Add An Image | See All

Plant Description

Kudzu is a vine, native to SE Asia.  These vines can grow up to 30 cm (12 in) per day resulting in them taking over large areas and causing much damage.  They were activily planted in many areas up until 1953 when they were placed on the US Noxious Weed List.  They are now naturalized in most of the SE, as far west as Texas, and up the East Coast into Maine.  It can also be found in Oregon, Washington and Hawaii.  This plant is also causing problems in Austrailia.

The plant will do well in areas where the temperatures rarely drop below -15°C (5°F). The only way to kill it is to completely remove the root crown.  If any of the crown is left, it will grow again.  Kudzu cannot continue to grow from the root of vine, so removing the crown and burning it is the surest way to destroy the plant.

Food

Like many weeds, kudzu does have uses.  The non-woody parts of the plant are edible.  The leaves can be used in salads, the roots can be eaten like other root plants, and the flowers are often battered and fried.  The roots can also be ground and used for medicine, or as a substitute for arrowroot.

Dangers: This plant is considered an invasive weed in some areas
Propagation Method: Rhizome | Seed
Life Cycle: Perennial
Bloom Color: Purple
Average Height: 30 Meters
Average Width: 30 meters

Planting Requirements

Hardiness Zone: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

Other Useful Sites

Add A Site

Add An Image | See All

Plant Description

4-4.5 inch pods each containing 9-11 peas.

Use successive planting for a continuous yield.

Rich most soil is prefered.  Soak soil, avoid spraying foliage. 

Seed Description: green sphere, like the peas you eat, only dry
Propagation Method: Seed
Bloom Time: Mid Spring | Mid Autumn
Life Cycle: Annual
Bloom Color: Yellow
Average Height: 2-2.5 feet

Planting Requirements

Light Requirements: Full Sun | Partial Sun
Planting Depth: 1 inch
Planting Time: As soon as soil can be worked. Again in late summer.
Spacing: 2-4 inches (More fruit at 4 inches) in rows 2 feet apart
Days to Maturity: 68 Days
Days to Germination: 7 Days

Other Useful Sites

Add A Site

Add An Image | See All

Plant Description

Edible pod pea, ideal for stir-fry.  Developed at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon.  Bush variety, but trellesing is still recommended.  Pods are 4-4.5 inches long.  Should be eaten when pods are young and tender.

Leave about 2 feet between rows and 4 inches between plants for best production.  Rows can be tighter without affecting production much. 

Plant successively for continuous production.  Will stop producing when daily temperatures reach 80 degrees.  Can germinate at 40 degrees, but does best in the 50's 

Seed Description: Pea sized <img src="/modules/tinymce/tinymce/jscripts/tiny_mce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-wink.gif" border="0" alt="Wink" title="Wink" /> green spheres.  Look like the peas you eat, only dried.
Propagation Method: Seed
Bloom Time: Mid Spring | Early Autumn
Life Cycle: Annual
Average Height: 30-36 inches

Planting Requirements

Light Requirements: Full Sun | Partial Sun
Planting Depth: 1 inch
Planting Time: As soon as soil can be worked. Again in late summer.
Spacing: 2-4 inches. More fruit at 4 inches.
Days to Maturity: 60 Days
Days to Germination: 7 Days

Other Useful Sites

Add A Site

Add An Image | See All

Plant Description

This vine gets up to 10 feet long and has up to 6 deep orange fruit that can get up to 15 lbs.  Enjoy baked or in pies.
Propagation Method: Seed
Average Width: Vines up to 6 feet long

Planting Requirements

Days to Maturity: 110 Days

Other Useful Sites

Add A Site

Add An Image | See All

Plant Description

Average water needs.
Bloom Description: Bloom is liked by birds, butterflies and bees
Propagation Method: Seed
Bloom Time: Mid Spring | Late Spring
Life Cycle: Annual
Bloom Color: Yellow

Planting Requirements

PH Needs: Neutral (6.5-7.5)
Light Requirements: Full Sun
Planting Time: After last frost
Spacing: 24-48 inches

Other Useful Sites

Add A Site

Add An Image | See All

Plant Description

aka Summer Crookneck, Early Summer Crookneck, Golden Crookneck

Fruit has yellow flesh with bumps.  If using as food, it should be harvest when less than 6 inches long.  Some people harvest larger if making bread from it, or using as feed for livestock.  Let them mature to harvest seeds. 

Do not overwater, but make sure it gets regular water. 

Bloom Description: The yellow flowers are enjoyed by butterflies, bees and birds.
Propagation Method: Seed
Life Cycle: Annual
Bloom Color: Yellow
Average Height: 24-36 inches

Planting Requirements

Planting Time: After last frost
Spacing: 4-6 ft
Days to Maturity: 45 Days
Days to Germination: 2 Days

Other Useful Sites

Add A Site

Add An Image | See All

Plant Description

Small egg shaped gourd.
Propagation Method: Seed
Life Cycle: Annual

Planting Requirements

Light Requirements: Full Sun
Days to Maturity: 85 Days
Days to Germination: 15 Days

Other Useful Sites

Add A Site

Add An Image | See All

Plant Description

The gourd fruit resembles a goose
Propagation Method: Seed
Life Cycle: Annual
Average Width: Vines 12 feet long

Planting Requirements

Light Requirements: Full Sun
Days to Maturity: 120 Days

Other Useful Sites

Add A Site

Add An Image | See All

Plant Description

Great for crafting.  Allow to dry on vine.

Grow in mounds, 3 plants per mound. 

Bloom Description: Delicate white bloom that is pollinated at night
Propagation Method: Seed
Bloom Time: Mid Spring
Life Cycle: Annual
Bloom Color: White

Planting Requirements

Soil Needs: Well Drained
Light Requirements: Full Sun | Partial Sun
Planting Time: After all danger of frost
Spacing: 3 plants per mound
Days to Maturity: 90 Days
Days to Germination: 15 Days

Other Useful Sites

Add A Site

Add An Image | See All

Plant Description

Apple gourds are great for crafting.  The vines grow long and produce a lot of fruit.  Allow to dry on the vine and harvest after frost, or in the spring.  Allow to fully dry before crafting.  The fruit can be eaten if harvested before 2 weeks old.

Plant in hills or mounds with 3 plants per mound. 

Bloom Description: Delicate white flowers that are pollinated at night
Propagation Method: Seed
Bloom Time: Mid Spring
Life Cycle: Annual
Bloom Color: White

Planting Requirements

PH Needs: Acid (5.5-6.0) | Mildly Acid (6.0-6.5) | Neutral (6.5-7.5)
Soil Needs: Well Drained
Light Requirements: Full Sun | Partial Sun
Planting Depth: 1 inch in hills
Planting Time: After all danger of frost
Days to Maturity: 90 Days
Days to Germination: 15 Days

Other Useful Sites

Add A Site