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Ag News November 2010
Harvesting Your Fall Garden Vegetables
Now that we have begun to get much needed rain and cool weather, many of the vegetables planted in late summer
and early fall are ready to harvest, or will be soon.
The key is to harvest at the proper stage for best quality.
Here are a few guidelines for some common cool-season crops.
Root Crops – Harvest when the root is the proper size. Usually, the top of the root is readily visible at ground
level, but it is easy enough to brush aside the soil at the base of the leaves to check on the size of the root.
Harvest radishes and carrots when the root is about one inch across. Carrots can also be left in the ground once
they are mature and harvested as needed.
Harvest turnips when they are two inches to three inches and rutabagas when they are four inches across.
Beets are best harvested at two-three inches. Proper spacing at planting is critical. Leaving the seedlings too
crowded is a common reason for root crops to produce small or misshapen roots.
Broccoli heads. Harvest is not based on the size of the head; instead they should be harvested when the largest
individual flower buds are about the size of a kitchen match head. Do not allow the heads to open to produce a
yellow flower. Also remember that smaller side heads will develop after the main head has been harvested so
leave the plant in place for additional harvest.
Cauliflower. Harvest also depends more on the appearance of the head rather than its size. The curds of the
head should be relatively smooth. If allowed to stay on too long, the head will begin to separate and lose
quality. If you do not blanch your cauliflower by covering the head with the plants’ leaves, it may turn off color
but the plant is still good to eat.
Leafy Crops. These crops should be harvested frequently by breaking off the lowest, largest leaves. Harvest the
entire head of semi-heading varieties of lettuce such as bibb, Buttercrunch and romaine when the head is fully
developed.
Cabbage. Cabbage is ready when the head is solid and hard.
Bunching onions and green shallots. They can both be harvested anytime during winter when the tops are large
enough. Dig up the entire clump and separate off ½ to ¾ of the bunch, and then replant for future harvesting.
Choosing Your Christmas Tree
In the next few weeks, you will begin to see Christmas Trees at various lots and nurseries and businesses in the parish.
If you would like to see pictures and read about the varieties of trees used you can go to our LSU Web Page. Type in
www.lsuagcenter.com. In the search box at the top type in “Beginning to look a lot like Christmas”. Click on it and you
can see the pictures of the most common trees and a few bits of information about each one.
Fruit Tree Planting
Citrus is our most common fruit tree planted in the area. Others can be grown with more care given.
Figs are a good choice – Varieties include Celeste, LSU Purple, LSU Gold, Brown Turkey, O’Rourke, Champagne and Tiger.
Blueberries are often tried here. They can be grown but much of our soil has to be amended to an acid soil. They need
full sun and varieties include Premier, Tifblue, Climax and Brightwell.
Persimmons Native and oriental varieties. Oriental is preferred. Varieties include Hana Fuyu and Fuyu.
Pomegranites Little bit of interest lately with the health benefits related to it. They really like cool winters and hot, dry
summers. Variety – Wonderful.
Question and Answer
Question When is the best time to take a soil sample?
Answer Now is a good time so adjustment can be made before spring planting. Cost is $10.00.