New things for 2008

Mashua

Patrick has been kind enough to send me some Mashua (tuberous nasturtium) tubers to try next year. They’ll go nicely with my other South American species – Oca, tomatillos and Mexican gherkins and achocha.

I’ve been raking through the seed box this morning, looking for all the new things I’ve picked up to try (far too many!). I was given some Passionflower (Passiflora edulis) seeds last Christmas and didn’t sow them because the grow dome wasn’t finished, so that’s something to try in 2008. Apparently I have to soak them in orange juice for 24 hours before sowing them, and they need bright sunlight to germinate!

I’m also committed to trying soya beans to make edamame for hubby. And I’ve got some cotton seeds (they came in a packet attached to some organic cotton trousers!) that I would like to try. And, hopefully, kiwano coming from the Heritage Seed Library.

Beyond that I’m going to make a second attempt to grow all of the things that didn’t grow well this year – peanuts, asparagus peas, pepinos, goldenberries, watermelon and the strange courgettes (Tromba D’Albenga and Friulana).

And, of course, the camassia and white alpine strawberries are already underway. It’s going to be a busy year!

Posted 31 December 2007, 15:34.   Posted in .

2 Comments for New things for 2008

  1. I’ve also got a Mexican Gherkin tuber (whatever it’s real name is, I don’t know) and also ordered some achocha.

    For the soya keep in mind that like the chick peas, they have their own special sort of rhizobia bacteria. You might get lucky and it will establish itself the first year by itself, otherwise it may take a few years of successive growing or you may need to use an inoculant before it’s present in the soil.

    Patrick · Dec 31, 07:43 PM

  2. I’ll check out the bacteria, thanks Patrick.

    Emma · Jan 2, 08:52 PM

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