If you ’re like me and know a good horticulture challenge , then grow exotic vegetables in the fall might be just the risky venture you ’ve been look for ! While traditional crop like dough , kale , and carrots are always a delectation , there ’s something so exciting about trying your hand at growing more strange varieties . Exotic vegetables can introduce newfangled flavors , textures , and even colouring material to your garden and your plate , bringing a fresh twist to your fall harvest . Plus , they can make your garden expect unequaled and challenging , sparking peculiarity and conversation with anyone who shoot the breeze .
Growing exotic veggie is n’t just about the thrill , though ; it ’s also about expanding your gardening view and learning more about plants from dissimilar regions of the domain . From Asian putting surface to South American root crop , there are so many marvellous smorgasbord to explore ! In this clause , I ’ll deal some of my favorite alien vegetable to maturate in the fall and ply baksheesh on how to care for them . Whether you ’re a veteran nurseryman or a singular beginner , these plants are sure to bring a act of escapade to your garden this time of year !
Mizuna: The Spicy Green
Mizuna is one of my top weft for adventurous gardeners take care to grow something new this declination . This Asiatic super acid , native to Japan , is a member of the table mustard family line and offers a mild , peppery flavor that adds a delightful kick to salads , stir - Fry , and soup . Mizuna thrives in cooler temperature , make it utter for fall gardens . It grows quickly , too — you could start harvest baby leaves just a few week after found ! The plant itself has feathery , serrated leaves that create a plush , delicate texture in garden bed or container .
Mizuna is n’t invasive , but it does have a tendency to reseed if you permit it flower , which can be a nice surprisal get leap ! It ’s also quite easy to care for — just plant it in a blot that gets plenty of Dominicus or partial spectre , and keep the soil systematically moist . One of the great thing about mizuna is that it attracts beneficial insect like hoverflies , which help control pests in the garden . I have intercourse take a darn of mizuna near my kitchen door ; it ’s so hearty to take hold of a fistful of refreshing , savoury jet whenever I need them !
Daikon Radish: The Giant Root
Daikon radish is another fantastic alien vegetable to grow in the fall . This giant Raphanus sativus longipinnatus , aboriginal to East Asia , is sleep with for its farsighted , whitened root word that can get up to a foot or more in length ! Daikon has a nippy , more or less honeyed flavor that makes it a versatile addition to salad , pickles , and soup . It ’s a cool - time of year crop that boom in the mild temperature of descent , making it an ideal option for adventuresome gardeners look to try something new . And believe me , there ’s nothing like the thrill of pulling up a vast , sizable Raphanus sativus longipinnatus from your garden !
Daikon radish is not trespassing , but it does have a strong taproot that helps break up wad soil , make it an excellent choice for improving grime wellness . It grows quickly , maturing in just 60 to 75 days , and can be embed in succession for a continuous harvest . Daikon also draw in pollinator like bee when it flowers , and its leaves provide a habitat for beneficial insects like ladybugs . Plus , it ’s quite easy to grow — just engraft it in well - drain dirt , keep it equally moist , and you ’ll be rewarded with a bountiful harvest of these impressive roots !
Malabar Spinach: The Climbing Green
Malabar spinach is a wonderful accession to a descent garden , especially if you ’re looking for something a bit different from your standard leafy green . Native to tropic Asia , Malabar Spinacia oleracea is really not a genuine spinach plant but a mounting vine that produces thick , shining leaves with a mild , slightly peppery flavor . It flourish in warm , humid conditions , but it can still be rise in cooler fall temperature , especially in neighborhood with modest fall . One of my favored things about Malabar spinach is its spectacular red or green stems , which add a beautiful perpendicular constituent to the garden .
Malabar spinach is not look at invasive , but it does love to wax , so be trusted to provide a trellis or support for it to produce on . It can reach height of 6 to 10 foot , creating a lush , leafy screen that ’s both ornamental and edible . The works ’s diminished , clean flowers and dark purple berries are also quite attractive , making it a lovely summation to any garden . And if you ’re worried about pest , do n’t be — Malabar spinach is quite unfearing and comparatively plague - resistant . Just found it in full sunlight , water on a regular basis , and delight its unique tang and ocular appeal !
Tatsoi: The Rosette of Richness
Tatsoi , sometimes called “ spoonful mustard ” or “ Spinacia oleracea mustard , ” is another alien veggie that adds a unique touch to come down gardens . aboriginal to Asia , particularly Japan and China , tatsoi grows in beautiful rosettes of dark green , spoon - determine leave that have a mild , slightly nutty flavor . It ’s fabulously inhuman - hardy and can tolerate hoar , make it perfect for fall planting . you’re able to enjoy tatsoi fresh in salads or gently sautéed in hustle - nipper , and its leaves are packed with vitamins and minerals , making it a nutritive gain to your garden .
What I love about tatsoi is how easy it is to grow ! It ’s not encroaching and does n’t ask a lot of space , making it ideal for little gardens or containers . It grows well in full sun to fond shade and prefer rich , well - drained soil . Plus , tatsoi ’s lush leafage provides a great habitat for beneficial insect like ladybird and lacewings , which facilitate control aphids and other pest . I always ensure to have a few tatsoi plant in my garden — they’re such a joyfulness to grow , and their stocky rosettes are a treat for the eyes !
Okra: The Southern Staple with Exotic Flair
Okra is a staple fiber in southerly culinary art , but did you be intimate it ’s also a fantastic choice for adventurous gardeners looking to try something dissimilar ? aboriginal to Africa , okra plant flourish in warm condition , but it can still be grow in the fall , specially in orbit with mild temperatures . This tall , beautiful plant produces classifiable , ribbed pods that are delicious in soups , stew , and even fried . Okra also boast sensational , hibiscus - like flowers that add a tropic flair to the garden — every clip I see those undimmed blooms , I ’m remind of how versatile this industrial plant really is !
While Hibiscus esculentus is not encroaching , it does spring up quite tall — often reaching 6 understructure or more — so it ’s perfect for create a natural projection screen or backdrop in your garden . It ’s a clayey feeder , so be sure to constitute it in alimentary - deep soil and keep it well - watered . Okra attract pollinators like bee with its beautiful flowers and offer a harbor for beneficial insects . Plus , its tough , fibrous stems can help support climbing plant , adding even more value to your fall garden . I always plant a few okra alongside my bean and cucumbers , and they never disappoint !
Amaranth: The Colorful Grain
Amaranth is a vivacious , colored plant life that brings both knockout and nourishment to the drop garden . Native to Central and South America , this ancient grain has been cultivate for thousands of years for its edible farewell and seeds . The leaves have a slenderly earthy , spinach - same savour and are packed with nutrients , while the source can be glean and used as a gluten - free grain . Amaranth thrive in warm weather but can tolerate cooler dusk temperatures , making it a versatile addition to your garden . The plant ’s bright red , pink , or Au plumes add a salient ocular element , turning your garden into a colourful heaven !
Amaranth is not invasive , but it does self - ejaculate easy , so you might discover novel plants pop up by chance next time of year . I encounter this a pleasant surprisal rather than a pain ! Amaranth is also great for attracting razzing , who love its bantam seed , and its flowers are a magnet for pollinator like bees and butterflies . It ’s a relatively crushed - maintenance plant — just give it plenty of sun and well - drain grunge , and it will thrive . I love the way amaranth brings a splash of color and a bit of history to my garden — it ’s a honest conversation starter !
Kohlrabi: The Space Alien Vegetable
turnip cabbage might just be the most strange - front veg in your fall garden , and that ’s why I lie with it ! This member of the Brassica oleracea family , native to Europe , look like something out of a scientific discipline fiction movie with its bulbous stem and leafy protrusions . Kohlrabi comes in both light-green and purple varieties , and its crisp , juicy anatomy tastes like a hybridisation between a white turnip and a broccoli stem . It ’s double-dyed for adding crush to salad or roast for a sweet , nutty side dish . Kohlrabi boom in cooler weather , making fall the perfect clock time to plant it .
Kohlrabi is not incursive , and it ’s relatively easy to raise , making it a fun gain to any garden . It does n’t take much space , so it ’s ideal for small plot or containers . The plant life ’s thick leaves allow protection for beneficial insect , and its blossom draw in pollinator , contribute to a goodish garden ecosystem . Plus , it matures rapidly — ordinarily in about 45 to 60 sidereal day — so you’re able to enjoy its unique flavor in no prison term . I always get excited when I see those little bulbs organise ; they ’re just so offbeat and playfulness !
Purslane: The Nutritious Weed
Purslane is a fantastic , underappreciated vegetable that ’s making a comeback among adventurous gardeners . Native to Asia , the Middle East , and North Africa , this succulent industrial plant is often affect as a locoweed , but it ’s actually a powerhouse of nutrition ! Purslane has a mild , slightly tangy flavor and is plentiful in omega-3 roly-poly acids , vitamins , and minerals . It grow quickly and is incredibly resilient , expand in poor soils and ironic conditions — perfect for the low - maintenance gardener !
While purslane can propagate easily , it ’s not consider incursive in most areas and can be controlled by veritable harvesting . I love planting purslane in a sunny spot where its thick , fleshy leaves create a luxuriant , background - covering mat . It ’s also a attractor for beneficial insects like hoverflies and provides a valuable nectar source for bee . And if you ’ve ever struggled with weeds , you might find that purslane ’s dim ontogeny helps keep them in check . Plus , it ’s so tasty in salad or sautéed with a bit of garlic and olive crude — definitely a must - try for any adventurous gardener !
Adding Adventure to Your Fall Garden
Growing alien vegetable in your surrender garden is all about experimenting , having fun , and discovering new relish and textures . From the peppery recoil of mizuna to the towering beauty of okra , there are so many marvelous plants to stress . These vegetable not only add excitement and diversity to your garden but also serve create a more dynamic , resilient ecosystem by attracting beneficial insects and supporting local wildlife .
So why not take the plunge and test something new this fall ? Do n’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and embrace the unexpected . You might just find a new preferred vegetable that adds a unequalled twist to your garden and your kitchen .


credit: wikimedia commons

credit: unsplash

Credit: Unsplash

credit: wikimedia commons

credit: unsplash

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Credit: Unsplash

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Credit: Unsplash