Carrots news.

[PLUMPUDDING]

I'm very jealous of the celeriac. Despite doing everything they say, rich soil, keeping it moist, taking the outer leaves off etc, I've never grown anything much larger than a golf ball. I've tried all the most popular varieties too.

[Ricard with an H]

Is celeriac an alternative, plus or minus, to celery for making soup, I suppose the answer is to buy one and try it but the last time I spotted celeriac it was far to big for one person or even two.

What else do you do with it other than soup ? Even your standard swede is far to big for us, the other half usually goes soft in the fridge though is fairly good company for the furry carrots.

I do get reprimanded, right now everything is clean and sparkling. I better go and looks, she's on her way home.

[Primrose]

I find commercially bought celeriac will keep for ages in the salad tray in the fridge. We use it a lot to make remoulade which is a sort of tasty celeriac coleslaw, grated or very finely sliced into matchsticks, mixed with grated carrot, apple and mayonnaise. Sometimes it's nice to have a more robust salad than just a mixture of green leaves.

We also make "red slaw" which is a red cabbage version of coleslaw, which we think has a little more flavour and texture when you want some bright colours to liven up winter meals.

[Beryl]

It has many uses Richard. Cut into chunks and roast, boil and add to mashed potatoes for a tasty topping, add it to stews and casseroles. It needs peeling thickly so not as big as you might think. And definitely makes lovely soup. If using in salads, add some lemon juice to stop it going brown. Use it as you would any root veg. I'm sure the others will come up with lots of ideas for you.

Beryl.

[Monika]

Thank you for that, Beryl. I am on the point of ordering next year's seeds so I shall use tapes for the carrots and Prinz for celeriac. Parsnips (usually Countess) I usually grow by the "Johnboy method", that is, germinating them on damp paper and then growing them individually in root trainers.

[Ricard with an H]

Could I just poke my nose in and remind you people that making your own seed tapes is very easy. I've been making them and proven the method for two years.

Mark out two pieces of kitchen roll so you have a line marked every 25 mm-ish and each piece is identical to the other.

I use Prit-Stick type adhesive in a lipstick type applicator but from the pound shop, run the glue along the marked line and with tweezers plonk a seed everywhere you want. Keep going until the sheet is full then the second sheet goes on top after you placed more glue on the corresponding lines. Then cut it into strips.

[Beryl]

Thanks Richard, but they are so cheap to buy especially through any allotment assoc. is it worth all the hassle?
Beryl.

[Ricard with an H]

Probably not Beryl.

When buying from normal retail sources those tapes are expensive and for me making them is a great convenience when I have to do mail order or a 30 mile round trip to my source of seeds.

I sit in my conservatory on rainy and windy winters days making up seed tapes, glass of beer, warm fire.

Life is good.

[Motherwoman]

ah...seed therapy!

[Ricard with an H]

Yes it is.

It's something that can't be hurried, each seed in it's place.

Very cathartic.

[Sheppie]

That is true what Ricard says. Although the seed tapes are pretty cheap and easy to buy on the other hand making your own has a therapeutic feature. For me it's like fishing (I catch and let the fish) relaxing, so calm and peaceful. I am alone with my thoughts and those are pleasant. Such a nice katharsis.

[Ricard with an H]

Such a nice katharsis.

Oooooo, Katharsis, from the latin, and Manchester.

Seriously though, I'm retired and even though my life is busy with lots to do on a daily basis there are days when it's blowing 30 knots, raining and freezing outside and it's time to stoke the fire looking for indoors jobs.

When the painting is done though.