Chef and Gardener's Expert Opinion: The 5 Vegetables I'll Abandon in My Garden Forevermore
In the world of gardening and culinary arts, Bonnie L. Grant, a professional landscaper and chef, shares her insights on the vegetables that make a delightful addition to any home garden.
Corn, during its season, is a reasonably priced staple at the supermarket and can be frozen for later use. It's a versatile ingredient that finds its way into many dishes. However, growing corn can be challenging in areas with high, driving winds and light, loose soil. For those facing such conditions, alternatives like 'Fordhook zucchini', available from Eden Brothers, offer a sweet and versatile alternative.
Zucchini, an easy-to-grow vegetable, is not only a great substitute for cauliflower but also makes a fantastic spaghetti substitute. However, like corn, it can be tricky to grow in less-than-ideal conditions.
Parsnips, with the heirloom variety 'Hollow Crown' being particularly sweet and smooth, can be a good substitute for sunchokes, which are grown for their edible tubers but have a flavour that is often described as nothing and can cause gastric upset. Sunchokes, also known as Jerusalem artichokes, are notorious for their rapid multiplication and invasive nature, often spreading into neighbouring yards.
Freshness is an important factor in food texture and flavour, making it wise for keen culinarians to grow their own produce. Some plants, however, are difficult to grow, attract pests, require excessive resources, or are not suitable for certain zones. Bonnie Grant does not explicitly recommend avoiding any vegetables, but she highlights certain vegetables she always grows, such as English cucumbers (Chelsea hybrid variety) and arugula, explaining their growing conditions and culinary uses.
Lettuce, for instance, is prone to insect infestations, particularly in the center and core. Organic gardening, which limits the use of insecticides, makes it difficult to prevent pest damage in lettuce. However, varieties like Green Salad Bowl lettuce are easier to grow and less prone to pest infestations.
Other vegetables that are easier to grow include kale, spinach, Swiss chard, and certain varieties of lettuce. Herbs like chives, dill, basil, and oregano are tastier and easier to grow than parsley, which can be difficult to grow from seed and takes a long time to sprout.
For those seeking alternative options to sweetcorn, the Survival Seeds' Bean Seed Collection, available at Walmart, can be a good alternative. For easier-to-grow greens, the Survival Garden Seeds 5 Greens Collection Seed Vault from Amazon contains a variety of greens that are suitable for home gardens. Similarly, the Sereniseed Certified Organic Herb Seeds Collection from Amazon contains a range of easier-to-grow herbs.
Grant's advice emphasises the importance of choosing the right vegetables for your garden, considering both their growing conditions and their role in your culinary creations. With the right planning and care, your home garden can become a source of fresh, flavourful ingredients for your meals.
- Bonnie Grant's insights suggest that Fordhook zucchini, an alternative to corn, could be a wise choice for a home garden in challenging conditions, as it offers a sweet and versatile addition to various dishes.
- In the quest for easier-to-grow greens, the Sereniseed Certified Organic Herb Seeds Collection, available on Amazon, offers a range of herbs that are tastier and easier to grow than certain herbs, such as parsley.
