I know it is two weeks into summer and this is a Spring update, sometimes things get overlooked, like uploading videos and blog posts. Well here is an update of some of the plants that are growing and some newer plants that we are adding. Watch the video to see the updates and read below for some great information on the plant selections.
We have three types of plants that we have planted. Comfrey, Salsa Jasmine, and Malabar Spinach. There are also a couple varieties of native vines that have popped up along the garden bed that we are allowing to grow on the dome as well. I highly encourage you to consider growing Malabar Spinach and Comfrey in your garden, homestead, farm, or general landscaping! Below is a little more information on each.
Malabar Spinach - We have about a dozen Red-stemmed Malabar Spinach plants growing. We grew these all from seeds. I used 1-2 seeds per jiffy pod and had a 100% sprout and growth rate. Malabar Spinach is not a true spinach variety. This is from Wikipedia, 'Basella alba is a fast-growing, soft-stemmed vine, reaching 10 metres (33 ft) in length. Its thick, semi-succulent, heart-shaped leaves have a mild flavour and mucilaginous texture. The stem of the cultivar Basella alba 'Rubra' is reddish-purple. Typical of leaf vegetables, Malabar spinach is high in vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, and calcium. It is low in calories by volume, but high in protein per calorie. The succulent mucilage is a particularly rich source of soluble fiber. Among many other possibilities, Malabar spinach may be used to thicken soups or stir-fries with garlic and chili peppers.'
Comfrey - We have 5 Comfrey plants growing. One is a 3-4 year old plant, two are 1-2 year old plants, and two are root cuttings. Our goal is to use root cuttings over the next few years to propagate a hundred or two hundred of these plants throughout our farm. As you read the brief description below you will see why we can not have enough of these plants on our farm.
The information below was taken directly from Coe's Comfrey website.
Malabar Spinach - We have about a dozen Red-stemmed Malabar Spinach plants growing. We grew these all from seeds. I used 1-2 seeds per jiffy pod and had a 100% sprout and growth rate. Malabar Spinach is not a true spinach variety. This is from Wikipedia, 'Basella alba is a fast-growing, soft-stemmed vine, reaching 10 metres (33 ft) in length. Its thick, semi-succulent, heart-shaped leaves have a mild flavour and mucilaginous texture. The stem of the cultivar Basella alba 'Rubra' is reddish-purple. Typical of leaf vegetables, Malabar spinach is high in vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, and calcium. It is low in calories by volume, but high in protein per calorie. The succulent mucilage is a particularly rich source of soluble fiber. Among many other possibilities, Malabar spinach may be used to thicken soups or stir-fries with garlic and chili peppers.'
Comfrey - We have 5 Comfrey plants growing. One is a 3-4 year old plant, two are 1-2 year old plants, and two are root cuttings. Our goal is to use root cuttings over the next few years to propagate a hundred or two hundred of these plants throughout our farm. As you read the brief description below you will see why we can not have enough of these plants on our farm.
The information below was taken directly from Coe's Comfrey website.
 Comfrey — The Legendary Herb of Life
Comfrey is the greatest producer of vegetable protein and the fastest protein builder on Earth. Acre for acre, it can yield 20 times the protein soybeans do. Though suppressed in the U.S.A. Comfrey is widely grown throughout the world as food for cattle, goats, horses, pigs, sheep and most any animal you can think of that eats vegetation. From earthworms to fish to birds to mammals and humans — Comfrey is used as food and medicine. Coe’s Comfrey sells the Bocking #4 strain of Russian comfrey, Symphytum Peregrinum, which is best for hardiness, highest yield, and the highest protein with high allantoin content; for fodder, compost, and all around general use. The Bocking #4 strain is resistant to ‘rust’ — Comfrey’s only known disease and is bothered very little by insects. Comfrey is also known as Quaker Comfrey, Russian Comfrey, Healing Herb, Knit Bone, Bruisewort, Knit Bond and Gum Plant. It is scientifically known as Symphytum Peregrinum Ledeb, which is the same as Symphytum asperum x officinale or Symphytum x uplandicum, of the Boraginaceae family. |
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