Village Gardeners
Although he did not refer to it as such, our speaker this month gave the
gardeners a mission. Speaking on the subject of unusual vegetables, Mike Day
(NIAB, Cambridge) showed us how uninspired our use of the vegetable plot has
become. (Hasn't a TV chef recently been heard making a not dissimilar
complaint?).
The talk opened with a colourful picture taken in a Malaysian market where Mr Day estimated that there might be as many as 200 vegetable varieties on offer. He then invited comparison with the shelves of our favourite supermarket where he thought the total might often be no more than a dozen.
Illustrating the talk with photographs, Mr Day took us first through the commonly used vegetables, reminding us of the great range of contrasting varieties available and of the different qualities associated with the different types of potatoes, peas, carrots and others. He then went on to illustrate the minor vegetables which though seldom found on the supermarket shelves, are easily grown in the garden; things such as seakale, salsify, scorzonera and artichokes. Finally he turned to the many oriental vegetables, particularly the greens, which are often used so much more imaginatively in China and Japan.
Although his audience was somewhat depleted by illness, I'll wager there will be gardens in Swaffham Prior this year reflecting a new adventurous spirit invoked by Mike Day's talk.
The next talk will be on 19th April when Alison Davies will speak about the national plant collections held in East Anglia.
Our visit to Wisley Gardens, scheduled for Saturday 16th July will be open to any interested people. The price, to cover coach and admission, will be £16 to £27 depending on the numbers, with a premium of £3 to non members. Contact Margaret Joyce or Roger Connan.