Plants for Pennies
Do you get sticker-shock when you buy groceries? Fresh produce is always pricey in the winter, but with the current economy, fruits and veggies are more expensive than ever.
But when times get tough, we gardeners dig deep, if you’ll excuse the pun. If you’re planning to feed your family from your garden next year, I’ve got some great ideas to help you save money and eat well. Just check out these three 2009 All-America Selection (AAS) winners, which have been announced recently.
'Lambkin,' the Christmas melon (Courtesy of 2009 AAS winners)
First, there’s ‘Lambkin,’ a gourmet melon to grow in the ground or containers. These oval-shaped beauties have a sweet, aromatic white flesh with a wonderful flavor. The genus name is Cucumis melo L., and one common name is the Christmas melon–appropriate for this season.
Another AAS winning vegetable is ‘Gretel,’ a pure white, elongated eggplant. Again, this is a great choice for container gardening, and it’s early to harvest. Yum…plan on slicing, marinating, grilling or sauteing these tender-skinned, sweet-flavored “eggs”.
Last but not least, ‘Honey Bear’ squash is a 2009 AAS winner. This acorn squash tolerates powdery mildew, a big plus for those of us living in the hot, humid South. Yet ‘Honey Bear’ produces into the cooler temperatures of fall, and it’s even compact enough for small gardens. It has won raves for its sweet taste and high yield.
Now, my post is entitled, Plants for Pennies–so what do these plants have to do with saving money? They’re all available as seeds, so you can purchase them now for sowing and transplanting next spring.
Want to know more about growing delicious foods for pennies? Watch this spot. We have so much more to tell you, and so many great speakers and gardeners to learn from at the 2009 Southeastern Flower Show!
cheers,
Lynn
Tags: Christmas melon, eggplant, squash