HSL seeds whoooop

[piskieinboots]

I was late in ordering my free seeds, they just arrived this morning and I have got all that I asked for

I got:
Broad Bean - Bacardi
Beetroot - Avon Early
Cucumber - Boothby's Blond
Dwarf French - Early Warwick
Radish - Crimson Giant
Amaranth - Tower Hamlets

The lucky dip is a little confusing for me - the paket says K Kale Lucky Dip Asparagus?? Is that Kale or Asparagus?

Anyone grown any of the above?

[StephenH]

Joined HSL last year, but didn't order anything for this year. I had various varieties in mind to order which were mentioned in the 2009 catalogue (which they sent a copy of for reference when I joined), but none of them were in the 2010 catalogue, and nothing else really took my fancy. I hope that runner bean 'Inchley's White' and onion 'Rousham Park Hero' are back in next year. I got some soldier beans from a kind grape, after mentioning that I was hoping to get them from HSL some time ago - just as well, because they weren't in this year either, I don't think.

[piskieinboots]

The lucky dip is a little confusing for me - the paket says K Kale Lucky Dip Asparagus?? Is that Kale or Asparagus?

Ignore me - I've found it in the catalogue, sounds lovely:
violet-tinged fringed leaves, flowers shoots can be blanched and eaten like asparagus

...hum, let's hope we're not talking asparagus peas here

[Alison]

Totally different selection to me Piskie, was a bit tempted by the cucumbers but went for quite a few peas in particular this year as I like to grow a selection. Already got the Poppet peas on the go although most of those will be saved for seed this year to grow properly next year so we'll only have a couple of meals off them to check they're OK!

StephenH, the think with HSL is that you can never guarantee what will be in the catalogue every year. To me that's part of the fun but I always find that I have problems getting it down to 6 first choices so can't see me having your problem! At least you know your money is being put to good use though.

[Flummery]

I have some asparagus kale - I grew extra for the chickens. Once I'd tasted it they didn't get much!
I also grow Early Warwick bean courtesy of a seed swap with Hazel. They are a good bean to eat fresh, but even better in my opinion, to leave till mature but not yet drying and shell out to eat as shelly beans. Gorgeous. I freeze a few packs like this and add them to casseroles. No soaking either!

[piskieinboots]

ooh thanks Flums hun

erm, shelley beans

[SarzWix]

Shelly beans = Full sized beans in the pods, but not started drying out yet.

My lucky dip from HSL was Pepper - Nardello. A bit disappointed because I still have some of those from last year. They'll go in the Chilli Seed Swap Paecel though I guess.

Asparagus kale sounds good value, 2 crops from one plant

The seeds I'm most chuffed about getting from them are the Leek Early Market. I just love these, great flavour, and stood everything the weather threw at them. I attempted to save my own seed from them, but failed miserably. So I was dead pleased to get some more seeds

[zazen999]

Joined HSL last year, but didn't order anything for this year. I had various varieties in mind to order which were mentioned in the 2009 catalogue (which they sent a copy of for reference when I joined), but none of them were in the 2010 catalogue, and nothing else really took my fancy. I hope that runner bean 'Inchley's White' and onion 'Rousham Park Hero' are back in next year. I got some soldier beans from a kind grape, after mentioning that I was hoping to get them from HSL some time ago - just as well, because they weren't in this year either, I don't think.

If you joined HSL you should be getting 6 packs free!

[smc999]

I grew Boothby's Blonde last year and they are white/yellow skinned small cucumbers that are lovely pickled but a little hard raw. They can sprawl a bit but they are prolific. I grew mine in the greenhouse last year and I've planted some seeds for this year already.

[Alison]

The seeds I'm most chuffed about getting from them are the Leek Early Market. I just love these, great flavour, and stood everything the weather threw at them. I attempted to save my own seed from them, but failed miserably. So I was dead pleased to get some more seeds

I had them in my last years selection and wasn't that impressed, surprisingly poor germination and then most of them didn't get past the grass stage

[SarzWix]

Oh, that's a real shame Alison They were lovely leeks for me. I hope they do well again this year, as I have the space to leave them for seed this time.

[binley100]

What's HSL please

[zazen999]

Check my Signature Binley [It's just down the road from you!!!]

[binley100]

D'oh..........thanks Zaz

[zazen999]

In fact, it's the next village isn't it [I drive through Binley Woods to get there when I go]....