When most people think about gardening, the first things that come to mind are vegetable crops like tomatoes and cucumbers. Many other plants can be grown in your garden, some of which you may not have even heard of! This article will teach you about wild card crops you didn’t know you could grow. From unusual fruits and vegetables to medicinal plants, there is sure to be something you will find worth planting this spring!
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The Fun Of Growing New Types Of Plants
Growing new types of plants can be a truly exciting experience! Planting these seedlings and then watching them take shape gives you an insight into the natural world in a way that you don’t often have the opportunity to experience firsthand. With each new species comes a unique set of challenges and rewards, such as needing to do extra research on soil type, growth rate, fertilizer needs, etc.
It improves your knowledge of the natural environment and brings a deep sense of satisfaction and accomplishment when you can turn a tiny sprout into something remarkable. Whether you’re growing for food or beauty, taking part in cultivating plants is an age-old tradition that provides joy and education – all with just a little water and love!
Wild Card Crops You Didn’t Know You Could Grow
Black Tomatoes
Who knew you could grow black tomatoes and make them a centerpiece for your summer garden? With their unique and exciting color, black tomatoes are eye-catching. While you may not find them on display in the produce section at your local grocery store, they can be cultivated just like other tomato varieties. The flavor of these tomatoes has been likened to those of the heirloom variety and may come with superior disease resistance compared to red or yellow tomatoes.
Growing these dark beauties is a great way to try something new and create a garden that stands out from others. Aside from being visually interesting, black tomatoes provide a flavorful crop for outdoor adventures.
Cucamelons
Cucamelons, otherwise known as Mexican sour gherkins, are a unique and surprising crop you may now add to your food gardening list. These little green balls have a taste that resembles cucumbers with a slight hint of citrus, making them perfect for pickling and adding a bit of zing to salads or snacks. Gardening veterans should be aware that although not overly challenging to grow, cucamelons require specific care.
They need plenty of light and supplemental water during the long, drying summer months and can take anywhere from 65-70 days to reach fruit-bearing maturity. For those willing to give these delightful fruits a try in their home garden— there is no doubt that cucamelons will make for an enlivening addition that most people didn’t even know they could grow!
Passion Flowers
Passion Flowers may not be the most well-known crop, but for avid gardeners and those looking to provide something fresh and exciting for their family, growing passion flowers at home can be both rewarding and delicious. Passionflower pods have a unique flavor that combines sweetness with tartness, making it addicting in salads and smoothies or as a snack right off the vine.
Growing them is surprisingly easy, too; they require less care than many other crops, thrive in all types of soil, enjoy partial shade or full sun, and don’t require any specialized fertilizer or tools. There truly isn’t a simpler way to experience the great tastes of summer than by growing passion flowers in your own backyard!
Korean Mint
Korean mint is a cropping option for gardeners looking to add unique flavors to their home-grown produce – especially if they don’t live in an area with access to specialty stores. For most people, Korean mint is not commonly heard of or thought to be a type of crop they could easily grow. This is because there was once a belief that it required specific and difficult conditions to survive, making it seemingly impossible to cultivate within most home gardens.
However, modern gardening has revealed that this medicinal herb is much easier to grow than one might think. With the proper care and consistent watering – combined with well-draining soil – even beginner gardeners will have success growing this fragrant crop!
Sweet Bergamot
Sweet bergamot is another medicinal herb most people aren’t aware they can grow. The plant is an aromatic herb that produces beautiful purple and white flowers, making it an ideal choice for adding charm and allure to any garden or backyard. Not only is sweet bergamot aesthetically pleasing, but its leaves are full of potent properties like anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal effects. This makes it a decorative addition to any garden and a great supplement to any kitchen!
When cured, the leaves fully maintain their medicinal properties, thus providing the ultimate home-grown remedy for anything from seasonal ailments like colds to minor irritations like skin rashes. Sweet bergamot offers more than just beauty: it provides a unique treat for the eyes and the body!
Luffa
Most people know luffa as the spongy material they may have used at some point as a bath scrub, but did you know that this airy ingredient is actually from a vegetable? Luffa cylindrica, more commonly known as ‘Vegetable Sponge,’ is grown in warm climates and requires well-drained soil. It’s amazing that something we use so ubiquitously for cleaning can be easily harvested from home gardens – talk about self-sufficiency!
Luffa is easy to grow and adds flavor and texture to your salads when its young gourds are harvested immaturely. With just some sunshine and water, you could soon be enjoying the delightful surprise of having your own lemon-scented harvest!
Try Growing Some Of These Wild Card Crops In Your Garden!
Growing your own produce or herbs may seem intimidating, but there are a variety of wild card crops you can easily grow in your own backyard. From Korean mint and black tomatoes to sweet bergamot and passion flowers, home gardening is becoming increasingly diverse and exciting – especially with the addition of unfamiliar tastes! Just be sure to research each plant to understand its growing requirements, and you’ll be well on your way to harvesting a vibrant array of flavors to enjoy!
