Tiger toms !!

[GardenFan]

Two pics to share one of my tigerella and the other of my collection of march sown tiger toms. You can also see my apple cucumbers in that pic too

[Don Vincenzo]

Snakes of Sicily and Giant jersey cabbages photos

Please see some unusual vegetables photos

[Lesley Jay]

Excellent photos Don and GardenFan! Don is the Giant Jersey Cabbage also known as Walking Stick and what part of the plant do you eat?

[Don Vincenzo]

Giant Jersey cabbage or walking sticks was used to be grown for its stalks and roots for walking sticks and other objects. In the second year the plant reaches 15 foot or more. Leaves are used as any other cabbages or for dolmias and the flavour is quite nice. The cabbages in the photo is nine months old. The sticks are left to dry for six months, then sanding them down, carved if required and laquered. The end result is a very strong, light sticks. I used some of mine for my runner beans frame. I will try to post some photo.
regards
Don Vincenzo

[SueA]

Gardenfan, are apple cucumbers the same as normal cucumbers but just round in shape?
Don Vincenzo, what do you do with the Snakes of Sicily? If you cut one off do you have to eat it all at once (what whoppers)? They look at bit like the Tromboncino courgettes I tried to grow last year but I didn't get to eat any of them because I planted them late & the frost got to them before I did!

[Don Vincenzo]

Tromboncino are more closed to squashes or pumpkin, while snakes of Sicily are similar to courgettes but far superior in taste. You cook them in the same way of courgettes. The secret of growing them is hand pollination. Of course you pick and eat them while young see photo and light peel them. Then use them as courgettes. I.E. stir frying, ratatouille, soups ( minestrone ) etc. The plant is very elegant.
Regards
Don Vincenzo

[running_muttley]

Two pics to share one of my tigerella and the other of my collection of march sown tiger toms. You can also see my apple cucumbers in that pic too

Hey my tiger tomato seeds have just arrived today and I found your photos. I've something to aim for now. Thank you

[Mrs Dobby]

Hi RM, we are growing Tiger Toms too (along with another 10 varieties of tomato, methinks Mr D and I took the tomato taste experiment a little too far! ) Hopeing to try 3 or 4 plants, some in the greenhouse, some outside on the plot and some outside in the garden!

[running_muttley]

I've only got 7 packets so far. Hoping that the seed will last a few years. Have to finish building the greenhouse soon.

[Dobby]

yea the seds shoul last up to 5 years so it says in The vegetable expert books by Dr D.G.Hessayon
I thik we have enough seeds to last that long in every veg
well it was wivals folt they had seeds for 25p so we got lots and lots

[running_muttley]

I know what you mean I thnk in a familne I could keep going for several years. Does you book tell me why when I sow the best, new, parsnip seed I don't get a single one but when I leave 1 of the previous years parsnips to go to seed (it turned a lovely red colour) I get scores of them all over my plot. Hoping for better luck this year.

[Dobby]

you need to sow 3 seeds together then thin to leave one 6in apart in one row the second row needs to be 12in apart
I'm Not very good with computers

^
6in
v {12}

it says February is the traditional month fot sowing parsnip, but it is better to wate untill March or even (April if you are growing the short rooted varieties
hope this helps