Hi everyone! I recently got some unusual edible plant seeds from a seed swap hosted by OAEC (The Occidental Arts and Ecology Center). I did some research about these plants before sowing the seeds, and want to share that information with you today. I love discovering new edible plants, especially perennial vegetables, that are different from your typical tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, ect that you usually find in a home garden. I get to grow plants with unique flavors that I've never experienced before, and most of the time these plants are much more resilient than the typical annual veggies that are grown.
Shungiku
- a chopsuey green
- shoots and stems can be eaten
- the taste is a mix between celery and carrots
- the flowers can be used in place of chrysanthemum for tea
- plant seeds 1/8" deep, 2" apart, and 10" between the rows
Sea Beet
- a perennial vegetable
- the leaves are like spinach
- can sow the seeds in spring our autumn
- plant seeds 1' apart, 1-2 cm deep
- winter hardy, grow in full sun
Lovage
- a perennial vegetable
- tastes like celery
- will grow 4-6 feet high
- plants seeds 1/4" deep, space the plants 2-3' apart
- grow in full sun to part shade, grows well in large containers
Wild Cabbage
- a short-lived perennial (3-5 years)
- partial shade okay
- winter hardy
- plants seeds 1/4" deep, space the plants 2' apart
Sorghum Vulgare
- an annual, tall grass that grows 15' high
- it's a good temporary hedge plant for the summer
- plant in well-worked soil, full sun, and a little water
- little maintenance needed
- grow in a block or clumps
Quillaquina
- a Mexican herb
- grows 3ft high, plant 1' apart
- tastes like arugula and cilantro, used in salsas
- heat/sun-loving, summer annual
Nettle-leaved Mullein
- a perennial, tall stalk with flowers
- grows 3 ft high
- likes full sun
- a Native American herb that is good for lungs
Amaranth Kilimanjaro Park
- grows to 6' tall
- a grain, similar to quinoa
- an annual plant that likes full sun
- plant 7-10" apart
- plant radish or carrots underneath to maximize growing space
Very cool! I'd be particularly interested in the Shungiku because of the carrot/celery taste combo and the Quillaquina because I love salsa. Looking forward to more about this venture!
Awosome.Permaculture is a design system for sustainable Human habitats.
Cool, I didn't know that there were so many other edible plants besides the common vegetables that we regularly consume.
Thanks for sharing.
Woooww! I love learning about unusual plant foods, this is awesome! Well done
Thank you so much for the new plants! I want to try the Wild Cabbage. I am going to have to look up The Occidental Arts and Ecology Center, a seed swap sounds wonderful. Happy New Year :)
@anwenbaumeister Great to see some new herbs and plants. Where are you located. Curious what will come up in the spring and what will set seed in your area. Let me know.
Fantastic post! Mullein is a great one to help quit smoking. I added it to my herbal blend with marshmallow, damiana, passionflower and lavender to wean myself off tobacco. I would love to hear where you are from and how the amaranth turned out. I have had success with rye and buckwheat as spring crops.
Wow thanks for the update @anwenbaumeister - it's communities like the homesteading community that will bring my brother into Steemit, all the best for the future and looking forward to seeing what else you give us insight to.
I love this!
I've been doing veggie gardens since I was 10 years old. It's a secret passion of mine to grow food wherever I am.
I had the good fortune of having Bill Mollison take me on a tour around his incredible permacultured land. Mind-blowing!
Thanks for this article and nice to meet a fellow food growing enthusiast!
Blessings!