The last of the honey supers were removed from the hives for processing. I had put a bee outlet board on to remove most of the bees aut of the honey supers. The next day, I removed the almost beeless frames and went over to my mentor’s home and we centrifuged his frames and ours. Afterwards my Bride and I went out and got box of chicken, chips and coleslaw. This was a new experience for the two octogenarians. They really liked it. I was surprised they would try it when my Bride suggested it. It was time to slip the paper towel tubes over the leeks. When they look like this, it is time: Do you see the neck coming out of the soil? That got earthed-up one more time and then the paper towel tube was placed. In this next foto you can see the bed with some of the tubes in place. A few days later more will tubed. The first beetroot’s were lifted. Then, the first broad beans and some pole beans— is potato. Those tatties are harvested early, but the potato plants have lost all their blooms now, so we can harvest a plant at the time whenever we feel like eating them, from off now. We first were not going to harvest the whole plant, but after digging underneath the first plant the Bride saw the first ratte and that was it— noffink for it but to lift the whole plant. Oh jongens, there is nothing like new potatos…hand on heart.
Everything looks wonderfully fresh and well-tended, but that's always the case in your lottie, isn't it? The tube trick is really something I should remember. Oh, and now I remember when we tried leeks. They ended up looking like big chives. I couldn't handle the disappointment and have never tried leek again. We'll stick to peas, carrots, and salad because at least they grow to look like peas, carrots, and salad.
Chortle. That was a shame, Droopske. However, like you said, there are plenty more veggies you can grow. Chives….oh dear me.
I loved this post Sjoerd - thank you so much for sharing. I've been following your bee keeping also, nudging my husband from time to time that it would be nice one day. Thank you so much for explaining the leeks and the photos - that was incredilby helpful. Enjoy your first garden feast! A well earned and deserved treasured treat ( could hear your tummies rumbling in tattie anticipation from here).
Mel, thanks for your nice posting, you are welcome. I am hoping to have a reasonable leek harvest this year; however, I have seen some suspicious signs that make me worry that the leek miner fly has attacked them. I am looking forward to harvesting them, but concerned that the leaf miner will have ruined the crop. I do not spray my plants, so I am exposed to garden pests. Oh, those beans and spuds were remarkable. The tum was indeed rumbling. Beekeeping is such an interesting and rewarding hobby. If your man decides to get into beekeeping, it is very important to take a rudimentary course and spend the first season with a mentor. If there is a local beekeeping club in the area where you live, they can advise him on the courses. Ahhh Ware— Thank you so much. That was such a sweet thing to say.
@Sjoerd everything looks so lush and delicious! Great job and a labor of love, and inspiring! I will think about planting broad beans this fall. They would need to be in a deer resistant area, which is precious space. Happy eating! You deserve it.
Thank you so much, Daniel. We are enjoying eating this fresh veg now. We eat some and freeze some in each day. Good luck with those broadbeans.
