Maximizing Your Harvest: Frugal Gardening Tips

Growing fruits and vegetables in our own yards is a fulfilling pursuit, but space constraints often limit our yield. How can we make the most of what we have? One effective strategy is to utilize secondary parts of plants we already enjoy growing and consuming.

Take, for example, the greens from pepper plants, one of my favorite secondary vegetables. While not commonly consumed, these greens are entirely edible after cooking, making for an excellent spinach substitute. Best harvested in late fall before frost sets in, they can be stored in the fridge for a few days. Experiment with different cooking methods to find your favorite.

Beyond pepper plants, a variety of other vegetables offer edible secondary parts. Snap beans, lima beans, beets, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, cucumber, kohlrabi, peas, sweet potatoes, radishes, and squash all have edible greens (Stephens, 2005). While some may be unfamiliar, it's worth giving them a try to discover your preferences. I have eaten many of these and found them to be very enjoyable.

Squash blossoms, in particular, are a delicacy. When squash plants produce an abundance of male flowers, these blooms can be harvested, stuffed, and fried for a delicious treat. Whether filled with herbed cream cheese or wild rice, they are a gourmet addition to any meal.

Okra is another versatile plant with multiple edible parts. While the immature pods are commonly enjoyed, the leaves and flowers are also edible, either cooked or raw. Furthermore, mature okra pods can yield seeds, which can be ground into flour or pressed for oil (Anwar, Qadir, Ahmad, 2020). Okra flour boasts high protein and fat content (Ofori, Tortoe, & Agbenorhevi, 2020), adding nutritional value to your dishes.

For a comprehensive list of secondary edibles from garden vegetables, refer to the Texas Cooperative Extension website. Remember, when trying new foods, start small to avoid any adverse reactions. Begin with a tiny portion, assess your liking, and observe your body's response before consuming larger quantities. Happy harvesting, and enjoy the abundance your garden provides!

Stephens, M. J. (2005, May). Secondary Edible Parts of Vegetables. Texas Cooperative Extension.

https://aggie-hort.tamu.edu/newsletters/hortupdate/hortupdate_archives/2005/may05/SecVeget.html

Hartsell, M. (n.d.). Garden Talk. Duke Gardens. Retrieved May 7, 2024, from

https://gardens.duke.edu/garden-talk

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Ofori, J., Tortoe, C., & Agbenorhevi, J. K. (2020). Physicochemical and functional properties of dried okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) seed flour. Food Science & Nutrition, 8(8), 4291–4296.

https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.1725

Anwar, F., Qadir, R., & Ahmad, N. (2020). Cold pressed okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) seed oil. ScienceDirect.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B978012818188100027X