Kristens Flowers

Both Salsify and Scorzonera are best planted early spring and not pulled up until autumn but Scorzonera can be left until the second year (root gets tough if left longer).

The flowers, stalks and leaves are also edible.

Salsify root is lumpy and difficult to peel so the best way to do so is to wash it, boil for about 5 - 10 minutes and then the peel comes off easily. Scorzonera is smooth skinned and easier to peel but can be done the same way.

Flowers are eaten raw in salads. Stems and leaves can be eaten raw or cooked depending on how tender they are.

Petroselinum hortense (Hamburg turnip rooted parsley) grows a thick and long root like parsnips, has a slightly celery type flavour but can be roasted (or boiled/mashed etc) the same way as parsnips/carrots and is excellent as an added vegetable for making chicken soup (together with onion, carrot and turnip). When young, the leaves can be used like a mild parsley but become bitter when they are close to forming the seed heads. So you can use the leaves if you keep cutting them.

Asparagus peas need to be picked when they are about an inch long.

 

Doesn't your hubby do that for you now?

 

You haven't got him trained correctly!

 

Don't you mean 30 years time?

 

You wave the leaves at the beetles and drive them away. Haven't you heard of a beetle drive?