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In the River Cottage vege patch book Mark Dicono recommends trying one new thing each year to give you variety and keep your general enthusiasm up. Thought it would be an interesting post to see what we are all doing that's new this year. Last year we went for Jerusalem Artichokes and Loganberries. Both worked really well. Infact I only put in the artichokes again this morning, no ish about it, that really does seem to be a selfsufficient plant!
This year we are trying Tomatillos.

I agree, which is strange for me as I can't stand HFW.

Anyway, this year I am trying long skinny Vietnamese aubergines.
Last year it was summer PSB, which I probably won't grow again.
The year before that it was huckleberries, and I definitely won't be growing those again
3 years ago it was oca, and although they were nice the slugs decimated them, so not again.

So it doesn't look good for those aubergines.

Still starting out, so lots is new and exciting.

Going to put in a few more fruit bushes once space is cleared; open to suggestions, we have gooseberry, red and white current, blueberry, loganberry, rasps and various derivatives and lots of blackberries rampant in the hedge.

Also getting a carport/shelter put up so want to try kiwi and a grapevine under it. Any recommendations on varieties ?

Over recent years I've added celeriac, pak choi, coriander, chinese cabbage (slugs like more than we do), mustard streaks, sorrel, borlotti beans, and butter beans (probably not worth it).

I think this year I'm going to experiment with micro-greens.

Also on our allotment we have what has been a fruit and flower border but have started to displace the flowers with perenial edibles, artichokes and herbs so far but looking to pick some perhaps more unusual stuff from Plants for a Future. Anyone got any suggestions for perenial veg/ less common fruit worth growing?

This year I'm planting a small patch of pyrethrum daisies, to test them as a possible cash crop. Also, an asian melon that only gets up to about 1/4 pound.

There are a few other things, but I'd have to go through my seedbox and remind myself. This year there has been so much chaos already that I doubled my seed budget and ordered a bunch of things that I might not get around to planting this year, but that I wanted to have in stock in case things get dicey.

Not very exciting but im going to try to grow asparagus this year. I realise it wont be until next year that i can sample it but i like to think ahead.
Last year i tried jerusalem artichokes for the first time. I wasnt mad keen to be honest, but we ate most of them.

Jerusalem artichokes make a good water-chestnut substitute in chinese dishes, but are a bit of a bu&&er to peel.

or just scrub them and use as potatoes for chips

dave45 wrote:Jerusalem artichokes make a good water-chestnut substitute in chinese dishes, but are a bit of a bu&&er to peel.

There are two types of JA. Can't remember the names but the smooth variety peels like a spud. Love 'em

This year I am going to try peanuts. According to a neighbour on the allotments, they are really easy if we have a good summer. I like to try new things, but if you don't like them when you come to eat them, it's a bit of a waste of time and energy. pbf.

grahamhobbs wrote:Over recent years I've added celeriac, pak choi, coriander, chinese cabbage (slugs like more than we do), mustard streaks, sorrel, borlotti beans, and butter beans (probably not worth it).

I think this year I'm going to experiment with micro-greens.

Also on our allotment we have what has been a fruit and flower border but have started to displace the flowers with perenial edibles, artichokes and herbs so far but looking to pick some perhaps more unusual stuff from Plants for a Future. Anyone got any suggestions for perenial veg/ less common fruit worth growing?

I'm doing something a bit similar in the corner of the allotment and gradually spreading- I've got asparagus in which I did grow from seed and decided it was worth three year wait- they are actually really self sufficient all bar weeding. Once they have germinated they are great survivors- never watered them since the day they went in

I've had that plan to do different stuff each year- first year it was pak choi which are incredibly easy- quite a surprise, and white beetroot, then I tried purple Orach which ahs self seeded everywhere, but like spinach, very attractive too! Starting last year we decided to get 5 or so or several different types of spud each year which is fun, have also added celeriac, sconzera and salsify (all rather smaller than hoped for). Had a few failure- tomitilos, cumin (could have bought a large sack full for the price of the seed to grow what turned out to be a labour intensive handful). Did J arts but confess have had to dig them up as they really do go mad and ave spread to the adjoining plot
Don a couple of different types of squash, love the potimarrons MMM gave me in a seed swap, also really taken by crooknecks.
This year 'm having a go at oca- wanted to now for a few years so very excited! Has anyone evr tried celtuce- or even eaten it?

Carltonian Man wrote:

dave45 wrote:Jerusalem artichokes make a good water-chestnut substitute in chinese dishes, but are a bit of a bu&&er to peel.

There are two types of JA. Can't remember the names but the smooth variety peels like a spud. Love 'em

Fuseau?

Alys Fowler says if your JA's are invasive you're not eating enough of them amnd try making them into a souffle

We're trying Celtuce and tomatillos for the first time this year.

I enjoy a cup of chamomile tea,so will grow a "carpet"og chamomile this year.Saw the plants at our local nursery yesterday and will buy some tomorrow!

Yes I do try something new every year. It's all part of the fun.

This year it's yin yang beans, patty pan squash and petit posy.

Last year my new efforts were cauliflower, kale and brussel sprouts. Very ordinary but I'd never done them before.

happyhippy wrote:I enjoy a cup of chamomile tea,so will grow a "carpet"og chamomile this year.Saw the plants at our local nursery yesterday and will buy some tomorrow!

Shame you're not local it grows like a wed in my horse's field!