13 Comments
Sep 30, 2023Liked by Jack Wallington

Thanks for the idea of growing nasturtiums under veg. This year I grew tall white cosmos amongst sweet corn - for pollination - looked lovely too. Good harvest for first growing season since moving from Somerset to Argyll.

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That’s a big move! I’m glad the harvests are working out well. The cosmos among sweetcorn sounds lovely 🥰

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Sep 29, 2023Liked by Jack Wallington

Absolutely. Last year , our first , we got some help with a cut and then we forked the cuttings into pikes and then one huge one 🤦‍♀️ the problem is : then what do you do with the mountain … unless it’s in bales nobody really wants it . We have about 12 builder bags full away and then …..we had to burn it 🙃 This year : Tups !

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Yes it’s not great if you have to end up burning as it defeats part of the aim with carbon storing. Last year we could mow and bale and not graze which is my preferred option but this year threw a spanner in the works.

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Sep 29, 2023Liked by Jack Wallington

Yes . Close by !! We have our neighbours Tups in the meadow and they’re doing a grand job .

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It’ll be great to compare notes at some point!

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Sep 29, 2023Liked by Jack Wallington

Have some Troika red nasturtiums which look wonderful right now. I am collecting the seeds to pickle them (delicious!) but no doubt I will still have lots of self-seeded next year. Hadn't thought of using them between veg, it makes sense.

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Lovely, I really need to try pickling them, is it quite easy?

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Sep 29, 2023Liked by Jack Wallington

Yes, really simple. There are lots of different ways, but I lacto-ferment in a 3% brine. You just need a kilner jar or similar and some kind of weight to keep the seeds under the brine). Fresh coriander seeds are great done like that too, if you can be faffed to collect them 😂

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Great thank you 🙏🏼

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Sep 29, 2023Liked by Jack Wallington

I’m looking forward to “ more “ on the meadow subject …. Am also experimenting with sheep …..

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It's fun, are you based in Yorkshire too or further afield?

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I grow nasturtiums mainly to attract caterpillars and keep them away from other veggies. I planned to sow "Milk Maid" next year as I remember you posting a photo and how pretty it looked. Might still give it a try. I grow dwarf sunflowers around my French climbing beans and they look good. The beans are never attacked by any "nasties"!!! Just checked my leeks -oh heck rust again!!!

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