar this year with the exception of an uchiki kuri plant that’s been growing in the polytunnel and has loved the heat in there so is still going strong and it’s fruit look amazing.
I sold our first red lettuce this week and will have more for three or four weeks yet, by which time we should be into the big heads of cos lettuce that are shaping up nicely in the same bed.
Through the long dry months of summer Chinese cabbage grew slowly but surely next to the courgettes and it’s now looking like we’ll be able to harvest a good number of heads in the autumn.
Parsnips too have sailed serenely through the summer and we’ll have some available as we get into winter, though I wish I’d sown more. Similarly leeks, though they really struggled through the dry months and won’t be winning any prizes.
There are now only a few carrots outside but I’ve sown some in the polytunnel and if all goes well the first will be ready to harvest by the end of October. We have beetroot in there too and it’ll be joined by more lettuces and some cabbage. Hopefully the polytunnel will earn its keep over the autumn.
Jonny