Monday Harvest – March 18th 2013

I think this week could be called the week of the pepper as I seem to have harvested quite a few of them.  In the picture below you can see my first Marconi Red and my first Golden Californian Wonder, alongside a Poblano, an Alma Paprika, a Hungarian Yellow Wax and a Scotch Bonnet or two.

Capsicums and chillies

This photo includes: Mini Mama, Californian Wonder and Cherrytime Capsicums along with some more Scotch Bonnets.

Capsicums and Chillies

Below is a basket of Padrons.  This is the first year I’m growing Padrons and I have to say I think I must have done something wrong.  I barbarqued this lot with my family on Friday but they were all hot, very hot.  Did I pick them too late?  Was I very unlucky?  Surely some experienced Padron growers will be able to tell me.

Padrons

When I wasn’t picking capsicums and chillies I was harvesting drying beans.  These are purple king.   The plant died off (I think through lack of water) before the pods had really filled out but I still got a reasonable harvest nonetheless.

Drying Beans

I’m still harvesting beans and tomatoes.  The tomatoes in particular are nearing the end but I’m hoping the beans will have another burst before giving up for this season.

tomatoes harvest basket

I’m getting good volumes of silver beet again at the moment.  These leaves were used in place of Asian greens in a wonton soup.

silverbeet

And finally more of the same things I’ve had for weeks: Lemon and Summer Dance Cucumbers, Bonica Eggplants, a few beans and more tomatoes.  I’m nonchalant about them now but I will miss them when they stop producing.

Harvest Basket

That’s it for me this week.  Head over to Daphne’s Dandelions to see more beautiful harvests.

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22 Responses to Monday Harvest – March 18th 2013

  1. I’ve been completely ignoring the good crop of silverbeet in my garden but I suspect in a couple of weeks that may be all that there is for a while once all the summer stuff finishes!

    • Liz says:

      Every now and then I remember I haven’t eaten much that is green and I head out with the snippers but it is easy to forget silverbeet when there are all the exciting red and purple crops around.

  2. Sue Garrett says:

    The peppers are so colourful and I love the basket of produce

  3. What a fantastic harvest!! I am so sorry that one of your peppers turned out to be a hot one. That’s a disappointment.

    I am trying to grow banana peppers for the first time this year. My seed starts aren’t doing too well and I am thinking of punting for the back up option of seedlings at the hardware store. It’s not quite the same, but it would get me some peppers.

  4. Dave says:

    Last year was my first time with the Padrons and I left them on until they got too big and they were hot. Actually I let some ripen and they were nice that way, though hot. I’m curious if the Alma Paprika’s are hot? I’m growing them this year, and some say they are mild and some say spicy. You’ve got a lovely mix of peppers for sure!

    • Liz says:

      My Alma Paprikas have no heat whatsoever. I’ve tried them both yellow and read and there definitely isn’t any heat in my fruits.

  5. Daphne says:

    Such a beautiful and colorful harvest. I ought to make wanton soup sometime. My husband love it.

  6. Bee Girl says:

    I’m always amazed at how many peppers you grow. And they’re all so gorgeous! I cannot wait for pepper season!

  7. Diana says:

    Wow so bountiful and colourful. Enjoy looking at your basket. So many types of peppers you have.

  8. Sarah says:

    What a great variety of peper! I’ve never managed to grow a hot Padron – were they all from the same plant? Is the heat level genetic – or more to do with growing conditions?

    • Liz says:

      Nah two different plants which kind of suggests it me rather than them that was the problem. Michelle who has a lot of experience with peppers suggests growing conditions so I’m hoping that as the weather cools so will they.

  9. Louise says:

    Stunning peppers, and look at that bowl of padron. My plant offered up only two. Pathetic, but they were enjoyed. My mantra is build the soil, build the soil and eventually you will have produce… sigh. In the meantime I will look at yours with envy.

    • Liz says:

      I need to spend a bit more time on my soil too. I’ve been collecting sheep poo from mum and dads which hopefully will help.

  10. kitsapFG says:

    Beautiful harvests this week – the peppers in particular are such a nice variety of colors and shapes. The rest of the harvest basket was pretty spectacular too. Enjoy this high season of produce.

  11. Dave's SFG says:

    Beautiful harvest. Peppers are nice but I keep envying your Black Cherry tomatoes. I will be starting Padrons next week for the first time. What Michelle and others have told me is pick them very small or they will get hot.

  12. Michelle says:

    Heat and drought, (which I know you’ve experienced this summer) is a deadly duo for Padrons – sure to make them hot. I’ve learned that when they get very smooth and glossy like yours that they are going to be hot, hot , hot! Perhaps they will cool down a bit when the weather does. And they probably wouldn’t mind a regular drink of water too. They are one of the more cold tolerant peppers that I’ve grown, so let them sit through the winter and give them a good trim in the spring and you might get an early crop. It looks like you picked them the right size, I usually pick them when they are about the size of my thumb, give or take a bit.

    • Liz says:

      I reckon they were probably a fair bit bigger than my thumb so I think I left them too long. interesting about the heat and water. Presuming they survive the winter they should be fruiting earlier next year and in cooler weather as a result which i’m hoping will help. I might still get some late ones so I’ll keep an eye out and cut them early.

  13. JohnMich says:

    I found this on a site called http://www.johnyseeds.com
    “Famous Spanish heirloom.
    Named after the town where they originated. Harvest Padron peppers when they are 1-1 1/2″ long. About 1 out of 20 fruits will be hot, and the rest mild. All the fruits become hot if allowed to grow 2-3″ long.”
    Another site reckoned that eating them half grown was the equivalent of culinary Russian roulette.
    Which summarises comments above

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