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A New Take on Vegetable Standbys

January 12, 2017

Do you grow the same vegetable varieties every year? Or are you easily seduced by the latest new thing? I’ve tried both approaches, but neither reliably supplies me with the bounty of veggies I imagine! Now, I think I’ve found an easier way to have delicious produce, while minimizing disappointing crop failures.

New/old vegetable varieties
Whether you’re perusing the latest seed and plant catalogs, or cruising your favorite nurseries, box stores, and farmer’s markets, you’ll see plenty of familiar vegetable varieties that are tried and true. You’re also going see the latest award-winning varieties. But have you considered that sometimes it is an older, less touted variety that can save the day? 

What’s different?
Although many gardeners are rediscovering heirloom varieties—typically defined as open-pollinated species in cultivation for at least 50 years—the choices I’m finding more useful in my home garden are not necessarily heirlooms. I’ve succeeded by trying more obscure varieties, as well as different species, subspecies, or even a different genus than the vegetable varieties you’d typically plant. Genetic differences may make these choices better-suited to our soil and climate conditions, or make the plants more resistant to the pests and diseases we typically encounter.

Asparagus bean

Green beans
I know I am the exception, but I have a terrible time growing green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris). Even when I succeed, I don’t enjoy picking them, cutting or breaking off the ends of each bean that grows beyond the tiny stage, or “stringing” those that require fibrous bits removed.

I tried “asparagus beans” (Vigna unguiculata subspecies sesquipedalis) on a whim when my daughter gave me a packet from a Japanese seed company as a “stocking stuffer” one Christmas. They not only grew and produced a steady crop of beans, but the long beans were easier to pick and cut into lengths to fit your recipe!

These beans are the same species as cowpeas—southern peas, black-eyed peas or crowder beans—usually grown for shelled beans. The subspecies that comes to us via Asia produces very long beans, delicious picked once the pods are filling out, but the individual beans aren’t yet visible. You can shell these beans if the pods mature. Grow them on a trellis, like pole beans. These beans do have a “drier” taste, but one I enjoy!

Cucumber 'Poona Kheera'_by TangledBranches_CC-BY-NC 2.0_Flickr
‘Poona Kheera’ cucumber

Cucumbers
Cucumbers often succumb to a variety of pests and diseases, and when they don’t, you may find them bitter or that they produce more than you want to eat fresh or pickled. Poona Kheera (Cucumis sativus), a variety from India, is one cucumber that is not as likely to be bitter, is edible at almost any size, and good for cooking as well as eating fresh.

Poona Kheera looks quite different from other cucumbers, fatter with a whitish skin that turns brown as it matures. Grow this variety as you would any other cucumber, but enjoy the unique appearance and excellent flavor!

Tatume squash_by Karen Hine_CC-BY-NC 2.0_Flickr
Tatume squash

Squash
The squash borer is my worst garden pest. I don’t use pesticides in my garden, in part because I don’t want to bother about the timing of spraying or dusting. Every year I consoled myself that the few summer squash (Cucurbita pepo) I harvested before the borers struck were plenty—but I could eat yellow squash all summer, just like I do tomatoes and never tire of it!

I’ve had some success with timing plantings or watching for egg masses or killing grubs when they first invade, but nothing reliably worked. I’ve tried growing summer squash substitutes—some edible gourds (Lagenaria siceraria, Luffa species) and winter squash (Cucurbita moschata) harvested early—because they are less susceptible to borers, but the taste just didn’t compare.

Enter Tatume or Tatuma (Cucurbita pepo) and I fell in love! This variety does require space, but is either less attractive to borers or better able to survive their attacks. If you don’t harvest it small—before it reaches softball size— you can use it as a winter squash, too.

Finding vegetable seeds
I always look forward to garden catalogs as the first signs of spring! Whether you are new to gardening or not, you may need help in finding sources for the varieties you want to plant. Many seed companies are now putting their catalogs online and a resource for searching these catalogs makes finding varieties and comparing prices a lot easier! Once you’ve identified a company that sells the seeds you want, check to see if their seeds are available at local retail outlets to save on shipping costs. 

Article by Debbie Green, Extension Master Gardener Volunteer.

Resources:
https://gardening.ces.ncsu.edu/plants-2/vegetables-2
https://www.pickacarrot.com/about.html

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Categories Vegetables & Fruits Tags cucumbers, green beans, seeds, squash, vegetable gardens

Starting Seeds Indoors

February 20, 2016

The gorgeous pictures in the seed catalogs have us itching to start gardening but it is still winter outdoors. One project you can do now is start seeds indoors for your summer garden. While some plants can be direct seeded in the garden (peas, beans, four o’clocks), those with a longer growing season than we can provide or long germination times (tomatoes, peppers) are best started ahead of time.

If you only want a few plants, purchasing transplants is probably the way to go. However, if you are planning a larger garden or want to try more unusual varieties, then it’s time to try starting your own seeds.

The first step is choosing what you want to plant and carefully reading the seed packet. This will tell you how many weeks before your outdoor planting date you need to start the seeds, about how long they will take to germinate, and what conditions they need.

To start seeds you will need something to plant in – cell packs, peat pots or cubes, or recycled containers such as yogurt cups or egg cartons with drainage holes punched in the bottom. You will also a need a sterile growing medium. Do not use garden soil. Of course you will also need water and light. Unless you have a greenhouse or at least a greenhouse window you will probably need some kind of artificial light. Shop light fixtures hung from utility shelving work well.

For strong plants, your seedlings should be transplanted at least once before planting outside. At least a week before your outdoor planting date, you should start hardening your plants off by putting them outside in the shade during the day and gradually increasing the time and light.

Written by Joyce Weinberg, Extension Master Gardener Volunteer

For more information,
https://guilford.ces.ncsu.edu/2014/01/proven-steps-to-starting-seeds-indoors/

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Categories Propagation Tags seedlings, seeds, starting seeds indoors

Seeds for Spring Planting

February 10, 2015

imageWith seed catalogs arriving in the mail, it is not too early to start planning for spring plantings. The advantages of beginning plantings with seeds rather than plants from a garden center are multiple. There is the joy of seeing a plant mature from seed to maturity, the availability of plant varieties not available from the local nurseries, and the ability to get a head start on planting before that last frost.

Some seeds do better when directly sowed into the ground, while others prefer beginning in pots. Some need warm soil, others cool. Some are open pollinated seed that will reproduce itself next year from harvested seeds. Hybrids on the other hand, often produce seeds at the end of their growing season that are not vigorous or true to type. Be sure to note when looking for seeds the sunlight and moisture requirements the growing plants require.

A calendar and knowledge of the last frost date www.ces.ncsu.edu/hil/hil-707.html allow calculation on sowing and harvesting times. By starting cool weather plants indoors or in cold frames a few weeks before the last frost date, you can get a head start on spring. Beware of planting tomato seeds too early, as they require warm temperatures to grow and fruit. Seeds such as lettuces can be planted in consecutive weeks to extend the harvest season.

image

Seed catalogs offer a wealth of information on plant varieties and conditions. Some even suggest seeds that are easy to grow. The abundance of catalogs present a cornucopia of choice. Just beware of buying more seeds than there is time to plant or energy to care for. But that is always the risk when longing for spring. Enjoy!

Article written by Lorraine Cipriano, Extension Master Gardener Volunteer.

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Categories Flowers, Vegetables & Fruits Tags seed catalogs, seeds, spring planting, starting seeds indoors

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