Robinjw13

Since this thread's been quiet for a while I thought I'd try and stimulate some more input. 1. Shungiku has successfully sprouted outdoors here in the UK after just 8 days - I sowed on March 20th. Likewise Mizuna. Both firsts for me. Red Shiso was sown outdoors a few days ago but no sign of life yet. Waiting for Daikon, Gobo and Nira to show.... 2. Help! Does anyone know how I might get Udo, Fuki, Naga-imo and Yama-Imo root and tubercles exported from Japan? I've tried Kaneko, Takii and Tokita (= Tozer in Europe) but without any luck so far. Unlike seeds, these items require quarantine before being allowed to leave Japan. Robin

Good news for helenah, the people that run the Lewes farmer's market are going to organise one in Brighton. And whilst on the subject of Lewes and Brighton - there are excellent butcher and fishmongers shops in the white building by the river ('Riverside') in Lewes.... (came across this thread by chance - I'm a Japan forumite really).

Just seen the first of your two posts, Helenjp - thank you, I had not come across this book at all. I guess you and other readers kown of the soil and health library: http://www.soilandhealth.org/index.html (select agriculture) - some out of print books here. I will do some reading and of course the best answer is to go to Japan and talk to the farmers !

Thanks for that Helenjp, I too have been googling these terms for the last couple of weeks & there is certainly a wealth of material out there (e.g the SAN 210-page book on cover crops!) but nothing specific to Japan or Japanese vegetables. I can surmise to an extent, using the families, plus I have a few non-farming Japanese friends who may know someone who knows..... Farmer Dave (earlier this thread) looks like he could be an expert. ?? It'll be fun finding out.....

Natural Agriculture Question! Does anyone reading this thread have any knowledge of which plants (crops or weeds!) may help the germination, growth and cropping of Japanese vegetables? Add 'prevent disease and pest attacks' to that list! I am planning initially to grow Shiso, Daikon, Mizuna, Gobo, winter-dormant Nira, Shungiku. Mitsuba, Mioga, Naga-imo, Udo and Sansho. There is a lot of general advice about companion planting, green manures, cover crops etc but I have found nothing specific to Japanese or Chinese vegetables. Surely these practices have been trialed and perhaps are used, in Japan and China? I have been trying to find a contact in Natural Agriculture in Japan..... Currently considering: buckwheat and Phacelia tanacetifolia, but suspect species native to Japan and China must exist and perform a better role. Thanks for any advice you may have, otherwise I guess I'm the one who'll be doing the research