I eventually managed to get back in to my greenhouse after the door had been frozen shut, but I wish I hadn't bothered after seeing the scene which greeted me. Let's just say that there won't be any home grown potatoes on our plates on Christmas day. The even more annoying thing is that I had bought these potatoes especially for later planting, they were delivered around July time. Last year I saved some seed potatoes from the ones planted in spring. I kept them in the salad drawer in the fridge until it was time to plant them later in the year and they grew fine, producing enough potatoes for our Christmas dinner. I now know that the risk doesn't justify the cost of buying extra especially for later planting, I'll either do as I did last year and save some from the spring batch, or else plant some of the potatoes which the spring sowing produces. I won't give up though, I'll definitely try again.We managed a trip to the allotment yesterday, though there wasn't much we could do. The snow has melted and I expected the ground to be very boggy, but I'm pleased to report that the drainage pipe which hubby installed earlier in the year seems to be working as there wasn't as much water about as I expected. The chard has definitely been taken by the frost, it's completely blackened, but the curly kale and cavolo de nero is still looking good. There's also some purple sprouting broccoli and spring greens which seem to be doing ok.
Today, the mercury has risen to a whopping three degrees, but by the end of the week we're expecting more snow. Let's hope we don't get as much as we've just got rid of.
im sorry to see that you wont be having any spuds for xmas dinner. I tried to get some carrots out the other but the ground was so solid i couldnt get them out. x Hopefully this is a one off for it being so cold so early.
ReplyDeleteOh such a shame. You need to get a little paraffin heater like I've got. I still got ice on the inside of the greenhouse a couple of nights. but all the plants have remained frost free somehow.
ReplyDeleteThat's a shame Jo, it's been a harsh spell so early only the hardiest veg are surviving.
ReplyDeleteHope your plants perk up. We'll all have some that won't survive the recent cold spell. In Northern Ireland we're supposed to get snow again Thurs night. Can't believe it.
ReplyDeleteToo bad about the potatoes, but there is still some kale and broccoli for you to harvest. Did you check, maybe there are some spuds even if plans died?
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about the spuds Jo, i'm thinking of growing some for christmas next season, hopefully we won't have as bad a winter again, but I said that last year. We've got snow forecast here again from Thursday, when will it end, the previous batch is only just about melted.
ReplyDeleteThat's a real shame Jo. Must admit it isn't something I try to do - we usually have plenty of potatoes in storage so they are used. Potato tops are sensitive and vrtlarica may be right in that there could be something below soil level after all there wasn't much growing time left was there? Unless the tubers have been frosted too in which case you could have sweet potatoes!
ReplyDeleteShame about the potatoes, hope you've got better luck next year!
ReplyDeleteHave you actually dug up the potato plants? Is it possible that despite the foliage having been lost there might be a few tiny spuds under the surface of the soil? After all, Christmas is only a few days away.
ReplyDeleteI sympathise, and it seems that few people manage to grow them for Christmas! I don't even try but save a few good sized ones to have as jacket potatoes on Boxing day. Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteI hope you've managed to dig up some carrots by now, bears footprints. We really have had a cold snap this year and looking at the forcast, there's more to come.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear your heater's working, Su. I have looked at paraffin heaters but have resisted so far, perhaps that's the way to go though.
I'm sure I won't be the only one to have lost things in this weather, Damo. I never count on the potatoes for Christmas, it's just a fun exercise really with something tasty at the end of it if it works.
It's supposed to snow again here too, Why I Garden. I'm just hoping that we don't get it as bad this time.
I haven't checked in the containers yet, Vrtlarica, but I will. It would be a bonus if I found some now.
We're only at the start of winter yet, Happy Plotter. We could have loads of the stuff yet to come, I hope not though.
I'll certainly check in the containers, Green Lane Allotments. I'm not holding out much hope though, they really did get a frosting.
Thanks, Una Bee. It's always fun trying these things and if they work then all the better, but if they don't, well, it's been fun trying.
I'll certainly check, Mark. Even a few would be nice for my efforts.
I managed to grow some last year, Flighty. It's just a fun project really to see if I can manage it or not. I'll certainly give it another go next year. Enjoy your spuds on Boxing Day.
Dear Jo, My sympathies about the spuds! I planted some late parsnips to roast around the turkey for Boxing Day dinner. With me being out of the country then in hospital, they weren't dug up. Now the ground is frozen completely solid ... so no parsnips for Christmas! Oh, well, there is always next year. Have a wonderful, though spud-less, Christmas! Pam x
ReplyDeleteMmm cavolo nero! Who cares about spuds?
ReplyDeleteSo bad your plants got like that. I hope you get to rescue some of the little spuds.
ReplyDeleteOh Jo ~ what a shame :( Did you have fleece draped round them ? The leaves on my spuds at the lottie were badly frosted earlier this year but still produced edible goodies. Worth a delve into the container when you can manage to get out into the greenhouse again. As you say though probably not worth the extra expense of buying specifically for a Christmas harvest and best saving your own next year.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pam. You'll have to buy some parsnips. I can't imagine Christmas dinner without parsnips, rather like sprouts.
ReplyDeleteIt would have been nice to have some home grown potatoes on our Christmas dinner plate, Scattered Gardener, but it's not the end of the world.
I haven't checked for any potatoes yet, fer. I'm still keeping my fingers crossed but I'm not very hopeful.
I did have fleece draped around them, Anna. I think it's just been so cold so early this year that even fleece hasn't prevented them getting frosted. I won't waste my money again, though I will give it another go.
My potatoes didn't survive for christmas dinner but Like you I will persevere and try again next year...I think I may try insulating the tub next year and see if that helps!
ReplyDeleteMy containers were wrapped in fleece, Tanya, but they still didn't survive. It has been exceptionally cold though this year, they were ok last year.
ReplyDelete