Harvesting your flower sprouts - Claire's Allotment part 128

[mrsengeseth]

Can't wait to be able to find these in the USA! Hopefully soon. :)

[clairesallotment]

@mrsengeseth May be you could ask your seed companies if they can get hold of them. Worth a try.

[mrsengeseth]

@clairesallotment good idea! There's a few I can contact. It never occurred to me to ask them, I can try!

[PRdigger]

Good to see your flower sprout video. I have grown them for the first time with mixed results, some stems are full with sprouts others with very few. I wasn't sure how large they grew - now I know. Many thanks. Do you know whether the tops are edible (like brussel tops)? I'll try them anyway.

Peter

[clairesallotment]

@PRdigger Yes they are. I remember my mum going to the greengrocers and asking for either "Greens" or "Brussel tops". I don't think you can find them anymore. I loved them. Stream them until tender, then add salt and pepper and butter to them.

[mannytwoshoes]

Nice. Thanks for the fantastic videos. !

[Lydvan]

H Claire, Thanks for your reply. The plot is not too bad, the previous tenant dug it over a number of times so the ground nice but it is very weedy with a little bramble. So taking my time to clear it and I've managed to clear 3 beds so far. 2 of which I've put manure on. We've had lots of rain which has been a challenge as the soil is clay.

Thank you for your offer, I may take you up on it. :-).

In the meantime I will just keep digging and clearing.

Thanks again.

[clairesallotment]

@Lydvan I'm glad that you're getting there. Clay soil is definitely a challenge, but it can be improved with manure. It tends to take a while to warm up in the Spring, but when there's a drought it's the best soil to have.

Keep digging the end is in sight.

[Lydvan]

Hi Claire,

Just a general thanks really.

Just before I acquired an allotment plot in December 2010, Full of excitement decided to check YouTube for the best way to clear an overgrown allotment and came across yours. I then discovered the numerous videos you have created which are very helpful.

I had never heard of this veg until your earlier video and seeing this one, I think I'll check them out myself.

Still creating and clearing beds but looking forward to spring planting.

Lydia

[clairesallotment]

@Lydvan Hi Lydia, I'm so glad you find the videos useful. You're very new to the allotment game. I'm sure you'll have loads of fun and if you have any questions just ask and I'll help best I can. The first year is the hardest as you've got to clear everything. Is it in a bad state? Hope it's not too bad, now is a good time to start digging again as the ground isn't hard, but you'll need a good pair of wellies as it's still very muddy. Good luck and remember to take it a little at a time.

[horticulturalchannel]

What did you think of the taste?

[clairesallotment]

@horticulturalchannel They were very sweet, just like small brussels. Don't cook them for too long they still need to be crunchy.

[ShushLorraine]

Thanks for showing them to us! I've never heard of them.

[clairesallotment]

@ShushLorraine They're very new. I think they first came out in the UK about 10 years ago, but only were around for a couple of years. But then vanished and then came back last year. Mine came from Thompson and Morgan.

[kokonutbaby1]

con't: I have a golf ball sized bell pepper in a cup in my kitchen window, some jalapeno's growing in milk jugs in the kitchen as well as garlic sprouts, tomato plants, cabbage plants, etc that I grew this winter..will start some more seeds indoors soon in cups to go outside in the beds in spring. I was astonished that jalapenos grow well inside..I have 2 to pick next soup, lol..hope all is well..how's Mark and the kids? Have u visited your parents recently? Be sure & make a vid if u do! ..Angie

[clairesallotment]

@kokonutbaby1 Sounds like you're having loads of fun. Mind the Jalapeno's as they are very hot!!

[kokonutbaby1]

Fantastic!! You're back!! I have missed you..bet you cant wait until spring, lol..me either..it's been so cold recently here in Arkansas, had a nice little snow but is starting to melt off..temp this A.M. is a little warm for a change a whopping 41 F. lol..sun is coming up w/a high of possibly 49F...has been under 32F day & down to 16 F at night..brrrr, hehe..I went out yesterday & dug in my raised bed garden a hole to put in compost from the kitchen, then covered it..been doing that..con't:

[clairesallotment]

@kokonutbaby1 Let's hope it warms up soon. Spring is on it's way. Today it's cold here, but blue sky, so it feels warmer. I'm itching to get going again. I've been doing bits, but the major rush hasn't started yet.