Kitchen Garden Forum

Dear NB

I think this is precisely what Tracie meant when she said: "I wish the instructions had been a bit better".

Victoriana are wildly misleading in some of the things they write about "Samphire" See my post above:

viewtopic.php?p=77660#p77660

Primrose, you can obtain fresh samphire from here when it's in season

http://www.riverford.co.uk/wash/ ( organic veg box scheme, they deliver }

I had some a couple of weeks ago but the season might be over now, it was lovely, adds a nice sea fresh crunch to salads, next year you could order some,and more to pickle perhaps.
Alan, most adverts should be taken with a pinch of salt lol.

Nature's Babe wrote:
Alan, most adverts should be taken with a pinch of salt lol.

Shouldn't that read "most claims made by Victoriana Nurseries should be taken with a pinch of salt"? jmooc

Keeping a sense of proportion, yes they may exaggerate, but they are not all bad, their victoriana peas were terriffic and lived up to their claims when I grew them, tall sweet and highly productive its possible to get good and bad from most firms, what is important is how they respond and deal with customer complaints.

Nature's Babe wrote:Samphire prefers a light sandy soil (or well drained) and a sunny position. A warm sheltered position is ideal and protection from the worst of our Winters will ensure continuity from year to year.

Just a minute; isn't the last bit of that creating the impression that samphire is a perennial?

I wonder how they'll deal with customer complaints when it dies?

I wonder, too, about the statement: "Samphire prefers a light sandy soil (or well drained".
That describes the growing conditions of Crithmum maritimum. Salicornia europaea grows naturally in salt marshes in mud.

Actually Alan, I didn't write that, I copied what they had written, I have never grown samphire and don't claim to be an expert on it. I just thought Primrose might like the recipe for pickling it as she seemed fond of it and could only source it occasionally.

Bore da NB

Heaven forbid that I should attribute it to you