5 Uncommon Crops EVERYONE Needs to Grow in the Summer Garden

[@girldboro9834]

So...One day, I was waiting in line at Gaskos in Monroe, NJ for it to open and began a conversation with several other patrons. After a few minutes discussing our love for gardening, we began talking about our favorite KZbinr, James Prigioni. It was so fun talking about Tuck, the crops you grow, and your wonderful personality. It's no wonder you have over a million subscribers. We are all fans!!! Thanks so much for the information and the encouragement!

[@jamesprigioni]

What a kind and encouraging comment! Thanks for sharing that little story me and Tuck got a lot of joy out of that, thank you! 😁🐕❤️

[@dawn6275]

Definitely talked with my sister about super stoked-out gardening vids and apparently we both are JP fans. We grew up in the town next to him and we both still live in Jersey so it's nice to root for the hometown gang.

[@Sunnytrailrunner]

Awe, that’s a really sweet comment, the kind that makes me smile & l love reading.

[@notforwantoftrying1]

I see a new James Prigioni video, I click on it. It's that simple.

[@jamesprigioni]

Aweeee 🐕😁😁

[@AryanaandtheUniverse]

Couldn’t agree more

[@MissWoggy]

❤❤❤

[@locs_4life900]

IM grown spring onion and green onions as companion plans with my tomatoes and herbs. I cut the stalks all season. And freeze then for the winter❤❤❤

[@trishferrer8209]

Me too!!

[@sjoates82]

It's so funny to hear about amaranth as a unique crop when I, and many Jamaicans, grow it as a must 😊. That's callaloo! The one that serves as both a trap crop and a harvesting crop tastes absolutely wonderful when cooked down with some onion and tomato ❤. Hope everyone can try it. Love this channel!

[@barbaradavidson1950]

Thanks for the cooking tip. I don't like it raw but going to try cooking it.

[@jamesprigioni]

SHARE THIS VIDEO IF YOU ENJOYED IT! 😁🐕❤

[@MeandYouHello]

Let’s grow! ❤️

[@kathymayer7599]

Tuck is the best!! ❤ 🐶❤

[@indiefan23]

Commented above about chayote. You seriously, really legitimately have to try this. I can't wait to watch you geek out on this monster producer and it's peculiar way of propagating itself.

[@User5260jo]

I did in the past and today. (Amaranth keeps growing in my yard, comes back year after year.) Thank you, James!👌🌱

[@Sparkysings2]

If you don’t like kale try making kale chips. De-stem and place on a cookie sheet. Drizzle with Olive oil and add salt, garlic salt or parmesan. Bake 350 for about 10 minutes. Make sure not to over cook or it will turn into kale paper. It’s totally addictive and doesn’t taste like the commonly made kale.

[@wjm1319]

For hot-summer greens, sweet potato is my go-to. Mild-tasting, nutritious greens, and then you get the tubers. They even grow well in a potato-bag sized container, so you can grow them over the winter in a sunny window.

[@jackieallgayer9362]

This is me too! Friggin love sweet potato greens. 🤤

[@doraw7766]

Yes. Sweet potatoes in FL. Mice are not bothering the stems right now but I surround them in chicken wire at first signs of any damage. 😊Thanks.

[@sailajapannala8091]

I planted Malabar spinach in 2019 and every year I have been getting volunteer plants. I cook them with Red gram and it tastes heavenly.

[@myurbangarden7695]

I like Malabar Spinach in my JUICER. add cucumber 🥒, apple and a squeeze of citrus. It makes a GREAT GREEN JUICE.

[@doloresreynolds8145]

Please explain what Red Gram is…

[@reader649]

@@doloresreynolds8145 Pigeon Pea, a legume 😊

[@sunnymoondog]

Do you cook it with Indian spices?

[@miket.9450]

The Moringa Tree is very resilient tree, just put that bucket in your garage or closed porch in the winter time & it will survive, the leaves will die out but the trunk will still be good, just keep the soil moist. Then bring it out in Spring time or when there's no more freezing temp. It will sprout back...I have 3 growing in a bucket too for 3 yrs now & still thriving in Zone 6. Moringa is also medicinal, the crashed leaves(to get the juice out) is applied to a small cut & it will stop the bleeding acting also as a antiseptic. The leaves are also good when mix with any chicken soup dish.

[@KatyLiedToMe]

we call this kalamunguy

[@BradfordHomestead]

12:42 the adorable little garden gnome sitting in the dinosaur kale! So cute!

[@DistractedDaisy]

❤❤❤ for tuck & his smiley friend. 😊. And I love me some purselane sautéed with jalapeño, onions and tomatoes

[@gmpgmp5488]

❤❤❤❤tuck!!!! Thank you for summer veggie tips

[@budgetgardeningvita]

Watching Tuck eat his veggies... PRICELESS!

[@ImallamaToo]

You and Tuck have helped me tremendously with my gardening. THANK YOU!! ❤❤❤

[@hollynelson543]

My little Taco would love meeting Tuck.

[@cherylanon5791]

you are missing a powerhouse veggie, from Baker Creek it's called "Yod Fah" or Chinese Broccoli. the white moths pass over it in favor of brocc/cauli so it is nearly pest-free, plus it produces all summer (however best to replant early August for younger plants thru Fall). It has a thick stem plus minimal flower head but also the immense leaves are edible....cut or break off the ones with the tiny flower head and eat, MORE will follow! I grow mine with thick mulch, into October (zone 3b/4a midwest) love love love my Yod Fah even more than broccoli.

[@marthakratz7877]

I am growing that for the first time this year and I was glad to see your comments. I thought it was supposed to be for the flowers like regular broccoli.

[@indiefan23]

You need to grow Chayote. I've mentioned it a few times in comments. The seeds are the fruit and are the size of a softball. It's one of the easiest, most robust, disease resistant and prolific things I have ever grown. It's like a cucumber taste with the crunch of an apple. It's our favourite thing in our garden. Try it. It will really blow your mind. You don't even really plant it. The seed sits half in the soil and puts out a shoot that finds the ground then uses the energy in the fruit to build a crazy root structure and these insanely strong invincible vines. Nothing impacts it. It just grows till the snow comes.

[@jackieallgayer9362]

I would love to try this. Where can I get seeds?

[@noneofyourbusiness2253]

Miss you James.

[@jamesprigioni]

No need to miss, me and Tuck are still here ❤️

[@kele1264]

Thanks very much for naming and showing these 5 crops, James! I especially liked hearing about the nutritional value. 🤗💖 Have a great weekend!

[@sandrapollard7764]

Collard greens!

[@michellezunno7431]

James, have you thought about doing an in-person tutorial for growing? And I am not talking a 'virtual' or a one-day conference. I am talking about a week-long adventure that includes building and planting, but cooking too?? I know I would def sign up!

[@geraldphillips1533]

I live in Sugar Land, Texas - zone 9. Our summers are long, hot, and humid so; it can be challenging for many plants. This is the first year I’ve grown okra - I’ve planted the Clemson spineless and Jambalaya varieties. I’m very impressed with how well it’s doing and how productive the plants are. It seems the hotter it gets the faster it grows. No problems with pests or disease on the okra either.

[@geraldphillips1533]

We harvest the okra pods when their about 4 to 6 inches long, cut them in 1/2 inch pieces, and cook them in an air fryer.

[@WildOrchardOasisFarm]

I'm growing okra in NW Arizona and I love how pretty the flowers are. It's great pickled.

[@FloridaGirl-]

Yup 9b here. Hot steamy and humid. Okra is doing great, along with sweet taters and beans. Fall and winter are my best growing in SW FL.

[@aloras405]

Dazzling blue kale is also my favorite kale. It doesn't seem to get as bitter in the spring as other kales. It's also the kale that won my husband over for kales. He isn't a picky eater but he wasn't a kale fan because all he'd had was grocery store kale. When we started dating, I made a kale and spinach salad and he LOVED it.

[@ForagingYourRoots]

I'm in the same zone as you, and my cucamelons re-seed themselves in force. They just started resurfacing about two weeks ago when things started getting hot. Most vines are already about a foot long and one is probably a smidge over two feet. They tend to produce well and aren't subject to typical cucumber issues while having a zesty cucumber flavor. All I did to get them to reestablish on their own was put down a little bit of straw at the end of the growing seasons on top of a few cucamelons that got old and fell to the ground. Easy peasy!

[@ShaneLovesGardening]

Another wonderful video from my favorite garden channel!

[@jamesprigioni]

Let's Gooo Shane!!

[@auroramaylon]

there are a lot of moringga here in the Philippines, we call it "malunggay". I Love your fantastic garden. It's like paradise.🙏

[@RA-bh4fm]

Tuck! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@sonnyamoran7383]

90. Wow, I have 94 in the shade with a nice breeze. You guys are so lucky. It was 103 in my garden today and miserable. 2 hours in the am, 2 in the pm. Harvesting okra, 3 varieties of cow peas, peppers, and black beans. Keep growing everyone!!❤❤❤❤❤for Tuck.

[@joyevefarmandforge]

Love Malabar spinach! We used the leaves as a wrap with tuna! I dehydrate Moringa and use the powder in stews or other hot dishes.

[@lenemariakowalczyk9777]

I have a very small space for gardening, but the space I have is filled with three types of kale. I harvest regularly, chop up and ferment, and enjoy every day❤️

[@Force321X]

12:45 gnome! ❤ For tuck. Got our chard and kale going and never knew how much I loved chard til I had it fresh.

[@jamesprigioni]

Let's Gooo! Congratulations You are the winner of the Gnome Challenge! Email me the kind of shirt you would like as a prize at [e-mail] 😁🐕❤️

[@ctshipwreck]

Your channel was a recommendation from a horticulturalist friend who was enamored with your enthusiasm and willingness to share your extensive knowledge. I'm a novice and an definitely getting a lot out of your videos. Next year I will definitely be using your tomato staking/growing technique. I watched the uncommon crops episode yesterday and wanted to get your opinion on growing New Zealand spinach. I've been growing it and it grows very easily in our Zone 5 in NY even in this heat!

[@jamesprigioni]

Let’s Gooo!!! I think it’s a great option especially in the heat 😄

[@ReapWhatYouSowGardening]

LETS GOOOOO!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤🍆🥔🍒🍓🍍🥭🍋🍊🍉🍈🍏🍐🍎🥕🌽🥦🥬🫑🫑

[@ceecee-thetransplantedgardener]

Purslane is showing up at the local farmer's markets in my area. Also - Dandelion greens: another "weed" that appears to have many health benefits. I just need to add - I am growing the Soldacki tomato this year (per your recommendations) - and all I can say is wow, wow, wow. Thanks to you and Tuck!!

[@maniaclaugh]

Purslane's called 'pig spinach' in my mother tongue. It was traditionally a starvation crop, like acorn meal, but it is very tasty!

[@DrawingwithParthiv]

12:46 found Gnome at left side of kale

[@MrOldclunker]

Tuck definitely has the life! ♥♥♥

[@janetforster2484]

❤❤❤❤❤ Love Tuck ❤❤❤❤❤

[@dramatriangle]

I never knew moringa tastes like arugula. I like the tea form of moringa.

[@jamesprigioni]

Me either, this was my first time trying it 😁

[@anitaquinley4860]

I am fortunate to get a tasty coffee with moringa.

[@jackieallgayer9362]

Moringa has incredible health benefits. Especially for the GI tract.

[@Sunnytrailrunner]

🍅🥦🥒🌽🥕 l never tire of seeing little Tuck or hearing your stories of things he’s done. He’s such a polite little guy & quite entertaining to watch as he enjoys your fresh 🥕produce! Thank you to YOU as well for producing such incredible videos filled with inspirational & instructional content. I’ve learned so much from you.

[@darlenestosel-holland4969]

I love your gardening videos!!! I’m 58 and this is my first year gardening and your enthusiasm and information has helped me greatly!! ❤THANK YOU!! Luv to know where you find your seeds.

[@justjoanish]

I love Jame's excitement at trying something brand new.

[@suzannevega2289]

Thanks for sharing your beautiful garden and of coarse Tuck💓

[@explained3799]

Amaranth must be the most nutritious plant in the garden; its leaves are always full of holes where insects have eaten. Very helpful to keep bugs from plants AND it's good to know, thank you, James, that it is edible. I LOVE purslane; Gandhi's favorite vegetable - mine too! I wrapped some hummus in some large green leaves from my garden - a delicious treat or meal. Thanks for this video!!!

[@eixrago1012]

I grow at a a shared area with multiple raised beds that prople in the community can rent for that year and i was talking about you to an older lady at her garden and she thought it was crazy that you grew like 7 foot tall tomatoes 😂 i also talked about tuck 😂❤ i love your content and you inspired me to go from growing in pots to growing in a raised bed AND pots! ❤❤

[@Anne--Marie]

If you see clean foam coolers, grab them as they make great gardening containers. The thick walls help to protect the roots from overheating.

[@journey2asimplelife]

Tuck is too cute!! ❤ 🐶 ❤

[@FloridaGirl-]

Your garden is AMAZING 👍

[@Randomtube265]

Nice 😊. I’ll grow all of them and go plant crazy because I like planting too much food it’s incredible what you can get from it ❤

[@skyking9248]

Love what you do my guy! Tucks garden looking amazing as usual🥒🫛🫛🐾

[@caseyspinks7781]

YOU are absolutely AWESOME and I appreciate EVERY video! I've learned SOOOOO much from you! TUCK....OH MY ❤❤❤❤❤! We have a Tucker of our own, a blind Maltese, who also enjoys our garden. Please keep the videos coming and give Tuck some SMOOCHES from Georgia!

[@violetaroquero-xq3pw]

❤❤hearts for tuck

[@galinamazuryk2036]

You can grow sweet potato. It thrives during the hottest weather, and produces lots of leaves. The leaves are edible. It is very easy to grow, and does not require any maintenance.

[@PhosphorAlchemist]

The summer vegetable I would suggest is yardlong beans. Usual American varieties stop producing when temps get over 90F, but Asian yardlong beans love those conditions and also tolerated the Delmarva area's ridiculous humidity well. The flavor is similar to snap beans. They just need to grow up a trellis because the beans really will be 2-3 feet long. The leaves are also edible (as most beans leaves are) - just blanch them and season how you like.

[@geraldinemcguire1698]

Because of Tuck...I got a garden buddy too. Hid favorite tool is a large plastic sprinkling can which he drags around everywhere.

[@katherinehager7044]

I learned some new things to try out. Thank you and ❤️❤️❤️❤️ of course for Tuck. 😊

[@MarthaMarcum]

I love Tucker.

[@wG-kq9cr]

Amaranth is a staple in Chinese cooking and a preferred veggie in the summer! We have it in our garden every summer!

[@ivybulgin9702]

The amaranth that you use as a trap crop is better steamed with green onions, onions tomato, sweet pepper, butter or olive oil if you like and a little black pepper. You can add shredded cod, chicken or whatever you like. You can eat with a staple of your choice. Funny to see you eating it raw 😮😊

[@FrozEnbyWolf150]

I'll have to try that. Amaranthus retroflexus grows like a weed around here, but I pick them for eating whenever I see volunteers. It tends to be bitter on its own, but it's good when cooked in vinegar or lemon juice.

[@luvluvluvluvcats]

I stick 10 amaranth leaves in every bowl of salad at my place. Love the added color

[@HVACRTECH-83]

But trap crops are usually infested with some type of insects,worms,bugs. That's why you grow them

[@sarahhooke9913]

Swiss chard is so good!

[@katjoy9921]

Great video as always. I love your enthusiasm, knowledge, subjects…everything

[@carmyn692]

And yardlong beans! Tuck would love them, also!

[@ObsessiveAboutCats]

*laughs in Houston* It's been over 100F for over a month now. Our lettuces are looooong gone. I'm growing Malabar spinach and it's doing great! I planted two tiny starters in early May and they're huge now. The structure I have is 6' up from the base of the soil and the Malabar vines are at the top of it and several have looped back over. Also HI TUCK. ❤❤❤ My additional suggestion is Egyptian spinach. I planted some small 8" tall starts about a month ago and they're over 5 feet tall now. They love the heat! I have them in a 10 gallon grow bag and they're producing TONS. I cannot possibly eat it all.

[@carmendoyle9786]

I am new 🇨🇦love everything I learning from u ! Tuck the boss he so cute 🥰 love seeing him ❤❤❤

[@brad8892]

Holy Basil is one of my favorites for every garden

[@Kimitis]

Don’t forget Sorrel! Beautiful and super in salad. Lemony flavor with good crunch. I think it is a perennial! I planted it once and I have never had to replant it in Minnesota.

[@violetaroquero-xq3pw]

Moringa here in the Philippines is known for its health benefits😍😍..moringa is also in capsule form..moringa oil and moringa tea..the leaf flakes also as an ingredient in bread😍😍

[@susanblackwell3457]

My sister-in-law is Filipina, and she grows moringa in Dallas,TX. I'm excited to have one growing in central Texas. She also introduced me to loofah as a veggies. I can almost see mine growing! It loves the heat here.

[@sharonvaughn8062]

I first bought amaranth leaves (purple and green leaves) at the farmers’ market. A man told me he used it to make Dahl (Indian lentil curry). I prefer it cooked, mostly sautéed or tossed in stews. The seeds are also delicious and are very similar to quinoa. The entire plant is very health forward.

[@jenniferfilbert7429]

Okra does well in the summer, all the way up to frost. I also recommend tomatillos.

[@lindsayhanson2338]

If you don’t grow sorrel I soooo recommend it. I grow Bloody Dock sorrel and, not only is it absolutely beautiful, but the leaves have an amazing lemony zing at the front of the palate and then finish like a loose leaf lettuce. Obviously with the citrus notes it goes perfectly with fish.

[@boybossmamahomeschool]

I live in Jersey and so happy I found you… tx for sharing!! 💕

[@AutumnChaotica]

RE: AMARANTH Have you tried 'Love Lies Bleeding' type? It's a gorgeous red and the leaves taste like beets! Mine are still tiny but I was eating them as sprouts and baby leaves. They put out tons of flowers (even my babies already have flowers) although apparently the pollen is brutal when they get bigger. And a cool bonus about amaranth: apparently you can pop the seeds like mini-popcorn!

[@amylee503]

I never knew it was edible. I just thought it was beautiful. I have seeds for it!

[@carmyn692]

LOL I was just now watching this video and saw the gnome in your beautiful kale patch! I know I'm far from first, but it made me smile. Thanks for being amazing!

[@scottscriticalmass]

12:42 Gnome... Thanks for the great content as always James.

[@PRDreams]

Malabar spinach on omelet is delicious. We grow it as an edible privacy fence. I definitely want to grow a moringa tree or two. Edit: the entire list is perfect! I have grown them all and love them so much!!

[@ahabthecrab]

Hi James! I highly recommend Asian long beans. They thrive in the summer heat just like every plant you mentioned in this video. I live in Florida and grow every one of the plants you mentioned in this video. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@thecreekwalker0174]

❤❤❤❤ for tucker

[@douglasgoddard1072]

James is the DYNOMITE! Love you and Tuck! I’m transforming my garden with your help!!!👍🏻🙏🇺🇸

[@stanfordlocke758]

Okra? MY favorite 😊

[@jamesprigioni]

That’s a great one!! Brilliant idea, I will add some to the garden next year

[@JV-nl1ts]

Love the job you do love the things I learn love seeing your dog like your garden. Big hearts.!!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏

[@Surge_General]

Arugula is one of my favorites

[@victorialove9104]

❤ Tucker

[@nicholasnapier2684]

I have moringa trees everywhere here in Florida. I believe they will grow anywhere winter time. Kill them back a little bit but they’ll come right back. I keep around lotta Seed pods they put off long seed pods. They will hang from the tree you can grow from cuttings as well. They’re really hard to kill so that’s a good thing. Don’t require a whole lot of watering but the more water you give them the better. use mulch from around your yard. It will be like fertilizer. They like horse manure with wood chips in it till you can retain water during the heat.

[@toniprioleau1155]

💜💜💜💜 for Tuck!!

[@kimberlyflouhouse422]

I had the Russian kale in my garden last year specifically so it could winter. I also had my standard Dwarf Curly Blue Kale. The Russian was attacked by bugs and I couldn't recover it, but my 2 of my Curly Blue survived the winter in the open and have been producing all spring/summer.

[@AJsGreenThumbLLC]

James I immediately put some Malabar spinach on order! Shoutout to Tuck!! Thanks for sharing!

[@groussac]

Swiss Chard. Grows here in Iowa Zone 5a from early spring into late fall. Covered with mulch, it will sometimes overwinter and come back the next year. Insects don't seem to like it as much as kale and other greens. It will grow small as a companion plant for tomatoes, or grow large if given room to grow. Not as tasty as kale or spinach, but for production it's hard to beat. We freeze it and use it in soups throughout the year.

[@industrialathlete6096]

I like to plant and harvest beets as a summer green. Primarily sautéed(the greens and/or very small beet root). Once they get bigger, pickle them!

[@darilekron4590]

I add beet greens to soups and chili.

[@RedScareClair]

Looking forward to a follow up on moringa. It's a popular African tree that many westerners don't know about. I have some seeds in my freezer..I haven't had the chance to grow them just yet

[@myurbangarden7695]

Here in the US, it became popular during the pandemic as an immunity boosting 🍵 tea.

[@beyourself2444]

Moringa is popular in the West just not in the US but we use it in the Caribbean all the time, two of my neighbors have trees

[@siber20s]

​@beyourself2444 It's popular in Florida. I have one, and it's a perennial for me in my area. One thing that James didn't mention was that it's seeds grow in long pods called drumsticks. If you harvest them while still pencil thin you can use them like asparagus. If you let them grow thicker you can use them in stews.

[@AlisonV362]

My Filipino family grows it and uses it as a staple in their diets.

[@darlatobin2240]

They sprout so easily! Go ahead and sprout them. I am in Texas and kept them in the garage last winter. They grow SO FAST! The more you harvest and prune the fuller they get. Put in a deep pot. And bring out next spring and put in ground

[@elisabetk2595]

Umaina chard is my favorite - so tender, even the large white stems, and simply delicious. I constantly get compliments at the community garden for how beautiful it is, so you don't lose looks for lack of color. It produces year round for me here in central Texas although summers are not great. I always find the rainbow-colored chards to be tougher and a little on the bitter side.

[@jodi2462]

Im also growing moringa trees...so so healthy!

[@michelebarnes4059]

Ty ❤️ Love watching your fabulous videos. My feedback for Swiss Chard 👍Slice thin, onions and garlic sauté in Olive Oil add Sliced SC. Cook till desired tenderness. Been eating this for many years.

[@cindyowenful]

I grew up in the Philippines, and moving was typically cooked with dried fish. We cooked the pods. Good to know I can grow them as a perennial. Amaranth is like a weed here and I get rid of them. I may have to start picking them for steamed greens. 😊 I grow Swiss charts every year. Don't forget, you can do the same thing with beet greens.

[@rosanataylor2241]

Another great video, James. Thank you!

[@lulamamie8524]

TUCK ❤❤❤🐾🐾❤❤❤🐾🐾❤❤❤🐾🐾🤩

[@ggb9405]

Thank you❤

[@tylerporter2171]

❤️❤️❤️ 🐕 ❤️❤️❤️

[@User5260jo]

Moringa is soo good in chicken soup, James. It is a staple superfood in Southeast Asia. Chicken Tinola, boiled chicken soup with ginger, lemon grass, green papaya and moringa.❤

[@patriciakane764]

For Tuck: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@SmallSeeds]

It’s my first year growing the dwarf Moringa too. Super excited to harvest some and dry a bunch for herbal teas! I’d love to try and overwinter it indoors as well. We shall see! Always love the videos and always happy to see Tuck 😁

[@garfielda34]

Another inspirational video! ❤❤❤❤❤ for the boss, Tuck! 🐕🥕

[@annelogston]

I adore Malabar Spinach, the crunchy leaves are perfect on sandwiches or curled into little lettuce wraps! Up here in 6a, it never occurred to me to let it self-seed! I’ll definitely do that this year! Malabar Spinach, Perpetual Spinach, Amaranth, beet leaves, and sweet potato furnish my summer greens.

[@petluverz]

Yes, they’re great! I grow all five!

[@Lucky_Forages_88]

❤❤❤❤❤❤ I love this video James! I’m glad you mentioned purslane, I let it grow too! It’s delicious !