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Post by billw on Apr 24, 2013 13:33:04 GMT -5
By the way, there are other varieties of white sprouting broccoli and, like kale, a small percentage of almost any variety will go perennial in the right climate. I have had both White Star and White Eye last 3-4 years - not many of them, but once you have one, you can take cuttings. White Star is a lot easier to find than Nine Star.
Frankly, I'm not sure that the yields after the second year are really worthwhile with any of the white sprouting broccolis, but I've read that some people have much better results than I do.
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Post by billw on Apr 24, 2013 10:30:01 GMT -5
It is a sprouting broccoli, so if you planted it last year, you should be getting flowers this spring.
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Post by billw on Apr 22, 2013 17:19:40 GMT -5
Not with yacon, but I have had the same from Jerusalem artichokes. Some people have worse problems with inulin digestion than others and have to start with small portions. After a while, the problem goes away.
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Post by billw on Apr 22, 2013 12:24:11 GMT -5
I grow it every year. Comes in about the same time as other sprouting broccolis, but with a taste and appearance more like cauliflower. I grow it more as an annual, since production is better that way. I often leave some in the ground for a second spring, intending to get a seed crop, and then eat the new heads anyway.
This year, I am being disciplined and letting four go to flower for a seed crop. I thought that I had lost them and went to look for new seed to buy, since I was out. I was surprised that I couldn't find a US-based supplier this year. Anyway, four plants ought to produce enough seed for many more years, with plenty to spare.
Does it overwinter well in deep-freeze climates? I figured it was pretty much a maritime climate crop, but I've never tried it anyplace else.
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Post by billw on Apr 22, 2013 2:28:34 GMT -5
I don't know... I think the one on the left has potential. You can harvest a whole pack of baby carrots with one pull. Plus, it would dress up really easily for Halloween. You could call it the Cthulu carrot.
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Post by billw on Apr 20, 2013 1:19:10 GMT -5
Cool. Is the name of the magazine a secret?
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Post by billw on Apr 19, 2013 21:41:03 GMT -5
Man, I don't know how you folks manage big gardens where the snow falls. I'd have to get a lot more organized.
I guess you probably don't have to weed in January though.
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Post by billw on Apr 19, 2013 16:11:09 GMT -5
Apparently, you can eat lovage root and, judging by the pictures, there would be a fair amount to eat.
Has anyone tried them?
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Post by billw on Apr 18, 2013 13:31:49 GMT -5
Looks a heck of a lot like skirret, although I wouldn't expect any red in the leaves.
Of course, it may look like a lot of Apiaceae, only people don't often look at the roots. The leaves definitely look more like lovage.
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Post by billw on Apr 17, 2013 21:56:29 GMT -5
The pattern doesn't look like rust, although even a close look without a microscope should be enough to know for certain.
Might be one of the yellow stripe viruses.
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Post by billw on Apr 17, 2013 15:41:44 GMT -5
Someone who grows a lot of food but still eats out twice a week?
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Post by billw on Apr 15, 2013 13:54:05 GMT -5
I've been having really good luck growing potatoes from true seed. I'm thinking that a three year cycle where I grow out from true seed every year, select the best, and then replant from those tubers for two years will eliminate most of the financial costs associated with certified seed and most of the productivity costs of disease accumulation.
The only down side is that the potatoes I produce will be more variable than purely cloned varieties, but I don't really see that as a down side.
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Post by billw on Apr 14, 2013 16:01:02 GMT -5
I understand that. I find having to print out a check, an order form, and fill out an envelope is a big enough pain that I often don't bother. I do realize how pathetic that sounds, but it is true. I put off making an order from the Sand Hill Preservation Center for more than a year because of that. I might write two or three checks per year these days. It usually takes me two weeks to find the check book.
Any replacement for SSE should definitely consider using an online platform for the members to list, track inventory, and to act as a middle man in the sales process so that someone can order from multiple listers in one go. Heck, one could just put together a front-end for Amazon and use their private seller system.
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Post by billw on Apr 14, 2013 14:53:55 GMT -5
At the same time, at least anecdotally, gardening seems to be on the rise.
I wonder if this is an indication that more people are maintaining their own varieties.
Probably wishful thinking, but that would be really encouraging.
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Post by billw on Apr 12, 2013 4:11:50 GMT -5
As far as I've been able to tell, there are turnips that are called black, but are actually brown and radishes that are actually black, but called turnips. I've never seen a black turnip that was actually black. I would like to though, if such a thing exists.
I grew Pardailhan turnip for a couple of years, which is reputed to be black, but was really more brown and green.
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