HSL - Member's Experiments Seeds Arrived

[zazen999]

I signed up for the Member Experiment which is to compare modern varieties to old.

So, we're comparing tall peas this year:

The New variety is Alderman

The Old varieties are:
Clarke's Beltony Blue
Simpson's Special
Hugh's Huge

Anyone else taking part in any of the HSL experiments?

HSL is part of Garden Organic, if anyone is interested in joining either:

Garden Organic - celebrating 50 years of organic growing - organic gardening, farming and food

[shirlthegirl43]

I rather fancy joining but just can't afford it.

I grew Alderman peas last year - they were pretty good and carried on cropping over a good few weeks. Will grow them again this year but will sow more.

[Flummery]

I'm losing a bit of growing space for the chook run so I'm sticking to my own HSL choices, those I saved from last year, those I swapped, those I crossed myself and want to grow out. I decided that was enough! I'll be interested to see what you find out though. Terminally nosey, me!

[Snadger]

I reckon one old variety of tall growing peas, Ne Plus Ultra, would give Alderman a run for it's money any day!

Are the ones you've been given all tall growing peas Zazen?

[pigletwillie]

Since when has Alderman been a new variety, I was under the impressiion its origins date from the early 1800's

Sorry just googled it, its life began in 1881 which for me classes it as a heritage variety. No commercial tall peas have been bred since the 1950's.

[zazen999]

I think it is because it is commercially available that it is considered 'new'.

Yes - they are all tall Snadger...

[TonyF]

I signed up for the experiment too, waiting for my seeds to arrive!

[zazen999]

Excellent - not just me then!

[Snadger]

I think it is because it is commercially available that it is considered 'new'.

Yes - they are all tall Snadger...

And at least one is purple podded!

[zazen999]

I know - I've been reading up on them.

[pigletwillie]

Do you want to try some of these Andrea?

Ne plus ultra are also commercially available and they stared in the Victorian Kitchen Garden. I am confused?

Anyway, all of them there peas will be brilliant I am sure. Save some swaps wont you.

[zazen999]

I will next year PW...and of course i'll be saving some swaps - it goes without saying!

I'm sure they have their reasons for the choices - I'm happy just to do the trial and report back.

Roll on Spring.

[gojiberry]

I would love to take part but can't garantee the time to look after them properly. I have just received my HSL seeds and have a packet of Epicure peas, so looking forward to see how they do.

Ian

[TonyF]

My experiment seeds arrived today, will be sorting out bestest place for them in the next few days.

Also ordered my choices a few days ago, all French beans, 3 climbers and 3 bush

OK, so, I like growing peas and beans ............... but it doesn't make me weird or a bad person

[TonyF]

Wowsers, that was quick, my choice arrived today and having ordered 6 packets of beans my lucky dip was ........ more beans.

And I also received, same post, another lot of experiment seeds so will hang on to those and grow 2 rows of each but only evaluate one, but will send any excess seeds back when I return my Guardian seeds.