[surbie100]

Sunny - I'm not sure. I have only had 2 flowers from the tubs with the same size corms as you had. I did say they might be a bit small. But the recent drenching might also help kick them into action.

[tosca100]

Well done you. That will be so satisfying to use 

[New shoot]

Mine are still producing flowers.  Just 1 per corm, but its their first year so that's OK. 

I weighed an empty jar and then the one I am putting my harvest in and the electronic scales registered a difference of 1 gram.  I don't believe that for a minute as your haul is much, much bigger than mine 

Its funny how your perspective changes.  I always thought saffron was really expensive, but seeing how much you get and how it dries down to almost nothing, it now seems pretty reasonable for a little plastic box full.

[surbie100]

I thought they'd finished, but there were 3 more flowers today, so perhaps it will peter out gradually.

I agree - it does seem a lot more reasonable!

[New shoot]

But ours is home grown and even more precious 

I'm looking forward to cooking a couple of things (harvest willing).  The colour is amazing.  It feels like you are harvesting strands of gold 

[surbie100]

And it tastes better - more honeyed. aromatic, less bitter.

What are you thinking of making?

[New shoot]

I have a Madhur Jaffrey recipe for a pilaf rice I fancy doing, then not sure.  Its not an ingredient I have ever got to cook with much, although I have eaten it in things in restaurants.

A good excuse to look at recipe sites I think 

[surbie100]

Pears poached in saffron, star anise and chilli are really quite special. It's a Gordon Ramsay recipe and one of my most favourite things to eat.

Am thinking that subbing in quinces for pears might just work too.

[New shoot]

Quinces and saffron sound like a very Surbie combination 

What with that and discovering the new Real Seeds catalogue is ready on line, your Sunday must be approaching perfection 

[snowdrops]

Where did you get your bulbs from Surbie. I've now finally got my last path down at the plot, just the fruit cage to sort & I'll be ready to start experimenting & expanding my repertoire? Might be good for my gift list too🌺

[surbie100]

Suttons - nice fat bulbs. But they are only available in summer when they are dormant. Must be lovely to have it all nearly finished after all your hard work.

[crh75]

Looking amazing.
 

[snowdrops]

Suttons - nice fat bulbs. But they are only available in summer when they are dormant. Must be lovely to have it all nearly finished after all your hard work.

Thanks Surbie, as to all finished,hmm, not so sure on that. Must admit some of the stabbed paths wobble a little as mr S was not into making them perfect,he views jobs on the plot an evil necessity to be done as quickly as possible😵. But I'm not complaining, some of the others could do with re levelling soon. I'll suggest it another day 😀

[New shoot]

Its well worth having a go Snowdrops.  I have enough in my jar now that I can smell it when I open the lid to add more.  It smells very different to shop bought and I'm getting very excited about cooking with it.

To be honest, the flowers are pretty enough to warrant a space, even if you didn't harvest the saffron 

[snowdrops]

I shall certainly be considering it over the winter & working out where I can put some in that won't get disturbed. Did you say they are better in raised beds?