[Sideways]

I was in Focus this morning and spotted a bunch of reduced seed bulbs / roots which should have been planted between Sept & Dec last year. I know I’m leaving it a bit late but as the packs were reduced from £2.49 to £0.10p each I thought I would take the risk.

I bought several packs each of the following-
Rhubarb -Victoria
Rhubarb -Red Champagne
Asparagus -Thienlim
Onion sets- Shakespeare
Garlic – No name given on these.

The garlic has small green shoots growing from some of the tips, I think it is desperate to get in the ground. All of the labels state they should be planted between Sept & Dec.

I will plant them this weekend and see what happens, do you think I will have much success? I don’t think I could store them until next winter and I guess it’s not such an issue for the rhubarb and asparagus as they will stay in the ground for several years or more.

What do you think guys, stick them in the ground and see what happens?

[DD.]

As we said on this thread nothing to lose - well not a lot anyway in your case!

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=69516.0

They certainly won't keep until next year.

[mumofstig]

I know nothing about asparagus, but the others should be fine, they won't know that they are a week or so late

[JayG]

Make sure you give the asparagus crowns a good soaking in water and then inspect them to see if they have re-hydrated well (i.e. haven't stayed shrivelled or show any signs of rot) because they must have been stored an awfully long time.

[Sideways]

Make sure you give the asparagus crowns a good soaking in water and then inspect them to see if they have re-hydrated well (i.e. haven't stayed shrivelled or show any signs of rot) because they must have been stored an awfully long time.

Thanks all.

JayG, would an overnight soak be enough? As Im not planting them until Sat morning I could leave them in water until then, too long?

[JayG]

JayG, would an overnight soak be enough? As Im not planting them until Sat morning I could leave them in water until then, too long?

Overnight would be plenty (don't want to drown the poor things; they've suffered enough already!) 

[stompy]

I would put them in, nothing to lose.
Or put them in pots and see if they come on, if so plant them out.

[Kristen]

The price reduction is a bargain! but IME those type of things in bags hanging on racks dry out - even when they are "fresh" they are not in brilliant condition, after they have been there a couple of months they are in poor shape - particularly the Asparagus, and possibly the Rhubarb too (although they are though as old boots normally). I expect the bulbs are just shrivelled, so will have used up some / most of their energy store just trying to stay alive, but that will only mean a smaller crop, not a dead plant

You've only paid 4% of normal price, so if more than 4% (a shade more than 1-in-20) grow you are in profit

[Sideways]

I have opened up the packets and taken a closer look, the onion sets are in very good condition and still 'juicy', I split a couple to check. The garlic seems ok, its firm and the green shoots appear healthy. I cant realy say much about the aspagus & rhubarb, they look like dry roots, as usual.

I will get the garlic and onions in the ground and perhaps cover them up for now.

[TheSpartacat]

Argh!! RHUBARB!!!

Sorry, you've just reminded me of the 6 rhubarb crowns that i bought and didnt plant! How on EARTH did i forget about those?! eek!
 I've just checked them and they still look nice and moist (the compost round them is still damp)
Crumbs!

Well Sideways... you and me will both be experimenting in late rhubarb planting this year. Except I ordered mine at full price last Sept (.. and am feeling like an idiot)
 :blink: