https://gardenandgossip.org/ Wed, 22 Apr 2026 20:07:38 +0000 MyBB https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2453 Mon, 23 Feb 2026 16:30:04 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2453 We know that a mix of varieties will extend the cropping season but, if we ignore that,.............my question is.......in your opinion which other vegetables or fruit "taste the same"? 

For me, its Leeks. There may be blue ones, yellow ones and green ones, some are early, some late, some overwinter, some crop in summer - but when it comes to eating them, they all taste the same. ]]> We know that a mix of varieties will extend the cropping season but, if we ignore that,.............my question is.......in your opinion which other vegetables or fruit "taste the same"? 

For me, its Leeks. There may be blue ones, yellow ones and green ones, some are early, some late, some overwinter, some crop in summer - but when it comes to eating them, they all taste the same. ]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2346 Mon, 12 May 2025 11:33:10 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2346
Most of you know what CACA is - Cut And Come Again - mostly used for greens like lettuce and salad leaves. Pick some leaves and leave the plant to grow on. 
PAPA is similar but its Pick And Pick Again. (I've just made this up, unlike CACA which has been around for yonks). 
PAPA crops include peas, beans, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, courgettes, squash etc . Also perennials like rhubarb, asparagus, fruit bushes and strawberries. 
PAPA crops are less hassle, in my mind, than the roots like carrots & turnips and the heading greens like cabbage & cauli. 

So, I'm concentrating my seed sowing efforts on PAPA crops - which, by coincidence are also the veg I enjoy eating the most.  OK, I accept that, if they all grow I will look like a cucumber by the end of the season but I'm willing to risk that!

PAPA crops are also the ones that I enjoy picking the most - wandering around with my little basket, picking a bit of this and a bit of that and returning to the house to work them into the day's menu. Its a bit like foraging without leaving the garden. 

Waddya think?]]>
Most of you know what CACA is - Cut And Come Again - mostly used for greens like lettuce and salad leaves. Pick some leaves and leave the plant to grow on. 
PAPA is similar but its Pick And Pick Again. (I've just made this up, unlike CACA which has been around for yonks). 
PAPA crops include peas, beans, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, courgettes, squash etc . Also perennials like rhubarb, asparagus, fruit bushes and strawberries. 
PAPA crops are less hassle, in my mind, than the roots like carrots & turnips and the heading greens like cabbage & cauli. 

So, I'm concentrating my seed sowing efforts on PAPA crops - which, by coincidence are also the veg I enjoy eating the most.  OK, I accept that, if they all grow I will look like a cucumber by the end of the season but I'm willing to risk that!

PAPA crops are also the ones that I enjoy picking the most - wandering around with my little basket, picking a bit of this and a bit of that and returning to the house to work them into the day's menu. Its a bit like foraging without leaving the garden. 

Waddya think?]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2313 Sat, 08 Feb 2025 23:18:38 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2313 https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/grow-your-...ee-sisters

I've just read an article about Hodmedod's grower of Carlin peas who grows the carlin peas alongside Triticale cereal which provides a  support for the peas to climb up. https://digital-mag.co.uk/waitrosefood-m...eb2025/#90

This has me wondering what other crops could be "buddied up" (as the Hodmedod's grower calls it). Two plants grown in the same place providing double the harvest. 

I'm not really thinking about "companion planting" where one plant acts as a pest deterrent to another, like onions and carrots, but where one plant takes advantage of the physical characteristics of another - like beans climbing up sweetcorn. It could be like hedging your bets - if your sweetcorn is a failure, never mind, because you may still have beans, idea.

Any ideas for other combinations?]]> https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/grow-your-...ee-sisters

I've just read an article about Hodmedod's grower of Carlin peas who grows the carlin peas alongside Triticale cereal which provides a  support for the peas to climb up. https://digital-mag.co.uk/waitrosefood-m...eb2025/#90

This has me wondering what other crops could be "buddied up" (as the Hodmedod's grower calls it). Two plants grown in the same place providing double the harvest. 

I'm not really thinking about "companion planting" where one plant acts as a pest deterrent to another, like onions and carrots, but where one plant takes advantage of the physical characteristics of another - like beans climbing up sweetcorn. It could be like hedging your bets - if your sweetcorn is a failure, never mind, because you may still have beans, idea.

Any ideas for other combinations?]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2238 Mon, 28 Oct 2024 10:58:24 +0000 Small chilli]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2238 I picked 4 big fat slug of the plants this morning. Even with all the defences I put in place.]]> I picked 4 big fat slug of the plants this morning. Even with all the defences I put in place.]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2171 Thu, 06 Jun 2024 11:02:19 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2171 For example, I don't attempt to grow beefsteak tomatoes - preferring small/medium sized ones. 
Courgettes definitely win over marrows. I'm struggling to even sow those Giant pumpkins (sorry SC/JJB).
Baby leeks - not the huge ones they wave about at shows.
Small cucumbers, not the bigguns.
Small sweet lettuce - not big floppy things.
etc etc. 
How about you?]]> For example, I don't attempt to grow beefsteak tomatoes - preferring small/medium sized ones. 
Courgettes definitely win over marrows. I'm struggling to even sow those Giant pumpkins (sorry SC/JJB).
Baby leeks - not the huge ones they wave about at shows.
Small cucumbers, not the bigguns.
Small sweet lettuce - not big floppy things.
etc etc. 
How about you?]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2061 Sat, 25 Nov 2023 21:05:48 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=2061 Some of the plants he mentions I've grown, some I've considered growing and others are new to me. I'm going to ask you all what you think about his suggestions and whether you would grow them. 

1. Snake Gourd. Trichosanthes cucumerina var. anguina.  
(Looks a bit like a trombone squash.) "The fruits, if left to their own devices, will coil up like a bedspring or like a snake wrapped around a tree branch". 
"Young fruit can be eaten like courgettes while the red pulp of the mature fruit makes a good substitute for tomatoes.
Young shoots and leaves are also edible and, although all parts of the plant taste bitter when raw, this disappears after cooking. 
Leave a few mature specimens to paint up and turn into colourful snakes. "]]> Some of the plants he mentions I've grown, some I've considered growing and others are new to me. I'm going to ask you all what you think about his suggestions and whether you would grow them. 

1. Snake Gourd. Trichosanthes cucumerina var. anguina.  
(Looks a bit like a trombone squash.) "The fruits, if left to their own devices, will coil up like a bedspring or like a snake wrapped around a tree branch". 
"Young fruit can be eaten like courgettes while the red pulp of the mature fruit makes a good substitute for tomatoes.
Young shoots and leaves are also edible and, although all parts of the plant taste bitter when raw, this disappears after cooking. 
Leave a few mature specimens to paint up and turn into colourful snakes. "]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=1987 Sat, 29 Jul 2023 15:49:03 +0000 toomanytommytoes]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=1987 https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=1958 Mon, 10 Jul 2023 21:25:29 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=1958
"Shiso is known by many names including perilla, perilla mint, Chinese basil, wild basil, wild coleus, summer coleus and in the West as The Beefsteak Plant. Its many names were inspired by both its appearance and its flavour. It’s a member of the mint family so it’s no surprise that it has hints of mint in its flavour along with cumin, nutmeg and anise". https://advicefromtheherblady.com/plant-...als/shiso/

You won't be surprised to hear that Suttons/James Wong used to sell them as "Beefsteak plant". 

A few websites warn that it self seeds freely and can be invasive. 
The growing instructions are :- Red or green leaves with a good aroma for use in salad packs or as a stir-fry vegetable. Sow All year round. Sow seed in succession every 2-3 weeks for a continuous supply of fresh young leaves. keep soil moist and cut leaves from each plant leaving some leaves on each so they re-grow. You will often get 3-4 cuttings per plant. 

Has anyone grown or eaten Shiso/Perilla please?]]>
"Shiso is known by many names including perilla, perilla mint, Chinese basil, wild basil, wild coleus, summer coleus and in the West as The Beefsteak Plant. Its many names were inspired by both its appearance and its flavour. It’s a member of the mint family so it’s no surprise that it has hints of mint in its flavour along with cumin, nutmeg and anise". https://advicefromtheherblady.com/plant-...als/shiso/

You won't be surprised to hear that Suttons/James Wong used to sell them as "Beefsteak plant". 

A few websites warn that it self seeds freely and can be invasive. 
The growing instructions are :- Red or green leaves with a good aroma for use in salad packs or as a stir-fry vegetable. Sow All year round. Sow seed in succession every 2-3 weeks for a continuous supply of fresh young leaves. keep soil moist and cut leaves from each plant leaving some leaves on each so they re-grow. You will often get 3-4 cuttings per plant. 

Has anyone grown or eaten Shiso/Perilla please?]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=1952 Sun, 25 Jun 2023 14:38:30 +0000 JJB]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=1952 ]]> ]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=1914 Fri, 19 May 2023 12:53:03 +0000 doublyjonah]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=1914
This year I sowed the rest of my packed of Incredible F1 in the hope of finally growing decent sweetcorn. The seed sprouted well and grew to a few inches high. Then the seedlings started keeling over. They didn't have what I think of as the usual signs of damping off - overly damp soil and withered sections of stem. I planted them out and even the decent looking ones have died (three survivors out of 30 or so!). I've ordered some more seed and I'll try again – my daughter loves it and we were so excited to grow it this year that I will even look at buying plants if the new seed doesn't take off or is looking too slow to develop.

I've never had luck getting my corn to the plate, but I've also not had problems at the seedling stage before. They were going downhill before transplant so I don't think it's to do with transplant shock or root disturbance.

Any ideas other than damping off? Pro tips to avoid problems with my next batch? Should I just chit them and then transfer to the plot instead of growing into little plants first?

Thanks!]]>
This year I sowed the rest of my packed of Incredible F1 in the hope of finally growing decent sweetcorn. The seed sprouted well and grew to a few inches high. Then the seedlings started keeling over. They didn't have what I think of as the usual signs of damping off - overly damp soil and withered sections of stem. I planted them out and even the decent looking ones have died (three survivors out of 30 or so!). I've ordered some more seed and I'll try again – my daughter loves it and we were so excited to grow it this year that I will even look at buying plants if the new seed doesn't take off or is looking too slow to develop.

I've never had luck getting my corn to the plate, but I've also not had problems at the seedling stage before. They were going downhill before transplant so I don't think it's to do with transplant shock or root disturbance.

Any ideas other than damping off? Pro tips to avoid problems with my next batch? Should I just chit them and then transfer to the plot instead of growing into little plants first?

Thanks!]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=1873 Thu, 13 Apr 2023 22:18:10 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=1873 No sign of knobbly growing buds yet but I live in hope. 
I've tried growing ginger several times, without any success. Does anyone have any tips?]]> No sign of knobbly growing buds yet but I live in hope. 
I've tried growing ginger several times, without any success. Does anyone have any tips?]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=1850 Wed, 22 Mar 2023 19:56:38 +0000 Small chilli]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=1850  .

Let’s pretend that halfway through the growing season you’ve got to.
 1 move every thing you’re growing 
 2 everything you grow has to down size to fish boxes and limited on space to put fish box. 
 3 everything you do grow can only be cooked on the hob ( if it needs cooking) 

Which varieties of veg do you grow?]]>  .

Let’s pretend that halfway through the growing season you’ve got to.
 1 move every thing you’re growing 
 2 everything you grow has to down size to fish boxes and limited on space to put fish box. 
 3 everything you do grow can only be cooked on the hob ( if it needs cooking) 

Which varieties of veg do you grow?]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=1825 Sat, 18 Feb 2023 16:23:14 +0000 JJB]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=1825 For size you'll see an emerging tomato, not yet reached proper leaf stage. What is it?........ Inspiration just hit me, could it be a cucumber, although I'm damned as if I can figure how it got into outdoor tomato compost.


  20230218_161213.jpg (Size: 473.41 KB / Downloads: 29) ]]> For size you'll see an emerging tomato, not yet reached proper leaf stage. What is it?........ Inspiration just hit me, could it be a cucumber, although I'm damned as if I can figure how it got into outdoor tomato compost.


  20230218_161213.jpg (Size: 473.41 KB / Downloads: 29) ]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=1814 Wed, 08 Feb 2023 22:19:03 +0000 Small chilli]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=1814 I’m considering having a go at growing some of the slight more unusual varieties. I’ve been looking at buy fresh mushrooms deliveries online. Oddly enough I’ve not found any that offer delivery up here. So growing my own is the way forward, if it’s worth it. Obviously there will be foraging in the autumn of the well known wild varieties.
So any advise would be appreciated.]]> I’m considering having a go at growing some of the slight more unusual varieties. I’ve been looking at buy fresh mushrooms deliveries online. Oddly enough I’ve not found any that offer delivery up here. So growing my own is the way forward, if it’s worth it. Obviously there will be foraging in the autumn of the well known wild varieties.
So any advise would be appreciated.]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=1779 Sat, 24 Dec 2022 23:17:01 +0000 Veggie]]> https://gardenandgossip.org/showthread.php?tid=1779
There have been very few mentions of celery on G&G so I've decided to put this right! I'm guessing that celery is one of those Love it or Loathe vegetables - I'm probably more of a Loather which is why I have several packets of seeds. 

Apparently, the Celery family (Apiacae) can be split into 3  - those grown for stalks, leaves or roots.
Stalks - Monterey, Green Utah, Golden Self Blanching
Leaves - Par-cel, Celery leaf
Roots - Celeriac - Monarch, Asterix F1

Any celery experiences you'd care to share?]]>
There have been very few mentions of celery on G&G so I've decided to put this right! I'm guessing that celery is one of those Love it or Loathe vegetables - I'm probably more of a Loather which is why I have several packets of seeds. 

Apparently, the Celery family (Apiacae) can be split into 3  - those grown for stalks, leaves or roots.
Stalks - Monterey, Green Utah, Golden Self Blanching
Leaves - Par-cel, Celery leaf
Roots - Celeriac - Monarch, Asterix F1

Any celery experiences you'd care to share?]]>