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Most of us know about forcing early rhubarb by covering the plant to exclude light, forcing the stalks to grow long and pale in their search for light.
Chicory is another one - old leaves cur down and plant kept in the dark to grow its pale, sweet chicons.
I've never tried this technique but there must be other plants that can be forced in this way for an early crop?
I'm experimenting with lovage, covered with a bucket, to see if it will grow longer stalks with a milder taste than the fresh ones - more like celery.
Which reminds me
we wrap celery and cardoons to exclude light and stay pale and interesting, and earth up leeks and salad onions for longer white stems.
I've also read about dandelions being grown in the dark for salad leaves. .........and, of course, mung bean sprouts are grown in the dark to stay white.
Any other plants?
Have you tried it? Success or failure?
Chicory is another one - old leaves cur down and plant kept in the dark to grow its pale, sweet chicons.
I've never tried this technique but there must be other plants that can be forced in this way for an early crop?
I'm experimenting with lovage, covered with a bucket, to see if it will grow longer stalks with a milder taste than the fresh ones - more like celery.
Which reminds me
we wrap celery and cardoons to exclude light and stay pale and interesting, and earth up leeks and salad onions for longer white stems. I've also read about dandelions being grown in the dark for salad leaves. .........and, of course, mung bean sprouts are grown in the dark to stay white.
Any other plants?
Have you tried it? Success or failure?
The Moneyless Chicken says:-
Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.
Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.
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