[pdblake]

If this rain keeps up I might try growing rice

[LilacSandy]

Sounds like a sound cassers that, Lils!

I want to get going on a salsify gratin one day, as there used to be a restaurant in Canterbury which had it on the menu, and it really did hit the spot! (the salsify, not the restaurant...)

Recipe please!!!!  I still have a couple of rows to harvest and it would be nice to do something different with them

[Growster...]

Sounds like a sound cassers that, Lils!

I want to get going on a salsify gratin one day, as there used to be a restaurant in Canterbury which had it on the menu, and it really did hit the spot! (the salsify, not the restaurant...)

Recipe please!!!!  I still have a couple of rows to harvest and it would be nice to do something different with them

TWO ROWS!

You lucky Gal!

Lunch on you when next we find ourselves near your place! (wine's on me...)!

I have to admit that I googled a recipe for' salsify a la gratin', and you'll get loads...

This old chap does a super one, and we'll do this when I can get down to dig enough...

[prestongirl82]

Try Pennard Plants for more unusual plants. I buy purple podded peas from them every year and they taste really nice and always grow really well.

[fibilou]

I try to grow as many expensive/hard to get veggies as possible. This year:

Okra (grown before but very tiny crop)
Physalis (v. sucessful in greenhouse)
Alpine strawberries are on yr 2, hopefully will get some fruit this year
Artichokes - violetta di chioggia. Already have a cardoon doing well
Thai aubergines (new for this year)
Cavalo nero
Gherkins - v. sucessful last year
Kohlrabi
Lemongrass - new adventure for this year
Chinese artichokes aka crosnes - grown a few years ago but not very high yield
Tomatillo
Okahijiki - tried before but was total failure, trying again this year.
Buying some edible ferns in the hope of fiddleheads next spring [yum yum]
Asparagus - sowed some last year but they got completely under water as I forgot to take them under shelter when we had some torrential rain so they died. they had been doing well
Herbs-wise I grow chervil, savoury, borage, salad burnet, wild garlic

[Kate and her Ducks]

I'm also having a go at growing a few more unusual things as well as the time tried and tested stuff (didn't grow kale last year, never again!).

AM going to have a go with globe artichokes in the borders, cape gooseberries (which did really well a couple of years ago outside so hopefully even better in a greenhouse), lemongrass and figs. Also got given the Homegrown Revolution book for Christmas. don't like that it slates the staples a bit but bought it would be fun to try some of the unusual stuff so will find out if you really can eat dahlia yams (and if its worth it!).

[Paul Plots]

will find out if you really can eat dahlia yams (and if its worth it!).

Dahlia yams? Sounds exotic... Hope it's safe. 

[Kate and her Ducks]

Apparently safe, according to the book. Not sure it will be economical in terms of yield and of course they might taste foul! Will feed back in 8-9 months or so! Might give day lilies a go too. If I poison myself will ask the family to omit both from any floral tributes as in bad taste!

[Jamrock]

will find out if you really can eat dahlia yams (and if its worth it!).

Dahlia yams? Sounds exotic... Hope it's safe. 

Very safe, although not to my taste. Popular in the far east apparently but then again so is Rhino horn and Tiger penis 

[Hobnails]

Rather than growing unusual veg which may or may not be worth it when it ends up on the plate I prefer to grow specific varieties of things i like to eat that are not easily available in shops or are very pricey

New potatoes rather than maincrop

Shallots rather than maincrop onions

Chilli varieties that you don't see in the shops

Borlottis and other french bean varieties

The list goes on!

Obviously if you have the time and room to grow everything then brilliant but this is rare

I now grow Cobra climbing beans instead of French Beans. They are very similar in taste and texture and I get more crop from a smaller space- and don't miss having to bend down to pick them

[Jamrock]

I now grow Cobra climbing beans instead of French Beans. They are very similar in taste and texture and I get more crop from a smaller space- and don't miss having to bend down to pick them

I grew a climbing bean called Corona d'oro (i think) last year and it did very well. Short season but rapid bean growth

[gazza975526570]

I now grow Cobra climbing beans instead of French Beans. They are very similar in taste and texture and I get more crop from a smaller space- and don't miss having to bend down to pick them

I know what you mean, but i still grow both - however whilst you don't miss bending down to pick them i'd be pretty confident you still miss some of the beans when picking them!!!!!

No matter how much attention i try to give i always miss some!!


edit to fix quote

[Paul Plots]

Apparently safe, according to the book. Not sure it will be economical in terms of yield and of course they might taste foul! Will feed back in 8-9 months or so! Might give day lilies a go too. If I poison myself will ask the family to omit both from any floral tributes as in bad taste!

 
Nothing ventured nothing gained....... but I think, on this occasion, "after you ma'm" 

(I have a family member we could try it out on.......that is said mostly in jest.... I guess. )

[New shoot]

Might give day lilies a go too.

I've eaten them and lived to tell the tale    They have the texture of iceburg lettuce but have no real flavour as such.  I grow them just to look at now 

[Kate and her Ducks]

Sounds a lot like iceberg lettuce then but prettier!