SC - Creating a period garden

[LrdRas at aol.com]

In a message dated 5/2/01 4:44:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
jugglethis at yahoo.com writes:

<< When did you plant your turnips, and are they currently producing? >>

I planted them a week or so ago (late :-()) They are just coming up now. 

<< I planted mine in mid-March, and  am being overwhelmed with beautiful 
greens, but no  turnips. >>

There could be a couple of reasons for this. 1) They need 55 plus days to 
p[roduce bottoms which sounds about right for yours  which are just starting 
to bulb. or 2) A An over abundance of nitrogen will produce lots of tops and 
small bottoms. Rootcrops need lots of potash but little nitrogen. I use 
compost and wood ashes mixed in the soil for my root crops with a side 
dressing of rotted cow manure when they reach 6" tall.

<<I'm pretty sure my Yard-Long Beans will produce before my Turnips do at 
this rate...>>

Since yard longs have a more lengthy growing season, I would be amazed to see 
this happen but then again you never know what surprises Mother will throw at 
you in the garden in any  given year. :-)
 
 <<Also, I have never seen an actual sesame plant... care to describe it? >>

I would love to but this is my first year growing it and I just planted the 
seed last Sunday so it isn't up yet. ;-) 

 <<And, possibly offer a source for the seed? (I'm assuming I can't plant the 
seeds from the  grocery store....) >>

I bought the seed at Jefferson's Montecello in  Virginia. Untoasted FRESH 
seed from the store should work unlkess its been irradiated and killed. It 
wouldn't hurt to give it a try. Poppy seeds purchased at the supermarket for 
baking have germinated for me.

I haven't tried cubebs or grains or long pepper. I will now though. :-) 
Nigella is easy though since it is sold now a days  as the 'ornamental' plant 
'Love-in-a-Mist'. :-)

Ras