[coatesi]

Hi Fellow Growers
                         Over the last couple of years I have kept you up to date with gardening from down under. Was a bit lax last year for numerous reasons so I thought I better catch up.
      Tomatos this year were the earliest I have ever picked them. A full 5 weeks early. Spuds were the same and I have planted a second crop and should get away with it before the first frost. Runner beans are the worst I have ever had. I am going to move my frames and try again. Shallots  red onions, dug dried and hung. Parsnips up and looking good. Leeks coming on and should be ready about March. Tried a different Tomato among my many this year. I planted a heritage variety call Black From Tula. Very tastey but it is the most butt ugly fruit you have ever seen. I will post a picture when I get a chance. I will also post a mystery veg for you to have a guess at. The weather has been good in my area with rain appearing as we needed it. A lot different from last year when we had a five month drought and then just about a flood. I see we have another member from NZ now and no doubt Kiwi will also keep you posted.
   Try and post pictures soon
  Coatesi

[Kiwi]

*waves*  

[peapod]

Cant wait for the pics - especially of the butt ugly toms   Did it put you off eating them?

And Kiwi - I love your tree fern leaf avatar  

[farmersue]

Hi Coatesi and Kiwi

My daughter lives in Nelson and i'm going to visit next month. For 4 whole weeks. How excited am i?!?!   Although i am a bit worried about getting behind on my plot. And what about my spuds? I'd hoped my order would have been delivered by now. Gulp.
NZ is such a beautiful country  - i'm very envious of you living there.
I lived in Auckland briefly many years ago and have very fond memories of my time in your wonderful country. All that fruit and veg. Mmmmm......

[Kiwi]

You will have such a lovely time - Nelson is just gorgeous!

INteresting about the heritage tomato. I planted some too this year - called mortgage lifter  :shock: It has huge mis shapen tomatoes - like the ones you get in Spain that taste amazing - they're not quite ready yet but can't wait.

It's been an absolutely stunning summer so far over here, I feel very lucky.

[matron]

Let's hope that our summer will be the same. Fed up of the cold and wet now.  :cry:

[coatesi]

This is the mystery veg. :shock:  Type and name please. Also a translation of the name. :twisted:
Shouldn't be too hard. Answer tomorrow sometime
Coatesi

[coatesi]

This is the Black From Tula tomato I am growing this year. As you can see the description of 'Butt Ugly' is actually flattering. The taste is magnificent, slightley smokey but not acidy at all. It is a heritage species so I should be able to keep seed and carry it on next year.
Coatesi

[Kiwi]

well I know the answer to the first one - but since I live here I wont tell!
We grew some this year

My heritage tomatoes look a lot like those as well, but they are less brown so far.

[peterjf]

just letting you know we have family in papatoto NZ ,

maybe there are some seeds you cant get in uk , we would be willing to start the ball rolling by sending the 1st packs of seeds , think about what you want from good old blighty you could senmd us some in return , what do you think, cheers , cheers , pete and sue in hull east yorkshire uk ,

e-mail ,

[Val H]

You need to be VERY careful on this one. Sending seeds to NZ is a no, no as they are very fussy about what they let into the country (following the Australian rabbit disaster).

[Kiwi]

Yeh Val's right MAF wont allow any seeds at all in, it's something they are incredibly strict about.
We could, however, send you some - I don't think Britain has the same rules? anyone?

[Etherelda]

eek, I know how strict MAF are. Didn't stop my grandad smuggling ukrainian mountain plant bulbs back from his native Carpathian mountains, through customs stuffed in his socks!

[Kiwi]

eek, I know how strict MAF are. Didn't stop my grandad smuggling ukrainian mountain plant bulbs back from his native Carpathian mountains, through customs stuffed in his socks!

 

[Yorkie]

e-mail  xxx

Peter, you might want to remove your email address or you'll get loads of spam  :roll: