Comments for

Comment on Limping out the other side by crocuskitchengarden

crocuskitchengarden — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 21:16:59 +0000

it’s not really because of being African, it’s just cos I’m impatient

you get broad beans a month earlier if you sow them in November to overwinter, as they have a head start and grow away pretty happily from about now. Those seeds I sowed direct will take another month to even show above the soil – by which time my November-sown plants will be well away.

And Jo – broad beans are delicious, especially when picked very young, and so easy to grow! If you have a corner of your plot somewhere you really should give them a try…

Comment on Limping out the other side by Meredith

Meredith — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 16:36:34 +0000

I’ve never grown broad beans… but I’ve eaten favas in France before, and I could see why you’d want to grow them. I guess because they are of African origin, they need a head-start in your climate?

Comment on Limping out the other side by Jo

Jo — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 09:02:48 +0000

I don’t grow broad beans, but I suppose those casualties are worth it if you can get a head start with the rest.

Comment on Tales of an impatient gardener by Meredith

Meredith — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 04:51:13 +0000

I have the same problem. Of course, our seasonal schedules are off a bit due to our different climates: I sowed things I shouldn’t have in mid-January, and I continue to be impatient and imprudent as we’ve had the worst winter for this area since the 1940s, according to the old-timers, and it’s just about killing me that spring isn’t already here. I sympathize utterly. (Did you know you can put your pepper and eggplant seedlings on top of your fridge until they germinate? The bit of extra heat generated by your appliance’s workings might get them off to a better start. Once they’re going, they don’t need it as much… or so I hear. Worked for me one year!)

Comment on Tales of an impatient gardener by Jo

Jo — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:46:11 +0000

I’m exactly the same. In my heart of hearts I know it’s too early to sow, so why did I do just that a fortnight ago? I’ve had good germination, but now I’ve got to nurture them much longer than I would have if I had just waited another couple of weeks. Will we ever learn?

Comment on Forcing the issue #2 by Jo

Jo — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 12:41:40 +0000

I bet you can’t wait to taste those first strawberries. That’s one of the delights of growing your own. I love the tin bath, they’re so useful for a number of things.

Comment on Safeguarding the future by crocuskitchengarden

crocuskitchengarden — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 10:27:29 +0000

Go for it Jo – it’s a fantastic organisation and I’ve been wanting to support them for ages, just haven’t got around to it.

And ME – I think pictures are in order for this heirloom bean! You can contribute heirloom seeds to the HSL, you know – so perhaps you should get in touch…?

Comment on Pick of the month: February by crocuskitchengarden

crocuskitchengarden — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 10:24:23 +0000

ME – that’s great, parsnips are often considered a bit of a boring vegetable here (not by me, I hasten to add) so it’s a tonic to know some people have to search them out as exotics! If you have trouble growing them in your soil, try them in pots – in fact I’m considering doing just that myself as my soil isn’t great either. All they really need is some cold weather – you don’t say where you are in the world but I’ll bet you could have a go. By the way never heard of them used in borscht but there’s a wicked recipe for parsnip and apple soup which I may just have to make and post here some time

Bilbo – you’re quite right, the Oods were on the Doctor’s side in the end. So we forgive them their bright red eyes and parsnip-like appearance.

Jo – I grew T&T the other year myself – very nice and pretty reliable as I remember it – good luck!

Comment on Safeguarding the future by M. E. Wickham

M. E. Wickham — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 23:18:20 +0000

How exciting! I can’t think of a more worthy cause. (Saving the family heirloom bean seed, nearly extinct, was a big part of the reason d’etre for my kitchen garden.)

Comment on Safeguarding the future by Jo

Jo — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 22:13:04 +0000

I’m looking forward to seeing how they grow for you. I’ve pondered the decision of joining too.