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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: AKG_Emma on June 22, 2010, 16:55:56

Title: Vegetable Explorers
Post by: AKG_Emma on June 22, 2010, 16:55:56
I am a lurker these days :o  but I know from experience that you guys are all into unusual edibles and very knowledgeable on the subject. I am working on a new book project which is all about people who grow unusual edibles. I would like to include profiles of several growers (some famous, some not) - including stuff like what type of unusual plants you grow, how you source them, hints and tips for people starting out.

If you would be interested in being included (and if you have a book/ website/ project that you'd like to promote then I can include links and details) then please have a look at my website (http://coopette.com/blog/do-you-grow-unusual-edibles) for the questions and more details.

Thank you!
Emma
Title: Re: Vegetable Explorers
Post by: pigeonseed on June 22, 2010, 22:30:44
Sounds like a nice project. I don't do anything very unusual though!  ;D
Title: Re: Vegetable Explorers
Post by: AKG_Emma on June 23, 2010, 16:42:33
Thanks for stopping by anyway  :)
Title: Re: Vegetable Explorers
Post by: Digeroo on June 23, 2010, 19:21:44
My most unusual is Goji  pity they are not producing any berries though.

Perhaps golden beetroot yum, and a number of heritage peas and beans.  I am quite keen on the work of the heritage seed library.
Title: Re: Vegetable Explorers
Post by: lottie lou on June 23, 2010, 21:49:01
The most unusual crop i grew last year were pepino (failure) and oca. Thought that I had quite a good crop of oca eventually.
Title: Re: Vegetable Explorers
Post by: queenbee on June 23, 2010, 23:19:41
I grew rat's tail radish for a couple of years, they are not the root type but grow on the trailing stems. They are very versatile, you can eat them raw when small but as they get bigger the become very hot, I fried them in stir fries. I sowed  some this year but it was old seed and has done nothing. Thompson & Morgan do them and I will definitely order some for next year. They really look like rats tails and are quite a conversation piece. Another name for them is
German radish.
Title: Re: Vegetable Explorers
Post by: AKG_Emma on June 24, 2010, 05:22:21
Quote from: Digeroo on June 23, 2010, 19:21:44
My most unusual is Goji  pity they are not producing any berries though.

Perhaps golden beetroot yum, and a number of heritage peas and beans.  I am quite keen on the work of the heritage seed library.

How old are the gojis? Mine took a couple of years to get going. Well, one died but the other two are now thuggish monsters and grew lots of berries last year. They're pretty late to flower and fruit though.

The HSL is great, isn't it? And have you seen the Sowing New Seeds project (http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/news/news_topic.php?id=592) that's begun at Ryton this year?
Title: Re: Vegetable Explorers
Post by: AKG_Emma on June 24, 2010, 05:24:40
Quote from: lottie lou on June 23, 2010, 21:49:01
The most unusual crop i grew last year were pepino (failure) and oca. Thought that I had quite a good crop of oca eventually.

I haven't had much luck with pepinos yet either, but oca can be pretty productive if you get the timing right. Did you eat them?
Title: Re: Vegetable Explorers
Post by: AKG_Emma on June 24, 2010, 05:25:40
Quote from: queenbee on June 23, 2010, 23:19:41
I grew rat's tail radish for a couple of years, they are not the root type but grow on the trailing stems. They are very versatile, you can eat them raw when small but as they get bigger the become very hot, I fried them in stir fries. I sowed  some this year but it was old seed and has done nothing. Thompson & Morgan do them and I will definitely order some for next year. They really look like rats tails and are quite a conversation piece. Another name for them is
German radish.

I have a packet of seeds but haven't managed to find room for them yet! They are certainly very unusual in the UK  :)