Vegetable Production

2/20/2014

Duck Dynasty Move Over… Home Garden Vegetable Production

Bill Hlubik Professor Agricultural and Resource Management Agent Rutgers Cooperative Research and Extension

Garden Plan If You Fail to Plan  Space / Time

E Then Plan to Fail  Sunlight N S

 Soil

 Water

 Protection

1 2/20/2014

Starting a Vegetable Garden Garden Tips

 Be Realistic

 Time and ability

 Spring Fever- lure of garden catalogues

Garden Tips

 Learn from the past Here Comes The Sun !

 Keep records of varieties, problems, planting and harvest dates, yields, taste, special techniques

2 2/20/2014

Orientation of Sunlight Sunlight

 6 to 8 hours full sun S E

 Orientation

 Shading W N

Sunlight Sunlight

 8 to 10 hours  5 to 6 hours  Tomato, Pepper,  Root crops = Eggplant and carrots, radish, Cucurbits onions, leeks, beets  Less light yields large plants, less fruit

3 2/20/2014

Sunlight Soil

 4 hours  Leafy vegetables = lettuce, endive, spinach, kale

Soil Caution with  Tillable BioSolids

 Drainage “Sewage Sludge”  Contamination Products

4 2/20/2014

Avoid Top Soils with an Amonia Odor Headlines

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Genetically engineered foods are as safe as foods developed from agricultural A Few Questions for You biotechnology? 1. Strongly Agree

2. Agree 3. Neutral

4. Disagree 5. Strongly Disagree

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Traditional food products are Pesticides are used on both organic and traditional food crops? the same as organic ? 1. Strongly Agree 1. Strongly Agree 2. Agree 2. Agree 3. Neutral 3. Neutral 4. Disagree 4. Disagree 5. Strongly Disagree 5. Strongly Disagree

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I purchase foods directly from local Found in Earthworms after farmers during the growing season ? biosolids applications

1.  Bioaccumulation of Never  pharmaceuticals, Pharmaceuticals and Other 2. Once per month  synthetic fragrances, Anthropogenic Waste Indicators in Earthworms from 3. Once per week  detergent metabolites, Agricultural Soil Amended With Biosolid or Swine Manure 4. Twice a week  polycyclic aromatic  Environ. Sci. Technol., 2008, 42 (6), pp hydrocarbons (PAHs), 1863–1870

0% 0% 0% 0% 0%  pesticides

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Nutrients Natural Soil and Plant Supplements  Guide to the Nutrient Value of Organic Materials  Material % N % P % K Availability  Bone Meal 1 11 0 Slow

 Compost 1.5 0.5 1 Slow  Backyard compost  Dried Blood 12 1.5 0.5 Rapid

 Cottonseed meal  Fish Meal 10 4 0 Slow  Composted  Kelp 1 0.5 9 Rapid  manures Feather meal  Manure-Fresh  Cow 0.25 0.15 0.25 Medium   Greensand Soybean meal  Horse 0.3 0.15 0.5 Medium  Sheep 0.6 0.33 0.75 Medium   Kelp meal Fish pellets  Swine 0.3 0.3 0.3 Medium  Poultry 2 2 1 Rapid   Blood meal Rock Phosphate  Milorganite 5 2-5 2 Medium  Peat & muck 1.5 0.25 .5 Slow   Bone meal Erth Rite  Rock Phosphate 0 25 0 Slow  Urea 45 0 0 Rapid   Alfalfa pellets Milorganite  Wood Ashes 0 1-2 3-7 Rapid  ReVita Compost Plus 25 26

Causes of poor growth Natural Sources of Fertilizer

 Compaction,  improper pH,  Composted inadequate soil dehydrated animal aeration  nutrient toxicity, manures deficiencies,  moisture,  Avoid bio-solids  Disease, insects  adverse climate,

7 2/20/2014

Composted Cow manure great for soils Micro Clover

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Establishing Clover Recycle Grass Clippings

 2 to 8 oz per 1000 sq. ft • Great slow release source of Nitrogen

 use Dutch white clover and not the larger, forage types such as Ladino white, or • Best kept on lawns but also great source Alsike or Red Clover. of nitrogen for the compost pile  Other small-leaf white clover varieties developed for pastures would also be . suitable

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8 2/20/2014

Blood Meal Bone Meal 1-11-0

• dry powder made from blood & used  High in P and Calcium as a high nitrogen fertilizer  agent Creutzfeldt- Jakob disease (CJD) • N = 13.25%, P = 1.0%, K = 0.6%. (the human form of one of the highest non-synthetic bovine spongiform encephalopathy “mad sources of nitrogen. A by-product cow disease”) from slaugnterhouse

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Seaweeed / Kelp Products  12,000+ var seaweed  minimal bulk but alginate binds soil

 Nutrients - 0.3% N, - 0.1%P , - 1.0% K,

 trace elements & amino acids & growth regulators, 

 Salt content , clean source

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9 2/20/2014

Seaweed / Kelp

Composts

J Plant Growth Regul (2009) 28:386–399 37 38

Great Veg Gardening works like a Compost Pile

 It’s what goes in to the process

 Management

 Takes time

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10 2/20/2014

Compost Quality and Nutrient Content Application of Composts

 Dependent on ingredients

 Dependent on the process

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Video Screening & Spreading Spreaders Compost

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11 2/20/2014

Soil Raised Beds

 Soil Test  Improve drainage

 Improve poor soils with amendments  Reduce Diseases

 Cover Crops

Water

 1 to 1 ½ inches per week Water  Easy access

 Free from contaminates  Excess chlorine

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Water Water-Drip Irrigation

 Avoid overhead  Water conservation irrigation

 Disease control  Water early morning

 Liquid fertilization

 Adequate Space Space  Manageable

 Weeding, pruning

 Crop and variety selection

 Space between vegetables and rows

 Square foot gardening

13 2/20/2014

Space Space Variety Selection, Containers

 Trellis

 Poles, string

 Zig Zag Cages

Reasons to Extend Season

Yields and How Much is Too Much !  Stretch invested dollars

 Higher yields

 Better quality

14 2/20/2014

Approaches to Extended Market Season Low Tunnels

 Stagger Production  Often better before or after regular season

 Grow in the Cold  Row covers  Row tunnels

 High tunnels

 Transplants

 Mulches

Methods to Increase Earliness Methods to Increase Earliness

 Site selection  Use of windbreaks (50-70 ft apart)  Well drained warm up sooner  Plant protectors  Slope of land  caps  land sloping 20o towards south 6% warmer  land sloping 20o towards north 19% colder  Row covers  Soil Texture  Light soils have greater temp swings (frost prone)  Heavy soils more constant temp  Variety selection  Early maturity  Cold tolerance/germination

15 2/20/2014

Methods to Increase Earliness Vegetable Yields

Crop Average Yield/100 ft row  Plastic Mulch  Gain of 1-2 weeks Asparagus 30 lb  Increase early and total yield Bean, snap 120 lb  Use of transplants Bean, pole 150 lb  Larger cell size earlier yield Broccoli 100  Proper transplant age  Set at proper time Cabbage 150  Use starter fertilizer Corn sweet 10 doz  Pest control Cucumbers 120 lb  Proper Fertilization Lettuce, leaf 50 lb  Timely irrigation Muskmelon 100

Vegetable Yields Fruit Yields Crop Average Yield/100 ft row Crop Average Peas, snow 20 lb Yield/100 ft row Peppers, bell 60 lb Apples 20 bu Potatoes, Irish 100 lb Blackberries 330 lb Potatoes, Sweet 100 lb Blueberries 250 lb Pumpkins 600 lb (/1000 sq ft) Grapes 220 lb Squash, summer 150 lb Pears 25 bu Squash, winter 100 lb Raspberries 184 lb Tomatoes 500 lb Strawberries 150 lb Watermelons 50 fruit

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Earliest and Latest Vegetable Planting Earliest and Latest Vegetable Planting Dates Dates Crop Earliest Latest Date Crop Earliest Date Latest Date Date st th Beans May 1 July 20 Peas Feb 28th No fall crop th th Cabbage March 25 July 10 Pumpkin May 10th June 20th st th Cucumbers May 10 June 20 Squash May 15th July 15th Sweet Corn April 25th July 7th Summer Muskmelon May 10th June 15th Tomatoes May 10th June 20th Peppers May 10th June 15th Watermelons May 15th June 15th Potatoes March 15th June 20th Winter May 10th June 15th Sweet May 15th June 10th Squash Potatoes

Protection

Protection  Insects  Dogs, Cats

 Birds  Woodchucks

 Squirrels

 Deer  People

17 2/20/2014

Protection Mulches

 Fence  Red Mulch for  Wind block tomatoes

 Afternoon sun (lettuce)  Increase

 Row Covers production 10 to 20%  Raised Beds

 Mulch

Examples of Planters Crop Selection at EARTH Center

 Space  Light

 Soil and Fertility  Temperature

 Days to maturity Photo by Howard Katz  Pest Resistance  Rotation Wagon planter Straw bale planter Raised bed

18 2/20/2014

Crop Selection Choosing Varieties

 ‘Celebrity’ Tomato VFFNT, 70 days, All American Winner,  Taste mid-season, medium sized fruit, determinate  Availability  V=Verticillium wilt  Storage  F, FF=Fusarium wilt race 1,2

 N=Nematodes

 T= Tobacco Mosaic Virus

Starting Plants Indoors

Starting Seedlings  Grow Lights

 Broad Spectrum Light

 Temperature Control

19 2/20/2014

Starting Seedlings Seedling Diseases

 Right Time  Damping off disease  Temperature

 Sterile potting mix  Soil Mix

  Moisture Beneficial fungi GL-21

 Fertility

Starting Seedlings Starting Seedlings

 Temperature and light  Greenhouse control production  Drafts near windows

 Temperature change in evening near windows

 Keep away from heat vents

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Hardening-off Cold frame Hardening Off Plants  Full sunlight

 Air movement

 Open lid on hot days

Hardening-off Plants - Outdoors Planting

 Gradual Increase in light each day

 30 minutes to 1 hour increase in light each day

 2 week or more process

21 2/20/2014

Planting Frost Protection

 Stocky green plants  Plastic Covers  Free of pests/ disease  Remove carefully  ‘Wall O Water’ from pots  Loosen roots  Hot Caps  Planting depth  Water in  Remove hot caps  Light fertilization and covers with high temperature

Frost Protection Fertilization

 Hot Caps  Test Soil

 Remove hot caps  Fertilizer additions and covers with depend on crop high temperature needs, soil conditions, rainfall, temperature

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Fertilization Balanced Fertility

 Absence of a soil test  Slow release fertilizers

 2 to 4 pounds 5-10-5  Organic Soil amendments per 100 square foot  Dried manure, dried blood, alfalfa meal, bone  3 to 5 pounds of meal limestone every 2 to 3 years  Cover crops  Maintain proper pH

 Adequate Soil moisture

All leaves, No fruit

 Due to flower abortion caused by  Too much nitrogen All in the family.

 Too much moisture

 High temperature (above 90 deg)  Low temperature (below 55 deg)

 Avoid Fresh Manure and High Nitrogen Fertilizers

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Solanaceous Crops Solanaceous Crops Warm Season Vegetables  Fertile, well drained soils Tomatoes  Balanced, steady moisture and nutrient Peppers supply  Require warm soil and air temperature, Eggplant Plant after frost, protect transplants Potatoes

Solanaceous Crops Tomatoes

 Raised beds, mulch and drip irrigation

 Disease resistant varieties

 Disease free seed and transplants

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Origin of the Tomato Tomato Family

 West coast of South America (Peru)  Family Solanaceae ( tomato, potato,  8 species in the tomato genus grow wild in pepper, eggplant) Andes Mountains.  Genus Lycopersicon  Range of wild tomato relatives – northern tip  Wild tomatoes tiny fruits and only red are of Chile in south to Ecuador in the north. 200 edible. miles inland and including the Galapogos  Perennials in warmer regions, annuals in Islands. colder regions.

What is an Heirloom Tomato ? Mortgage Lifter

 An heirloom is generally considered to be  5.6 oz. marketable a variety that has been passed down, fruit wt. through several generations of a family  Orange /red fruit because of it’s valued characteristics.  Highest yield, 4,578 bx/A,

 70% marketable fruit.

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Ramapo Yellow Stuffer

 6.2 oz. marketable  3.4 oz. marketable fruit wt. wt.  Dark red color.  Yield 2,936 bx/A

 Yield, 2,888 bx/A  64% marketable.

 76% marketable  Hollow inside for  Flavor 2.9/4 stuffing.

 Sweetness 1.9/3

Garden Peach Green Zebra

  1.2 oz. marketable 2.5 oz. marketable fruit. fruit wt.  Flavor 3.1/4  Flavor 2.9/4, variety of comments.  Appearance 3.7/4  Sweetness 1.9/3  Sweetness 1.9/3  Acidity 2.8/3  Yield – 3,065 bx/A.  Yield 2,197 bx/A.  86% marketable.  59% marketable

26 2/20/2014

Brandywine, Pink Aunt Ruby's German Green (SUDDUTH/QUISENBERRY STRAIN)

 80 days, Indeterminate.  80 days Indeterminate.  Legendary Amish heirloom from the  Beefsteak fruits are 5 to 6 1880's and the most popular. inches in diameter and weigh  Prized for it's distinctively flavored one pound or more. fruit.  Dark reddish, pink, large 1-2 lb. fruit.  Sweet juicy flesh, refreshing Grow on vigorous potato leaf plants. spicy flavor. Thick green slices  Little disease resistance. are great in sandwiches.  "As fine a tasting tomato as ever was grown," said tomato guru Ben  Produces fruit in late season Quisenberry who got the seed from and in cooler climates. Mrs. Sudduth. It had been in her family over 100 yrs.  Winner of taste tests around the country..

Tomato Culture Tomato Culture  Sow seeds 6 weeks before last frost date

 Transplant development  Can Sow early w inc. light (greenhouse) 60 to 70 deg. Best

 Starter mix temp. 75 to 90  Water lightly to keep mix deg. from drying  As 1st true leaves develop transplant to 2-3” pots or cell containers  Fertilize w fish emulsion or soluble complete  Use 4 “ pots for stocky fertilizer transplants

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Tomato Culture Tomato Pruning / Staking  Determinate varieties plant 12” to 24” apart  Determinate (bush)

 Indeterminate varieties varieties little to no 24” to 36” apart pruning, grow with or w/out support

 Staking 14” to 20” up   Indeterminate

 Cages – depends on cage (climbing) varieties width, 24” or more best if staked, trellised or caged – prune for best results

Tomatoes Tomato Staking

 Size  Double weave  Days to maturity

 Cold tolerance  Disease resistance

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Tomato Cages Tips for early Tomatoes

 Large openings  Cold tolerant variety

 Secure stakes  Short season, determinate  Rust resistant  Protection from frost

 Healthy Plants

 Warm Soils, Black Plastic

 Lay Plastic in the Fall

Peppers

 Sow seeds late March or 8 weeks prior Peppers transplant  Maintain soil temp. above 80 deg

 1st true leaves spot plants 2-3”apart, cells or flats, 2”or larger pots give arger plants and better roots,

 Grow plants 70 deg day and 60 deg night

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Peppers Cold Treatment Peppers

 Cold treatment – increases number of  Sensitive to cold temperatures- flowers and fruits transplant into warm soil after danger of frost  When third true leaf apopears, grow plants at min night of 53-55 deg for 4  Seedlings should have buds but no open flowers weeks, then adjust to 70 deg day and night  Plant 12” to 18” apart with rows 24” to 36” apart  Sow seeds 1 to 2 weeks earlier than usual  Well drained soils, disease - with this technique Phytopthora

Peppers Pepper – Bell

 Water in transplants with high Phosphorus  ‘Oritani’ water solution

 Plastic Mulch and Row Covers can encourage early crop

30 2/20/2014

Hot Peppers

 Habanero – 100,000 Scoville units Eggplant

Eggplant Culture Eggplant Culture

 Very sensitive to  Harden – reduce water and temp to cold temperatures 60 deg 1 week before transplanting  Sow 8 weeks or  Transplant in June more prior to planting  Use Row Covers

 80 to 90 soil temp to emergence then 70 deg

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Eggplant Eggplant

 Burpee Hybrid, 70d,  Millionare Hybrid, vigorous, drought 55d, Japanese Type, tolerant,, medium size Long and slender, dark fruits oriental dishes, extra early

Potatoes

Potatoes  Fertile soils, well drained

 Grown in hills

 Plant seed pieces with one “eye”

 Plant within a few days of receipt of seed pieces or refrigerate

 Plant early to mid- spring 2-3” deep, 1 foot apart, rows 30 to 36” apart

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Potatoes Potato Harvest

 Plants emerge 2 to 3 weeks after planting  Harvest- new potatoes harvest 7 to 8 seed pieces weeks after planting, scratch some

 Hilling Plants- Plants at 1 foot tall, hill potatoes out on side of hill as needed, In with 6 to 8” soil mound with hoe, 2 to 3 the fall,after foliage is dry or when tubers weeks later hill again – prevents greening reach full size dig out entire crop of potatoes  Allow newly dug potatoes to dry before storing in cool, dark place (ideally 35 to 45 deg)

Potatoes Potatoes

 Flowering  Unusual varieties  Once primary crop in have tremendous New Jersey- esp flavor Middlesex County  Fresh Potatoes are the absolute best

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Cucurbits Cucurbits Warm Season Vegetables

 Cucumbers  Adequate space

 Squash  Well drained soil, high O.M. pH 7  Watermelons  Loose soils  Cantaloupe  Warm Soil and air temperature  Pumpkins  Elevated mounds

 Consistent moisture at pollination

 Pollinators

Cucumbers

 Good drainage Cucumbers  Pollinators  Balanced Nutrients

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Cucumbers Cucumbers  Well drained, rich, alkaline soils, warm soils  Plastic mulch with row covers encourages  Sow indoors 2 to 4 seeds in 2 “ cell earlier and heavier yields containers or pots, 4 to 5 weeks before last DIVA- AAS 2002, JSS,  Train to a trellis to save space 58d, smooth, thin no peel frost or direct seed  Pick Daily once soil is warm (70 skin, tender, crisp, deg) approx 1 week bitterfree, seedless, need after frost date no pollination-  Direct seed 2 “ apart, pathenocarpic, tolerant ½ “ deep rows 5 to 6 mildew, scab, not attractive ft apart – no germ to cucumber beetles bec below 50 deg, thin non-bitter plants to 8” apart

Cucumbers

 “Big Burpless Hybrid” Summer  Burpee Seed Company

 55days,  12 – 14” Squash  Sweet, non bitter

 Seedless if grown away from other cukes

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Summer Squash Culture Zucchini Squash

 Sow indoors 3 to 4 weeks before transplanting,  Easy to grow after frost free date,  Harvest small 4”  Direct seed after frost (70 deg soil temp) to 8 “ long and

 Avoid cool, wet soils Harvest often  4” apart, ½ to 1” deep rows 4 to 5 ‘ apart, thin to Prolific on black 1 ‘ between plants plastic  1 week before planting, reduce water and temps  Bush types, little  Adequate balanced fertility space great yields

Squash Varieties Squash Diseases / Problems

 “Born Free Hybrid’  Mosaic Virus – control Aphids and Rotate  Spineless crops

 Early fruit wrinkles and rots – lack of pollination, remedied w male flowers and pollinators

 Downy or Powdery Mildew – keep leaves dry and fertility balanced.

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Emphasis on Nutrition

 Zucchini Squash – Raven 48d, JSS, Dark Beans Green skin, high levels Lutein (highly effective antioxidant) contains 4 times as much lutein as standard lighter green varieties

 Tomato- ‘Health Kick’ Burpee, 75d, det., 4 oz, sweet deep red, 50% more lycopene (antioxidant) than standard varieties.

Bean Culture Bean Culture

 Well –drained soil  Seed every 2 to 3 with pH above 6 weeks through mid- summer  Seed after frost  Ideal soil temp. for date 2 “ apart, 1“ germ. 70 to90 deg. deep, rows 20” to  Daytime temp at 60 36” apart deg for untreated seed  Don’t presoak seed  Inoculant can increase yields  Do not thin  Harvest regularly

37 2/20/2014

Bean Types- Bush Beans Bean Types- Filet

 Easy to grow  Bush Type  No staking needed  Pencil thin

 High, early yields  Extra flavor for  Successive plantings gourmet cooking for continual harvest  Harvest early and  Height 15” to 24 “ often for best flavor

Burpee’s Stringless Green Pod, 50d, meaty, ‘French Filet’ – 56d, 5-7” Burpee, abundant, brittle, juicy, slight curve, productive mouthwatering, thin straight pods

Bean Types- Pole Beans

 Require support from a pole or fence Peas  High continuous yields all season  Height average 8 feet

38 2/20/2014

Pea Culture Pea Culture

 Cool weather crop  Sow early spring as soon as soil can be prepared  Hoe wide furrow sow seeds 1-1 1/2 “ apart in a  Well drained soil 3 “ band, cover w ½ to 1” soil  pH above 6, abundant Phosphorus and  Rows 12 to 18” apart or 4 to 6 ‘ apart if using Potash ( add limestone or wood ashes) trellis  Fence or trellis with thin supports for tendrils –  Inoculate Seed best yields, easier harvest  Sow 2 months before frost for fall crop (need PM resistant varieties in fall)

Pea Types Pea Types  Snap  Sweetest, most flavorful  Snow  Eat raw or cooked,  Oriental and gourmet cooking  Edible Pods  Flat shape, edible pod  Garden – ‘Classic Pea’  Snow Snap  Cook to eat  Cross of snap and snow  Best for Freezing and canning  Sweet w edible pod, no string  Pods inedible

39 2/20/2014

Sugar Snap Pea

 ‘Super Sugar Snap’ Lettuce 64d, 5 to 6’, 2 ½ to 3”, round, plump pods, sweet, early, productive, disease resistant,

 start outdoors after heavy frost

Lettuce Culture Lettuce Culture

 Hardy- plant as early as soil can be  Lettuce dormant at high temps. Sow seed at 68 worked deg or lower  Transplanting- sow flats 4 seed/inch, 3 to 4  Best growth at temperatures 60 to 65 deg. weeks before transplanting outdoors  Sow every 3 weeks for continuous supply  Shade flats on sunny warm days- keep soil surface cool below 75 deg until germination  Select heat tolerant varieties for later  2 weeks later move 1-2” apart to flats, cells, crops pots  Harden – reduce water and temp 2 to 3 days before transplanting outdoors (hardened plants can survive at 20 deg)

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Lettuce Culture Kale and Collards

 Direct Seeding- sow early spring 1 “ apart, rows 12 to 18” apart, cover 1/8 inch soil firm soil gently

 Seeds can germinate at 40 deg soil temp

 Even moisture for germination

 Continuous plantings 2 to 3 weeks

Kale / Collard Culture Kale / Collard Culture

 Direct seed 3 months before expected fall  Harvest 2 months after planting, individual frost leaves

 Sow seeds 1 “ apart, ¼ to ½”deep rows  Cold Temps in fall increase sweetness

18 to 30 “ apart, thin to 8 to 12 “ between  Very hardy, use row cover or cold frame plants for severe cold temps and harvest into  Can grow from transplants as well winter

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Cole Crops- Cabbage Kale / Collards Pests Family Brassica Family  Few problems Cabbage  Cabbage Worms- Broccoli  Row Covers  Dipel Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli Raab Chinese Cabbage

Cabbage Family Cabbage Culture

 Fertile, Humus Rich Loams  Seed soil temp over 75 deg until germination  pH above 6  After germination reduce air temp. to 60  Heavy Feeders deg.  Adequate moisture throughout season  Direct seed or transplant  Spring or Fall Crops  Direct light to prevent leggy plants  Transplant outdoors plants 4 to 6 weeks old, 12 to 18 “ apart in rows 18 to 34” apart

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Cabbage Family Diseases Interesting Plants to Try

 Numerous

 Crop Rotations

 Clean potting mixes and seedbeds outdoors

 Disease free seed- black rot, black leg and alternaria can be seed-borne, Hot water treat to eliminate black rot

Kai-Lan Celeriac

 Referred to as "Chinese broccoli" on menus  Popular in Europe, hearty, delicious root vegetable is rare hard to come by in the United  Nutritous leafy green vegetable States. common in Cantonese cuisine.

 Great alternative to potato in  Leaves make a delicious the winter, complement in any salad, and it can  Excellent source of dietary be served in any meal that might fiber. otherwise include broccoli.

 Contains very little starch. So you can still enjoy all those  The hybrid vegetable broccolini is a "potato snacks" by replacing cross between broccoli and kai-lan the potato with celeriac.

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Sunchoke Yardlong

 The sunchoke is sometimes  Misleadingly named after their length (they rarely grow much longer than half called the "Jerusalem a yard, truth be told), these green bean artichoke" though it has no pods native to Southeast Asia are the specific relation to Jerusalem perfect complement to any stir-fry. What really sets them apart as a crop is how or even that part of the world. fast they grow: Cultivators will notice In fact, the sunchoke is native significant growth on a daily basis. to North America, so it's a local They are also known as Chinese long "exotic" vegetable. beans. You can prepare them in pretty much all the same ways as most other It can be used as a low-starch bean pods, and the flavors will be similar, but they really help to make your Asian substitute for potatoes and is stir-fry more authentic. They are a great remarkably easy to grow. It source of fiber and vitamins C and A. also has great potential for use in the making of alcoholic beverages, as the alcohol fermented

Kohlrabi Romanesco broccoflower

 Relative of wild cabbage,  Fractal attractive

 One of the healthiest foods head , commonly consumed in India  Closer relation to  Most of the plant is edible. cauliflower

 Fry up the root for some kohlrabi fries, toss the leaves in a salad, or chomp  Milder than broccoli on the crisp, juicy stems for a low-calorie snack.

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Oca Mouse Melons or Mexican Sour Gherkins

 Colorful root vegetable was originally cultivated in the Andes of South America  Plant grows as a

 Called the "New Zealand yam" due to its vigorous vine popularity there after being introduced in the mid-1800s.  In the melon family,  Oca can be difficult to find in North America, but in many parts of South America it is second not a true cucumber to potato in popularity and acreage   Excellent source of vitamin C, potassium and Needs full sun and a iron. place to climb like a  Many varieties of oca, so the flavors can vary. Tangier and sweeter than potatoes, and can fence or trellis range from starchy to almost fruitlike. In fact, the apricot vatiety grown in New Zealand tastes much like its namesake fruit.  Can be used in cooking like a cucumber.

Cardoon Swiss Chard

 Biennial related to artichokes, favored by Mediterranean  Spinach substitute for countries. summer harvesting  Stems are eaten raw or boiled, then sautéed with garlic.  Grows four feet tall by about four feet wide.  Bright neon colors as  Striking gray leaves. well as white varieties  Good accent plant in the garden  Can be used cooked or raw when young  In the beet family  Looks good in the vegetable or flower border.

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Hopi Blue Corn Hyacinth Bean

 Beautiful ancient corn  Beautiful pink to  Young ears can be purple flowers on boiled and eaten vigorous vines  Dried, use for flour to  Beans can be eaten make blue corn meal when young, but or for fall displays usually grown for ornamental value  Full sun, drought tolerant; plant 3-5  Good to cover fences plants together in a or arbors block  Full sun preferred

African Horned Melon Cotton

 Very vigorous vine  Sharp thorns on fruit and vines are barbed

 Fruit tastes like a mix of citrus and kiwi,  Not common in New Jersey, but a beautiful used in drinks ornamental shrub about 4 feet tall  Takes a long time to  Bolls develop late in the season set fruit; worth the wait  Tall plant with white and pink flowers

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Calabaza Winter Squash Roselle

 This variety is “La  Related to okra and Estrella” and is similar hibiscus to a pumpkin in taste  Fruits are used to  Very large fruit, size make jellies of a basketball  Of African descent  Vines can reach 12 feet, needs lots of  Shrubby growth habit room for heavy  Needs full sun and squashes to grow long growing season  Full sun  Nice ornamental plant

Hot Biscuit Amaranth Pumpkin Pepper Eggplant

 Looks like a tiny pumpkin, but is really an eggplant.

 Used when dried for fall arrangements

  Tall plant, about 4-5 feet Edible while still green  Seed heads are used for amaranth flour  Bushy plant needs full  Needs 6-8 hours of sun sun  Drought tolerant photo courtesy of Lisa at  May self-sow and become invasive Amishland Heirloom Seeds

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Bitter Melon Luffa Gourd

 Grows on vigorous  Edible, though bitter vines, full sun when very small   Best eaten when tiny Dry out completely, size then soak and remove outer skin to make  Favorite of Asian and sponges Indian cuisine  Vines are very fast  Many different growing and need varieties and colors something to climb on  Full sun

Pumpkins and Gourds Pineapple Sage

 Wonderful for children  Give plenty of room to grow along with water and sunlight  Try just one along a  Flowers and leaves smell like pineapple fence, trellis, or arbor  Good plant for flower border as well as herb bed  If space is limited, there are bush  Full sun and good drainage needed varieties available  Attracts bees and butterflies

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Hungarian Broom Corn Thanks ! Questions ?

 Not a true corn, it does not produce ears  Tops are harvested for use as corn brooms or dried flower arrangements

 Grows 8 feet or taller, good accent plant