Harvest:
Sweet Potatoes — success! Noticed something munching on the sweet potatoes so I thought it was best to salvage my first “crop” and up they came, so vibrantly colored. I have “hardened” them off in the garage and now am storing them in a cool place. Served them with a pork tenderloin with a creamy sherry sauce. Delicious.
Onions — a bit of a disappointment, but hey, my first attempt. Not a size-able crop or size-able specimens, will definitely experiment with other varieties next year.
Leeks — success! however, are quite pretty and I make a mean potato-leek soup when the weather turns cold. Served with bacon, sharp cheddar and a dollop of creme fraiche.
Herbs — success! havested my woody herbs for drying including thyme, rosemary, sage, curry. I tied them in small bundles and they are hanging in my cellar. I want to use them for Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts.
What I learned:
- Plan early and buy from reputable vendors when it comes to seeds or seedlings. We put in our first garden ever, late, and only had local vendors’ seedlings to choose from. I had no idea how long they had been sitting in their pots, so guessing maturity or harvest time was even more complicated. If I start them from seed, I’ll know when to pull them out of the ground!
- My beautiful, new raised beds with their rich, pliable soil are a favorite of my squirrels. After all, easy digging to hide their nuts for winter. You wouldn’t believe the holes in my beds. Have to figure out how to keep them from burying walnuts — not good for my future vegetation.