[sausagesandcash]

Do any of the french ex-pats know if pigs will eat artichokes? I'm planning on re-planting a veg garden for the pigs this year with lots of root vegetables, but I was just wondering if i could add in artichokes?

Also is there anything else that i could plant in the fields that the pigs would like, that will grow back naturally, after they've had their merry way with the mature plants/veg, and have been moved on. It would be nice if there was something I could plant without having to re-seed every year. My sinister motive is keeping feed costs down, devious devil that I am! Haven't eaten a coeur d'artichoke in years so I might plant some in the family veg garden.   

[Hilarysmum]

Generally mine dont eat artichokes, even blanched, and certainly not raw.  On the other hand Hilary will do anything for a handful of asparagus.  Not sure how difficult it is to grow though.  I think clover in the pasture is good for pigs, ours love cabbages, brussel plants, (although not so keen on just brussels) will eat brocoli but most hate cauliflower.  HM

[sausagesandcash]

Well that's the artichokes out then, but back to my other question

"is there anything else that i could plant in the fields that the pigs would like, that will grow back naturally, after they've had their merry way with the mature plants/veg, and have been moved on. It would be nice if there was something I could plant without having to re-seed every year".

Clover is a nice idea, but I was looking for something a little more substantial that they can root out....like some sort of wild veg 'that you can buy seeds for', and will grow back even stronger after being rooted at.

[Higgins11]

I would suggest some type of bean to increase your protein levels

[Rosemary]

I'm about to plant Jerusalem artichokes in the pig pen. Friends of ours grow them and their pigs love them - they are just allowed to root them up and munch them.

[sausagesandcash]

I think i'll have a crack at beans, herbs and the usual carrots, parsnips, swedes etc. I'll have a look around for jerusalem artichoke seeds in the garden centre and see how they go.

Thanks for all the advice!

[rustyme]

just buy some J A tubers from the super market and plant them . Each one will provide you with many more to eat and to replant to expand your numbers . You can then plant all the spare ones in the piggie plot.

cheers

Russ

[Rosemary]

It's tubers I've got - my chum says they're are a weed and grow like mad, so I'm hoping for lots of entertainment for the pigglies.

[rustyme]

JA's are a member of the sunflower family , so the top growth , stems leaves etc, can be fed to livestock as well.

[doganjo]

This is what i like so much about this forum - we learn from each other.  I had absolutely no idea about JA's - thanks Rusty!

[rustyme]

no probs Annie,
                  it really is worth it's weight in gold sometimes ...direct hands on knowledge/experience , from others doing things you aren't .
    My horses really love the stems and leaves of both JA's and Sunflowers. Both give huge amounts of feed from a small area....9-10 feet tall and with JA's I was getting about 5 or 6 stems per tuber planted ,and about 10 tubers (5 small and 5 large) per tuber planted . I think they would have produced many more and larger tubers had they had a full seasons groth .I planted them very late in the year .  I will be digging all of them up when this weather has changed , to replant in another area. I am eager to see what the crop will be like after they have been in for the winter. Oh and they tasted superb too.....MMMMmmm

cheers

Russ

[doganjo]

I love sunflowers - can I feed the seeds to the chickens?

[rustyme]

yes ....you can also eat them yourself, lightly toasted...lovely !!! They can be fed to most birds/animals , very good for you and most things.   Tesco make a lovely spelt wheat and sunflower loaf.

 Russ

[doganjo]

So do I!!!!   Got a small bag of spelt flour one time and added sunflower oil and a few seeds. Scrumptious.  No spelt left unfortunately, so can't try it again.  Thanks re sunflower seeds - might try some myself too.

[sausagesandcash]

Yup it's a great forum for sounding things out and learning from others. I had never heard the word tubers (linguistic differences!). From googling it I take it that it's the jerusalem artichoke (also know as the earth apple!). Approx €15.00 from http://gurneys.com/ (U.S.A).  Anyone know of  another place closer to Ireland that might ship them?