Mini vegetables - crops of the future? Part Two

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What crops and cultivars to grow

This is the second part of the article about mini-vegetables. The first part can be found at Mini Vegetables Part 1

Beetroot

Mini roots are grown commercially for bottled baby beets. Recently introduced cultivars have smooth skin, deep red flesh and reduced corkiness of the shoulders, try: 'Action', 'Dwergina', 'Little Ball', 'Monaco', 'Wodan'.

Cabbage, green, red and savoy.

Most of the older cultivars are too leafy, large framed and leggy, or will not produce solid heads at close spacing. The following, however, are excellent for producing small heads which remain solid for several weeks: green ballhead 'Elisa'; green pointed 'Duncan', 'Hispi', 'Spitfire'; red 'Primero'; savoy 'Protovoy'.

Carrot

Traditional Amsterdam/small Nantes types sown thickly have always produced small roots. Now, however, true mini varieties are available but root size is still controlled by the density of sowing. In shallow containers watering is important as the roots go down in search of water if insufficient is available. Cultivars to try include: 'Amini', 'Gregory', 'Mignon', 'Minicor'.

Cauliflower

Fast maturing Danish types give adequate results, although the heads have little depth and break quickly in hot, dry weather, try: 'Alpha', 'Garant', 'Idol', 'Perfection'.

Florence fennel

Currently under trial to assess differences between cultivars at close spacing. Choose Swiss, Italian or Dutch selections.

Kale (Borecole)

Try the modern dwarf Fi hybrids, such as 'Showbor', which have excellent flavour, attractive dark green colour and are tender, slow to yellow and winter hardy. Production can be almost year round from planned sowing programmes.

Kohl Rabi

Mini bulbs should rekindle interest in this old, but neglected vegetable. Easily grown and fast to mature with green or purple skin and a mild turnip/cabbage taste. Cultivars worth trying include: 'Kilpak', 'Kolibri', 'Korist', 'Quickstar', 'Rolano'.

Leeks

Sown like spring onions, thickly in broad drills, these can be grown as mini vegetables. Use long shanked, upright leaved Danish giant cultivars. I feel leeks are underused in salads, their mild flavour does not detract from other ingredients and they have a long season of use. Cultivars to try include: 'Jolant', 'King Richard', 'Lavi'.

Onion pickling size

Sow seed thickly in broad drills, like spring onions. The short day varieties, usually sown in August to overwinter, will, if sown in Spring, produce quick maturing brownish skinned bulbs. Try: short day 'Buffalo', 'Imai', 'Kaizuka Early', 'Shenshyu', SY300; silverskin cultivars 'Barletta', 'Paris Silverskin', 'Pimpeii'.

Parsnip

Only bayonet types, such as 'Arrow' and 'Lancer', produce good roots at close spacing, later sowings germinate faster.

Squash / courgettes

The plants are "normal" size. Cut fruits when small, at least 3 times per week, to increase yields and extend the season. Most Fi hybrids are suitable, try: 'Ambassador', 'Moreno', 'Peter Pan', 'Storr's Green', 'Sunburst'.

Turnips

Use Fi Japanese cultivars that produce pure white, ping pong ball sized roots. These are delicious raw and also produce abundant leaves and greens. Fast maturing purple top Milan types from France can also be used. Cultivars to try: Japanese 'Hukataka', Tokyo Cross'; purple top 'Arcoat'.

Other Vegetables

Other vegetables whose cultivars are being assessed for mini vegetable production include calabresse, lettuce, pak choi and sweet corn.

This article originally appeared in the Members Bulletin, the journal of the National Vegetable Society, which is sent quarterly to members. You can Join the National Vegetable Society here

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