Allotments 4 All

Thank you Sprouty  ;D I like the expression 'vessels would be plunged into the ice'!!!! Did you Google that  ;D

And I wouldn't give Ahmed the satisfaction of me asking him a question about something I know nothing about  ;)

They used clean ice without noticeable bits of weed, and fish poo usualy sinks rather than floating. I expect anything which was likely to be visible was well checked out before being used.

My mind is now firmly at rest  ;D

 ;D ;D ;D

I suppose if your water supply was likely to contain cholera & such you might not be too fussed by a bit of duckweed.  :)
I'm really looking forward to watching the DVD - just hope Santa doesn't forget it.

Is it edible I wonder? That would certainly solve two problems!
;D

Wot the DVD!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fishes eat the duckweed & seem to survive.

 :o

Think it was W.C. Fields who said he never drank water because fish **** in it!!

;D

This conversation is getting rather fishy, I'm not intending to eat the DVD after I've watched it cos Santa is bringing it!
;D

I received mine the other day, supposed to be giving it to the kids to wrap up for me, have mysteriously forgotten so far......................................must be all the Christmas stuff I've been doing.......SO tempted to open it up!!

Anyone tried the Victorian Flower Garden DVD? I've read the book, and it's probably going to be worth having.

;) Just ordered mine must be worth six quid, even if I just use the discs as bird scarer's.   ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

What struck me is how easy it is to get rare seeds with the Internet. I'm not sure when the series was filmed, but several of the rarities they talk about can be found easily via a web search. I couldn't find couve tronchuda, but I seem to remember that some people on the site grow it.

I believe the series was first shown in 1987 so it must of been filmed sometime before then.

The Victorian Kitchen Garden book was first published in 1987, and given a year for publication, 1986 is most likely.

Quote from: Robert_Brenchley on December 16, 2006, 22:26:26
What struck me is how easy it is to get rare seeds with the Internet. I'm not sure when the series was filmed, but several of the rarities they talk about can be found easily via a web search. I couldn't find couve tronchuda, but I seem to remember that some people on the site grow it.

Yes, for the first time last year - shared some seed and still have some if you're interested Robert :) Pretty and productive on the plot right now :D

What size is it, and what season? We don't eat brassicas much, so a non-hearting cabbage might be just what's needed.

Seems to have a long season so far - my first year growing. I sowed in April, left it to get nibbled by the cabbage whites over the summer, and it's recovered beautifully. Individual leaves of winter cabbage are ideal for us - we don't eat brassicas much either :) You're looking at 3 plants there, on the edge of a 1m wide bed. The packet says allow 1m between plants.

When cut, the leaves flop very quickly, so I pick last thing, wash and fridge if not using immediately. Tend to cut out the middle stem and chiffonade the green leaves.

I'd expect it to bolt in the Spring?

Let me know if you'd like to try.

It sounds about right all round, as I don't want to fill up too much space with cabbagy things but I do use it occasionally. I'll PM my address, thanks.

Quote from: silly billy on December 08, 2006, 23:34:05

Quote from: saddad on December 08, 2006, 21:15:04
Mine arrived today but OH has wrapped it up with strict instructions not to open until Xmas
:'(

:o ;D ;D ;D
I won't reveal too much but I just had to share this with anyone who hasn't seen it because I am totally amazed they did this..........The Victorians used to smash the ice on their lakes and store it in a huge ice store which was located in the garden deep underground and were able to use the ice throughout the summer until September!!!!