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First harvests
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Bugs



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 10744

PostPosted: Sat Mar 26, 05 9:42 pm    Post subject: First harvests Reply with quote
    

A lovely subject...what's the first harvest you're excited about this year? Whether from your garden, from the wild, or from your favourite source...

Yesterday we knocked up a scrumptious rhubarb crumble from some forced rhubarb from the garden. It was surprisingly pale, given the colour of the stems, but delicious, and there's half of it left in the fridge which will probably form breakfast or lunch tomorrow

We've also had a few omelettes from the girls, and of course the odd herbs, but the rhubarb was so close to being a whole meal that it was particularly exciting.

moggins



Joined: 24 Feb 2005
Posts: 942
Location: Gloucester
PostPosted: Sat Mar 26, 05 9:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Strawberries, I've really put some effort into these this year because Ceri (the youngest) has developed a taste for them. I can't wait until she tries one from her own garden.

Bugs



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 10744

PostPosted: Sat Mar 26, 05 9:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Ooh, lovely. What are you growning/where/how etc? Did she help with the planting or is she still only excited by the end product

nettie



Joined: 02 Dec 2004
Posts: 5888
Location: Suffolk
PostPosted: Sat Mar 26, 05 9:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I have an asparagus shoot that is an inch high and I am talking to it lovingly every day

The elderflowers will be very welcome too!

Bugs



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 10744

PostPosted: Sat Mar 26, 05 9:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Well, how can it resist?

Is this a harvestable year (ie how old are your plants? Or is this the new allotment?)? This is our first "official" harvest year, as we grew ours from seed. We grew Franklim F1 as various sources said it was good, but if I were starting again I'd choose an older variety as I like the idea of having different sized spears for different things.

moggins



Joined: 24 Feb 2005
Posts: 942
Location: Gloucester
PostPosted: Sat Mar 26, 05 9:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

The first lot went into an old tin bath with lots of vaseline spread round the top.

The second lot arrived yesterday and are going into a Tesco'Bag for life' and being hung from the fence.

She definitely helped plant the first lot, she keeps running outdoors every morning to see if they have grown

Bugs



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 10744

PostPosted: Sat Mar 26, 05 10:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

In one of PG Wodehouse's books one of the young chaps about town describes a village in the country as "the sort of place where they get up early to see if a new strawberry has happened in the night".

Much as I love PG Wodehouse I remember reading that and thinking, yes, and what's wrong with that?

I keep tapping condensation off bags and propagators to see if things has grown. Let's hope she never grows out of it

moggins



Joined: 24 Feb 2005
Posts: 942
Location: Gloucester
PostPosted: Sat Mar 26, 05 10:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

So do I bugs, so do I!!

Her joy in life is so contagious, I'm a different person since having her. The other two were great fun but she is a complete joy to have around. She loves everything and everybody and believes the world loves her back.

I've gone all mushy now.

nettie



Joined: 02 Dec 2004
Posts: 5888
Location: Suffolk
PostPosted: Sat Mar 26, 05 11:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Bugs wrote:


Is this a harvestable year (ie how old are your plants? Or is this the new allotment?)? This is our first "official" harvest year, as we grew ours from seed. We grew Franklim F1 as various sources said it was good, but if I were starting again I'd choose an older variety as I like the idea of having different sized spears for different things.


Yep, my first harvestable year this year, which is why I can't wait!!!! I have the Franklim's and also Connovers (sp?) Colossal, which are about as thick as your finger. Roll on May....

Blue Sky



Joined: 30 Jan 2005
Posts: 7658
Location: France
PostPosted: Sun Mar 27, 05 12:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

CRESS!

This may sound sad at first I know but it is wonderfull.

My son (aged 3) is very excited about the cress as his cress seed has germinated well in advance of all my sowings and he is looking forward to egg and cress sandwhiches this week. Now that we have plenty of eggs coming from "the gals" I will be making mayonaise to accompany the aforementioned delights.

We stuck our first batch of spuds in yesterday aswell and can't wait to reap that harvest (if the cats don't scrat 'em all up first)

Lloyd



Joined: 24 Jan 2005
Posts: 2699

PostPosted: Sun Mar 27, 05 1:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

My spuds are ready for planting now...Please can someone advise me, how deep and how far apart do you plant them?

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator


Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism
PostPosted: Sun Mar 27, 05 7:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Are they early or maincrop? Our Expert book says 15 in apart in the rows for maincrops with 30 in between rows and 5 in deep. We tend to plant closer as we don't have the room. Earlies its 12 in apart in rows, 24 in between rows.

I would definately recommed 'The Vegetable & Herb Expert' book for everyone. It's only about £6 and is very easy to get to the info.

Blue Sky



Joined: 30 Jan 2005
Posts: 7658
Location: France
PostPosted: Sun Mar 27, 05 9:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Treacodactyl wrote:
I would definately recommed 'The Vegetable & Herb Expert' book for everyone. It's only about £6 and is very easy to get to the info.


Yes definately worth having a copy to hand. I use mine all the time - would struggle without it

ISBN no: 0903505460
Currently selling for £5.59 on Amazon

Lloyd



Joined: 24 Jan 2005
Posts: 2699

PostPosted: Sun Mar 27, 05 12:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Earlies, Treacs. Thanx.

Nanny



Joined: 17 Feb 2005
Posts: 4520
Location: carms in wales
PostPosted: Sun Mar 27, 05 1:26 pm    Post subject: first harvest Reply with quote
    

frankly i look foirward to all of it.......possibly the first sweet corn is the one i will forward to most though i also like the first lettuce and cucumber and as for the first peas...ummmmmmmmmmmm

however it all seems like a long way away today as the weather has closed in and it is raining and too cold even to be in the green house for long

sowed lots of seeds yesterday and today but all are in the green house and not outside

i had thought of putting the second earlies in but now that it's raining, wet and cold i shall hold off for a bit

now sitting in front of the fire with chocolate and soon to be movie with slow cooking brisdet in the oven so not a bad bank holiday really

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