thanks Emma, I will have to post my chicory plants - they are ginormous bu tthe horsfields would devour in one minute if i let them ! suns out - C x

I think it's been a really good spring to help the weeds and plants along for the torts, Clare.

I have some wild chichory with 2ft leaves & the centre stems have big crowns on. I think they have loved the rain

I used to have some chicory before we moved but seem to have lost it where we are now.

You can buy seeds cheaply on ebay Mary. Although I have brought more & sprinkled in new areas these just came up! I think from last year.

I actually tried to grow blue sow thistle for several years. It grows wild in the area near our caravan (welsh/ Shropshire border) I have tried seeds, cuttings, transplanting... Nothing.. Then this year it just seems to have appeared & happy. Huge leaves that the torts love!

Blue sowthistle sounds nice, Lynn. Must keep my eye out.
I often find it can take a whole year until seeds I'd planted out the previous spring decide to pop up.

apparently seeds need a snap of cold before they kick start , not sure on that. I decided I love chicory its huge !! i have never seen such large leaves which the torts love. And the flowers are so lovely and blue when they come out. I have grown 3 grape vines too as they love the leaves also, CB

Yes, I always sow my seeds in the autumn so they can get through the winter and usually emerge really well in the spring. I think I need some chicory. My teasel keeps coming back year after year with huge leaves. Have to take scissors out to cut them off or I get well and truly caught by the thorns.