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I was given this today and thought it appropriate for this forum, I think it's brilliant!
A POETIC KEY TO SEEDS’ SHELF-LIFE
(EDP 26-10-1991)
You have in your drawer since Candlemas Day
All the seed packets you daren’t throw away
Seed Catalogues cometh as year it doth end
But look in your drawer before money you spend
Throw out ye Parsnip ‘its no good next year
And Scorzonera if there’s any there
For these have a life that is gone with ye wynde
Unlike all seeds of ye cabbagy kinde
Broccoli, cauliflower, sprouts and kale
Live long like a farmer who knoweth good ale
Three years for certain, maybe five or four
To sow in their seasons they stay in your drawer
Khol-Rabi lasts with them and so does Pei-Tsai
The winter “cos lettuce” to sow in July
But short is the life of ye Turnips and Swedes
Sow next year only, enough for your needs
Mustard and Cress for when salads come round
Sows for three seasons, so buy half a pound
Radish last four years, both round ones and long
Sow thinly and often, they’re never too strong
Last year’s left Lettuce sows three summers more
And Beetroot and Spinach-Beet easily four
But ordinary Spinach, both prickly and round
Hath one summer left before gaps waste ye ground
Leeks sow three Aprils and one hath gone past
And this is as long as ye Carrot will last
Onion seed keeps till three years have flown by
But sets are so easy and dodge onion fly
Store Marrows and Cucumbers, best when they’re old
Full seven summers’ sowings a packet can hold
Six hath ye Celery that needs a frost to taste
So hath Celeriac, before it goes to waste
Broad Beans, French ones, Runners sown in May
Each hath a sowing left before you throw away
And store Peas, tall Peas, fast ones and slow
Parley and Salsify have one more spring to sow
Then fillen ye form that your seedsman doth send
For novelties plenty, there’s money to spend
Good seed and good horses are worth the expense
So pay them your poundies as I paid my pence
Written by the last Lawrence D Hills, Doubleday Research Association
A POETIC KEY TO SEEDS’ SHELF-LIFE
(EDP 26-10-1991)
You have in your drawer since Candlemas Day
All the seed packets you daren’t throw away
Seed Catalogues cometh as year it doth end
But look in your drawer before money you spend
Throw out ye Parsnip ‘its no good next year
And Scorzonera if there’s any there
For these have a life that is gone with ye wynde
Unlike all seeds of ye cabbagy kinde
Broccoli, cauliflower, sprouts and kale
Live long like a farmer who knoweth good ale
Three years for certain, maybe five or four
To sow in their seasons they stay in your drawer
Khol-Rabi lasts with them and so does Pei-Tsai
The winter “cos lettuce” to sow in July
But short is the life of ye Turnips and Swedes
Sow next year only, enough for your needs
Mustard and Cress for when salads come round
Sows for three seasons, so buy half a pound
Radish last four years, both round ones and long
Sow thinly and often, they’re never too strong
Last year’s left Lettuce sows three summers more
And Beetroot and Spinach-Beet easily four
But ordinary Spinach, both prickly and round
Hath one summer left before gaps waste ye ground
Leeks sow three Aprils and one hath gone past
And this is as long as ye Carrot will last
Onion seed keeps till three years have flown by
But sets are so easy and dodge onion fly
Store Marrows and Cucumbers, best when they’re old
Full seven summers’ sowings a packet can hold
Six hath ye Celery that needs a frost to taste
So hath Celeriac, before it goes to waste
Broad Beans, French ones, Runners sown in May
Each hath a sowing left before you throw away
And store Peas, tall Peas, fast ones and slow
Parley and Salsify have one more spring to sow
Then fillen ye form that your seedsman doth send
For novelties plenty, there’s money to spend
Good seed and good horses are worth the expense
So pay them your poundies as I paid my pence
Written by the last Lawrence D Hills, Doubleday Research Association
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