Briging Global Crops to Kansas Gardens
As warm season vegetables begin working their way into plots, more adventurous gardeners may be curious about what unusual, or atypical to the United States, vegetable sources they can incorporate that will still thrive. Fortunately, there are a vast array of global crops that can still be grown right here in Kansas.
Enjoyed in many Asian cuisines, bitter melon (Momordica charantia) is a vigorously growing vine similar to a cucumber plant that will reach up to 20’ long and grow well in rich organic soil with ample sunlight. Young fruit is often incorporated in moderation into dishes, making it a unique addition to your table spread. Do bear in mind, however, the plant has a strong natural aroma, and the fruit contains compounds that may cause digestive discomfort, so intentionality will go a long way when working with it.
Bitter Melon - Momordica charantia | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Also popular in Asia, yard-long beans grow essentially in the same manner as pole beans, with the caveat that they require a long growing season and extra sturdy support for their 12’ vines and large fruit. While the bean pods are commonly harvested and consumed at around 12”, they can grow up to 3’ in length, and are then allowed to dry for use as a shelling bean.
Long Bean—an Asian Vegetable Emerging in Florida
Popular in Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean, Chayote (Sechium edule, also known as vegetable pear) is a perennial vine for warmer climates that can be grown here as an annual. Given a particularly long and hot growing season, one plant can be a strong producer of the tender, pear-shaped cucurbit, leaving an ample harvest for use. Just bear in mind that this one will be slightly less reliable during our shorter warm seasons. Your best bet will be to plant along a warm, south-facing wall to see what happens.
Chayote – Sechium edule
Common to African dishes, Opo squash (Lagenaria siceraria, also known as calabash, Chinese okra, and bottle gourd) is another vining annual vegetable widely grown ornamentally for its unique vase-like shape, but also used for its mild flavor and tender flesh. Opo squash prefers sandy, well-draining soil in warm full sun, so particularity in choosing a planting location will be beneficial. Nevertheless, as with many squashes, success can be achieved following general gardening best practices.
Lagenaria siceraria (Bottle Gourd, Calabash Gourd, Gourds) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Popular to India, Malabar spinach is not a true spinach, but it is a promising warm-season alternative to the crop, which stops producing quality leaves around June due to the heat. Like the others, this plant is a vigorously growing, heat-loving vine that can actually reach up to 30’ in length, offering ample harvest. To help it thrive, gardeners will need to aim for a well-draining, moisture-retentive, rich soil. If temperatures stay above 80° F, they will likely observe rapid growth.
Basella alba (Basella, Ceylon Spinach, Indian Spinach, Malabar Spinach, Vine Spinach) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
While these list just a handful of a very long list of potential crops, gardeners should ultimately keep a couple of factors in mind: What is the native environment to this plant, and can I imitate it with our environment, water, light, and soil conditions? As always, gardeners should also take care that newly introduced vegetable plants are, in fact, encouraged and allowed to grow here. Certain crops, such as Amaranth, will quickly seed and spread, and as a result are sometimes banned from community gardens. Nevertheless, with a little research and planning, you can enjoy cuisines from around the world with harvests from your backyard in no time.