It's been an incredibly slow summer in the garden. At first I thought it was all the cold spring, which has made a difference for everyone. But on top of it I think the 3 cubic yards of composted manure I added to my new beds (the 4th yard is still on the floor of the garage) led to prolific growth for some plants, stunted growth for others, and restrained flowering and fruiting for most. I don't want to go all Hobbesian but maybe the rich environment doesn't lend itself to vegetables feeling the need to survive? And I know this is not really an accurate interpretation of Hobbes but it comes to mind that maybe for some the nasty, brutish and short life inspires urgency. I guess that's more Conservative Republican. Big compost keeping the little man down.
But not the turnips.
The turnips I planted on a whim in the midst of a rare turnip craving (I.E. heretofore non-existent) thinking they would come up in time for fall soups. Unlike my carrots and beets which have scarcely grown at all, this root has been happy and fast. Alas I am not quite yet in the mood for turnips. I harvested just 5 - two small that were too close to others, and three good size ones - and the greens were outlandish - oversized, lush, indulgent - nothing like the frugality I associate with the humble turnip (thanks to Socks for Supper - a good read at any age). I blanched and froze them looking forward to vitamins in winter. The roots I sliced and browned with garlic. Passable - but I'm looking for other summer appropriate options when I pull the rest of them - in time to lay down a second crop for fall.
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