Allotments 4 All

 
Always want more, Wigan in bloom.
We have been asked to see if we can grow some veg from our twin town.
Anyone know what sort of DIFFERENT veg they grow there, ?
Haven't got enough to do

The only thing I know about Angers is that you shouldn't look back in it.......

Sorry - couldnt resist that one!!

 

I've certainly seen angelica for sale in markets along the Loire.  I think that Niort (a bit further south) is the centre of commercial production, but it'll be fairly typique in Angers too, I guess.

Thanks, Melbourne, I'll have a look see how to grow it 

It needs plenty of water (I think it may be actually grown in marshy ground).  We're not short of that right now.

Not quite so different, but the sandy soil in the western Loire produces Lambs Lettuce, and of course Nantes is famous for its carrots.

From happy visits there, they also grow lots of nuts - chestnuts and walnuts especially - but that's a bit of a long term project!

Mmm, not enough room here for nuts apart from our hazels 
The judging is in july/early august so a bit hot for lambs lettuce, we are doing carrots as part of the edible boxes around the bowling green, along with lots of herbs and stuff 

Mrs Melbourne12 has just come up with the idea of doing an ornamental kitchen garden (veg, herbs, or both) along the lines of the ones at Villandry.  The chateau at Angers has ornamental gardens too, but I don't remember them including a potager in their modern layout.  They would have done originally, though.

Damian, the organiser, is supposed to be letting me know his ideas. It should be interesting, anyway 

Keep us posted!  I for one will be fascinated to hear how it goes.  Given the difference in climate, it'll be quite a challenge.

There are some pics of the castle on Google images in which they have circular flower beds with segments like a cake. 
Could you do a decorative potager in segments.   I did one once in the garden.   

http://www.castles.francethisway.com/images/chateau-angers.jpg

Great idea, digeroo, it looks great. I'll have to see if I can persuade some of the dinosaurs, sorry, bowlers, to let me have a go 
The angelica seeds are ordered. I have to shove them in the fridge to get them going, apparently they like to be started in autumn 

QuoteWe are starting to get fences, but due to deer and tea leaves I think I want to join in.

(says Digeroo)
Tea leaves ????????

Quote from: Annemieke on February 19, 2013, 17:04:18

QuoteWe are starting to get fences, but due to deer and tea leaves I think I want to join in.

(says Digeroo)
Tea leaves ????????

Them wot half inch.

QuoteQuote from: Annemieke on Today at 17:04:18
We are starting to get fences, but due to deer and tea leaves I think I want to join in.

(says Digeroo)
Tea leaves ????????

Them wot half inch.

???????????????????????????????

Rhyming slang:
tea leaves = thieves
half inch   = pinch (thieve)

I've been trying to get rid of Angelica from my plot for years - it has
self-seeded everywhere.  If any comes up again this year I could send you
some if you like.
It grows very tall, at least 6ft so you need plenty of room.

Thanks, Betty. Very nice of you. Don't worry about room, 3I have my eye on some bowling green borders 
I'll be starting the seeds off this week, I'll let you know how I get on