566 are waiting for me!
By Vicki Warner
@VickiJW (260)
Canada
October 17, 2020 8:09pm CST
October is the craziest month for bounty from the garden for me. Some years back I decided to fill my raised beds with a saffron crop. Over the space of four years the crocus sativus corms I planted have increased dramatically in numbers - and flowers!
Flowers equal a lot of finicky work. I’m picking hundreds per day, separating the bright red stigmas, and drying them, ready for sale. No wonder saffron is by far the most expensive spice in the world.
It’s a lovely thing to get out there, and enjoy the sweetly perfumed crop. But right now it’s a matter of just trying to keep up with it.
Oh, no, I don’t have a huge amount of land. Just a regular sized lot. It’s amazing what you can do with a smallish garden space.
7 people like this
5 responses
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
18 Oct 20
they're jest gorgeous, ms. @VickiJW! dang't the luck 'f such takin' off so, eh? means they're happy 'n cared fer proper. such wish i could pop through this puter screen 'n help ya out with such a task. dunno how much 'ctual help i could be, but most definitely cheer ya'n, lol.
yer correct, one can grow quite a bit 'f foods jest'n a small balcony. there'd be so many varieties that jest shine'n pots. careful plannin' out'n a small lot 'lso works very well, 's y'ave demonstrated with yer vast 'rray 'f fruits 'n veggies ya grow e'ery year. 'n now these beautiful saffrons, too!
@VickiJW (260)
• Canada
18 Oct 20
@crazyhorseladycx it’s great to know at least your thoughts are with me at this very busy time. Just partially processed another 300 collected yesterday afternoon, and now back in bed to catch some zzz before resuming. October is a very concentrated month, and yes, I’d love nothing more than if you could come and slave away with me! I seem to work in spurts, always other things to do around here too. You know what it’s like!
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
18 Oct 20
@VickiJW yes ma'am, 'lways :) if'n i recall, there'd be a short window to tend to those? i tried to climb through the puter screen, my big toe 'lways gettin' caught ;) since travels 'tis ferbidden i'll jest need to cheer ya from the sidelines.
oh yes, nature most oft dictates my days. when i'm gonna do what 'n which gets put'n the back burner. i do prefer that to human 'ntervention, i've less patience with the latter damperin' my ideas. 
@VickiJW (260)
• Canada
19 Oct 20
@crazyhorseladycx thank you for trying to come in this hour or days of need!! But so lovely to know you’re cheering my efforts on!
1 person likes this
@VickiJW (260)
• Canada
18 Oct 20
Saffron is without doubt one of the most interesting spices you can grow. It looks straightforward, but actually there is a lot to learn about it! If you plan to grow it, make sure you get quality corms, the biggest you can afford, and only from a reputable grower, not just pick up a few at a nursery. You need to know they are actually sativus, as there are similar ones. Lots of skulduggery in the saffron industry, as it is such a valuable crop.
1 person likes this
@VickiJW (260)
• Canada
18 Oct 20
They are pretty, and sweetly perfumed too! However they are not the most valuable part of the plant. It is the three bright red stigmas on each flower that are the saffron spice. The petals unfortunately are composted. They can be used for dyeing fabrics and wool. There is a lot of medical research going on too regarding their possible pharmacological value. I just try to keep up with the red stigmas!
@everwonderwhy (6697)
•
18 Oct 20
Interesting! I looked up saffron crocus because I got very curious about what you passionately do. You're doing amazing work with the most expensive spice in the world.
Here's what I've seen I'd like to share. Saffron grown in Southern Hemisphere, Tasmania.
This farm in Tasmania’s Huon Valley grows rows of the delicate flowers that create the spice that is worth more than gold. Saffron Crocus (Crocus sativus) ar...
@VickiJW (260)
• Canada
18 Oct 20
I have two sisters in Tassie, and am very familiar with the Huon valley, beautiful part of the world. Wow, that would be back breaking work, and is another reason why saffron is so expensive. Mine in the most temperate region of Canada is grown in high raised beds, so is comparatively easy for picking! Of course I’m just a backyard "farmer" but thoroughly enjoy what I do out in the garden.
Thank you for coming by and for your interest!
