The Victorian Kitchen Garden Introduction part 3

This is the third and final part of the introduction to the Victorian Kitchen Garden. With Peter Thoday and Harry Dodson.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Peter
• Thoday
• Harry
• Dodson
• Victorian
• Kitchen
• Garden
• Ruth
• Mott

[gmaureen]

I'm not sure I understand the need for 500 apple varieties. Today, in my local groceries I can find about 30 varieties and this is more than enough to satisfy.

[dukestt]

@gmaureen the answer to your statement is in your question, you can go to the supermarket, whereas the average victorian could not hence the resaon for so many varieties. You have have what you could grow. If you think that 500 varieties is a lot for apples you should spare a thought for the pears.  Thomas Rivers had a stock of more than 1000.

[MultiZanadu]

this is pure brilliance ..perfect naration and production .. Harry you have handed down a gardening treasure trove .. a lovely series . that may be watched over and over , Bless all you involved in any way ,, Seamus Ward

[Victoriam4074]

Pineapples...18 months of growing for one pineapple....

[ThibetanMonk]

@dukestt May I add that the 7000 known apple varieties, worldwide, are developped to enhance specific qualities and fulfill regional needs, soils, climates and purposes. Here we grow mainly McIntosh, Cortland, Spartan and Empire. Our harsh climate lead a French immigrant, Christian Barthomeuf, to create Ice Cider, a beverage that is slowly becoming the toast of wine connoisseurs and prestigious international competitions around the globe. Thanks for uploading this wonderful serie.

[gmaureen]

@dukestt Not entirely. Yes, the Victorians bought from the catalogs but they would never be able to try/taste all 500 varieties of apples or 1000 varieties of pears. Maybe the answer is share of market for a particular seed merchant/nurseryman? (The more varieties I offer, the more customers I attract)

[tedpainter]

Wonderful! Thank you.

[peacelovechocolate]

What a find! Thank you for posting these! As an avid fruit and vegetable gardener, I actually have the book, and saw the references to a series. I never thought I would be able to see it for myself. Much appreciated. And timely, timelier by the year. We may again have to revive the personal art of gardening.