Looking for something different to grow

[Earthbabe]

I've got one from this year. Currently about 4 ft tall. The leaves have been caterpillared but I'm growing it for the novelty value and the stalk. May let it go to seed to make up for the sunflower that suffered in the rather wild weather a couple of weeks ago.

[Earthbabe]

I din't actually remember seeing them during my childhood in Jersey.

[blueamber]

Something a little different.

Hello everyone.
I'm new to the forum, so I hope you do not mind me butting in.

I am a very novice gardener, and have never grown any vegetables before this year.
I was just wondering Soomai, if you have tried growing Achocha (Cyclanthera pedata)

They are related somewhere along the line to gherkins and cucumbers.
They are small, (about 2 inches) green, softly spined fruits, that seem
to just love our unpredictable British weather.
I planted mine against a fence, and they just grew and grew to over
5 feet tale. Then produced hundreds of small fruits in next to no time.

The variety that I grew was called "fat baby" which they say is
the easiest to start with.

They are great used in salads instead of cucumber, and also great used
in stirfries ect and on top of pizza's. When cooked they have a taste similar to
green peppers.

[Earthbabe]

Hi blueamber. Welcome to the vine. It's nice to hear from someone who has grown them. There was an article in GYO a couple of months back about them. I like growing things that are different. If nothing else they make a great conversation piece. Where did you get your seed from?

I hope you enjoy it here. Lots of fun, friendly advice and good banter. I've learnt lots and have got lots of ideas for next year. Just need to make sure I have space for all of them. "Experiments" tend to go in the small patch in the garden first time round as there is still a lot of work to do on the second plot on the lottie.

Happy veg growing and feel free to contribute as much/often/etc. as you want.

[blueamber]

Good morning Earthbabe.

Thanks for the welcome.

I bought the seeds from www.realseeds.co.uk
along with quite a few other interesting and different seeds.

[Earthbabe]

Thanks blue amber. I think I may have their catalogue so shall pay more attention in future.

[Lesley Jay]

Hi Blueamber and welcome to this mad house. I think I might give those a try next year - they certainly sound different. Thanks.

[monkeybum]

Tomatillos would get my vote, they are fantastic and need next to no looking after. Or if it is the unusual how about swan gourds, not edible but the look really good and the kids can paint them afterwards.

[vicki]

what is a swan gourd?

[Alison]

Never heard of it but am guessing it's some type of squash - is that right?

[dexterdoglancashire]

Not sure either, but there are a couple of squashes I've just found in a catalogue - Trombolino - whose shape is like a question mark! Also, a Twonga - the skin is a bluey/grey colour! or what about, a Marina di Chioggia - the skin is very knobbly and grey-green in colour! Page 47 in the Organic Gardening catalogue! DDL

[HappyMouffe]

It was only after chopping the darned triffids down that I discovered that cardoons were edible, although Hessayon doesn't seem to think they're up to much (to paraphrase:like a tough, stringy celery which needs to be boiled for 30 mins to make it edible ). Going by the effort I had chopping up the stems to fit in the garden waste bin, I'd say considerably longer than that. However, it looks very statuesque. Perhaps Soomai could have a 'making cardoons edible' competition?

[nick the grief]

Swan necked Gourds

Here you go

http://www.nickys-nursery.co.uk/seed...ge6-gourds.htm

[dinky_doo]

peanuts
i saw it in a book "gardening with children" by kim"kids in america"wilde
its different my kids are having a bash next year

[vicki]

They are some wierd looking things those gourds aren't they - and their purpose is?????!!!!

Bet the kids would like to grow themm - are they easy?