Author Topic: Sea kale and samphire (Read 3812 times)

YorkshireLass · « **on:** January 12, 2012, 09:28:43 pm »

Google offers different opinions....
Do they need or prefer a saline environment (in which case I'll plant them in containers) or will they be fine in the normal, as-far-inland-as-you-can-get garden?

jaykay · « **Reply #1 on:** January 12, 2012, 09:32:41 pm »

Well samphire naturally grows in the salt mudflats, pretty wet. Seakale grows a bit further inland and drier. At a guess I'd say seakale will probably manage (and maybe enjoy) ordinary soil, samphire might need saline and a lot of water - but I've only ever picked them at the beach, never grown them in my garden.

darkbrowneggs · « **Reply #2 on:** January 12, 2012, 09:38:48 pm »

I've grown seakale for a few years now in ordinary garden soil, and it seems fine.

YorkshireLass · « **Reply #3 on:** January 12, 2012, 10:03:00 pm »

Might pot the samphire and plant the sea kale then

Fleecewife · « **Reply #4 on:** January 13, 2012, 01:18:14 am »

Quote from: YorkshireLass on January 12, 2012, 10:03:00 pm

Might pot the samphire and plant the sea kale then

That should work. I would love to grow samphire - haven't had it since I was a child in Norfolk where we used to serve it in vinegar. Totally delicious

so please let us know if it's a success.

SallyintNorth · « **Reply #5 on:** January 13, 2012, 09:14:05 am »

Quote from: Fleecewife on January 13, 2012, 01:18:14 am

Quote from: YorkshireLass on January 12, 2012, 10:03:00 pm

Might pot the samphire and plant the sea kale then

That should work. I would love to grow samphire - haven't had it since I was a child in Norfolk where we used to serve it in vinegar. Totally delicious so please let us know if it's a success.

Yes, please do! I used to forage for food quite a bit when I lived in Devon - it had never occurred to me I could maybe grow some of those foods in my own garden now I live a long way from such wild delights!