I mentioned in a previous post how my husband insisted on planting 350 purple potato plants in our garden? Well, it looks like all 350 plants are coming up. Each plant yields up to 6 purple spuds. That’s a lot of potatoes. I get a binding sensation just looking at all that starch.
On a happier note, it looks like my first attempt at planting parsnips has been a success. I think. I planted the slow growing seeds last fall after reading the roots attain the sweetest flavor if left in the ground over the winter, and harvested in the springtime.
The plant is looking a little on the wild and unruly side right now, so I think it may be time to harvest. Does anyone know anything about when to harvest parsnips???
The base of the parsnip plant.
Other veggies coming up:
See those spindly wisps? That’s asparagus. I planted them in March, and they’re already coming up….which surprises me since it takes a full five years for an asparagus plant to become established, i.e. that’s how long it takes for a first harvest. (The bushier plants next to the asparagus wisps are wayward kale. I didn’t plant kale this year. They just mysteriously came up on their own.)
Cauliflower.
Heirloom tomatoes.
Sugar snap peas.
And of course, the ladies.
All original content © 2012 by Jessie Knadler
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
So glad you are back – we have missed you!!! Your garden looks wonderful – so green and plentiful – will be a great summer reaping all the benefits from your hard labor in the garden.
Hi Melanie: Does that mean I can unload a thousand purple potatoes on you? =)
I planted our parsnips in early spring, and left them in the snow melted and we could find them again, not that you have that problem (often). The ones you have now may try to bloom (like the ones I missed), so one could always collect seed. Apparently it only keeps for one year.
You can always think of the spuds as a trade item, or a novelty holiday gift! I have friends who have sold small baskets of red, white & blue new potatoes.
Do you think the people in Ellicott City are ready for purple potatoes????
Melanie: I don’t know….maybe you can start a new trend. The Purple Potato Trend.
I usually plant my parsnip seeds first thing in the spring and harvest after the first frost in the fall and then as needed through the winter. What I would do is clear (by hand) around the base of the leaves and see how large the root is. If they look big enough, pull one or two and try them out.
We had a first harvest of asparagaus….6 months after we planted the roots.