Potatoes, tomatoes and broad beans may be the mainstays of home growing, but it's worth mixing things up now and again.
Alongside the classics, there are plenty of lesser-known vegetables that, while not native to the UK, can thrive here with the right care.
To keep things fresh in your vegetable patch, we've asked a horticultural expert for the best unusual cultivars to try – from cucamelons to dragon tongue beans.
1. Cucamelon
Despite what its name would suggest, cucamelons aren't a cross between cucumbers and melons but a plant in the cucumber family.
Native to Mexico and Central America, they can still be grown successfully in the UK. In the right conditions, they're an "easy to grow, low maintenance plant," says Richard Barker commercial director of LBS Horticulture.
"Cucamelons need warm temperatures and are sensitive to frost, but they can be started in a greenhouse and planted out from May."
What to Read Next
Sow seeds from March and keep the soil moist. As with other cucumber plants, they may need support as they grow and can benefit from a balanced fertiliser.
"Cucamelons are highly productive plants, and picking the fruit at regular intervals will encourage the plant to produce more," the expert adds.
2. Oca
Ancient Peruvians valued this rather knobbly root vegetable for its ability to grow at high altitudes. "It was brought to the UK in the 1600s, potentially as a substitute for potatoes after the famine in Ireland," says Richard.
Oca isn't fully hardy, so you need to start it indoors while it's still cool. Tubers can be planted in individual pots on a windowsill from April, or directly into the ground from May. Once planted, it grows quickly, with shoots appearing within a few weeks.
Keep plants well-watered during dry spells and avoid harvesting the tubers until foliage has died back. "The longer that you can leave the tubers in the soil the better," Richard adds.
"Oca can also act as a great ground cover plant that suppresses weeds, and unlike potatoes it is not at risk of potato blight as it is a member of the Oxalis family."
3. Dragon tongue beans
Tired of broad beans? Try this Dutch variety, which offers a host of benefits. Not only are they visually striking with a distinctive, nutty flavour, they're also lower maintenance than other beans. They don't require trellising, are more disease-resistant and can even benefit neighbouring plants by enriching the soil with nitrogen.
"Sow them directly into the ground from late spring in a sunny, sheltered spot where the plants will be protected from high winds," Richard recommends. "Keep the soil moist, especially when the beans are flowering and developing pods, and water from the base to avoid fungal diseases."
Dragon tongue beans are ready for harvesting after around 60 days. Regular picking will encourage further growth.
4. Glass Gem Corn
An eye-catching alternative to yellow sweetcorn, glass gem corn – first developed in the 1980s by cross-breeding different varieties – produces kaleidoscopic kernels in shades of blue, pink, red and purple.
Sow seeds outdoors in blocks (to improve pollination) between March and May, keeping them under cover until the risk of frost has passed. Alternatively, start them indoors and harden them off before planting out.
Depending on when you sow, your corn will be ready for harvesting between July and October. One key tip: "Do not pick it until the husk turns brown and dries out," says Richard.
While glass gem corn can be used for popcorn, it isn’t suitable for eating raw like sweetcorn. It also makes for a striking autumn decoration.
Gardening must-haves
Filberts of Dorset Gardeners Hand Salve
Haywards Garden Bee and Butterfly Water Stations, Garden Décor, set of three colourful bee water cups .
Home Sussex Handmade Peg Apron
Painted Garden Label/Marker
The Fae Potter Wild Bird Feeder ceramic hanging
WhinnyPoo WhinnyPoo Box of 3 Plant Feed
Wanda Sachs is the Multiplatform Writer for Country Living and House Beautiful, exploring the latest in gardening, wildlife and sustainable living alongside interiors and property. She is particularly interested in human-interest stories, the intersection of design and pop culture, and the evolving relationship between urban and rural life. Previously, she served as Associate Editor at The Berliner in Berlin, where she reported on culture and fashion. Wanda studied English and German at the Goethe University Frankfurt and Exeter University.
