Getting stuck in a vegetable rut isn’t really my problem. I love growing unusual edibles. I’ve grown shiso and edamame, saffron crocuses and Vietnamese coriander. The issue, rather, is space.
My balcony is dedicated to veggie growing. I have two raised beds totaling just 16 sq.ft., plus a rag-tag assortment of pots and planters. Last year the balcony was home to five tomato plants, fennel, zucchini, edamame, purple bush beans, mixed lettuces — and a fig tree. While the sun isn’t as good, I grow the herbs (rosemary, parsley, basil, thyme, chives, mint, oregano, marjoram) just outside our kitchen door, for obvious reasons.
What I won’t grow again
I’m going to forgo the zucchini, because it takes up so much space, and hand-pollinating it drove me crazy. Fennel is a no-go, because, hell, how often do I actually eat fennel? I’m also going to pass on the edamame, because I don’t have room to grow enough to make a satisfying snack.
What I’ll grow again
This year, I’m growing a variety of heirloom tomatoes again, which take up half my planting space. I’m growing lettuces: last year’s “Garden Babies Butterhead” and heirloom “Merveille de Quatre Saisons” from Renee’s Garden did very well. The fig tree stays.
What’s new
VEGGIES
Instead of bush or pole beans, I’m going to try filet beans – perhaps Maxibel from West Coast Seeds? But the newest thing for me this year will be kale. I’ve recently discovered a love for the stuff, so I’m going to try Lacinato (also known as Tuscan or black kale) as well as pretty Red Russian.
FRUIT
I’m also going to add a red huckleberry (Vaccinium parvifolium) to my native plant bed in my back garden. I’m also curious about those Doyle’s thornless blackberries you see advertised in the gardening mags.
FUNGI
I’ve always wanted to grow mushrooms, but I want to grow them outside and not using a starter log. I’ve seen garden show display gardens sink mushroom patches into the ground, which looks fantastic in a woodland garden. I’ll be looking at my options this year.
That’s all I have planned for now – but once I’m standing in front of that seed rack at the nursery, there’s no telling what might happen.
So, what do you say? Will you join me in trying a new veggie this year? Join here.
Elaine says
Well, with an invitation like this I’m going to have to make my first comment on your blog. I’ve been reading your posts for a few weeks now and admiring your skill — at gardening, design, writing and photography.
Yes, I’ll join you. I’m awaiting my West Coast Seeds 2008 catalogue and as soon as I’ve had a chance to study it, I’ll let you know what new veggie I’m going to try.
Your own plans are very inspiring. I may copy you on a small scale. Unfortunately, my balcony can’t support raised beds.
Teacher A says
I feel inspired! I’m probably insane, but I think I’ll jump on the bandwagon.
kate says
I’m with you on not being so good at doing many of the regular garden blogging things. I was determined to start off in January doing at least one garden bloggers’ bloom day and did. I’ve read the February selection so I’ll get a post done. Beyond that, well, time will tell.
The biggest thing I did was participate in NaBloPoMo -blogging every day throughout November. That just about did me in. Blogging was a bit too much of a chore.
My eyes lit up when I saw ‘Blackberries’. I would love to try some – my favourite berry.
I think I could join this Challenge – I will try and grow a new veggie this year. I really want to try growing some different peppers. Do I just sign up at Melinda’s blog?
TopVeg says
Great post and invitation! Now determined to try a new vegetable – but will have to spend the next month doing research. So many interesting veg out there!
delilah says
what about a cucumber vine who could grow on your railing?
Colleen says
I’ll join, too! You will love ‘Lacinato’—I grew it for the first time last year and now I can’t imagine my garden without it. I’m going to try ‘Red Russian’ this year, too, figuring I can work it into my other beds as an edible ornamental if I run out of space in the veggie garden. Now I get to go through the seed catalogs and find something new to grow :-)
Natalie says
I want to try onions and some heirloom tomatoes. If I start now, I may actually be ready for them in the spring, right!
Andrea Bellamy says
Wow, what a response! Glad to see so many people joining — I can’t wait to see what you all grow!
Elaine – thanks for delurking and leading me to your blog. I see you use West Coast Seeds (their catalogue is my veggie-growing bible, too) – do you live in BC?
Teacher A – so glad I could inspire :) I bet you’ll get hooked! You’ll see.
Kate – I *heart* blackberries. Any berry, actually. Glad you’re joining. Yes, sign up at Melinda’s blog. I added a link straight to the sign-up page at the bottom of the post.
Top Veg – thanks for commenting and leading me to your blog. I agree – the number of interesting varieties of vegetables out there makes it difficult to choose!
Delilah – I’ve never grown cucumber! Great idea about growing it along the railing. Hmmm… I wonder if I can squeeze that in.
Colleen – Don’t you love the look of Lacinato? I’ll admit, I was first attracted to its octopus-like appearance in a perennial bed. Then I tasted it sauted! Glad to have you on board.
Natalie – not at all too late! In my neck of the woods, it’s actually too early to direct seed (tomatoes or onions, anyway). But never too early to plan!
jenn says
You could grow fennel strictly as a food source for the swallowtail butterfly…?
I think anything I put in the ground this year will qualify as ‘new’ for me, as I am in such a different climate than in the past.
I’m thinking tomatoes, squash, and hot peppers.
And I’d better get cracking, we are in veggie planting season NOW. Phoenix, and living in the desert, is so strange.
Andrea Bellamy says
That’s a good idea, Jenn. Maybe I’ll use my leftover seeds and guerilla plant them in the traffic circle by my place. I don’t have room in my garden, but you’re right – that doesn’t mean someone – or something – else can’t enjoy them. Good luck with your desert gardening!
Anthony says
I’m doing the challenge too and picked Chioggia Beets, German Chamomile and Beetberry. I’m impressed at what you’re able to grow on your balcony. And I was complaining that I was running about of space in my garden. Awesome.
Kim says
My ignorance is about to show… why did you have to hand-pollinate the zucchini? The first few flowers are generally duds, but after that you should get some fruits (veggies, whatever) anyway, shouldn’t you? I only grew one plant two years ago, didn’t do any hand-pollination, and still ate zucchini until the powdery mildew put an end to my fun… that’s why I’m confused. :)
Oh, but I’ll DEFINITELY try a new veggie. I’m thinking about trying pole beans this year.
Andrea Bellamy says
Kim – you’re not ignorant! I went a couple of years without seeing any results from my zucchini plants before I realized they weren’t being pollinated by bees. (Zucchnis have both male and female flowers that have to exchange vital fluids before a fruit will set). I wrote a post about it here: http://www.heavypetal.test/archives/2007/08/have_you_heard_the_one_about_t.html
Erika says
I’m trying kapunzer peas. They are an old heirloom sort from europe which have trippy purple pods with sweet green peas inside. A friend grows them and they look amazing. E-mail me Andrea if you would like me to send you some too.
Andrea Bellamy says
Hi Erika – thanks for the offer. I’ve googled “kapunzer peas” and nothing comes up — hmmm, a mystery! Anyone know anything about these trippy peas?
mina says
Hi Andrea,
have you ever tried growing bush beans during the winter here in Vancouver? Is it feasible? I’ve got a community garden and I was wondering if it is possible to grow green beans and carrots and onions? I’m glad I found a gardener’s blog from someone in Vancouver!