Okay, we can't garden so.........
 

what seeds, plants, bulbs have people ordered for this year? Anything new
for you? Any new plants you haven't tried before.
For those of you for whom the weather is calm and pleasant - no gloating
please!

--
Sacha
http://www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
http://www.discoverdartmoor.co.uk/

Okay, we can't garden so.........
 

Sacha wrote:
: what seeds, plants, bulbs have people ordered for this year?
: Anything new for you? Any new plants you haven't tried before.
: For those of you for whom the weather is calm and pleasant - no
: gloating please!

Rough as rats here in Plymouth but I did manage to sow some more broad beans
and prune the gooseberries on Sunday. I am trying a few different seeds this
year, one of which is cardoon (Gigante Di Romangna). This is really for
novelty value but any tips on culture or use of the plant will be
appreciated.

www.rraa.moonfruit.com

Okay, we can't garden so.........
 

"Sacha" wrote in message
...
what seeds, plants, bulbs have people ordered for this year? Anything new
for you? Any new plants you haven't tried before.
For those of you for whom the weather is calm and pleasant - no gloating
please!

Well the weather here is obviously not as bad as your's but still not
pleasant enough to venture out to do some digging, not that I'm able to at
the moment, when I do start it will all be vegetables, have no interest in
flowers at all.

I would not have thought of planting broad beans yet, but I usually get the
times wrong anyway!(:-)

I'll be growing the usual rubbish, potatoes, runner beans, strawberries and
raspberries, tomatoes, sweet corn, leeks and a number of other things which
I cannot bring to mind at the moment.

All I can hope for is that the senile decay does not get any worse, it's
quite annoying to get up from the chair and wonder what the hell you have
stood up for!(:-)

Alan

Okay, we can't garden so.........
 

In message , Alan Holmes
writes

"Sacha" wrote in message
...
what seeds, plants, bulbs have people ordered for this year? Anything new
for you? Any new plants you haven't tried before.
For those of you for whom the weather is calm and pleasant - no gloating
please!

Well the weather here is obviously not as bad as your's but still not
pleasant enough to venture out to do some digging, not that I'm able to at
the moment, when I do start it will all be vegetables, have no interest in
flowers at all.

I would not have thought of planting broad beans yet, but I usually get the
times wrong anyway!(:-)

I'll be growing the usual rubbish, potatoes, runner beans, strawberries and
raspberries, tomatoes, sweet corn, leeks and a number of other things which
I cannot bring to mind at the moment.

Rubbish? Now you are being too modest, Alan.
All I can hope for is that the senile decay does not get any worse, it's
quite annoying to get up from the chair and wonder what the hell you have
stood up for!(:-)

Alan



--
June Hughes

Okay, we can't garden so.........
 

Sacha wrote:

what seeds, plants, bulbs have people ordered for this year? Anything new
for you?

I've got a couple of new catalogs, and I'm keen to expand the few
blackcurrants I put in last year. I've asked my sweetie to look through
the catalogs and make suggestions, and some Pagan spring planting rituals
will be in order.

So far in the Northeastern American colonies, we really haven't had winter,
but predictions are for something resembling it to come in as a Canadian
import in the next few days.


Gary Woods AKA K2AHC- PGP key on request, or at home.earthlink.net/~garygarlic
Zone 5/6 in upstate New York, 1420' elevation. NY WO G

Okay, we can't garden so.........
 

"Gary Woods" wrote in message
...
Sacha wrote:

what seeds, plants, bulbs have people ordered for this year? Anything new
for you?

I've got a couple of new catalogs, and I'm keen to expand the few
blackcurrants I put in last year. I've asked my sweetie to look through
the catalogs and make suggestions, and some Pagan spring planting rituals
will be in order.

So far in the Northeastern American colonies, we really haven't had
winter,
but predictions are for something resembling it to come in as a Canadian
import in the next few days.

Neither have we in the Westcountry of England, record overnight temperatures
of 12.3 C last night in Devon ( we're verboten to know what that is in
Fahrenheit ).

Andy

Okay, we can't garden so.........
 

Andy wrote:

So far in the Northeastern American colonies, we really haven't had
winter, but predictions are for something resembling it to come in as a Canadian
import in the next few days.

Neither have we in the Westcountry of England, record overnight temperatures
of 12.3 C last night in Devon ( we're verboten to know what that is in
Fahrenheit ).

Ah, well that is 54F give or take an inch :) Winter hasn't arrived
here on the south Devon coast either. The average temperatures for
December were 11.9C (52F) by day and 8.06 (46F) by night. So far, Jan
has given days averaging 12.89C (55F) and nights of 9.33 (49F) with
nothing below 6C (43F). Ignoring last winter (which for us was
unusually cold), temperatures are some 2C up on previous recent years.


A flower stem on a Crinum (Crinum moorei) that appeared very late in
the year has developed yet more buds. These are opening, but the
ravages of hailstorms, heavy rain and a fair amount of wind are taking
their toll. Even a climbing Bauhinia has refused to shed its leaves
and is still opening a few dishevilled flowers.

Okay, we can't garden so.........
 

On 9/1/07 19:54, in article ,
"Alan Holmes" wrote:


"Sacha" wrote in message
...
what seeds, plants, bulbs have people ordered for this year? Anything new
for you? Any new plants you haven't tried before.
For those of you for whom the weather is calm and pleasant - no gloating
please!

Well the weather here is obviously not as bad as your's but still not
pleasant enough to venture out to do some digging, not that I'm able to at
the moment, when I do start it will all be vegetables, have no interest in
flowers at all.

I would not have thought of planting broad beans yet, but I usually get the
times wrong anyway!(:-)

I'll be growing the usual rubbish, potatoes, runner beans, strawberries and
raspberries, tomatoes, sweet corn, leeks and a number of other things which
I cannot bring to mind at the moment.

All I can hope for is that the senile decay does not get any worse, it's
quite annoying to get up from the chair and wonder what the hell you have
stood up for!(:-)

Oh dear, I think we're all familiar with that one! We'll grow tomatoes but
I don't think we're likely to grow much more than that. Not only is it a
question of space, it's also time. Once things get really busy customer
wise everything else goes by the board.
--
Sacha
http://www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
http://www.discoverdartmoor.co.uk/

Okay, we can't garden so.........
 

On 10/1/07 08:06, in article
, "DavePoole Torquay"
wrote:

Andy wrote:

So far in the Northeastern American colonies, we really haven't had
winter, but predictions are for something resembling it to come in as a
Canadian
import in the next few days.

Neither have we in the Westcountry of England, record overnight temperatures
of 12.3 C last night in Devon ( we're verboten to know what that is in
Fahrenheit ).

Ah, well that is 54F give or take an inch :) Winter hasn't arrived
here on the south Devon coast either. The average temperatures for
December were 11.9C (52F) by day and 8.06 (46F) by night. So far, Jan
has given days averaging 12.89C (55F) and nights of 9.33 (49F) with
nothing below 6C (43F). Ignoring last winter (which for us was
unusually cold), temperatures are some 2C up on previous recent years.


A flower stem on a Crinum (Crinum moorei) that appeared very late in
the year has developed yet more buds. These are opening, but the
ravages of hailstorms, heavy rain and a fair amount of wind are taking
their toll. Even a climbing Bauhinia has refused to shed its leaves
and is still opening a few dishevilled flowers.

Any minute now you'll tell us that the Hardenbergia is in full flower. ;-)
Actually, the one we gave my son is attempting to flower now in Jersey and
an Alyogyne he has outside has a flower open. It makes us very envious.
--
Sacha
http://www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
http://www.discoverdartmoor.co.uk/

Okay, we can't garden so.........
 

"Alan Holmes" wrote in message
...

"Sacha" wrote in message
...
what seeds, plants, bulbs have people ordered for this year? Anything
new
for you? Any new plants you haven't tried before.
For those of you for whom the weather is calm and pleasant - no gloating
please!

Well the weather here is obviously not as bad as your's but still not
pleasant enough to venture out to do some digging, not that I'm able to at
the moment, when I do start it will all be vegetables, have no interest in
flowers at all.

I would not have thought of planting broad beans yet, but I usually get
the times wrong anyway!(:-)

I'll be growing the usual rubbish, potatoes, runner beans, strawberries
and raspberries, tomatoes, sweet corn, leeks and a number of other things
which I cannot bring to mind at the moment.

My wife will do potatoes (like desiree and might try maris piper this year);
she does the digging and likes doing it.
and we will probably do tomatoes in the greenhouse (sungold plus one other).
My wish list for this year is headed by pumpkins. Last year I ended up
growing one plant by accident (meant to do more) and got 2 pumpkins and they
were a revelation. This year I want to grow 3 or 4 plants.
I am also a glutton for fashion whims and now want globe artichokes after
seeing that Carol Klein digging up muddy handfuls and making chips.
Otherwise, every year, I promise I will start Asparagus and never do.
Finally, I want to try peas and or broad beans.
The other new years resolutions, I have forgotten :-)

Des in Dublin



All I can hope for is that the senile decay does not get any worse, it's
quite annoying to get up from the chair and wonder what the hell you have
stood up for!(:-)

Alan

Okay, we can't garden so.........
 

"Andy" wrote in message
...

"Gary Woods" wrote in message
...
Sacha wrote:

what seeds, plants, bulbs have people ordered for this year? Anything
new
for you?

I've got a couple of new catalogs, and I'm keen to expand the few
blackcurrants I put in last year. I've asked my sweetie to look through
the catalogs and make suggestions, and some Pagan spring planting rituals
will be in order.

So far in the Northeastern American colonies, we really haven't had
winter,
but predictions are for something resembling it to come in as a Canadian
import in the next few days.

Neither have we in the Westcountry of England, record overnight
temperatures of 12.3 C last night in Devon ( we're verboten to know what
that is in Fahrenheit ).

For a rough estimate, double it and add 30!

Alan


Andy

Okay, we can't garden so.........
 

"Alan Holmes" wrote in message
...

"Andy" wrote in message
...

"Gary Woods" wrote in message
...
Sacha wrote:

what seeds, plants, bulbs have people ordered for this year? Anything
new
for you?

I've got a couple of new catalogs, and I'm keen to expand the few
blackcurrants I put in last year. I've asked my sweetie to look through
the catalogs and make suggestions, and some Pagan spring planting
rituals
will be in order.

So far in the Northeastern American colonies, we really haven't had
winter,
but predictions are for something resembling it to come in as a Canadian
import in the next few days.

Neither have we in the Westcountry of England, record overnight
temperatures of 12.3 C last night in Devon ( we're verboten to know what
that is in Fahrenheit ).

For a rough estimate, double it and add 30!


I was brough up with feet, inches, pounds, stones, miles and LSD (old money)
but I was lucky to have always used Centigrade. I am not sure why, but it
was usually commoner in Ireland, certainly since the 1960s. Do younger
(i.e. under age of 40 :-) UK folks use centigrade or farenheit?
Farenheit is hard work.
I lived in Germany for a bit and have now gotten used to kilos and
kilometers and have been using decimal currency since it came in but still
cannot get used to measuring people (height or weight) except in feet and
stones.
Temperature in centigrade is nice and simple though, thankfully.



Alan


Andy

Okay, we can't garden so.........
 

Des Higgins wrote:
My wish list for this year is headed by pumpkins. Last year I ended up
growing one plant by accident (meant to do more) and got 2 pumpkins and they
were a revelation. This year I want to grow 3 or 4 plants.

We really enjoy growing the italian varieties from
http://www.seedsofitaly.com/catalogue/8. There's a dark flesh variety
on the organic section which is amazing roasted.

I am also a glutton for fashion whims and now want globe artichokes after
seeing that Carol Klein digging up muddy handfuls and making chips.

Interesting that. I usually eat my globe artichokes with a vinaigrette
;o)

Otherwise, every year, I promise I will start Asparagus and never do.
Finally, I want to try peas and or broad beans.

There the easiest ones !! This year I'm doing Monstrueux de Carantan
leeks - a childhood leek variety which grow as thick as my arm and
Jubilee Hysor and Sutton broad beans for experiment. The later is
perfect for exposed gardens - I found this claim funny so I thought
I'll try them.

The other new years resolutions, I have forgotten :-)

Just as well - you are what you is :o)

Okay, we can't garden so.........
 

"Des Higgins" wrote in message
. ie...

I am also a glutton for fashion whims and now want globe artichokes after
seeing that Carol Klein digging up muddy handfuls and making chips.
Des in Dublin

Are those the Irish undeground version of Jerusalem Artichokes:-)

Okay, we can't garden so.........
 

"Rupert (W.Yorkshire)" wrote in message
...

"Des Higgins" wrote in message
. ie...

I am also a glutton for fashion whims and now want globe artichokes after
seeing that Carol Klein digging up muddy handfuls and making chips.
Des in Dublin

Are those the Irish undeground version of Jerusalem Artichokes:-)

Ahhhhhhhhh bugger!!!
got me Cynaras and me Helianthusses mixed up so I did.
That's a fair cop guv.
(both silly names anyway :-)

Okay, we can't garden so.........
 

Des Higgins wrote:
My wife will do potatoes (like desiree and might try maris piper this year);
she does the digging and likes doing it.
and we will probably do tomatoes in the greenhouse (sungold plus one other).
My wish list for this year is headed by pumpkins. Last year I ended up
growing one plant by accident (meant to do more) and got 2 pumpkins and they
were a revelation. This year I want to grow 3 or 4 plants.
I am also a glutton for fashion whims and now want globe artichokes after
seeing that Carol Klein digging up muddy handfuls and making chips.

Jerusalem artichokes are yummy - never mind fashion and flatulence. If
you find a supplier in the Dublin area, let me know!

Otherwise, every year, I promise I will start Asparagus and never do.

If you do, do a better job than I have, complete with dead donkey at
bottom of abyssal trench.

Finally, I want to try peas and or broad beans.

I did both last year - the peas were not a great success. But the
broad beans were fantabulous. It was my first time ever, and will
definitely not be the last. If you must choose, I'd recommend the
broad beans.


The other new years resolutions, I have forgotten :-)

I am still refining mine.


Des in Dublin

Cat(h)

Okay, we can't garden so.........
 

"Cat(h)" wrote:

Jerusalem artichokes are yummy - never mind fashion and flatulence.

They're native, I believe, to the Mohawk River valley of upper/central
(New) York. The native tribal types used them for winter food, which must
have made the lodges interesting on a winter's night... I have a nice big
patch of them that is bent on world domination. Yes, they are gassy. No,
I don't care.
I'm guessing that shipping the across the pond would cause major problems
at the customs checkpoints?


Gary Woods AKA K2AHC- PGP key on request, or at home.earthlink.net/~garygarlic
Zone 5/6 in upstate New York, 1420' elevation. NY WO G

Okay, we can't garden so.........
 

"Cat(h)" wrote in message
oups.com...

Des Higgins wrote:
My wife will do potatoes (like desiree and might try maris piper this
year);
she does the digging and likes doing it.
and we will probably do tomatoes in the greenhouse (sungold plus one
other).
My wish list for this year is headed by pumpkins. Last year I ended up
growing one plant by accident (meant to do more) and got 2 pumpkins and
they
were a revelation. This year I want to grow 3 or 4 plants.
I am also a glutton for fashion whims and now want globe artichokes after
seeing that Carol Klein digging up muddy handfuls and making chips.

Jerusalem artichokes are yummy - never mind fashion and flatulence. If
you find a supplier in the Dublin area, let me know!

Otherwise, every year, I promise I will start Asparagus and never do.

If you do, do a better job than I have, complete with dead donkey at
bottom of abyssal trench.

How many plants did you do; how long ago did you plant them and what
variety?
Is it worth a shot?

Okay, we can't garden so.........
 

"Gary Woods" wrote in message
...
"Cat(h)" wrote:

Jerusalem artichokes are yummy - never mind fashion and flatulence.

They're native, I believe, to the Mohawk River valley of upper/central
(New) York. The native tribal types used them for winter food, which must
have made the lodges interesting on a winter's night... I have a nice big
patch of them that is bent on world domination. Yes, they are gassy. No,
I don't care.
I'm guessing that shipping the across the pond would cause major problems
at the customs checkpoints?

Hi Gary: UK folks can get them easily from several suppliers. They do not
supply to Ireland (the ones I have checked so far anyway).
I will just get one from a local garden centre and stand back.

Des




Gary Woods AKA K2AHC- PGP key on request, or at
home.earthlink.net/~garygarlic
Zone 5/6 in upstate New York, 1420' elevation. NY WO G

Okay, we can't garden so.........
 

"Des Higgins" wrote in message
. ie...

"Rupert (W.Yorkshire)" wrote in message
...

"Des Higgins" wrote in message
. ie...

I am also a glutton for fashion whims and now want globe artichokes
after
seeing that Carol Klein digging up muddy handfuls and making chips.
Des in Dublin

Are those the Irish undeground version of Jerusalem Artichokes:-)

Ahhhhhhhhh bugger!!!
got me Cynaras and me Helianthusses mixed up so I did.
That's a fair cop guv.
(both silly names anyway :-)

Cynaras and Artichokes is different. Now you do have to have be very strange
to want to eat Cardoons.
If you do go for J Artichokes then get the ones that make big fat
tubers-because they are a swine to clean.The small things take ages to get
the muck out of all the crevices,even after boiling.
And there is nothing wrong with the fart thingy-it aerates one's piles.

Okay, we can't garden so.........
 

"Cat(h)" wrote in message
oups.com...

Des Higgins wrote:
My wife will do potatoes (like desiree and might try maris piper this
year);
she does the digging and likes doing it.
and we will probably do tomatoes in the greenhouse (sungold plus one
other).
My wish list for this year is headed by pumpkins. Last year I ended up
growing one plant by accident (meant to do more) and got 2 pumpkins and
they
were a revelation. This year I want to grow 3 or 4 plants.
I am also a glutton for fashion whims and now want globe artichokes after
seeing that Carol Klein digging up muddy handfuls and making chips.

Jerusalem artichokes are yummy - never mind fashion and flatulence. If
you find a supplier in the Dublin area, let me know!


Dobies say they deliver Artichokes to Ireland.
http://www.dobies.co.uk/default.aspx

Okay, we can't garden so.........
 

Des Higgins wrote:
How many plants did you do; how long ago did you plant them and what
variety?

The broadbeans I grow are Jubilee Hysor - fat yummy pods on sturdy
plants and Sutton broad beans is an experiment as it is said they're
great in an 'exposed' garden (I suspect it's because they're a dwarf
variety). I sow at the beginning/mid March, when I find a dry day, 15cm
apart, 20 per 2x row. Though lots of people sow in the autumn. I find
it usually too wet up here in Manc.

Peas are easy and wonderful. The one I have used 3 years running now
are Onward and Little Marvel (I mix them). 8/10cm apart, I sow 2 peas
together and remove the wicker plant. Then on the other side I sow 20
cm apart and the following week I sow in between so I usually get peas
up to October some years!

Is it worth a shot?

Anything is worth a shot!! You don't need a garden to grow veg! I
always sow too much because I consume a lot in situ :o)

Okay, we can't garden so.........
 

"Rupert (W.Yorkshire)" wrote in message
...

"Des Higgins" wrote in message
. ie...

"Rupert (W.Yorkshire)" wrote in message
...

"Des Higgins" wrote in message
. ie...

I am also a glutton for fashion whims and now want globe artichokes
after
seeing that Carol Klein digging up muddy handfuls and making chips.
Des in Dublin

Are those the Irish undeground version of Jerusalem Artichokes:-)

Ahhhhhhhhh bugger!!!
got me Cynaras and me Helianthusses mixed up so I did.
That's a fair cop guv.
(both silly names anyway :-)

Cynaras and Artichokes is different. Now you do have to have be very
strange to want to eat Cardoons.

Believe it or not (and here I puff out my large manly chest and seek revenge
for having been caught mixing up my edible daisies and thistles)
Cardoons are very edible (I had them in Madrid in a student restaurant 18
months ago; seemed to be stems or big leaf stalks) where they were called
Cardo and I guessed what they were and they tasted strongly of the thick
creamy sauce that was ladled all over them and I survived and they seemed
nice enough. Probably had to be boiled in caustic potash for a week. Globe
Artichokes are also Cynaras though: Cynara scolymus (says I after a hasty
google to check). That'll teach you for pointing out my embarassing
vegetable blunders.

If you do go for J Artichokes then get the ones that make big fat
tubers-because they are a swine to clean.The small things take ages to get
the muck out of all the crevices,even after boiling.
And there is nothing wrong with the fart thingy-it aerates one's piles.


I already ehhhhh have well aerated piles so it is possible the J-artichokes
could even improve matters.
I found Dobies deliver them to Ireland so here goes. I used to have a clump
of something very similar (invasive perennial sunflowers with mad knobbly
roots) when I lived in UK in mid 90s and they were beautiful plants so I am
happy to try them anyway. The chips will be a bonus :-).

Des

Okay, we can't garden so.........
 

Des Higgins wrote:
"Cat(h)" wrote in message
oups.com...

Des Higgins wrote:
My wife will do potatoes (like desiree and might try maris piper this
year);
she does the digging and likes doing it.
and we will probably do tomatoes in the greenhouse (sungold plus one
other).
My wish list for this year is headed by pumpkins. Last year I ended up
growing one plant by accident (meant to do more) and got 2 pumpkins and
they
were a revelation. This year I want to grow 3 or 4 plants.
I am also a glutton for fashion whims and now want globe artichokes after
seeing that Carol Klein digging up muddy handfuls and making chips.

Jerusalem artichokes are yummy - never mind fashion and flatulence. If
you find a supplier in the Dublin area, let me know!

Otherwise, every year, I promise I will start Asparagus and never do.

If you do, do a better job than I have, complete with dead donkey at
bottom of abyssal trench.

How many plants did you do; how long ago did you plant them and what
variety?

I planted four crowns about 2 1/2 years ago. I dug a big trench, and
put lots of manure and compost - no deceased animals because I had none
to hand, and the neighbour's cats run too fast when they see me. I
can't remember the variety: I bought them in pots from that garden
centre on the side of the N8 in Kilcoran near Cahir (worth stopping at,
by the way), I am not even sure they were labelled! The crowns were
fairly smallish when I planted them.

Is it worth a shot?

I sure hope so, but so far all I have had to show for my efforts was
one spear I could not resist (eaten raw last spring after a quick run
under the tap) and nice fluffy fronds. I could not harvest it because
it was too young. This winter, I have cut down the fronds and mulshed
over the top. I suspect I should re-do the whole thing and relocated
them more judiciously, though, because I lost one of them or at least I
think I did, due to trampling.
I live in hope to get a few spears this coming spring. Not sure
whether 3/4 plants is enough for me, but I'll soon find out.

Cat(h)

Okay, we can't garden so.........
 

Gary Woods wrote:
"Cat(h)" wrote:

Jerusalem artichokes are yummy - never mind fashion and flatulence.

They're native, I believe, to the Mohawk River valley of upper/central
(New) York. The native tribal types used them for winter food, which must
have made the lodges interesting on a winter's night... I have a nice big
patch of them that is bent on world domination. Yes, they are gassy. No,
I don't care.
I'm guessing that shipping the across the pond would cause major problems
at the customs checkpoints?

I'd say it just might! And I have found JA in a veg shop in the past.
I understand that just like garlic, you can plant what you would
normally buy from the grocer's to eat, so I may be able to do it that
way.
Alternatively, I'll order from Des's UK based supplier.

Cat(h)

Okay, we can't garden so.........
 

"Cat(h)" wrote in message
ups.com...

Des Higgins wrote:
"Cat(h)" wrote in message
oups.com...

Des Higgins wrote:
My wife will do potatoes (like desiree and might try maris piper this
year);
she does the digging and likes doing it.
and we will probably do tomatoes in the greenhouse (sungold plus one
other).
My wish list for this year is headed by pumpkins. Last year I ended
up
growing one plant by accident (meant to do more) and got 2 pumpkins
and
they
were a revelation. This year I want to grow 3 or 4 plants.
I am also a glutton for fashion whims and now want globe artichokes
after
seeing that Carol Klein digging up muddy handfuls and making chips.

Jerusalem artichokes are yummy - never mind fashion and flatulence. If
you find a supplier in the Dublin area, let me know!

Otherwise, every year, I promise I will start Asparagus and never do.

If you do, do a better job than I have, complete with dead donkey at
bottom of abyssal trench.

How many plants did you do; how long ago did you plant them and what
variety?

I planted four crowns about 2 1/2 years ago. I dug a big trench, and
put lots of manure and compost - no deceased animals because I had none
to hand, and the neighbour's cats run too fast when they see me. I
can't remember the variety: I bought them in pots from that garden
centre on the side of the N8 in Kilcoran near Cahir (worth stopping at,
by the way), I am not even sure they were labelled! The crowns were
fairly smallish when I planted them.

Is it worth a shot?

I sure hope so, but so far all I have had to show for my efforts was
one spear I could not resist (eaten raw last spring after a quick run
under the tap) and nice fluffy fronds. I could not harvest it because
it was too young. This winter, I have cut down the fronds and mulshed
over the top. I suspect I should re-do the whole thing and relocated
them more judiciously, though, because I lost one of them or at least I
think I did, due to trampling.
I live in hope to get a few spears this coming spring. Not sure
whether 3/4 plants is enough for me, but I'll soon find out.

Cat(h)

I've never grown asparagus but I saw some fantastic very tall ferny stuff
last summer in a neighbours garden. I want to grow it just for the foliage.
Is the foliage normally 5 feet tall.? I got some of the orange seed so it's
worth a go.

Okay, we can't garden so.........
 

Sacha wrote:
what seeds, plants, bulbs have people ordered for this year? Anything new
for you? Any new plants you haven't tried before.

I find this most disturbing... You know, some of us (the fair weather
gardening kind) don't venture into our "pleasant outdoor room" until
the risk of sinking past our knees in the lawn on the way to the veg
patch is well passed. That might explain why we have to get 90% of our
tomato trusses in for final ripening at the end of the season, mind...
Anyway, some of us are still in gardening hibernation :-)

For those of you for whom the weather is calm and pleasant - no gloating
please!


It has been, for almost 24 hours. Naaaaaanaaaaaanananaaaaaaaaah.

Cat(h)

Okay, we can't garden so.........
 

Rupert (W.Yorkshire) wrote:
I've never grown asparagus but I saw some fantastic very tall ferny stuff
last summer in a neighbours garden. I want to grow it just for the foliage.
Is the foliage normally 5 feet tall.? I got some of the orange seed so it's
worth a go.

Rupert, we grew asparagus at our last house in the City where we were
on better soil than we have here. We had approximately 4 dozen, three
year old crowns, when we bought them. We were unable to eat from them
the first year we planted them but the following year produced a good
crop so that we could eat the spears about twice a week. The year
after, we could eat them more often and I have fond memories of me
(years ago!) in a bath with a glass of champage and asparagus with
butter dripping from it. I was getting over a nasty cold and my
husband was spoiling me.

Judith at Home in England.

Okay, we can't garden so.........
 

Rupert (W.Yorkshire) wrote:
"Cat(h)" wrote in message
I've never grown asparagus but I saw some fantastic very tall ferny stuff
last summer in a neighbours garden. I want to grow it just for the foliage.
Is the foliage normally 5 feet tall.?

Mine certainly was.

I got some of the orange seed so it's
worth a go.

I hope you have plenty of patience :-) That said, the spears are a far
greater attraction - to my greedy guts, at any rate.

Cat(h)

Okay, we can't garden so.........
 

judith lea wrote:
Rupert (W.Yorkshire) wrote:
I've never grown asparagus but I saw some fantastic very tall ferny stuff
last summer in a neighbours garden. I want to grow it just for the foliage.
Is the foliage normally 5 feet tall.? I got some of the orange seed so it's
worth a go.

Rupert, we grew asparagus at our last house in the City where we were
on better soil than we have here. We had approximately 4 dozen, three
year old crowns, when we bought them. We were unable to eat from them
the first year we planted them but the following year produced a good
crop so that we could eat the spears about twice a week. The year
after, we could eat them more often and I have fond memories of me
(years ago!) in a bath with a glass of champage and asparagus with
butter dripping from it. I was getting over a nasty cold and my
husband was spoiling me.

God above! that does it. I'm redoing the asparagus bed, and getting
the beloved to revamp the bathroom.

Cat(h)

Okay, we can't garden so.........
 

"Cat(h)" wrote in message
oups.com...

Gary Woods wrote:
"Cat(h)" wrote:

Jerusalem artichokes are yummy - never mind fashion and flatulence.

They're native, I believe, to the Mohawk River valley of upper/central
(New) York. The native tribal types used them for winter food, which
must
have made the lodges interesting on a winter's night... I have a nice big
patch of them that is bent on world domination. Yes, they are gassy.
No,
I don't care.
I'm guessing that shipping the across the pond would cause major problems
at the customs checkpoints?

I'd say it just might! And I have found JA in a veg shop in the past.
I understand that just like garlic, you can plant what you would
normally buy from the grocer's to eat, so I may be able to do it that
way.

That is where I got my last lot, and they grew just fine.

Alternatively, I'll order from Des's UK based supplier.


Alan

Okay, we can't garden so.........
 

On 10/1/07 14:57, in article ,
"Gary Woods" wrote:

"Cat(h)" wrote:

Jerusalem artichokes are yummy - never mind fashion and flatulence.

They're native, I believe, to the Mohawk River valley of upper/central
(New) York. The native tribal types used them for winter food, which must
have made the lodges interesting on a winter's night... I have a nice big
patch of them that is bent on world domination. Yes, they are gassy. No,
I don't care.
snip

I make soup with them and it doesn't seem to be such a problem!

--
Sacha
http://www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
http://www.discoverdartmoor.co.uk/

Okay, we can't garden so.........
 

On 10/1/07 16:03, in article
, "Des Higgins"
wrote:


"Rupert (W.Yorkshire)" wrote in message
...

"Des Higgins" wrote in message
. ie...

"Rupert (W.Yorkshire)" wrote in message
...

"Des Higgins" wrote in message
. ie...

I am also a glutton for fashion whims and now want globe artichokes
after
seeing that Carol Klein digging up muddy handfuls and making chips.
Des in Dublin

Are those the Irish undeground version of Jerusalem Artichokes:-)

Ahhhhhhhhh bugger!!!
got me Cynaras and me Helianthusses mixed up so I did.
That's a fair cop guv.
(both silly names anyway :-)

Cynaras and Artichokes is different. Now you do have to have be very
strange to want to eat Cardoons.

Believe it or not (and here I puff out my large manly chest and seek revenge
for having been caught mixing up my edible daisies and thistles)
Cardoons are very edible (I had them in Madrid in a student restaurant 18
months ago; seemed to be stems or big leaf stalks) where they were called
Cardo and I guessed what they were and they tasted strongly of the thick
creamy sauce that was ladled all over them and I survived and they seemed
nice enough.
snip

I think they have to be blanched before they're cooked - earthed up, or
something. I remember we had this discussion some time ago on urg. But
cardoons grown as ornamental plants are fabulously spectacular - real show
stoppers in the garden.
--
Sacha
http://www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
http://www.discoverdartmoor.co.uk/

Okay, we can't garden so.........
 

Sacha wrote:
But
cardoons grown as ornamental plants are fabulously spectacular - real show
stoppers in the garden.

They are great self seeders as well - I'm forever removing those that
self seeded in the wrong place eg. amongst the strawberries. I've tried
to move them but they didn't like this at all.

Okay, we can't garden so.........
 

"Sacha" wrote in message
...
On 10/1/07 14:57, in article ,
"Gary Woods" wrote:

"Cat(h)" wrote:

Jerusalem artichokes are yummy - never mind fashion and flatulence.

They're native, I believe, to the Mohawk River valley of upper/central
(New) York. The native tribal types used them for winter food, which
must
have made the lodges interesting on a winter's night... I have a nice
big
patch of them that is bent on world domination. Yes, they are gassy.
No,
I don't care.
snip

I make soup with them and it doesn't seem to be such a problem!

--
Sacha
http://www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
http://www.discoverdartmoor.co.uk/

It is if you give it to the dog (I speak from experiance!)

--
Charlie, gardening in Cornwall.
http://www.roselandhouse.co.uk
Holders of National Plant Collections of Clematis viticella (cvs) and
Lapageria rosea

Okay, we can't garden so.........
 

Des Higgins wrote:

Dobies say they deliver Artichokes to Ireland.
http://www.dobies.co.uk/default.aspx


Ta Des. Apparently, they deliver in Feb, which means I should really
order now-ish if I am going to plant them at all this year. Gasp. I
am not psychologicallly ready for this. I am in totally indoors mode
at the mo, and really could not face wading my way out to the cabbage
patch... My week end morning runs on the Curragh are my main (only?)
outdoorsy forray, these days...

Cat(h)

Okay, we can't garden so.........
 

Cat(h) wrote:

God above! that does it. I'm redoing the asparagus bed, and getting
the beloved to revamp the bathroom.

Cat(h)

You have just given me a big belly laugh - I laughed so much I tipped
wine over the keyboard so I hope I can type later on.

Giggling Judith at home

Okay, we can't garden so.........
 

"Sacha" wrote in message
...
On 10/1/07 16:03, in article
, "Des Higgins"
wrote:


"Rupert (W.Yorkshire)" wrote in message
...

"Des Higgins" wrote in message
. ie...

"Rupert (W.Yorkshire)" wrote in message
...

"Des Higgins" wrote in message
. ie...

I am also a glutton for fashion whims and now want globe artichokes
after
seeing that Carol Klein digging up muddy handfuls and making chips.
Des in Dublin

Are those the Irish undeground version of Jerusalem Artichokes:-)

Ahhhhhhhhh bugger!!!
got me Cynaras and me Helianthusses mixed up so I did.
That's a fair cop guv.
(both silly names anyway :-)

Cynaras and Artichokes is different. Now you do have to have be very
strange to want to eat Cardoons.

Believe it or not (and here I puff out my large manly chest and seek
revenge
for having been caught mixing up my edible daisies and thistles)
Cardoons are very edible (I had them in Madrid in a student restaurant 18
months ago; seemed to be stems or big leaf stalks) where they were called
Cardo and I guessed what they were and they tasted strongly of the thick
creamy sauce that was ladled all over them and I survived and they seemed
nice enough.
snip

I think they have to be blanched before they're cooked - earthed up, or
something. I remember we had this discussion some time ago on urg. But
cardoons grown as ornamental plants are fabulously spectacular - real show
stoppers in the garden.

We have both cardoon and artichoke (well one of each; small front garden);
the cardoon is more spectacular but the artichoke is neater (and easier to
eat :-).

--
Sacha
http://www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
http://www.discoverdartmoor.co.uk/

Okay, we can't garden so.........
 

Des Higgins wrote:

We have both cardoon and artichoke (well one of each; small front garden);
the cardoon is more spectacular but the artichoke is neater (and easier to
eat :-).


I love Cardoons but they turn my fingers black, is there a way to avoid
this?

Judith at home in England

Okay, we can't garden so.........
 

"judith lea" wrote in message
ups.com...

Des Higgins wrote:

We have both cardoon and artichoke (well one of each; small front
garden);
the cardoon is more spectacular but the artichoke is neater (and easier
to
eat :-).


I love Cardoons but they turn my fingers black, is there a way to avoid
this?

Judith at home in England

How strange. Does no other part of your body turn black after eating them.?