Today's Pickings

[Meadowlark]

First squash of the spring picked today along with robbing the dark red Norland potatoes and a daily ration of carrots.

 

[zigs]

That's very early Meadowlark, only just got my spuds in

More Rhubarb here

 

[Meadowlark]

Garlic harvest for this year. After drying out, I'll string it and store it.

California white soft neck garlic, about 75 bulbs:

 

[Meadowlark]

Crooked neck squash, Lemon Drop squash, Yellow zucchini squash, Caribe potatoes and carrots for today's picking. Onion crop getting close to time to harvest.

 

[Meadowlark]

Stringing Garlic today and preparing to harvest onions tomorrow weather permitting. Noticed several 5-inch diameter onions so looks like an ok crop.

Last garlic and onion row in background

 

[Meadowlark]

Completed the onion harvest and moving them into storage today.

The crop was definitely below average this year ...probably down at least 1/3 from average in size and numbers. The low temps at 11 deg. F for a couple of days here this winter had a lot to do with that, I'm sure. Lots of empty space showing in storage bins.

Several 5 inch diameter onions were the highlight to an otherwise poor crop.

 

[deckman22]

I see you cut your tops right away. Not sure who told me to leave them on while they cure then cut them but, that's the way I've been doing it. Normally takes about 3 weeks to ready to store them doing like that. How quick do yours cure?

My crop was not as good as it has been but, better than last year which was very poor. We had a bad hail storm first part of the month that beat the heck out of the tops so I pulled them a bit earlier than usual. Watermelons going in their spot soon as it dries out a little more.

 

[Meadowlark]

... How quick do yours cure? ...

Deckman22, thanks for your comments.

I withdraw all watering several days before harvest. I also try to time the harvest when rain has been absent for several days.... but that was difficult to do this spring.

Then after harvest, the onions dry in full sun for 1 to 2 days intact. Temps are hitting 85 plus deg F here now and in full sun they dry quickly, especially if watering has been withheld. At that point, the tops are dry and brown. After that, I remove the tops and move them into storage. I like to store them tops up as you can see in the photo.

In storage, I usually will have onions available for use all the way to next April...although it looks like I will consume these before that time because I'm somewhat short on my usual 200 + pounds of onions.

 

[deckman22]

I got about 120 onions this year. That will last about six months if I don't give too many away to daughters that live near by. One daughter has 6 kids with another due next month so I give her quite bit.

i'm going to give your method a try next year. Ping pong table won't be out of action as long.

 

[Meadowlark]

i'm going to give your method a try next year. Ping pong table won't be out of action as long.

Remember I'm in Texas (southeastern part) where the sun is really strong. Things dry faster here than places more Northern...don't know your location but just in case.

LOL, my onions are dear to me, and few given away...unlike most other veggies which I give away in abundance.

 

[Meadowlark]

Daytime temps are approaching 90 deg F here and it's time to get the remaining carrots out of the ground and into storage.

Pulled about 150 carrots today and will can them this afternoon.

 

[Meadowlark]

Presto!! Today's pickings become preserved carrots that will be spectacular this next winter.

 

[headfullofbees]

That is a lovely crop of carrots.

 

[Meadowlark]

I'm becoming more and more a fan of these new to me squash: lemon drop and golden zucchini (an heirloom.)

Very prolific and very tasty.

 

[Meadowlark]

Started harvesting shelling beans today. These are pintos, my favorite, and less than normal in number because we still have some from last year. Still have "Bingos" and "Navy Beans" yet to harvest for shelling beans.