Harvesting Your Own Grown Produce

There is nothing more satisfying than making a meal from produce that you have grown yourself. I feel very privileged to have the space to grow an abundance of fruit and vegetables, and I like nothing more than going outside and harvesting things that I have grown to make into a meal.

This year has been exceptionally good. I don’t know whether it was the long spell of wet weather prior to the lovely sunny days at the end of July/beginning of August that has really boosted the growth or whether practice has just made it more perfect. The first year that I attempted to grow vegetables on my plot was a bit hit and miss, and I ended up with misshaped carrots, an abundance of onions and very little of anything much that I could utilise. However, this year, I have put more thought into what I planted, opting for vegetables that I knew we would use and also adding varieties that I could feed to the goats and pigs.

We love stir-fry in our house, and my husband cooks up a real treat with the work. So, this year, I planted bok choy. It is incredibly tasty and is a great addition to the stir-fry. Along with potatoes, onions, cabbages, and soft fruits, we have had quite an abundance of fruit and vegetables already this year, and there are still crops of sweetcorn, sprouts, kale, and cauliflower yet to come.

The fruit trees we planted about three years ago are finally beginning to crop. However, I think it will be a couple more years before we see a proper harvest from these. We have planted cherries, apples, gages, plums, and pear trees, all of which have blossomed and fruited to varying degrees. As yet, we haven’t had more than a handful of cherries and half a dozen apples. They say patience is a virtue, and I am certain this little orchard will be worth the wait.

Watering and weeding are undoubtedly the main jobs on the vegetable plot in July and August. Interruptions to watering can cause problems such as skin splitting and premature bolting, so it is vital that you give all your plants a really good soak. It is better to water them well so that the water can penetrate the roots of the plants; otherwise, watering will not be effective. Always try to water plants early in the morning or in the evening when the sun has gone down to avoid instant evaporation, and make sure you thoroughly wet, rather than just sprinkle water on your vegetables.

It is also important to remain vigilant for pests and diseases at this time of year. When the temperatures rise, fruit and vegetables can succumb to blackflies, caterpillars, snails, slugs, and beetles, so be alert for anything that might be out to destroy your crops.

It is also worth considering adding some edible flowers to your vegetable plot. Not only do these provide a pop of colour and some added interest, but they are very useful in the kitchen and can be added to various dishes. Nasturtiums, violas, marigolds and lavender are all popular edible flowers.