Perpetual onions, cauliflower & anything else

[jools]

Hi, I was wondering whether anyone has tried perpetual onions (look like spring onions) or perpetual cauliflower? Do they actually taste like real spring onions and real cauliflower, and are they worth growing?

I have seen adverts for these but they are quite expensive - each type are £16.50 for 10 "plantlets" - so am a little anxious about buying if they aren't going to be any good.

Are there any other types of perpetual veg that are worth growing. I am about to expand my veg areas, but am mindful of the limited time I have.

Many thanks

Jools

[Lumpy]

Perpetual spinach is a good one and easy to grow. If you like radish how about a Munchen Bier? You allow them to flower then pick and eat the seed pods - be warned though you have to pick them when the pods are smallish (about an inch) and you get a lot of them.

[jools]

Thanks, Lumpy. The spinach sounds good. Never heard of Munchen Bier. Will look that up. Ta.

[veggiechicken]

I grow perennial (bunching) onions, leeks (Babington) and kale (Daubenton & cottagers).
All grown from seed or cuttings.
Taste just the same as annual ones.

[Alison]

I've got a perpetual kale cutting growing on at the moment, never grown it before so it's all quite exciting. Have great hopes for it.

[hamamelis]

Other perpetuals include sorrel, salad burnet and perennial rocket. I'm trying all three from seed this year; I've had one form of sorrel a while, but I'm trying buckler leaf now as well, as I think it tastes better.

I've also got perennial cauliflower, but to be honest, it's not been very generous with the florets, which are much smaller than proper cauli, and I've used it more for the leaves, which are a nice cabbagey flavour. I wouldn't pay that much for them personally, and they need some serious space, so 10 plants is a lot.

[solway cropper]

I grow perpetual onions, chives and wild garlic (ramsons) and all can be guaranteed to give an early crop when there is very little else around. Best thing is, once they're growing you can leave them to get on with it....forever!

[jools]

Sorry for the late response and thank you so much for all the exciting ideas. I love spinach, rocket and water cress salad, so perpetual rocket and spinach are on the list, as are leeks, which I also eat in considerable quantities.

I also like the idea of the garlic. I already have chives. I am almost ashamed to say I don't think I have ever tried kale, salad burnet or sorrel.

Hamamelis, thanks for the info on the caulis - perhaps give them a miss.

You have given me lots to think about, so thanks very much
Jools

[veggiechicken]

Jools, have a look at http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ril_84436.html It may give you some more ideas

[DannyK]

Steer clear of the wild garlic. It's very very invasive.

Whilst not perpetual the chinese celery I grew last year has self seeded prolifically.

Try tree onions Growing Egyptian Onions in Your Backyard

[Alison]

Steer clear of the wild garlic. It's very very invasive.

I have some at the lottie and although it spreads a bit it has stayed as a reasonably contained clump under apple trees.

And annoying, why does this stoopid machine think that I want to talk about a product not a fruit when I type Apple / apple

[Mr Bones]

We grew perpetual/multiplying onions. Tasted great (just like spring onions) and multiplied well but unfortunately they harboured Allium Leaf Miner so had to go. Also grow Daubenton's kale.

[DannyK]

It may depend on the soil. Wild garlic rampaged through my late mother's garden, which was on sandy soil.

I have some at the lottie and although it spreads a bit it has stayed as a reasonably contained clump under apple trees.

And annoying, why does this stoopid machine think that I want to talk about a product not a fruit when I type Apple / apple

[Alison]

It may depend on the soil. Wild garlic rampaged through my late mother's garden, which was on sandy soil.

Mine is in somewhat silty ground. Just had a lovely pesto made with a lot I picked on Sunday