This weekend, I harvested a good amount of greens for an Easter dinner party we attended on Sunday. I picked a bunch of claytonia and added some mizuna, spinach and baby lettuce to the mix. Thankfully, it was a hit!
The Red Russian kale has started to flower. I've been trying to harvest as much as I could, but to be honest, after a long winter I'm looking forward to pulling them up and planting something different. Does anyone know whether kale buds are edible?
I've been harvesting some of our overwintered scallions as well. The remainder of these will have to be pulled, chopped up and frozen as they are showing signs of bolting already.
Finally, our Jersey Supreme asparagus are starting to emerge from the ground. It's nice to see a sight like this, especially on this Easter - a holiday traditionally observed by pagans to celebrate this time of rebirth and fertility.
I planted these asparagus crowns last spring and they eventually grew into healthy plants last year. There is some debate on whether you should begin harvesting the tender shoots in the 2nd or 3rd year, but according to Ohio State University:
The year after planting, asparagus can be harvested several times throughout a three-week period, depending on air temperatures. Research shows there is no need to wait two years after planting before harvesting. In fact, harvesting the year after planting will stimulate more bud production on the crown and provide greater yields in future years, as compared with waiting two years before harvesting.
Sounds good to me! In fact, the spears that are emerging now are of good size so I am looking forward to seeing them on our dinner plate soon.
I've heard of people eating the flowering stocks of kale and collards. After all, they're closely related to broccoli. And I believe broccoli rabe is actually more closely related to turnips than to broccoli itself. This guy likes "mock" kale broccoli better than "real" broccoli:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.veggiegardeningtips.com/mock-broccoli/
Unfortunately my birthday pineapple upside-down cake was a catastrophic fail- and I'm a foodie. so disappointed. I guess I needed to buy her book.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful spears. I can't resist to harvest them if it was growing in our patch.
ReplyDeleteI harvested VERY lightly last year, but it was hard to hold back. Enjoy it!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful harvest. I planted my first asparagus recently. I've never grown it before, but love it. And Anything that isn't a leafy green and can be harvested in April has to be good.
ReplyDeleteIn a few years, you will be sick of asparagus by the end of the season. I have tried freezing it, but don't like the result. Does anyone have a good way of preserving asparagus?
ReplyDelete(Emergence, by the way. Otherwise the 'g' would be hard, not soft.)
Couves - thanks for the link! I think I'll try it.
ReplyDeleteGoneferalinID - sorry to hear that! The book is definitely worth buying.
Malay-Kadazan girl - Thanks! I find it hard to resist myself.
Kelly - Thanks Kel! I'll try to stay within the 3 week limit.
Daphne - You are so right. It's been nothing but greens during the last 6 months.
Dinah - Thanks for the proof-read! I dislike frozen asparagus myself. Unless canning is a better option (which I doubt it is), I guess you just have to treat it as a seasonal treat.
ReplyDeleteThat is a lovely mix of fresh spring greens - lots of different textures and colors - I bet it made a tempting salad.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the emergence of the asparagus. A real spring time treat.
Everything looks beautiful! I've wondered about the frozen asparagus, never had it. I have heard of people pickling the spears though, post if you try it!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Knowing that you only have to really wait one year has me thinking... I am with Daphne, anything outside of greens harvested in April would certainly be welcome. I love asparagus!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure if you have an overabundance, you'll have plenty of people who would be willing to take your extras off of your hands. Asparagus can't be like zucchini...
Think you will find the kale flowers very bitter..but they will go to seed and you might want to save those. So pleased to see your asparagus is up; hoping ours are not too far behind! Great greens.
ReplyDeleteLovely harvest Thomas! I harvested our asparagus lightly the first year after planting, and it didn't seem to do it any harm. We're on the 4th year now and it's producing like crazy. I do think the newer varieties like the Jersey line are more vigorous than older ones.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful harvest - beautiful photos! Enjoy your asparagus, it's a very special treat.
ReplyDeleteI planted some bare root crowns in mid March here but nothing is happening even now. I am in zone 7 so they are really late, and I am starting to worry that they are all dead. Did you have similar experience last year when you just planted yours? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteNice salad for your party!! The asparagus looks beautiful!! I hope you have a great harvest soon!! Funny how the kale buds look like broccoli.
ReplyDeleteI don't know about the red russian kale but I have found the flower heads of lacinato kale to be tasty, although the apids usually beat me to them. How exciting to have home grown asparagus, that's something that I haven't grown nor will I be likely to. I have been buying the first local asparagus at the farmers market and it has been sooo delicious. If you end up with too much asparagus it is delicious pickled.
ReplyDeleteikea - I do remember that it did take them a while to get established last spring. I wouldn't worry!
ReplyDeleteI've done tons of reading about asparagus over the four years since we planted ours. One of the things I learned is that you need to harvest
ReplyDeleteALL of the spears, even the spindly ones. So over the next three weeks don't leave a single spear to grow. After your 3-week harvest period is up, just let them grow as they will but don't harvest any more until next season.
Thomas, love seeing the asparagus. Beautiful pictures! I can't wait till I get around planting some of my own.
ReplyDeleteWe do share a lot of asparagus! We still eat it almost every day for 6 to 8 weeks. I love it. My sister taught me that it makes a HUGE difference to plunge it into actual ice water after lightly steaming it. It's really amazing what that does. We also like it roasted in the oven or on the grill, and I put leftover cold asparagus in any kind of sandwich.
ReplyDeleteEdible or not that is a lovely bud to go with that plant. I bet you are about ready to move on. THe asparagus is a beauty, too!
ReplyDeleteLovely mix of greens, my asparagus is not doing any thing either, I forgot to fertilize it.
ReplyDelete