Hutchings and Cotterill are here to change the way you garden. Their heirloom seed company focuses on rare, vibrant vegetables that you won’t find in stores. They believe that gardening can be fun and exciting!
Say goodbye to boring veggies—these founders love crops with character! Their award-winning displays at the Chelsea Flower Show show that growing your own veggies can be beautiful and practical.
“These unique vegetables have been around longer than the typical store-bought ones,” says Cotterill. “They’re packed with flavor and nutrients!”
Here are their top picks for unusual crops to grow this year:
1. Mammoth Red Mangelwurzel
This large, sweet beet is perfect for cooking!
- Sow: Feb–July
- Harvest: May–Nov
- Sunlight: Full sun
“It’s one of the most reliable plants,” says Hutchings. It’s great mashed, roasted, or even pickled.
2. Storage Tomatoes
These Italian tomatoes ripen slowly but can be stored for months!
- Sow: Apr–May
- Harvest: Sept–Oct
“Hang them up to ripen,” Hutchings suggests. You could enjoy your homegrown tomatoes all winter long!
3. Anasazi Beans
These ancient beans are delicious and come with a great history.
- Sow: Apr–June
- Harvest: July–Oct
“They’re perfect for soups and stews,” says Cotterill. Plus, they’re easy to grow and high in fiber.
4. Plantain Variegata & Purple Perversion
These hardy plants are both pretty and tasty!
- Sow: Mar–May
- Harvest: Nearly year-round
“The leaves can be used in salads or cooked like spinach,” Cotterill explains. They’re great in soups and curry.
5. Chicory ‘Rose of Venice’
This beautiful chicory changes color with the frost!
- Sow: Apr–July
- Harvest: Dec–Feb
Hutchings recommends grilling it or adding it to risottos for a unique taste.
6. Dahlia ‘Bishop’s Children’
These colorful flowers also have edible tubers that taste like potatoes!
- Sow: Feb–Apr
- Harvest: Autumn
“Dahlias can be delicious!” says Hutchings. The tubers work well for making rosti.
7. Edible Beef & Onion Tree (Chinese Mahogany)
Yes, it’s a tree with leaves that taste like beef and onion!
- Sow: Year-round
- Harvest: April–June
“It’s amazing!” says Cotterill. The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked.
8. Carrot ‘Manpukuji’
These carrots can grow up to 1.5 meters long!
- Sow: Apr–July
- Harvest: Aug–Nov
“They’re sweet and tender,” Hutchings explains. Perfect for roasting or boiling!
9. Hyacinth Bean ‘Ruby Moon’
This climbing plant has beautiful purple pods and edible beans.
- Sow: Mar–May
- Harvest: July–Oct
It looks great on fences or trellises. Just remember, the beans need to be cooked before eating!
Whether you want to impress your friends or just try something fresh, these heirloom veggies will bring beauty and flavor to your garden and your dinner plate.
Ready to grow something new? Check out She Grows Veg for unique seeds!
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