Unusual Vegetables to Grow in Your Garden

Posted by Christine Eirschele Jan 19, 2009

There is more to vegetables than the tried and true green, red and yellow. Although I like these the best, if you want to attract some attention to your vegetable garden planting unusual plants is one way. Odd looking vegetables or the plants they grow on will add some unexpected fun in your garden and may entice you to try a new vegetable on the dinner plate, too. Children especially like the funny and usual.

Unusual Vegetables to Grow

So, what do you think of a beet with swirling red and white rings inside? Beet ‘Chioggia Guards’ is sweet but with a peppery aftertaste. A purple colored cauliflower called ‘Graffiti’ or a small yellow-fruit watermelon called ‘Baby Doll’ put on the picnic table will add some conversation to the party.

Ornamental plants in a vegetable garden are useful, too. The ornamental eggplant with an unusual name ‘Pumpkin on a Stick’ has clusters of orange fruit hanging from the plant. You can use them in floral arrangements. Called Red China this eggplant is also used in Asian cooking.

Plan for fall-harvesting vegetables by considering ornamental corn ‘Oaxacan Green,’ a plant that gets 7 foot tall and has emerald green kernels. Check out pumpkin varieties and plan ahead by getting the seeds now.

Heirloom Vegetable Plants

Heirloom vegetable seeds are another category to find the unexpected. Tomatoes with very dark, almost black fruit, or the yellow or orange colored are some ideas for tomato lovers.

Well known or long time varieties are others you should consider growing. The lima bean Fordhook 242 is an All America Selections winner from 1945. I think it is still around for the simple reason, it is a very reliable seed with a short number of germination days and heat and drought tolerant. Lima beans are not the trendiest vegetable but they are healthy for family eating and a cool season crop that can be easily planted at the beginning and end of your growing season.

Growing in Containers and Raised Beds

Please do not discount the odd ways to grow plants. Experiment by planting containers or building a raised bed to expand your vegetable garden this year. Too many gardeners, who once had large plots of land, now replaced by a balcony or concrete patio, have given up gardening too.