Allotments 4 All

Mine have arrived.
Squash shisigatani
Pea fhueher Heinrich
Dwarf French Vermont cranberry
Climbing French San Antonio and Ryder's top of the pole
Cauliflower English winter /late queen
Celeriac tellus (bonus)


So me a happy bunny 

Wow, Shisigatani squash have been popular with A4Aers.
San Antonio and Ryder's top of the pole both sound delish varieties.

I had Ryder's last year but something went amiss!

Grew Ryders top of the pole last year choice so have seeds.  Got some kind of disease looked as if leaves had been burned but responded well to a dousing in stinging nettle tea.  Very productive nice green tasting beans.  Good for baked beans as well.  Fast grower hence the top of the pole. 

Quote from: pumpkinlover on December 15, 2014, 14:19:08
I had Ryder's last year but something went amiss!

Did they not do well?

Quote from: galina on December 15, 2014, 00:09:39
Czechoslovakian was a surprise.  Got a bean very much like it in a swap years ago from Professor Klapprott in Germany named Lilaspritzer (speckled maroon), which he got from Slovakia.  And a few years later from  UK donor Frank Hemming Neabel's Ukrainian (which he previously got from Canada from Salt Spring Seeds).  I can't tell any difference between them.  Now there is a third bean looking exactly the same again from HSL.

http://joogen.bplaced.net/bohbilder/lilaspritzer.jpg
http://www.saltspringseeds.com/products/neabels

This type seems to be widespread in Eastern Europe. 

Melbourne's miniature confused me.  Why miniature?  Beans seem normal sized and tall to boot?

It's great fun comparing our choices.   

The seeds of Czechoslovakian do look very similar to Jacobs Creek, though obviously not the same variety. Thanks for the info and links. Have you grown your two together to compare? I've another similarish type - Slovenien a climber, though the seed shape and pattern are a bit different. I wonder how many similar beans there are?

Why miniature?
Perhaps the seeds are very small?

Quote from: Jayb on December 17, 2014, 09:09:59


The seeds of Czechoslovakian do look very similar to Jacobs Creek, though obviously not the same variety. Thanks for the info and links. Have you grown your two together to compare? I've another similarish type - Slovenien a climber, though the seed shape and pattern are a bit different. I wonder how many similar beans there are?

Why miniature?
Perhaps the seeds are very small?

That makes sense if the seeds are small. 

Not familiar with Jacob's Creek beans.  They are similar to Trout/Jacob's Cattle but quite a bit larger, which makes them a very useful sized shelling bean.

There are many places where one type originated and gained local appreciation.  Same with tomatoes.  The original mutation to 'black' (non antho) tomatoes happened on the Crimean peninsula and spread from there. 

It is really great that we are now able to enjoy so many types from so many corners of the globe.  Very addictive, but many beans are just so pretty, they are also a visual joy, like gems or toys for grown-ups.   

Quote from: Jayb on December 17, 2014, 08:47:55

Quote from: pumpkinlover on December 15, 2014, 14:19:08
I had Ryder's last year but something went amiss!

Did they not do well?

It was probably my fault!

Quote from: Jayb on December 15, 2014, 14:07:14
Wow, Shisigatani squash have been popular with A4Aers.

Am sticking it on my wishlist for 2016 - being compiled already! Can't justify buying more seeds at the moment and it means I can see how they grow for you lot in the meantime - what a cunning plan!

If they do well we may be able to produce some seeds.

I like a nice tall bean.

4 ft is very large for a dwarf.  Presume they need staking.   I like Hungarian Wax and they are pretty large plants, I call them a bush variety.  They are great beans, but very difficult to save seeds, since every slug in the neighboured hood homes in on them.   

My all time favourites from HSL are Mrs Lewis PP and Hungarian Wax and Ryders Top of the Pole. 

I did like the climbing peas Purple podded and Latvian Xmas mostly for the flowers and wind protection, but the voles are rampant.   No more kestrals.  (But don't get me started about Red Kites)  Seed saving for peas is becoming very difficult.

Still trying to find a good climbing flat bean dare (I say it) like you buy in the supermarkets.

Quote from: Digeroo on December 21, 2014, 16:17:37
I like a nice tall bean.

Still trying to find a good climbing flat bean dare (I say it) like you buy in the supermarkets.

Algarve or Hunter might fit that description. 

http://www.suttons.co.uk/Gardening/Vegetable+Seeds/All+Vegetable+Seeds/Bean+Climbing+French+Seeds+-+Algarve_195595.htm

http://www.unwins.co.uk/french-bean-climbing-hunter-seeds-pid1132.html

When did the kestrels disappear? Ours have gone as well.

The Kestral disappeared when the Red Kites appeared.  They used to sit on the bean canes and eat voles.   Lots of other birds disappearing as well.  Voles/mice are becoming rampant.

Quote from: Digeroo on December 21, 2014, 23:34:19
The Kestral disappeared when the Red Kites appeared.  About two year ago.   They used to sit on the bean canes and eat voles.   Lots of other birds disappearing as well.  Voles/mice are becoming rampant.

Quote from: galina on December 21, 2014, 16:27:25

Quote from: Digeroo on December 21, 2014, 16:17:37
I like a nice tall bean.

Still trying to find a good climbing flat bean dare (I say it) like you buy in the supermarkets.

Algarve or Hunter might fit that description. 

http://www.suttons.co.uk/Gardening/Vegetable+Seeds/All+Vegetable+Seeds/Bean+Climbing+French+Seeds+-+Algarve_195595.htm

http://www.unwins.co.uk/french-bean-climbing-hunter-seeds-pid1132.html

and bean Helda of course from Duchy Organic
http://www.thompson-morgan.com/vegetables/vegetable-seeds/pea-and-bean-seeds/climbing-bean-helda-duchy-originals-organic-seeds/gwd4740TM

McCaslan from the seed circle last year is similar too, but not quite as long as the supermarket beans.

Quote from: Digeroo on December 21, 2014, 16:17:37
I like a nice tall bean.

4 ft is very large for a dwarf.  Presume they need staking. 

ooops, just spotted that and what it refers back to.  No sorry 4 is a typo.  Large yes - up to three foot - and don't need staking unless in a windy location.  4 would definitely be a half-tall bean and need staking.

My bad   

We lost our kestrels a while ago, and we have no red kites. I've heard they're doing badly nationally, so I doubt whether it's got anything to do with the kites. They wouldn't be able to catch kestrels, and they feed differently, so I wouldn't expect one to influence the other much if at all.

just returning to the HSL catalogue online. Am I meant to get notification to look at a website? I normally get the catalogue but no notification or anything. Don't want to miss the boat (or the seeds)

Quote from: gwynleg on December 29, 2014, 21:41:03
just returning to the HSL catalogue online. Am I meant to get notification to look at a website? I normally get the catalogue but no notification or anything. Don't want to miss the boat (or the seeds)

You should get an email with a url to get you to the online catalogue.  As I understand some people who don't have an email address got a paper list of what is available.  If you have neither, something went wrong.  Hope you get to choose soon.