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where to get slightly unusual veg
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| Cat(h) 2006-03-24, 10:21 am |
| The spring has sprung, and although it is still pretty cold here in
Ireland, I am itching to get started on planting a few veg for the new
season.
As well as being extortionate, most Irish garden centres are pretty
poorly stocked when it comes to veg - I suspect this comes from the
lack of demand. We probably have fewer gardeners here per head of
population than in the UK. You can get a reasonablish variety of seeds
- though pretty much only common stuff like carrots, cabbage, peas,
beans, courgettes etc - thank goodness for Lidl where you can get such
exotica as salsify, kohlrabi, and a good variety of lettuces. But when
it comes to plants, beyond cabbage, tomatoes, and herbs, there is
remarkably little available in the main Irish garden centres.
I want to plant jerusalem artichokes this year, and love experimenting
with slightly unusual veg.
I'm wondering: does anyone posting here have any idea where in Ireland
I might be able to get a better selection? Or what about UK based
nurseries/seed companies who ship across the puddle?
And finally, is it too early to plant peas? I will try and protect
them better this year, as last year I was told here they were probably
all eaten by mice - not one sprouted for me!
TIA
Cat(h)
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| La Puce 2006-03-24, 10:21 am |
|
Cat(h) wrote:
> I'm wondering: does anyone posting here have any idea where in Ireland
> I might be able to get a better selection? Or what about UK based
> nurseries/seed companies who ship across the puddle?
No I don't but I use the organic catalogue and they deliver to Ireland.
http://www.organiccatalog.com/catal...6&products_id=1
> And finally, is it too early to plant peas? I will try and protect
> them better this year, as last year I was told here they were probably
> all eaten by mice - not one sprouted for me!
I've found this too a few years ago. So I sow them now mid to end of
April directly. I'll do broad beans this week end, if the rain stops.
I've found this website not long ago. I thought is was wonderful.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernirelan...ner/index.shtml
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| Alan Holmes 2006-03-24, 11:21 am |
|
"Cat(h)" <cathy_ie@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1143208755.142034.47400@u72g2000cwu.googlegroups.com...
> The spring has sprung, and although it is still pretty cold here in
> Ireland, I am itching to get started on planting a few veg for the new
> season.
>
> As well as being extortionate, most Irish garden centres are pretty
> poorly stocked when it comes to veg - I suspect this comes from the
> lack of demand. We probably have fewer gardeners here per head of
> population than in the UK. You can get a reasonablish variety of seeds
> - though pretty much only common stuff like carrots, cabbage, peas,
> beans, courgettes etc - thank goodness for Lidl where you can get such
> exotica as salsify, kohlrabi, and a good variety of lettuces. But when
> it comes to plants, beyond cabbage, tomatoes, and herbs, there is
> remarkably little available in the main Irish garden centres.
>
> I want to plant jerusalem artichokes this year, and love experimenting
> with slightly unusual veg.
I bought one jerusalem artichoke from a greengrocer a few years ago it has
done very well, in fact I cannot eat all that it produces.
I wonder if the same could not be done for other veg if it is a root based
thing.
Alan
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| Des Higgins 2006-03-24, 11:21 am |
|
"Cat(h)" <cathy_ie@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1143208755.142034.47400@u72g2000cwu.googlegroups.com...
> The spring has sprung, and although it is still pretty cold here in
> Ireland, I am itching to get started on planting a few veg for the new
> season.
>
> As well as being extortionate, most Irish garden centres are pretty
> poorly stocked when it comes to veg - I suspect this comes from the
> lack of demand. We probably have fewer gardeners here per head of
> population than in the UK. You can get a reasonablish variety of seeds
> - though pretty much only common stuff like carrots, cabbage, peas,
> beans, courgettes etc - thank goodness for Lidl where you can get such
> exotica as salsify, kohlrabi, and a good variety of lettuces. But when
> it comes to plants, beyond cabbage, tomatoes, and herbs, there is
> remarkably little available in the main Irish garden centres.
>
> I want to plant jerusalem artichokes this year, and love experimenting
> with slightly unusual veg.
>
Here is one mob in West Cork who I bought seeds from and they grow them
themselves and send them promptly and they have a nice web site.
The list of varieties is small and they only have a few odd/heritage ones
but it is well worth browsing. Postage is free (or included in the price at
any rate).
http://www.brownenvelopeseeds.com/
The Irish Seed Savers are here:
http://www.irishseedsavers.ie/about%20issa.html
(site is hard to navigate; takes some poking around; they have a big
catalogue and tons of peculiar varieties; I never tried them).
For fruit (e.g. rasberry canes; apple trees), Future Forests (West Cork
again) are WONDERFUL!!!!!!!
http://futureforests.net/Default.htm
(the site has nothing clickable until you click the "click here if you
cannot see anything to click" button)
> I'm wondering: does anyone posting here have any idea where in Ireland
> I might be able to get a better selection? Or what about UK based
> nurseries/seed companies who ship across the puddle?
>
> And finally, is it too early to plant peas? I will try and protect
> them better this year, as last year I was told here they were probably
> all eaten by mice - not one sprouted for me!
>
> TIA
>
> Cat(h)
>
| |
| Cat(h) 2006-03-24, 11:21 am |
|
Des Higgins wrote:[color=darkred]
> "Cat(h)" <cathy_ie@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:1143208755.142034.47400@u72g2000cwu.googlegroups.com...
>
>
> Here is one mob in West Cork who I bought seeds from and they grow them
> themselves and send them promptly and they have a nice web site.
> The list of varieties is small and they only have a few odd/heritage ones
> but it is well worth browsing. Postage is free (or included in the price at
> any rate).
> http://www.brownenvelopeseeds.com/
>
>
> The Irish Seed Savers are here:
> http://www.irishseedsavers.ie/about%20issa.html
> (site is hard to navigate; takes some poking around; they have a big
> catalogue and tons of peculiar varieties; I never tried them).
>
> For fruit (e.g. rasberry canes; apple trees), Future Forests (West Cork
> again) are WONDERFUL!!!!!!!
> http://futureforests.net/Default.htm
> (the site has nothing clickable until you click the "click here if you
> cannot see anything to click" button)
>
>
>
Des, you're a genius. Thank you so much! All websites bookmarked for
week end browsing.
And yet more proof that Cork *really* is the centre of the universe.
Not that the locals ever had any doubt.
Cat(h)
| |
| Cat(h) 2006-03-24, 11:21 am |
|
La Puce wrote:
snip
Great, thank you!
It looks like I've missed the coach for the Jerusalem artichokes, the
organic catalogue ship by late Feb. Still, it's bookmarked for future
reference.
Regarding the peas and the mice, I did the same as what you suggest
last year, and that is how I ended up with nothing :-(
Broad beans, now there is a thought ! You can consider yourself
personally responsible for the row which will be planted into my garden
asap :-)
Cat(h)
| |
| Cat(h) 2006-03-24, 11:21 am |
|
Alan Holmes wrote:
> "Cat(h)" <cathy_ie@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:1143208755.142034.47400@u72g2000cwu.googlegroups.com...
>
> I bought one jerusalem artichoke from a greengrocer a few years ago it has
> done very well, in fact I cannot eat all that it produces.
>
That is good to know. No point in me growing more than 2 then :-) I
eat more veg than anyone else I know....
> I wonder if the same could not be done for other veg if it is a root based
> thing.
>
I know it works with garlic, and a friend of mine grew (indoors) a
piece of ginger.
Can you do that with the old sprouted spuds at the bottom of the bag?
Those that would normally end up on the compost heap?
Cat(h)
| |
| Judith Lea 2006-03-24, 12:21 pm |
| >Des, you're a genius. Thank you so much! All websites bookmarked for
>week end browsing.
>And yet more proof that Cork *really* is the centre of the universe.
>Not that the locals ever had any doubt.
I had a lovely week there at Inchdoney Island Spa - I brought back
sausages - I did not find one nursery near the spa.
--
Judith Lea
| |
| VivienB 2006-03-24, 12:21 pm |
| On Fri, 24 Mar 2006 14:39:11 -0000, "Des Higgins"
<dazzhiggins@hotmail.com> wrote:
>For fruit (e.g. rasberry canes; apple trees), Future Forests (West Cork
>again) are WONDERFUL!!!!!!!
>http://futureforests.net/Default.htm
(I did get clickable buttons when it first downloaded)
I went to this nursery a few years ago. It is the sort of place that
looks somewhat unpromising from the roadside. There is minimal parking
and it is on a narrow road out in the back of beyond. At first it
appears a small area, but you discover more and more little beds up
and along the hillside behind the buildings and the trees in the small
level sales area by the road. As you wander round you discover all
sorts of good things. Trees, shrubs and perennials are their main
interests, with a smattering of anything else they think interesting.
When I went in to pay I saw a Chelsea 'Gold' certificate - they did
the planting for the young Irish lass (who won Best in Show, if I
remember correctly) who designed the garden with natural stone seats
in a horseshoe shape and lots of wild flowers.
| |
| Bob Hobden 2006-03-24, 1:21 pm |
|
"Cat(h)" wrote from the Emerald Isle...
> The spring has sprung, and although it is still pretty cold here in
> Ireland, I am itching to get started on planting a few veg for the new
> season.
>
> As well as being extortionate, most Irish garden centres are pretty
> poorly stocked when it comes to veg - I suspect this comes from the
> lack of demand. We probably have fewer gardeners here per head of
> population than in the UK. You can get a reasonablish variety of seeds
> - though pretty much only common stuff like carrots, cabbage, peas,
> beans, courgettes etc - thank goodness for Lidl where you can get such
> exotica as salsify, kohlrabi, and a good variety of lettuces. But when
> it comes to plants, beyond cabbage, tomatoes, and herbs, there is
> remarkably little available in the main Irish garden centres.
>
> I want to plant jerusalem artichokes this year, and love experimenting
> with slightly unusual veg.
>
> I'm wondering: does anyone posting here have any idea where in Ireland
> I might be able to get a better selection? Or what about UK based
> nurseries/seed companies who ship across the puddle?
>
> And finally, is it too early to plant peas? I will try and protect
> them better this year, as last year I was told here they were probably
> all eaten by mice - not one sprouted for me!
>
Try these, they all say they ship seeds to EEC countries...
http://www.thomasetty.co.uk/vegetables/index.html
http://www.edirectory.co.uk/chilter...=ON&scn=5&qt=SC
http://www.marshalls-seeds.co.uk/?PAGEID=20589
--
Regards
Bob Hobden
17mls W. of London.UK
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|
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| Alan Holmes 2006-03-24, 2:21 pm |
|
"Cat(h)" <cathy_ie@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1143212562.790856.30420@u72g2000cwu.googlegroups.com...
>
> Alan Holmes wrote:
>
> That is good to know. No point in me growing more than 2 then :-) I
> eat more veg than anyone else I know....
>
>
> I know it works with garlic, and a friend of mine grew (indoors) a
> piece of ginger.
>
> Can you do that with the old sprouted spuds at the bottom of the bag?
> Those that would normally end up on the compost heap?
Yes, although if you do put then on the compost heap they will grow there
anyway!
In fact I have to ask a question on that very subject!
Alan
>
> Cat(h)
>
| |
| Alan Holmes 2006-03-24, 3:21 pm |
|
"Cat(h)" <cathy_ie@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1143208755.142034.47400@u72g2000cwu.googlegroups.com...
> The spring has sprung, and although it is still pretty cold here in
> Ireland, I am itching to get started on planting a few veg for the new
> season.
Another supplier os seeds, Heritage seeds, is the HDRA, Henry Doubleday,
Research Association, based in Coventry, of which I ma a member.
If you join the heritage seeds section you get an allocation of seeds free.
They are all vegetable seeds.
If you want to know more let me know.
Alan
| |
| Des Higgins 2006-03-24, 6:21 pm |
|
"VivienB" <vbmessages-newsgroups@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:c46822pq7002rkunk0n145t1hm2jtbrbtm@4ax.com...
> On Fri, 24 Mar 2006 14:39:11 -0000, "Des Higgins"
> <dazzhiggins@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> (I did get clickable buttons when it first downloaded)
>
> I went to this nursery a few years ago. It is the sort of place that
> looks somewhat unpromising from the roadside. There is minimal parking
> and it is on a narrow road out in the back of beyond. At first it
> appears a small area, but you discover more and more little beds up
> and along the hillside behind the buildings and the trees in the small
> level sales area by the road. As you wander round you discover all
> sorts of good things. Trees, shrubs and perennials are their main
> interests, with a smattering of anything else they think interesting.
> When I went in to pay I saw a Chelsea 'Gold' certificate - they did
> the planting for the young Irish lass (who won Best in Show, if I
> remember correctly) who designed the garden with natural stone seats
> in a horseshoe shape and lots of wild flowers.
>
my experience of them is purely from e-mail/phone/mail order. My wife
phoned them and asked about rasberries and she found someone really helpful
who talked about the different varieties and we bought 20 canes from 2
summer and 2 autumn varieties. They were cheap; very fast to post and
helpful and they have lots of nice varieties, inlcuding tons of nice
sounding fruit trees. We also bought 10 bare root trees and they were
delivered by normal post and were very6 cheap.
| |
| Des Higgins 2006-03-24, 6:21 pm |
|
"Judith Lea" <lspleen@nspammienime.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:rBiESTGcfBJEFwWC@nanime.demon.co.uk...
>
> I had a lovely week there at Inchdoney Island Spa - I brought back
> sausages - I did not find one nursery near the spa.
who needs nurseries when you have a frying pan. There is one on the road
between Bandon (where Graham Nortoin is from) and Clonakilty that
specialises in Geraniums (Hosfords).
>
> --
> Judith Lea
| |
| JanieB 2006-03-24, 7:21 pm |
| Des Higgins wrote:
> "Judith Lea" <lspleen@nspammienime.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:rBiESTGcfBJEFwWC@nanime.demon.co.uk...
>
>
>
> who needs nurseries when you have a frying pan. There is one on the road
> between Bandon (where Graham Nortoin is from) and Clonakilty that
> specialises in Geraniums (Hosfords).
>
Ah! An area dear to my heart. I spent several holidays with friends in
that area in my yoof. And went back there to re-aquaint myself. Does
anyone remember the old cinema and the rats!
| |
| Janet Tweedy 2006-03-25, 6:21 am |
| In article <44240480$0$31329$ba620d2c@reader.news.heanet.ie>, Des
Higgins <dazzhiggins@hotmail.com> writes
>Here is one mob in West Cork who I bought seeds from and they grow them
>themselves and send them promptly and they have a nice web site.
>The list of varieties is small and they only have a few odd/heritage ones
>but it is well worth browsing.
I've got some packets of weird veg. From America, (bought on Ebay) I
also have some spare 'Old Brooks' tomato seeds and other stuff if you
want to try some?
janet
--
Janet Tweedy
Amersham Gardening Association
http://www.amersham-gardening.net
| |
| Des Higgins 2006-03-25, 7:21 am |
|
"Janet Tweedy" <jan@lancedal.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:5DTMIWFdCRJEFw1r@ukonline.co.uk...
> In article <44240480$0$31329$ba620d2c@reader.news.heanet.ie>, Des Higgins
> <dazzhiggins@hotmail.com> writes
>
>
> I've got some packets of weird veg. From America, (bought on Ebay) I also
> have some spare 'Old Brooks' tomato seeds and other stuff if you want to
> try some?
no thanks Janet;
I am busy just trying to cope with the few we have underway.
We are planting 2 kinds of spuds today (Orla and Desiree- you cannot get
desiree easily in shops here; to be honest; my missus is planting them; she
actualy likes digging) and have 2 kinds of tomatoes germinated (Ailsa Craig
and Sungold) and 2 kinds of chillis (including one lot from Rusty)
Later we will do peas and french beans and purple sprouting broccolli
(bought from brown envelope seeds) , courgettes (2 plants) and squash (one
or 2 plants). That will be it apart from the odd lettuce or basil or
coriander plant.
It never occurred to me to buy seeds on e-bay.
>
> janet
>
> --
> Janet Tweedy
> Amersham Gardening Association
> http://www.amersham-gardening.net
| |
| Des Higgins 2006-03-25, 7:21 am |
|
"JanieB" <janieb@dsl.co.uk> wrote in message
news:5d6dnaC8zoGU5LnZRVnytA@bt.com...
> Des Higgins wrote:
> Ah! An area dear to my heart. I spent several holidays with friends in
> that area in my yoof. And went back there to re-aquaint myself. Does
> anyone remember the old cinema and the rats!
I lived in Cork city from 1997-2003 so I never got to see the rats. First
rat I saw in Cork, my daughter (was 5 at the time) said: ohhh there is a
guinea pig in the garden!! It was after the bird food we had been leaving
it.
| |
| Janet Tweedy 2006-03-25, 9:21 am |
| In article <7U8Vf.7545$j7.270881@news.indigo.ie>, Des Higgins
<dazzhiggins@hotmail.com> writes
>It never occurred to me to buy seeds on e-bay.
Well it seems a good idea as it means I pay less for a smaller number of
seeds, but then who wants thousands in one packet?
Other seed packets seem to be end of line stuff from wholesalers but
still good value until they either get bidded up or the seller insists
on choosing his own choice of of "a big box of assorted"
--
Janet Tweedy
Amersham Gardening Association
http://www.amersham-gardening.net
| |
| Holly, in France 2006-03-25, 10:21 am |
| Des Higgins wrote:
>
> The Irish Seed Savers are here:
> http://www.irishseedsavers.ie/about%20issa.html
Just a thought, is anyone still in touch with Ute (anyone who is/was
will know who I mean!) She was into seed saving and swapping I think,
she might be able to help Cath too.
--
Holly, in France
Gite to let in Dordogne, now with pool.
http://la-plaine.chez-alice.fr
| |
| La Puce 2006-03-29, 12:21 pm |
|
Cat(h) wrote:
> Fantastic variety of veg there. Many thanks. I have no reason to
> whinge any more :-)
> In fact, I feel peckish for some garden fresh greens...
Just got a phone call from Seeds of Italy
(http://www.seedsofitaly.sagenet.co.uk/) saying that they didn't have
one item from my order, which was the French carrots Jouvres. However
they've offered me another type of carrots seeds, unusual ones indeed.
They're round and I thought you'd like the idea. They are Carrot
Parisier, according to the story when ordinary carrots where sowed in a
very heavy clay around Paris the carrots got round and since a new
variety developed.
Another kind of interesting veg is the L'Agretto, which a friend swap
for some of my coloured chards. Agretti is unusual, known here as
glasswort, does anyone knows this? It's close looking to chives and is
native to Britain though we've lost it along the decades ... taste like
between capers and asparagus apparently. You can find these at seeds of
italy too :o)
| |
| Des Higgins 2006-03-29, 12:21 pm |
|
"La Puce" <helene@rudlin.co.uk> wrote in message
news:1143647699.217254.175710@t31g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
>
> Cat(h) wrote:
>
> Just got a phone call from Seeds of Italy
> (http://www.seedsofitaly.sagenet.co.uk/) saying that they didn't have
> one item from my order, which was the French carrots Jouvres. However
> they've offered me another type of carrots seeds, unusual ones indeed.
> They're round and I thought you'd like the idea. They are Carrot
> Parisier, according to the story when ordinary carrots where sowed in a
> very heavy clay around Paris the carrots got round and since a new
> variety developed.
>
> Another kind of interesting veg is the L'Agretto, which a friend swap
> for some of my coloured chards. Agretti is unusual, known here as
> glasswort, does anyone knows this? It's close looking to chives and is
> native to Britain though we've lost it along the decades ... taste like
> between capers and asparagus apparently. You can find these at seeds of
> italy too :o)
>
It is Salicornia (various species; not sure which ones you can eat). It is
a common wild plant on salt marshes all round the coasts.
Ricky Stein eat some on one of his fish cookery programmes and that probably
resulted in vast numbers of random salt marsh plants being boiled up
all over the UK. I never realised they were cultivated as well.
| |
| La Puce 2006-03-29, 1:21 pm |
|
Des Higgins wrote:
> It is Salicornia (various species; not sure which ones you can eat). It is
> a common wild plant on salt marshes all round the coasts.
> Ricky Stein eat some on one of his fish cookery programmes and that probably
> resulted in vast numbers of random salt marsh plants being boiled up
> all over the UK. I never realised they were cultivated as well.
The ones you can eat are called Salsoda soda or Salicornia europeaea.
It says that one should ensure to cultivate the right species ... Is it
salty if it's a coastal/marshy plant?
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