GoDawgs wrote: ↑Mon Mar 30, 2020 5:11 pm I agree about figuring out what grows best in one's particular area and concentrating on those. Of course, everybody has to have a few "toys" to play with too! And another thing that comes into play is the ability to store it.

I grow about 30 kinds of stuff (peppers, tomatoes, etc count as one category each). I'm looking at this list a little differently, through "grid down" eyes where growability, longevity, nutrition and seed saving are paramount.

Asparagus - The plot here is old and in decline but we've been putting in more the past two years. Fresh eating only.

Beans, both bush and pole - They can up great but with the heat and bugs here it's hard to save the seed as the bean beetles get 'em.

Cabbage - Long storing and very versatile for fresh eating, krauting and kimchi. Two planting seasons here.

Carrots - They store well, can well and a good source of vitamins. Two planting seasons here. Seed collection of this biennial could be problematic. Going to try that this year by leaving a few in the ground until next year.

Collards and kale - Super hardy, super good for you and here I can grow them year round.

Garlic - Gotta have it! One good crop will last the whole year with extra for planting more.

Herbs - basil, parsley, oregano, thyme, dill, rosemary, sage

Scallions - I have no way to store regular onions and temp swings make them bolt early. Scallions I grow year round while piddling around with regular onions. Easy seed collection.

Field Peas - They love the heat and have few insect problems. I can eat them fresh and unlike green beans, the bugs don't bother the seed so I can let them dry on the vine and store long term. They're a staple here and take the place of other dried beans that don't do well.

Peppers and Tomatoes - Of course!

Summer squash - Maybe... fresh eating only. Too many borers.

Sweet potatoes- Unlike Irish potatoes, I can store sweets in a closet for ages. If I had to choose between the two, the sweets win out. I currently grow Irish potatoes but end up canning them before they get too old. Great for instant stew. But then, there would be no seed potatoes left for next year.

Turnips - Easy to grow for fresh eating and long term storage. Two growing seasons here.

Things I'd drop in an emergency if I had to:
Broccoli - Not necessary if I have collards and kale.
Corn - Needs too much water, fertilizer and space.
Cauliflower - Very iffy crop here due to temp swings.
Cucumbers - I could make do without pickles if I had to and devote that space to something else.
Onions - See scallion note above.
Okra - Not enough volume for the space it takes up but it's really hardy in the heat so I could be convinced to keep it.
Winter squash - Last year was my last effort. Too many vine borers, too much space taken, no cellar to store them in.
Watermelon - water and space hog.

Blackbear wrote: ↑Sun Mar 22, 2020 1:55 pm As this discussion is going on …

Beets : I liked Chioggi , Golden beets (non bleeding nice to bake even ), bulls blood ,
and good old Detroit etc.

some of you might like Rattail radish (air radish pod) very nice pods in fresh salads ...

Texgal wrote: ↑Mon Mar 30, 2020 8:39 pm

Blackbear wrote: ↑Sun Mar 22, 2020 1:55 pm As this discussion is going on …

Beets : I liked Chioggi , Golden beets (non bleeding nice to bake even ), bulls blood ,
and good old Detroit etc.

some of you might like Rattail radish (air radish pod) very nice pods in fresh salads ...

Chioggi beets are so sweet it was like eating candy.
Trying the rattail radish for the first time this year. Very interested to see how they hold up when the heat comes. And I've never tasted them so looking forward to trying them.

Nanooknorth wrote: ↑Tue Mar 31, 2020 8:15 am Great lists. Space and climate are limiting factors for me. I know I will never be self sufficient, but I factor in cost, work, and easy availability. Things like dried beans are readily available and cheap, easy to store, not to mention labor intensive to harvest and shell. I buy them. Potatoes are cheap where I live and when the local harvest comes in, there is no way I could grow them for that price. My memories of being given large pans full of peas to shell for hours as a kid and looking at the measly results of my work makes me so appreciate frozen ones and they are not expensive. Some crops mentioned as staples of southern gardens aren’t productive enough for us northern gardeners. Okra,thick walled peppers, and other longer seasoned vegetables aren’t worth the space they occupy. What I do grow is most importantly tomatoes which I can and freeze. I grow winter squash because I like certain varieties better than other more readily available ones. The elephant ear peppers are a good substitute for bells in my climate. I also grow poblanos. I am not a hot pepper person, but they would do well up here. This winter was mild, so I still have arugula and would still have kale. I do grow summer squashes but they are cheap to buy so may not be worth their spot. Cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli have lots of enemies in our organic community garden, comprising their quality, soI gave up on them Kale works and cabbage is cheap. Would love to be more successful with cauliflower.

What I am doing differently this year is leaving the root crops in the ground for digging in winter this year. My beautiful parsnips went mostly to waste drying out in my basement. So carrots, parsnips, beets will stay in place till I need them. When they can be dug will depend on frozen soil. The crows helped themselves to way too many of my tomatoes last season, so I have devised a plan to foil them.

If the food chain breaks down, I may not be able to get everything I want, but I will have enough to get by. The farmers are already planting their fields. Garden plants have been started. Social distancing is not difficult in a garden. I am personally very lucky to live in an area that is probably 80 % Middle-eastern. Since their diet is primarily grains, beans, and fresh fruits and vegetables, they are readily available and affordable at this point. I still have to figure out how to cook some of that stuff, which is always fun.

Bower wrote: ↑Mon Mar 30, 2020 6:45 pm @GoDawgs I would like to hear more about the field peas. What kind do you grow, and how do you cook them as a bean? I'm doing a trial of peas here this year, some varieties that are recommended for drying and using as beans. We can't depend on beans here, peas have a better chance.

Nanooknorth wrote: ↑Wed Apr 01, 2020 6:57 am Thanks for all the suggestions. I do think spagetti squash is worth the space. We have one small one left and have been eating it all winter as well as giving several away at harvest.i have downloaded many recipes foe variety.
Thanks for suggestions on cauliflower and colorful snakes.