Prune plum harvest

Amazing how many plums you can get from one tree and this is only about 2/3 of the crop! Due to the lack of night here in May when they are flowering there is never a crop failure due to late frosts…so I can get this every year! The variety is called “Sviskeplomme” (literally prune plum…although they don’t look much like prunes when dried. All these are to be dried…so a bit of work de-stoning ahead of me!

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Danish masterclass mega-salad ingredients

Aiah Noack and Naturplanteskolen have come closest so far to my mega-salad world records. During the masterclass I taught there in August we collected as many edibles as we could find around the nursery and I blogged about it here (with pictures):
http://www.edimentals.com/blog/?p=6155
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Aiah recently sent me a Danish list of ingredients (over 150) which I’ve added English names to in the list below:

Allium cernuum, White Form; Nodding onion

Allium fistulosum; Welsh onion

Altai pibeløg, Allium altaicum ; Altai onion

Amarant topamarant; Amaranth

Amarant rævehale ; Amaranth

Angelica, Kvan; Garden Angelica

Anisisop; Anise hyssop

Appelsinmynte, Mentha gentilis ; Orange mint

Appelsintagetes; Orange Tagetes

Bananmynte; Banana mint

Bibernelle / kvæsurt,  sanguisorba minor; Salad burnet

Blåbær, Duke; Bilberry

Blåbær, Putte; Bilberry

Brombær, Navaho; Blackberry

Brombær, Oregon Thornless; Blackberry

Bronzefennikel; Bronze fennel

Brændenælde; Stinging nettle

Bønneblomster,  Pralbønne; Runner bean

Campanula persicifolia, smalbladet klokke; Peach-leaf bellflower

Campanula portenschalagiana, krybeklokke; Adria bellflower

Canadisk viol; Canadian violet

Chokolademynte; Chocolate mint

Chrysantemum; Chrysanthemum

Cikorie; Chicory

Citronhestemynte; Lemon monarda

Citronmelisse; Lemon balm

Citrontimian; Lemon thyme

Citronverbena; Lemon verbena

Cola malurt; Cola wormwood

Daglilje; Day lily

Daglilje blomsterknop; Day lily

Daglilje, Strawberry Candy; Day lily

Daubenton kål; Daubenton perennial kale

Engelsk røllike; English mace

Engelsk spinat, Rumex patientia ; Patience dock

Etageløg; Catawissa onion

Fransk estragon; French tarragon

Fransk Syre, Rumex scutatus; Buckler-leaved Sorrel

Frugtsalvie; Salvia spp.

Fuglegræs; Chickweed

Gladiolous hvid; Gladiolus

Gladiolous lilla; Gladiolus

Gladiolous rød; Gladiolus

Glatbladet sødskærm; Smooth sweet cicely

Græskar skud; Marrow (shoot)

Gråært blad; Grey pea (leaf)

Blomstergulerod blad; Ornamental carrot (leaf)

Havebasilikum; Basil

Havemelde gylden; Yellow garden orach

Havemelde grøn; Green garden orach

Havemelde mørk; Dark garden orach

Havtorn; Sea buckthorn

Hestebønne; Horse beans

Hestemynte; Monarda

Hindbær, Autumn Bliss; Raspberry

Hindbær sort, Black Jewel; Black raspberry

Hindbær gule, Fall gold; Raspberry

Hjulkrone; Borage

Hornviol; Viola cornuta

Hosta sieboldiana Elegans; Hosta

Humleoregano, Ametyst Fall; Hop oregano

Hvid kløver; White clover

Hvidmelet gåsefod; Fat hen

Indisk Jordbær, bær; Indian strawberry

Japansk Bladmynte, Perilla frutescens; Perilla

Japanske Vinbær; Japanese wineberry

Jordbær; Strawberry

Jordbærmynte; Strawberry mint

Katost almindelig; Common mallow

Katost mauretansk; Mauretanian mallow

Katost,  Malva mauretania, Zebrina; Mauretanian mallow

Kinapurløg; Chinese chives

Kinesernellike ; Chinese pink

Klokkeblomst; Bellflower

Koreansk Mynte, Agastache rugos, ; Korean anise hyssop

Krusemynte; Curly mint

Krybeklokkeblomst; Campanula spp.

Kåltidsel; Cabbage thistle

Lakridstagetes; Licorice Tagetes

Lavendel hvid; Lavender, white

Lavendel, blå; Lavender, blue

Lodden Løvefod, Alchemilla mollis ; Lady’s mantle

Lægekokleare; Common scurvy grass

Løg, Hooker  blomsterknop; Hooker’s onion

Løg, Sugar Melt; Allium “Sugar Melt”

Løgkarse; Hedge garlic

Løvstikke; Lovage

Mamelukærme, Lavatera trimestris; Royal mallow

Marrokansk mynte; Moroccan mint

Merian; Sweet marjoram

Morgenfrue; Pot marigold

Moskuskatost; Musk mallow

Mynte broget; Ginger mint

Mælkebøtte; Dandelion

Nedsliggende surkløver Oxalis corniculata; Yellow sorrel

Oka; Oca

Olivenurt; Cotton lavender

Oregano Hot & Spicy; Oregano “Hot & Spicy”

Peberod; Horseradish

Pileurt; Polygonum spp.

Porrefrøkapsler; Leek immature seed pods

Pralbønner; Runner bean

Prydløg; Siberian nodding onion

Prydløg “Lena”; Siberian nodding onion “Lena”

Prærieløg, Allium cernuum; Nodding onion

Purløg, Major; Chives “Major”

Purløg, Pink; Chives

Rabarber; Rhubarb

Romersk Kamille; Roman chamomile

Rosenblomst; Rose flowers

Rosenrod; Roseroot

Rosenvejbred; Broad-leaved plantain

Rosmarin; Rosemary

Rumex, Abundance; Sorrel “Abundance”

Rødbede; Beetroot

Rødbladet Vejbred, Plantago major atropurpurea; Broad-leaved plantain “red-leaved”

Rødknæ / engsyre, Rumex acetosella; Sheep’s sorrel

Sankt Hans urt, Telephium; Orpine

Siberisk kantløg; Siberian blue chives

Siberisk nikkeløg; Siberian nodding onion

Skorzonerod; Scorzonera

Skovjordbær; Wild strawberry

Skvalderkål broget; Variegated ground elder

Slangeurt, Bistorta persicaria,  Superba; Bistort

Solbær, Ben Alder; Blackcurrant

Sommerfugleløg; Allium spp.

Sonchus asper, ru svinemælk; Prickly sow-thistle

Spinatranke; Hablitzia

Spring balsamin, Impatiens noli-tangere; Touch-me-not Balsam

Strandkarse, Lepidium latifolium; Dittander

Strandkål; Sea kale

Strandnellike; Dianthus superbus

Strandvejbred; Seaside plantain

Syre; Rumex spp.

Sødskærm, Myrrhis odorata; Sweet cicely

Tagetes patula, Ildkongen; French marigold

Tagetes tenuifolia, Appelsintagetes; Orange Tagetes

Tagetes, Jolly Jester; Tagetes

Timian, Thymus vulgaris; Thyme

To-årig Natlys, Oenothera biennis; Evening primrose

Tradescantia ohioensis; Bluejacket

Tradecantia andersoniana; Tradescantia

Træspinat; Tree spinach

Tyttebær, Red Pearl; Cowberry

Vadstenamynte; Vadstena mint

Vejbred; Broad-leaved plantain

Vindruer; Grapes

Vinterkarse; Common wintergreen

Æble; Apple

Æblemynte; Apple mint

 

Geir Flatabø’s forest garden: Torblålia, Ulvik, Hordaland

A visit to Geir Flatabø’s forest garden which is located high above the picturesque village of Ulvik at the end of an arm of the Hardangerfjord was an unexpected treat on my recent visit to western Norway! I knew we would meet Geir but I had misunderstood an email from Geir a couple of years ago that the red deer had eaten everything he’d tried to plant…far from it, many of hundreds of trees, bushes and herbaceous perennials that Geir has planted on his plot are thriving. To reach Norway’s largest and most diverse forest garden, we drive high up above the village. Geir’s plot is a narrow strip of land almost 1 km straight up the hill with large spruce tree plantations on either side (felled on Geir’s plot to make way for his garden). Some might call it an arboretum, but Geir is very knowledgeable about the uses of the trees and other plants, most of which are edible or have other uses and he does call it himself his forest garden. We (my host Eirik Lillebøe Wiken​ and I) pass through many climate zones as we climb the hill talking plants with Geir. He has planted according to hardiness and has used various natural techniques to protect young plants against the red deer…permaculture in other words! An amazing place that will only get better as the year’s go by…and we only got half way up the hill….time went quickly and suddenly Geir noticed the time and dashed off to get to the National Fungi Symposium which was being held nearby…he was giving a talk that evening on the fungi of Hardanger!

Lofoten Victory Onions

Here are a few of my Allium victorialis pictures from the 2014 onion safari to the  Lofoten Islands! The aim was to see the naturalised stands of viking onion / seiersløk on the island Vestvågøy, quite possibly a viking introduction…it grows commonly around the Borg viking museum (on the site of an old viking settlement)…much more in my book on this amazingly tasty, healthy, shade-tolerant and productive onion!

Follow the link to the original FB album:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152404571040860.1073742080.655215859&type=1&l=b45f8fdd13

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Reconstructed viking onion garden with Allium victorialis and Allium schoenoprasum subsp sibiricum (at the Lofotr Viking Museum at Borg)

 

2
Large patch of Allium victorialis…amazingly, when I posted this the first time, it turned out that one of my FB friends’ mother had lived in this house until last year :)
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Allium victorialis waiting for the ferry to Røst…purchased at Judiths Urtehage ( a small nursery)
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On Røst, Einar Stamnes had tipped me of a large patch of Allium victorialis in a garden, possibly 100 years old…
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This picture was by print screen on the train on the way to the Lofoten Islands using Google Street View….I revisited a garden where I had found an allée of Allium victorialis along the driveway :) Amazing what you can do with modern technology…
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Onions arriving at our final destination, Skomvær…

 

Skomvær 2014

Here is my report from the second permaveggies / foraging weekend on the wonderful arctic island Skomvær outermost in the Lofoten Islands off north west Norway.  I spent an amazing couple of days here in June 2014 with some lovely people!
Foraging on land and for seaweed, wonderful wild food, warm weather, Tai Chi, Permaculture, arctic swimming, 5 Eagles soaring above us, the sunsets, inquisitive seals, lighthouse tour, the historical rose garden and much much more…………..
Please let me know if you’d be interested in joining us in 2017 (it’s not confirmed yet)…
This album appeared originally on FB:  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152397484675860.1073742076.655215859&type=1&l=f6a7c2e28e

Skomvær Fyr / Lighthouse: 2-4 August 2013

The first magical long weekend on the island Skomvær outermost in the Lofoten Islands. I was  contributing at a permaculture / wild food workshop there in August 2013, the first of two (so far)!!
I hope we can arrange a third weekend here in 2017…please let me know if you’re interested :)
The following album was originally posted on Facebook here:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151760469675860.1073741927.655215859&type=1&l=85babbbbd0

Løksafari til Lofoten / Onion safari to the Lofoten Islands

The document below is in Norwegian but contains many pictures from my first visit to Vestvågøy in the Lofoten Islands to see the stands of naturalised victory onion (seiersløk), Allium victorialis, including a harvesting trip with Judith van Koesveld (she and her partner Christoph produce a local pesto from the plants). The document also contains an account of a visit to Brynhild Mørkved at the botanical gardens in Tromsø to see the collection of Allium victorialis accessions from different parts of this onion’s extensive range (from the Pyrenees to Japan). Plants vary quite a lot in their form.  Finally, I visited Geir Flatabø in Ulvik (Hardanger) in south west Norway and he showed me the large naturalised stand of this plant next to the Granvin river. There are also a few pictures from a collection of heritage ornamentals at the Lofotmuseet and from a visit to a once great but now derelict garden at Finneset (Steinhagen). All pictures were taken in June 2009.

Download (PDF, 5.61MB)

The Youngs of Aberdeen

On my way up north from Edinburgh by train I stopped off to visit Scottish Rockers ( Scottish Rock Garden Forum luminaries) Ian and Maggi Young’s wonderfully diverse garden in Aberdeen. Ian was actually the first person to review my book and I blogged about the review and Ian’s labour of love since 2003, his weekly Bulb Log here: http://www.edimentals.com/blog/?p=269
Maggi is the intrepid commander-in-chief of the Scottish Rock Garden Forum and other FB fora for many years, a forum I used to follow daily until FB took over as there’s an enormous amount of information and knowledge there, and perhaps 30% or so of ornamentals are edible!
Ian kindly volunteered to pick me up at the station and I spent a pleasant hour or two looking through their paradise. Although it wasn’t the best time of year to see the garden there were still a number of plants in flower and it was good to also meet Allium wallichii here too (see my blog about the Edinburgh botanics)…and this week’s Bulb Log from Ian features a great shot of this plant on the front page: http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2016Sep141473851515BULB_LOG_3716.pdf
Now to plan a spring visit!

Edimentals talk at the Royal Botanical Gardens

Fun day collecting edimentals from the garden’s collections, making a multi-species salad followed by my talk and walk!
Thanks to all who came and to Sabina Knees for helping out!
Some of the plants we collected were: Gunnera manicata, Saxifraga stolonifera, Hemerocallis spp. (daylilies), Hosta (leaves and flowers), Allium wallichii (two forms), Ligularia fischeri, Allium nutans, Allium schoenoprasum sibiricum, Ostrich Fern, Lilium leichtlinii, Lime leaves, Cacalia (Parasenecio) delphiniifolia, Hops, Aralia cordata (Udo), Aralia elata, Angelica gigas and Aster macrophylla. Flowers of Yucca filamentosa were used in the salad!

It was great to have the chance last week in Bergen to harvest and share the Gunnera tinctoria (Nalca) leaf stalk….the verdict was that it was surprisingly good, sweetly acid flavour (see http://www.edimentals.com/blog/?p=6772)! In Edinburgh, I was able to taste G. manicata for the first time. I’ve never seen evidence for its use. My hunch that this was probably due to it being more fibrous than its smaller cousin was confirmed:
Here’s an album of pictures I took of the amazing Nalca food forests of Chiloe Island in Chile (including being shown by a local how to eat it!): http://www.edimentals.com/pictures/index.php?/category/10
See also http://www.edimentals.com/blog/?page_id=677

More pictures of edimentals in the botanics can be seen here: http://www.edimentals.com/blog/?p=6796

Finally, thanks to my “old” friends Robin and Gwyn Allan (with an A), Diane Blakeley and Pete Fordham and our hosts Sabina Knees and Martin Gardner for not heckling during the proceedings ;) (we had a great reunion weekend in Edinburgh, not having met for some 35 years or more!)  

 

Edimentals in Edinburgh’s Royal Botanical Gardens

On Monday 12th September 2016 I visited the botanical gardens in Edinburgh, and I wandered around the collections looking for edimentals (edible ornamentals), many of which are also forest garden plants, in preparation for my edimentals walk the following Saturday. See http://www.edimentals.com/blog/?p=6572. Conclusion: there’s a lot of food in spring in the gardens!