The Little Marvel Peas are ready to pick (almost too ready!)

Just 11 days after taking pictures of the first little pods beginning to form, we have peas ready to pick! The sweet potato vines are flourishing and the sunchokes are looking very healthy. I bought the sunchoke tubers (Jerusalem artichoke) at a local grocery store and sprouted them in pots. They are very invasive so were left in a pot to grow, time will tell on how well they did.

The sunchoke (Helianthus Tuberosus) is a native of North America and is related to the sunflower. They are known to have been cultivated by Native Americans before the arrival of European settlers. It is a high quality edible tuber with a nutty, somewhat sweet flavor, many cooks enjoy adding bits of the crunchy, raw vegetable to salads or salsas, while others prefer them roasted or mashed. That being said, I haven’t tried them and will let you know what I thought of them.

Little Marvel bush peas, ready for harvest

Sunchokes

The Garden Trial of Heirloom Seeds

Many of you may have wondered why I placed so much importance to certain varieties of seeds that were planted, the reason was that I had purchased a sealed can of seed several years ago and wanted to see how they had held up. Of the first 3 varieties planted; Bloomsdale Long Spinach (Heirloom), Buttercrunch lettuce, and Eclipse onion I am happy to report that there was about a 95% germination.

I went on to plant peas and squash (also from the can) that germinated very well. I am very happy with the results and there are many more seeds to test for next year!

We enjoyed the lettuce and spinach but the onions didn't do well where they were planted. My fault! They (the Eclipse onions) will get a better spot next year.

Bloomsdale Long Spinach (Heirloom variety)

Little Marvel bush peas

Little Marvel bush peas