Slow-Cooked Lamb Shoulder with Root Veggies

Carrots

• Sow seeds directly into loose, stone-free soil in early spring for a summer harvest, or late summer for an autumn crop.
• Ensure consistent moisture, especially during germination, and thin seedlings to 2-4 inches apart for proper root development.
• Choose a site with full sun and well-drained soil to prevent root rot.

Parsnips

• Direct sow seeds in early spring into deep, loose soil, as they have a long germination period.
• Keep the soil consistently moist until germination, which can take up to three weeks, and thin seedlings to 4-6 inches apart.
• Parsnips benefit from a few frosts before harvesting, which converts starches to sugars, enhancing their flavor.

Rosemary

• Plant rosemary in a sunny spot with well-drained soil; it thrives in Mediterranean conditions and can tolerate some drought once established.
• It can be grown from cuttings or small plants and is suitable for containers, especially in regions with cold winters where it can be moved indoors.
• Prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape and encourage new growth, avoiding heavy pruning into old wood.

• Protect carrots and parsnips from carrot root fly by using fine mesh insect netting or by companion planting with strong-smelling herbs like rosemary or sage.

• Hand-pick any visible slugs or snails from young carrot and parsnip seedlings, especially after rain.

• Spray rosemary with a strong jet of water to dislodge aphids, or use a neem oil solution for more persistent infestations.

Carrots

• Harvest carrots when their shoulders emerge from the soil and are about 1 inch in diameter, or when they reach your desired size.
• Loosen the soil around the roots carefully before pulling to avoid snapping the taproot.
• Leaving carrots in the ground too long can make them woody and less flavorful; harvest before they crack.

Parsnips

• Harvest parsnips after the first few hard frosts, typically in late autumn or early winter, when the roots are well-sized and sweet.
• Dig carefully to avoid breaking the long taproot, using a fork to loosen the soil around the plant.
• Parsnips can be left in the ground through winter in mild climates and harvested as needed, but they will become woody if left too long into spring.

Rosemary

• Snip sprigs of rosemary as needed, cutting stems just above a leaf node to encourage new branching.
• Harvesting regularly, but not more than one-third of the plant at a time, promotes bushier growth.
• The flavor is strongest before the plant flowers; older, woody stems can be less aromatic.