I have always saved flower seeds (it's just so fun to be able to spread flowers around wherever you go. When I first read Miss Rumphius I wanted to be her, and I just happened to already have a lot of Lupin seeds in jars) but it was these beans that got me into saving vegetable seeds.
They are a simple pole bean but what I like about them is that they seem to stay tender for a long time (for those sort of people who forget to pick regularly or go camping lots). They are also very productive and they taste good raw or cooked (especially cooked and then topped with ground almonds toasted in butter with a sprinkle of Parmesan and lemon).
This year I feel lucky to know some other gardeners who are also interested in seed saving. These carrots were seeds given to me by two garden goddesses. I have two little rows coming up and I just planted two more. I think they are multi-coloured ones, aren't they Andrea?
And these are some beets that are finally sprouting. I was reminded yesterday that I want to plant extra this year so I can make huge vats of borscht to freeze for the Winter months.
5 comments:
Seed saving is one thing I'd love to learn this year, says the woman who has no idea where to even look for a carrot seed ;-)
How exciting to have veggies appearing in your garden already!
I just learned, from my new hero Jamie Oliver...that carrots originally came in multiple colours..purples, white, yellow and it was the Dutch who apparently were feeling nationalistic? who spread the orange only version. I know you don't watch much TV but Jamie at Home is such a great show...if it ever comes out on DVD you should grab it!
Yellow pole beans? YUM!
I think the seeds you got from Andrea were dragon carrots (purple). The old heritage varieties seem to seed themselves more easily.
I consider myself the poppy Miss Rumphius! Have any of the lupine seeds you've scattered ever grown do you think? I just love the idea.
I like Jamie Oliver too, Joanne. I read about him in Jane Goodall's book Harvest For Hope. That is where I learned that many children don't know how things like potatoes and zuchini grow or even what whole celery looks like. He has some school food program that he started, I think. I think you would like the book too.
Beetroots my favourite, eating warm with salad cream, I like the chilli induced ones too. Thanks for putting us on to this book, I am going to seek this one out at the library. x
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