The vegetable plot is rediscovering its roots

[Osesame]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/liv...n_page_id=1770

Last updated at 22:00pm on 10th August 2007


It is not long since makeover shows were mobilising homeowners into paving or decking over their gardens.

But it seems the wheelbarrow has gone full circle. The Good Life is once again the national inspiration.

One in six people now grows some of the produce they eat, up from one in ten just a few years ago.

And almost a quarter of those with their own gardens are tending vegetable patches, fruit trees or tubs of fresh herbs.

Most say their motivation is to know the origin of the food they eat.

The figures emerge in a survey to mark the start of National Allotments Week, which starts on Monday.

It found that 28 per cent of people would consider joining the 330,000 people who already tend allotments.

While the vegetable patch has a long way to go to match its popularity 20 years ago, when 40 per cent of gardens had one, there is a definite renaissance emerging in those and other efforts at self-sufficiency.

More than half of people (55 per cent) are thinking of installing a rain collection system to nourish their crops in a more environmentally-friendly way, and almost three-quarters (71 per cent) would consider installing solar panels at their homes.

Neil Dixon, co-ordinator of National Allotments Week, said increasing interest in the route food takes to our plates was behind the grow-it-yourself resurgence. "As well as being a healthy option, it can also be a great hobby or social activity and gives a real sense of achievement," he said.

"For those not lucky enough to have a garden, or for people who just want to become a more involved member of their community, allotments can be a great solution." The survey was produced by Standard Life Bank in support of a new service advising people how to use the equity in their homes to lead a more sustainable lifestyle.

[Osesame]

Which 10 veggies would you grow if you had the space?

[aliando]

if there were no restrictions:

lemons
limes
oranges
leeks
potatoes
celery
sweetcorn
raspberries
onions
mushrooms

[bickleigh bomber]

i ve got an allotment and i love it , i even become a boring cnut at work.
Its like betting you just cant stop thinking and talking about it

[Big Andy]

1 Peas
2 Carrots
3 Cauliflower
4 Cabbage
5 Broad Beans
6 Beetroot
7 Broccoli
8 Leeks
9 Onions
10 Garlic

[peteg40]

Originally Posted by aliando

if there were no restrictions:

lemons
limes
oranges
leeks
potatoes
celery
sweetcorn
raspberries
onions
mushrooms

Doh Ali Vegetables not Fruit as well

[aliando]

Originally Posted by peteg40

Doh Ali Vegetables not Fruit as well

thought i was doing well after i dropped chocolate orange and strawberry cheesecake

[slapdash]

Originally Posted by aliando

thought i was doing well after i dropped chocolate orange and strawberry cheesecake

I was quite surprised not to see sheep on your list.

[slapdash]

1. Parsnip
2. Dorset Naga

I'll have to think about the other eight ...

[DeepBlueDevilFish]

Funny you should mention the Dorset Naga there Slapdash. A guy at work brought one of those in for us to try today. He warned us it was very hot so I took the smallest bit I could. Bloody hell - my mouth went numb for a whole hour and that was with drinking gallons of water. It gave me an instant headache that I still had a few hours later. Never tasted anything like it in my life. Unbelievable it was. He said it has the record of being the hottest chilli in the world - almost off the scale on the measurements used for "hotness" he said.

[aliando]

Originally Posted by slapdash

I was quite surprised not to see sheep on your list.

what do you think the veg is for?

[slapdash]

Originally Posted by aliando

what do you think the veg is for?

OK, I understand now.

That's why you left out the Dorset Naga?

[aliando]

Originally Posted by slapdash

OK, I understand now.

That's why you left out the Dorset Naga?

after no googling whatsoever, i can honestly say, that I'll leave the dorset naga until the kink-night at the local rugby club has a date set ( for september)

[slapdash]

Originally Posted by aliando

after no googling whatsoever, i can honestly say, that I'll leave the dorset naga until the kink-night at the local rugby club has a date set ( for september)

Feel free to help yourself from my allotment.

... but hands off the parsnips!

[davidmphill]

Have to admit in the last few years I have taken to growing my own veg.
Just started with cucumbers, tomatos and jalapeno peppers over here.
Will probably go for more next year as I left it too late to do so this time around.
Nothing more satisfying than eating your own produce.

[Osesame]

My selections would be:

beans runner
beetroot
broccoli,"bordeaux"
cabbage
carrots
cauliflower "violet Queen"
leeks
lettuce"Little Gem"
onions (sets)
potatoes


The above list is based on growing for 1 person.I would expect total costs to be 33-50% of supermaket prices overall.(including costs of fertilisers etc.)
Don't forget to save unused seeds from one year to next.Keep in a plastic sealed box in the fridge.

[Pocket Lady]

1 Potatoes
2 Carrots
3 Cauliflower
4 Cabbage
5 Lettuce
6 Cucumber
7 Broccoli
8 Leeks
9 Onions
10 Tomatoes

[Osesame]

LEEKS

The first in a series highlighting a particular veg.
I will use Chase organics http://www.organiccatalog.com/catalog/as the supplier unless another supplier has something special to offer.They are not always the cheapest so you might save a bit by shopping around.

chase org	crop	freeze	mini leek	seeds	price		viability
early							4yrs
LEEK Hannibal	ond/j	yes 3M	yes	215	1.51
LEEK Pandora	ond/jfm	yes 3M		190	1.79
LEEK Startrack	son	yes 3M	yes	145	1.67
LEEK Varna	son		m/leek var	145	1.51
late
LEEK Atlanta	jfmam	yes 3M		145	1.51
LEEK Siegfried	jfm	yes 3M		285	1.32	very hardy
LEEK St. Victor	mam	yes 3M		475	2.28	very hardy