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Essential Veg?
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cab



Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

PostPosted: Wed Dec 01, 04 9:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Ruby chard is fun, but I'd go for a variety called 'bright lights' which gives red, yellow, green, orange and pink plants!

The reall deep red ones I find have a slighty beetrooty taste, but they don't vary that much in flavour.

Sarah D



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 2584

PostPosted: Wed Dec 01, 04 2:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I grow Bright Lights every year; I use the leaves like spinach, and teh stalks look wonderful either just sauted or put into a quiche/flan. Great value - the plants produce for ages and the colours are stunning in the garden, especially over winter. Easy to grow too.

High Green Farm



Joined: 30 Nov 2004
Posts: 349
Location: Mid-Suffolk
PostPosted: Wed Dec 01, 04 3:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Tried cauliflower and savoy cabbage this year, but probably won't again. Find it quite had to keep a mulititude of bugs from eating them.

tahir



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45384
Location: Essex
PostPosted: Wed Dec 01, 04 3:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I have problems with my brassicas too, might try them under fleece next year

Jonnyboy



Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 23956
Location: under some rain.
PostPosted: Wed Dec 01, 04 3:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Celery, can't make decent stock without it.

tahir



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45384
Location: Essex
PostPosted: Wed Dec 01, 04 3:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I can't stand the stuff

Jonnyboy



Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 23956
Location: under some rain.
PostPosted: Wed Dec 01, 04 4:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I'm not overly partial to chomping on it raw but it's an essential ingrediant for me.

Bugs



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 10744

PostPosted: Wed Dec 01, 04 4:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Jonnyboy wrote:
Celery, can't make decent stock without it.


Do you really grow it?? I thought it was quite difficult?

I don't like it myself but OH is training me - with small bits of stilton and brie it's just about bearable. But it does seem to hide well in soups and stews, and give it a good taste.

Sarah D



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 2584

PostPosted: Wed Dec 01, 04 4:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I grew some self-blanchin celery this year which was fairly successful; no-one else here likes it, so I ate it all while out in the garden, straight from the soil. Very good. Needs plenty of water to prevent it going woody, and a nice rich soil. Beats the shop-bought into a cocked hat.

sean
Downsizer Moderator


Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42207
Location: North Devon
PostPosted: Wed Dec 01, 04 4:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Peel it ( or a least peel the strings off) when you're cooking it. It takes no time flat, and works wonders. Unless you enjoy picking your teeth.

Bugs



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 10744

PostPosted: Thu Dec 02, 04 9:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Quote:
and a nice rich soil


Ah. Perhaps I'll put that on hold until we have a garden consisting of more than 6 inches of flint-ridden soil on a bed of solid chalk?!

jema
Downsizer Moderator


Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 28096
Location: escaped from Swindon
PostPosted: Thu Dec 02, 04 9:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Bugs wrote:
Quote:
and a nice rich soil


Ah. Perhaps I'll put that on hold until we have a garden consisting of more than 6 inches of flint-ridden soil on a bed of solid chalk?!


Know that feeling, soil here is total crap, had to buy a load in to create a small veggie patch.

jema

*Fluffykitten*



Joined: 03 Dec 2004
Posts: 74
Location: Merthyr Tydfil
PostPosted: Sat Dec 04, 04 4:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I have mostly concrete out the back 'garden' so its going to be anything i can grow in a pot for me.
Have decided on patipan squashes, aubergines, tomatoes and courgettes. Theres a host of mini veg seeds that ive got my eye on too but ive never grown veggies before so i think that i'll be biting off more than i can chew if i try these too. Ive also got some rhubarb seed that came from the seed swap on RC.net that im bursting to plant - I LOVE RHUBARB!!! and im sure i'll love it even more if its coming from my own patch. Then theres sorrel and spinach - i have actually grown these before with small sucess when i was a teenager at school in gardening club, im dying to try these too.
So i think its going to be deciding what not to grow as opposed to deciding on what to grow!!
Clair XX

daniel



Joined: 01 Jan 2005
Posts: 21
Location: Woodford Green, Essex
PostPosted: Sat Jan 01, 05 4:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I went for PSB this year reading in RCCB that it is a must. It stays in a long time and doesnt crop till March so I don't think I'll do it again in my little plot. Its something an allotment would be useful for. My new years resolution is to sort that out!

nettie



Joined: 02 Dec 2004
Posts: 5888
Location: Suffolk
PostPosted: Sat Jan 01, 05 5:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I would echo that roast Jerusalem artichokes are scrummy

For me Swiss Chard has been an essential and it has produced continuously since planting it out in May. Will do loads more onions and potatoes next year as they were a resounding success. Also am looking forward to my first proper crop of asparagus in spring now that the crowns have matured. I have grown cut and come again lettuce and rocket in the greenhouse all year round, although it has slowed down at the moment.

I had raspberry canes growing through my flowerbeds when I first moved here and hacked them down (!!) but this year I shall stake them and let them fruit.

Next doors' has a huge bramble and raspberry patch that creeps over my fence, my neighbour is from Hong Kong and I don't think she even realises you can eat the fruit! I can sneak my hand through the fence and get loads

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