Potential sources for them would also be appreciated. The weirder and more niche, the better. Edit: I’m in hardiness zone 13b
Some stuff I already have: Basil Mint Tomatoes Sage Lemongrass Marjoram Coleus caninus Cuban Oregano Passion Fruit Pumpkin Honeydew Avocado Cashew Coconut
Putting in a bioregion or something like a USDA zone (better if it’s Trewartha) would be very helpful for folks to know what to recommend. Here is a spreadsheet I made from the appendix in Edible Forest Gardens Vol. 2 if you would like too many options. This list is geared for the Northeastern US, so it is not exhaustive and may not apply to your circumstances.
Something I enjoy growing is Carolina Allspice, Calycanthus floridus. We strip and dry the bark for use as a cinnamon-y allspice type spice, whether grated or just used to stir a drink
Thank you for this awesome resource! Though I don’t live in that area, it certainly is useful. Oh, and I did add my hardiness zone. Don’t know how I missed that
Personally, I love citrus and fig trees. Figs are great because growing them is the only reliable way to get great ones
I’ve been eying some figs for awhile. I have a very small citrus seedling. Don’t even remember what fruit it came from (probably a lemon), though it’s very fragrant
Rub a leaf between your fingers. The smell can tell you sometimes which fruit you’ll get. Other than that you need to wait to find out.
In terms of citrus I can recommend satsumas, my 2y old tree gave me about 40 fruits this year alone and they taste great.
Satsumas look really cool. I love mandarin oranges. Any specific suppliers you recommend?
Try some tea! Camellia sinensis
Mine is a little over a year and a half old, and it just flowered for the first time! I have made 1 (one) cup of tea from it so far (:
Here are some that come to my mind: Epazote, ramsons, nopal, chaya, sour orange, turmeric, many gingers, galangal, Sichuan pepper, cinnamon, cardamom, mamey, black sapote, guaya (Melicoccus bijugatus), jícama
Some very interesting picks! I actually have quite a bit of Chaya outside, but I haven’t sampled it yet. It was here long before I got here. There was also a sour orange tree, but it succumbed to a whole host of issues that I couldn’t even begin to identify. The flowers smell divine though. I notice that you have several plants from the ginger family on your list. Any tips for growing them? I’ve been failing rather hilariously with any attempts just working with the usual stuff from the grocery store.
I think that the videos on ginger and turmeric from “Self Suficient Me” have valuable information: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PE32IxRIgow https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFHQir72ams
I have experience growing small plants of ginger, turmeric, and galangal in pots - if I bury the store-bought pieces in soil mix I get young plants with no problem. Unfortunately my luck ends there, because I don’t have the space nor access to the weather to grow large healthy plants, and eventually they do stall when winter comes.
