Living In A Local Zone

My seed and plant orders are in.  The plan is to have fewer varieties of veg/herbs, and try to get a greater yield out of each one.  By planting things that I use very often and that I can’t get through my CSA at George Hall Farm, I hope that I can feel more constructive with my home garden.  For me, this means mostly veg commonly eaten in India.  Part of my frustration last year (aside from having to start in late June/early July because of my move to the new house) was that while I had a lot of variety, there just wasn’t enough of a yield from any one plant to make it seem as if I was truly growing something I could feel consistently made a meal.  Having bits and pieces was somewhat satisfying, but it felt as if I had one foot in and one foot out, if that makes sense.

So this year I am trying a different approach.  Hopefully it will work! Here is the list – I’m in Zone 6:

Herbs:

Coriander/Cilantro

Summerlong Basil

Common Thyme – A recent expansion.  I never really had thyme as a child, but last summer got some planted and grew to love it. Particularly with potatoes….

Lettuces:

Burpee Mesclun Sweet Salad Mix

Burpee Mesclun Salad Fresh Cutting Mix

Eggplant:

Bambino Hybrid eggplant – these are the small, round eggplants that work well for stuffing – I grew up eating them stuffed with a mixture of chickpea flour, cumin powder, and paprika.  Its a compact bushy plant.

Fairy Tale eggplant – another mini eggplant, these are longer and thinner than the conventional type.

Beans:

Stickless Wonder Yardlong beans – I was not able to find these in the mainstream seed catalogs, so had to get them from a random/unknown source.  If anyone knows of a reliable provider, please let me know.

Mung beans – I miss these so much! It has been a staple in my family, and I just love it.  We make it into a dahl, and also sprout them in the summer.  I’m thrilled to have found seeds for them

Squash/Gourds:

Medium-Long Calabash/Opo – Same as for the yardlong beans, this comes from an untested source.  Any leads on a reliable one?