Last week Owen a
nd Manda made journeys from each side of the country to meet up at Incredible Vegetables in Ashburton where Mandy Barber grows some of our ocas and runs a fascinating little business concentrating on unusual and perennial vegetables. The nursery at Incredible Vegetables is on the top of a Devon hill with magnificent views across the countryside and although the weather was rather stormy when we visited it provides a wonderfully open plot ideal for growing on all sorts of novel plants. There are several types of perennial kale, lots of tubers; oca, ulluco and chinese artichokes are just some of the interesting things on offer and Mandy’s favourite skirrets. We were lucky enough to be given some small plants of some of the best selections.
In the poly tunnel there were salad crops in the ground and plants in all stages of propagation, cuttings, rooted divisions and seedlings in beautiful exuberance. There was also tea and a splendid lunch of soup made from homegrown ingredients from the garden. We had a great day and hope to visit again when the weather is warmer.
You can meet Mandy and see her Incredible Vegetables in THE POTTING SHED at the EDIBLE GARDEN SHOW on 13 March 2016 at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire