DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME, 7 Crops I Would NEVER Plant Again in My Garden

[@jamesprigioni]

SHARE THIS VIDEO TO SAVE OTHERS TIME AND SPACE! Timestamps 00:00 Intro 00:18 Flying Dragon Hardy Orange (Trifoliate Orange 01:40 African Horned Melon (Jelly Melon) 02:33 Plant This Crop Instead of the Horned Melon 03:25 Jujube 04:57 Plant This Crop Instead of the Jujube 05:41 Autumn Olive 06:43 Aronia Berry (Chokeberry) 07:40 Plant This Crop Instead of the Aronia Berry 08:02 Japanese Raisin Tree 09:00 Goji Berry 10:18 Here is Why This Video Is Important! 11:02 A List of Rare Edibles You Should Grow 12:32 Now is the Time You Need to Get Food Planted

[@jeffjets00]

Where do you buy your fruit trees from?

[@mikesuto4706]

Amazing video! I've been thinking about an apple tree for awhile now and the Liberty looks perfect. Any suggestions on where to buy?

[@rebeccasaunders3290]

I think you wrote Gori instead of ground

[@travisfox5034]

I've grown the trifoliate orange for years and have several trees. If you are growing it as an orange, yes you'll be disappointed. The fruit most closely resembles a lemon in shape and taste, as well as uses. We make wonderful lemonades pies and marmalades from them and have spread seedlings throughout the country as friends frequently request starts to be able to produce their own "fake lemons" in their citrus groves. All citrus has huge thorns, it's part of growing them and should be expected. The trees, if grown close enough together, also make wonderful animal habitat and a natural fence for your property. In short, planting it as an orange tree will lead to disappointment. Doing a bit of research regarding the tree would have saved you years of time. Always research any new plant and make sure it fits your needs. Just because you don't know what you're planting doesn't give you the right to down the plant and call it a waste of space. It just shows poor planning on your end. Sorry.

[@CloudaceMC]

some japanese raisin trees have what's called failed genetics they cannot produce fruit by themselves and they do need a companion tree or you have to buy the pollen online for it and even if it does self pollinate it will not produced a vast amount of fruit and some plant species including the acorn tree purposely hold back from fruiting every year to stop mass competition reserving energy for a year where it can be dominant and drop a massive amount of its fruit or seeds

[@ZBillions23]

I have to push back on the jujube. Living in North Alabama, I never had to worry about pests or disease on the jujube. However, with my 2 apple trees and 2 pear trees I’m constantly fighting rust or blight on those things. They’re terrible to deal with and maintain. My jujube tree is amazing.

[@juhgfdsapiyhhnnxc3517]

Rust?!? 😂

[@Hansulf]

Not only that! You can jujubes in the freaking desert... They are very drought tolerant. You won't be able to have apples and pears with less than 450L/m2/year, but jujubes are just fine...

[@xnetc9]

True. My apple and pear tree would have rust and blight. They also have worms in them. I would lose more than half my crop from that. Jujube has no diseases and no worms.

[@flutterby.222]

Hear, hear! Jujube trees are great! There are so many reasons why they are a much better choice vs apples in my climate, mostly that they will actually survive and thrive in hot dry weather, they don't need a lot of water, and they will fruit (HIGHLY prolific) even if you don't ever get a real winter. Jujubes have arguably many more health benefits compared to Apples, and I can buy apples in the store.

[@Nihlink]

Yeah growing apples in the sub tropics sucks too. Way easier for me to grow oranges than apples.

[@besskaterinsky3]

James is very consistent in his message "grow what you like to eat". Growing food is awesome, but if it's stuff that you don't want to eat it's not a good use of your time, space, or money. Great video as always 👍 ❤❤❤ for Tuck

[@acoustiquila]

Rare fruits are not for me, yet another great video. Thank you. My tiny garden now has ‘beginner’ berry plants that may produce in two seasons. The Boss is not going to be there forever, maybe Tuck should train an apprentice.

[@nontrashfire2]

unless it does extremely well and you can trade or sell.

[@ohio_gardener]

You are correct about the birds loving the fruit of the Autumn Olive, but then they spread the seeds everywhere in their droppings. It becomes a very invasive tree with seedlings popping up everywhere.

[@janking2762]

These are highly invasive and are basically uncontrollable in the mid Atlantic area. Delaware and Pennsylvania have ongoing invasive removal programs for these. Can’t speak for the results.

[@Martha-q8p1b]

Years ago I almost planted pokeweed seeds a friend gave me because the plant in her yard was beautiful and I saw a Waxwing for the first time in years eating the berries on her plant. I just visited her house recently. The entire neighborhood is covered with pokeweed bushes, Glad I didn't plant those seeds.

[@Jim-the-Engineer]

Autumn Olive is so invasive in the Mid-Atlantic area that my friends and I say planting it, or allowing it to grow should be classified as bio-terrorism!

[@anderander5662]

​@Martha-q8p1b it's a native and very tasty

[@jeremybyington]

Regarding blueberries versus aronia, I have lost about 8-9 blueberry bushes in the past 5 years. They take so much work if your soil and microclimate isn’t just right for them. Meanwhile, I have 4 aronia bushes I don’t do anything but fertilize twice a year and they do well. I think a better alternative to recommend would be a honeyberry bush. You can eat those fresh, they don’t require a low ph soil, and they grow literally next to my aronia and also do generally well (until it hits 100F for several weeks).

[@lorebrown5307]

Service berry has more nutrients than blueberries and for me is easier grow than blueberries if you're looking for an alternative

[@susandavis2128]

​@@lorebrown5307How long does it take for them to produce? I have three and they have barely grown in 3 years.

[@maryjane-vx4dd]

Planted 7 honey berries this year. I'm waiting for my seaberries to come this mth. They say they can be invasive, but from what I've heard they can be difficult to get them growing. I've had 2 die already.

[@lorebrown5307]

@@susandavis2128 I let the birds bring in the native ones. I'm not sure about the cultivated varieties, maybe they need a pollinator or male + female.Do you have them mulched?

[@lorebrown5307]

@@maryjane-vx4dd my sea berries are growing well in wood chips and deep mulch. The male is bigger than I am and has thrown off about 8 shoots. I acquired 3 more female varieties

[@victoriajankowski1197]

We have room, I want to grow the Flying Dragon Orange BECAUSE of the spines, we have plans to plant them between the public and private areas of our property to discourage unwelcome visitors from wandering without obvious fencing. Planning a few rose and bramble hedges for the same purpose, though the orange has the advantage of not being as inclined to 'wander' out of its designated space like black berries do. I am curious if I could graft some more desirable branches on the backside though, that would help it be more multi-purpose

[@jacob1121]

The thing with blackberries is that if you are just using it as a barrier it is pretty much an unbeatable option because of its cheapness and the vigour it has. Managing it is as simple as cutting it back with electric hedge trimmers as you can't really overdo it. They will also reach adequate size after a couple of seasons and never require any real care whatsoever.

[@ACTS_2_37-38]

You can 100% Graft into this tree. The success will depend on what zone you are in. This is the most common rootstock because of its cold hardiness. We bought 2 last year for ornamental reasons but I am also going to attempt to graft some golden nugget oranges into them and see if they survive a zone 7a winter.

[@kristofp72]

If it doesn't get extremely cold (as in prolonged frost) in your area grow kei apple I guarantee you no one not even an animal would go through that.

[@ChrisBGramz4u]

Just don't put it anywhere that the public could get hurt like a kid getting pushed into it by a bully. It's your tree, it's your butt that gets the lawsuit.

[@victoriajankowski1197]

@@ChrisBGramz4u Our place is a mile down a dirt road blind turn off a county highway, can't get much less public! lol

[@lindah8053]

I tried ground cherries this year after seeing an earlier video of yours and they will continue to be in my garden yearly! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ for Tuck!

[@therewillbecatswithgwenhwyfar]

I think those are native to New England! (I'll have to double check, but if so...) Each year I'm hoping to add more plants that are native.

[@richardr5878]

Top work the trifoliate! Have a nice multi citrus tree. Lemon, lime and oranges yum!😊

[@kateroro6024]

Since watching your channel we have expanded our garden to many more plants. We have grown confidence as well. So thankyou! We will be moving on to 2-3 years of growing

[@davidschreiner6667]

I'm pretty much finished with trying to grow much of anything. I'm 70 years old and crippled But I finally realized I just can't do those things anymore. I watch the Adventures Of Super Tuck and I smile. I'm trying to get some of my family to grow at least a small amount of food in my raised beds and to use my little greenhouse.

[@cynthiafisher9907]

Maybe a patio tomato in a pot?

[@SaulSP23]

You can grow herbs like mint, thyme, cilantro, basil’s, and cherry tomatoes in an aerogarden or generic inside Hydroponic machine, it waters the plants for you every day, you just have to make sure the tank is Full of water every week or more depending on how much the plants Eat, i use schults liquid food, just buy a big bottle and you can buy a small one with the dropper for easier feedings and not having to measure with spoons each time but spoons works as well!! Happy Gardening and Happy Life, Hope you Live another 70 years!!!

[@xaviercruz4763]

David what are your favorite plants 🌱?

[@Omegawerewolfx]

Khang Starr has a channel where he grows peppers and tomatoes in cups. If you're willing, you can do it all year in your residence.

[@GamingGardeningAndLayingSiege]

This is why you hire young gardeners like myself. We can do the harder stuff, learn, earn, and gain invaluable experience. Good luck getting the family involved.

[@michellenoble4423]

Jujubes are drought tolerant and grow well in Texas, while apples struggle to survive. We have 4 types of Jujubes, and love each kind. We share w/friends and family, and they love the fruit as well. So I think it depends on personal taste, and region. Also, Jujubes can be easily pruned for smaller size. Commercial growers do this, to keep the trees healthy and make the harvest easier. The trees handle pruning well.

[@duongdo1]

Graft Jujube way better, there’s no roots running plus no needed to trim for long periods of time cause it doesn’t get taller like original Jujube.

[@trybjkt]

I have 2 jujubes growing in New Mexico. 3000 feet, high desert.

[@kimyoonmisurnamefirst7061]

Koreans use jujubes in soy sauce because if you use a dried apple it'll cause the wrong kind of rot. It's one of the target plants I wish to grow and prune to keep small.

[@MountainGyspy]

Would it survive in the Ozarks??

[@michellenoble4423]

@@MountainGyspy Yes, Jujubes are very adaptable. They are tolerant of a wide range of soils, can handle temps as low as -20F. They do need 8 hours of sun a day for best production. Another bonus is that Jujubes often fruit in the 2nd year after being planted. Much sooner than most fruit trees. We can count on them producing every year here, where our other fruit trees are more susceptible to our heat, or dry spells, a late frost, or whatever the particular issue is. We are so happy we planted them!

[@GreatWhiteWeasel]

Trifoliate oranges are good in beer and marinades lol my preference down here in Texas is Dos Equis. I also love jujubes 😂 and hate apples

[@sc-dw6gt]

jujube!! Not only a great tree, as people say below, but you might not be using it for its best purpose---jujube "tea"! Simmer the dried fruit about 5 hours to get the most absolutely naturally super sweet delicious tea/syrup, which we freeze into cubes and use to sweeten everything from lemonade to tea to desserts. To make the tea, tear each fruit to break the skin (we dry them first), cover with generous water, simmer covered for 4-6 hours, strain in colander, freeze in ice cube trays, enjoy! Or, mix fresh with camomile tea, mint tea, as you like it---EVERYONE loves this tea!

[@katiewinn5468]

2 thumbs up for persimmons. I grow the Fuyu variety in my southern California garden and just love them. I enjoy them before they ripen to the soft flesh stage you showed. They remind me a little of apples at that stage. They are sweet although some varieties are astringent if picked too soon. I love the skin for its crunchiness even though it is thick. Dehydrated they are better than candy. The tree is pretty and a good size for small yards. I have seen the fruit in the market for $1 each. This is definitely a winner.

[@MissPeachCobbler]

❤❤❤❤❤so good to see Tuck ❣️ we lost our little buddy Duke on the first.😊 thank y'all, my first smile in weeks 🎉❤❤❤

[@ladywhite1374]

AHHHHHHH Thats meeeeee!!!!!! Thank you for the shout out!!!!! You and Tuck keep being awesome!!!

[@cassityart7001]

So glad you posted this video. I have been growing and raising food since 2008. BTE gardening was a game changer. I also have plants and fruits I would never grow again.

[@WeAreAllOneNature]

What would you never grow again?

[@janamathis4729]

Tuck is absolutely adorable and very much the guardian of the garden!

[@jojocag1]

Morning James! I have had most of those plants in my lower Alabama garden (I’m a transplant New Yorker) and you are ABSOLUTELY RIGHT! Most of them are invasive down here…lol…ask me how I know! I hope your viewers listen to your assessment of those plants and save themselves a lot of time, energy and $.

[@jimjam36695]

Also in lower Alabama. Which fruit trees are you able to grow well in the backyard setting? I have the basics and am looking to add a couple of more interesting perennial fruits. ...But I don't want them to be a hassle and waste of time if they are not tasty eaten fresh from the plant.

[@Mudskipper9876]

Hi, Tuck! ❤ Thank you, James, for a reality check. Your knowledge and talent growing food us refreshing and hopeful.

[@skipperoo62]

The thing about the autumn olive is the one you showed off, is that that variety was made for it's looks, the one that has bigger and better fruit is the ruby red variety, this is also the standard.

[@davidstocker2278]

wow. I love almost all of these plants. eating raw aronia berries is such a wonderful treat in the summer. using the raw berries to make whole fruit lemonade is truly a treasure. also, I love goji berries flavor.

[@mikecf1]

I love jujubes. They are so easy to grow. I literally do nothing to them and they thrive. And you should prune them so they don't get as tall as yours. Also, you don't have the best varieties. Honey Jar jujube is wonderful.

[@davidthegood]

We did find that the pigs ate our African horned melons, and they were good when cooked green. But otherwise... not great! Cucamelons are a good alternative. Easier to eat, too. As for trifoliate orange, we planted them as a hedge. At least they look cool. I agree on the rest of your list, too. Thanks, James.

[@davidthegood]

Goji in particular... it's been three years and no fruit! But lots of invading shoots.

[@jcweld]

My jujube is easily my lowest maintenance tree. No pests and diseases whatsoever, and it takes Texas heat and drought better than the natives. I had one in Virginia that did just as well in higher humidity and cold winters. And it looks cool. For me that beats spraying clay on apples and peaches. Something to add to your list is Mayhaw. The fruit is worse than autumn olive, and the thorns worse than trifolate orange. I got suckered into buying aronia too. Never again! Even the birds and bugs don't touch those things.

[@janetcorrao5072]

Thanks for the "not" recommendations! Just had a hawthorn shrub removed, couldn't haarvest fruits with all the thorns, not to mention the suckers! One shrub I do suggest is native serviceberry, alamancher Canadensis, berries similar to blueberries, make great jam!!

[@PlanetaryAwareness]

Try honeyjar jujubee I was blown away by the flavor! I grow most of the varieties and so far it's the best!

[@nancyparks195]

Tuck is so adorable! I always look forward to seeing him in your videos. Of course I look forward to your informative gardening advice. Yesterday I was the only customer at a local nursery. The owner talked to me about 90 minutes filling my head with so much gardening information! Wow I learned so much.

[@rosenurse7687]

Thank you James! You are the best! I never get tired of your passion for gardening.

[@lorib5323]

This is my first year and already I am starting to figure out what isn't worth my time to grow. I use a garden to get my food. Yes, I can grow several different kinds of fruit/veg, but honestly, I really just need a lot of tomatoes, onions, lettuce, herbs, because that is what I eat the most of. I DO need some citrus, but I will set up a covered system with holiday lights against my south facing brick wall. Love your videos as always! You and The Millennial Gardener and are my go to's. :)

[@EssentiallyOiled]

12:26am USA the African Horned Melon aka Kiwano melon you harvested was not ripe at the time… it’s $7-10 EACH at grocery stores. They must be picked deep yellow orange.

[@miseentrope]

James, thanks for the tip on the Flying Dragon hardy orange. Would totally plant as fancy ornamental fence/border to deter unwanted visitors. Cool you're giving love to the pawpaw and persimmon; we love those here in Indiana (USA).

[@evafredriksson-lidsle4909]

I love aronias! Very cold hardy and I really like the flavor 😅. Also it grows big, so no need to have many bushes. The fall color is beautiful, flowers are beautiful, too. We use it in smoothies, but when processed into juice, it's suuuuperdelicious and the color is excuisite! 🎉

[@mquietsch6736]

Is it possible to make a jam from them?

[@evafredriksson-lidsle4909]

@@mquietsch6736 Yes absolutely!

[@mquietsch6736]

@@evafredriksson-lidsle4909 Thank you for the information. All right, I'll plant an aronia then 🙂

[@evafredriksson-lidsle4909]

@@mquietsch6736 woohoooo!!! 😄👌🥳

[@laddieokelley6095]

This week I am making candied jujube fruit--a simple two-day process. They really are a substitute for dromedary dates and valued in Korea and China for their health benefits. I view jujube as a passalong tree, not something I would purchase, and the thorns/prickles are a non-problem. Plus, it is a beautiful tree in the landscape with glossy deep-green leaves. But . . . I understand that some people would rather devote space to other fruit trees. I consider it a "tree of choice," not a "problem tree."

[@NoraLubecki]

Thanks for your vote for JuJuBee. I will have to look for those recipes. Any suggestions?

[@cyclol]

I like in north texas DFW and jujube is my healthiest and best producing tree requiring no watering. The fruits are alright if you get a feel for the ideal ripeness that you like. I have a big food forest and don't mind the suckers filling in space and giving free trees.

[@laddieokelley6095]

@@cyclol I, too, live in North Texas, about 75 miles northwest of Dallas. And I, too, have a grove of jujube trees and space for the grove to expand. I envy James's growing conditions in NJ. but agree with you that jujube might be one of the most dependable producers for us.

[@laddieokelley6095]

@@NoraLubecki I found my recipe online: about 3 1/2 cups of water and 3 1/2 cups of sugar, plus 2 tsps. of cornstarch. Simmer dried jujubes for 30 minutes, let them cool, cover and place in fridge overnight. Second day, bring to room temp and again simmer for 30 minutes. Remove fruit with slotted spoon and arrange on foil-covered baking sheet. Bake at low heat for 1-2 hours. Use the syrup for other purposes. Thanks for your comment.

[@laddieokelley6095]

@@NoraLubecki The recipe is for about 2 pounds of fruit. Prick each two or three times to promote absorption of syrup during simmering.

[@MrsJennie505]

My dogs and I love the jujube fruit! It's so prolific too!

[@lumpyslongshot2113]

Hey tuck and James ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤Love the way you keep tuck around but let him chill. Thx

[@JDTX-cj7lq]

You can eat leaves of goji berry plant, stir fry or put them in soup.

[@joytotheworld2100]

❤❤❤ hi Tuck! I was excited to see the PawPaw tree on your "do grow" list. I planted 38 fruit trees and I have 2 small pawpaw trees growing and I agree they taste amazing!

[@Fred.pSonic]

You know that if the plant isn't good enough for The Boss then it's gotta go, trust his foodie snout.

[@jamesprigioni]

Yup! Gotta be Tuck approved 👑🐕

[@thomassosa2957]

Tuck > FDA

[@lindaseel9986]

​@@thomassosa2957Absolutely! Tuck for Secretary of Agriculture!

[@cmc6295]

Always trust the dog

[@Martha-q8p1b]

My pet skunk loves everything from the garden except kale. I enjoy that...but she makes me wonder what's wrong with it. I grow "Winterborer", which is the only thing in my garden that isn't grown from organic seed. She also won't eat fruit and veg that isn't organic on the very rare times she's been given it. Hmmmm.

[@toycarpgmr]

Meyer lemon grows well in a large pot. In LA, CA my tree grows in ground. It is about 7 feet tall and has fruit most of the time.

[@karenprinz5987]

If tuck doesn’t like it then it’s a No for me!

[@jamesprigioni]

Exactly!!! It’s gotta be Tuck approved 👑🐕

[@DirtyDerg]

So basically just plant household staple crops instead of anything he's talking about. Saves you thirteen minutes of time lmao.

[@CesarTreetops]

I absolutely envy you for having a flying dragon orange tree as I have been struggling to get one for myself. Of course you I don't want it for its oranges, I just want it because it looks so cool, and because I want to make my own citrus grafts.

[@HeirloomGameCalls]

I'm a container grower. ALSO feed the birds and squirrels. After removing the dead squash borer victims, I left the bags fallow. The squirrels planted peanuts in almost every bag. I'm planning to leave them grow. Weather is just now turning "Fallish" here in Louisiana. I was wondering what you think about letting the peanuts go till spring planting comes along? It may be fun and feed the squirrels and birds some. What do you think James? Is it worth it? Maybe plant a few another handful. We're were going to plant some Soft Neck Garlic for the fall/winter.

[@JoelMunizVilla]

This video is definitely giving us a new perspective when it comes to helping us choose and decide what to grow in our garden. Thank you very much for this new perspective and above all for accompanying it with your opinions, which although they are personal and based on your own circumstances, are as reasoned as they are judicious and sincere and which, in fact, will help many of us to make better decisions in the future about what we need or want to plant in our gardens.

[@TJtheHAWK]

Aronia berry's are highly productive and require zero maintenance atleast here in New hampshire. Make great Jams, Muffins and even juice with them.

[@jamesprigioni]

They are a good crop, just in my opinion if space is your limiting factor I think there are better options.

[@billsbackyard6545]

I love my goji berry plant you know that there are many different varieties i grow mine in a container

[@beckyp9700]

❤🧡💛💚💙💜❤🧡💛💚💙💜 Thank you for sharing your experience in the garden. What are you going to do with those large trees that you are not happy with? Mulch? Firewood? Local yard waste recycling? What will you try next? I can not wait to find out. See you in the next one.

[@jamesprigioni]

I will take down that Japanese Raisin and not sure what will do with it yet, maybe dry it out and use it for a bonfire. What I will try next is still up in the air, hoping some if you all have good suggestions 😁👍❤️

[@paul.1337]

1) Flying Dragon you can use as rootstock for better cold hardy citrus. Thomasville Citrangequat, Marumi Kumquat, Ten Degree Tangerine, Yuzu, etc. Might need to be covered like a fussy fig in Zone 7, but some will survive. But if you've got one fruiting you can start a bunch of seeds over the Winter and just buy scions for a couple bucks. 2) Horned Melons are terrible. I've only had ones from the store, but Cucumber Seed-Goo: The Plant, that takes up all my space, isn't appealing. David the Good gave you a shout out on this one. :D 3) I've had dried jujubes and like them. I'm growing Li and Sugarcane. Preserving themselves via drying is a plus in my book. 4) Autumn Olives I've had from the woods are terrible...they're sour and astringent. They're invasive and all over the place here. Conservationists say it's also actually bad for the birds. XD 5) I bought some Aronias. If you can get them super ripe they're supposed to be good fresh. Maybe not the Viking/Nero/aronia-sorbus hybrids with the larger fruits. I'm going to try grafting apple or pear on them. They can work as super dwarfing rootstocks, but it's kind of experimental.

[@amym3156]

Very informative, as always. ❤️❤️❤️ for Tuck!

[@tired329]

I think this is very interesting, as myself I love Ziziphus (Jujube) and they are delicious. They grow very quickly and large but there is no replacement for them in many traditional dishes I enjoy myself. I do agree the constant suckering can be annoying but overall they are quite nice plants and delicious (but it is all down to personal preference and cultural tradition).

[@vickisavage8929]

The trifoliate orange is used primarily as rootstock for other citrus plants because it’s very versatile, tolerant of many temperatures and soil conditions, and one hellacious barrier against intruders.

[@ArchaicAnglist]

_Citrus trifoliata_ is, I think, the most common Citrus dwarfing rootstock. Citruses can get pretty big; dwarfing can keep the tree small enough to be easily protected in ground or to keep well in a pot. To get one of my dwarf citruses through my former area's occasional frosts, I'd put a string of incandescent mini lights on it, or a portable incandescent floodlight shining up from the bottom, and then swaddle the tree in an old bedsheet to keep the heat in overnight.

[@andricheli]

This is a really helpful video. I’ve considered a couple of these so good to know what not to waste time on. Also, I’m mostly here for Tuck. The info is a nice bonus 😉

[@jcrich-ho9ot]

❤ to Tuck! I have only had wild gooseberries. My dad liked them green made into pies or jam. I thought they tasted terrible that way. I prefer our wild gooseberries when they turn a purplish black color. They are fully ripe at that point and I have to race the birds to get any. I have only eaten them fresh. They usually disappear before I make anything out of them. I planted some cultivated gooseberries last year. When they are old enough to produce fruit, I will find out if they taste like the ones that grow wild. Thanks for the information!

[@veggiemikeellis]

I grew half of these plants in PA and I agree with the video. I do like the orange anyway since I prune it low and its weird and fun but I have alot of room

[@Big_Mike_1116]

Sounds like you got the wrong kind of Jujube. I've read that Li and Lang, while the most popular, aren't the best for fresh eating. I'm growing Sugarcane, Honey Jar, and Black Sea. Mine have some spikes, but nothing like the ones on your tree. important to know though - you can get spotless blemish free jujubes without spraying anything and they are drought tolerant so they don't need any irrigation. I grow mine in a lawn so any suckers are getting mowed over. I purchased 3 gallon pots and began getting fruit in year 2. the tiny flowers smell like grape soda. you can prune them short if you want, you just have to look up the instructions from the New Mexico State University (1 cut stops, 2 cuts starts)

[@flutterby.222]

I agree. I have a Honey Jar and a Li. The Honey Jar has insignificant thorns, produces better tasting fruit earlier, but they're fairly small and have a pretty short season. The Li produces substantially larger fruit for a much longer period of time (July/Aug-Oct/Nov). The first batch to ripen on my Li in late summer often isn't that great fresh but it's still good dried. The fruit gets sweeter and juicier as the season progresses. I love munching on them throughout the day, fresh or dried.

[@toniatalley1977]

❤❤❤❤❤ Hi Tuck!!! You keep up all that hard work of being the garden guardian!!! You do a wonderful job and deserve all the pets and treats! Great video!!!

[@nephilimninjaofnibiru2907]

I got excited about flying dragon. Even when you cut them and process the fruit. It leaves a residue on everything.

[@process-stories]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience! It's so helpful to learn from others' mistakes before making them ourselves. Your tips will definitely save me time, space, and effort in my own garden. Keep up the great work - I can’t wait to see what you share next!

[@intothenight756d47]

Your last comments are great about getting out there. I would never have grown these strange plants anyway but it's great to see you.

[@saras7635]

Zone 10A - my never again eatable source is the Kefir Lime - used mainly for the leaves in Thai cuisine (similar to lemon grass flavor) and can only be used fresh (if refrigerated they rot quickly) - the fruit is practically not enjoyable - very bitter, tree is susceptible to curly leave disease. - the positive side - great decorative tree - stays green all year round :)

[@garfielda34]

❤❤❤❤ for Tuck and another great video!

[@jamesprigioni]

Let's Gooo!!!

[@richardsmith9609]

I have a Tuck but his name is Timothy. He is a chihuahua and is my bestest friend. At least that is what I tell him every day. 💗💗💗💗💗💗

[@jamesprigioni]

Awe!! Timothy sounds like a sweet guy. Tuck is my best friend too, he is ALWAYS by my side. My little shadow

[@GreenfieldsHomeplace]

Tuck, the cutest boss ever. If he says ‘no’ to a fruit or veggie, it’s a no for me too! Give that good boy a carrot. 🥕 ♥️ Thanks, James. Love your videos!

[@andersonomo597]

I would never grow Warrigal Greens again. It's Tetragonia tetragonioides, commonly called New Zealand spinach, it's native to Australia too and even the chickens wouldn't touch it. It's a pain to prepare, has to be boiled because it's high in oxalic acid which isn't good for health. It took over my garden and self seeded everywhere and 10 years later it's still occasionally popping up! It's supposed to be a spinach substitute and yep, if you were starving and desperate you'd eat it but I'm sticking to swiss chard! Tuck is adorable! Always a joy to see him. Cheers from Oz!!

[@questioneverything9535]

New Zealand Spinach is my cash crop. I love it and so do my customers. Swiss chard is my next profitable crop after spinach.

[@baneverything5580]

I planted some in Louisiana. The wild bunnies ate it all.

[@andersonomo597]

@@questioneverything9535 My cousin in Toronto grows it and loves it! I tried, I really did, but it was not delicious, no matter how I cooked it and I'm a good cook. The family agreed so I know it wasn't just a cilantro type thing. My swiss chard is growing beautifully and we love it! Ever had it boiled with just butter and soy sauce or butter and oyster sauce? So good!! Cheers from Oz!

[@andersonomo597]

@@baneverything5580 They did you a favour LOL!!

[@baneverything5580]

@@andersonomo597 I like the bunnies here. I planted them a few little patches of things they like away from my garden like the heat loving, very drought resistant Red Ripper Peas. They make vines all over the place so they outgrow the nibbling and I get a great harvest too. Try them if you can get the seeds. I thought New Zealand Spinach was a different plant and never planted the other seeds. I did try Ground Cherries this year and I can`t believe nobody has ever grown them in Louisiana. They`re so delicious! I`ve been experimenting with unusual crops to find new things and the Ground Cherries are a top winner this year. I have 3 varieties and the best is the very prolific type he showed, the "Pruinosa" variety like Aunt Mollys. My plant is 12 feet wide and loaded!

[@ThereseCatanzano]

♥ for Tuck and thank you for videos. I live on East coast also. I wish the summer weather would last longer. Thanks James.

[@charlesfoster8814]

Someone sold you a bill of goods on the citrus tree. That's a Trifoliate Tree. The tree is commonly used as root stock for citrus trees. I use them for root stock. I graft the Owari Satsuma to them. I find mine my Trifoliate growing wild in the river bottom behind my house. The only use for the fruit is in marinade to tenderize meat. Sadly, you can't graft your tree because the Satsuma are not very cold hardy at all!

[@ArnoSchlick]

There are already some Trifoliate crossings that tase better than the Trifoliate, but are a bit less cold hardy than it. Its possible to grow these in Zones 7b-8 and higher.

[@lesliesnell7613]

I always look forward to your videos; I always enjoy the info, your truthfulness about the reasons to grow but more importantly the reasons not to grow. I have heard about the pawpaw tree but now I am encouraged to give it a try! Much live to The Boss! ❤❤❤

[@Martha-q8p1b]

Yeah...I've had it with my gogi's as well. I have 12 huge bushes. They are a mess. I walked some family members past them and honestly said " try these. they are horrible, but great for you." A pain to pick/ horrible flavor and ugly and invasive bushes. My gooseberries, paw paws and ground cherries are keepers! I just planted 2 Jujube trees this spring. I'm going to ignore your advice on those for now. I think I need to plant another persimmon, though. I initially planted 4. One survived and is big...but haven't gotten any signs of fruiting after 6 years.

[@janegardener1662]

Tuck is so cute! I love seeing him in your videos.

[@maryjane-vx4dd]

I grow gogi berries. They are getting sweeter every year. The worst thing about goji's is spiders like to hide in them. I got bit by a poisonous spider. They had to take a good chunck of finger out to save it. Also saw a hobo spider ready to strike while picking carrots and squash. Luckily i saw it before getting bit again

[@toniatalley1977]

Oh my!!! This is my very first year of growing goji berries and im absolutely terrified of spiders. Lord help me next year

[@xaviercruz4763]

Pray to God always and tell Him to guide you and protect you. I feel sorry for what happened to you and know the feeling of things popping in the garden and scares. God will help you and be with you always if you invite Him in forever! He is the bestest Friend! And knows every animal He made and in the garden

[@Keithlynd_]

jujube is a must for chinese peach gum, hot pot, and other. Unless it's lazy day soup or like, traditional local soup recipe with specific recipe, never has my mum skips putting dried jujube in soup, granted we bought it dried and only use a few slices for like a cauldron of soup.Same as dried goji berry. dried goji berry is my absolute favourite ingredients, especially in hotpot, but my mom often skips that bcs just how expensive it is where I live

[@cullbe]

I grew up growing and eating the African horned melon or the African cucumber as I know them, I live in Qld Australia and it is one of my favourites, I rarely wait for them to go yellow and almost always eat them when they are still green or green with a smidge of yellow on them. I always liked them best this way. I grew the cucamelon this year and yes it was prolific and plentiful fruiter. However, I found that flavour-wise they were not as nice as a cucumber and that I let most of the fruit go to waste as picking all the tiny fruit was very time-consuming as you had to wade through all the fruit on a very tangled vine and pick the ready ones and leave the even smaller ones, which was extremely time-consuming if you wanted a decent amount of them. I found some times that I could just shake the vine and the really ripe ones would just fall off, but every time I did this I was worried about damaging the vine, This probably wasn't as big of an issue as I thought it was. However next time I grow them I'll grow them on a trellis that I can easily shake the trellis itself to minimise the risk of damage to the plant. My 12-year-old autistic son who loves cucumbers and loves to eat cucumbers as a snack would sometimes eat the cucamelons, but I had to cut each cucamelon in half and salt them and this was so much more time-consuming than just slicing up a cucumber and salting the slices of cucumber. And even then he did not enjoy the cucamelon as much. The cucamelon might make nice pickles but I have not tried this as I have never made homemade pickles, so that may be a use for them. The positive to the cucamelon was that It is a prolific fruiter and takes up little space and can make a nice ornamental vine that you can eat the fruit of. If you are using it as an ornamental you just have to remember to pick up the dropped fruit regularly, as you don't really don't want rotting fruit everywhere and make sure you pull the vine out when it's getting towards the end of its season/lifecycle as the vine starts looking very shabby and untidy towards the end of its lifecycle. I don't know if this will help anyone here but just thought I would share my experience with you all.

[@calittlegarden-3311]

At my area. Can purchased jujubee tree like $50 and it product fruit much more than apple and much easy to grow here at southen California. There are so many verity of jujubee. Need to get the green jujubee that tastes much much juice and sweeter than li. ❤

[@vkdowdy9519]

Thank you!!! I was just about to purchase a jujube tree. You just saved me years.

[@selwynr]

Jujube fruit is amazing. It's unique and delicious and I prefer them to apples. It's subjective.

[@flutterby.222]

Jujubies are great! They are super easy to grow even in hot/dry climates. They produce a ton of fruit and what you don't eat right away will self dry on the counter and taste even better! They are low in sugar, high in fiber, and are known for medicinal benefits including improved sleep and decreased anxiety. They do have a bit of an acquired taste, or rater, texture, but it just takes a little getting used to. I think sometimes people don't like them because they expect it to taste like an apple but it doesn't really, so your mouth may get a little confused until it stops expecting an apple. The honey jar jujubie is has smaller, sweeter, and juicier fruit and smaller fairly insignificant thorns. The Li can develop some fairly large vicious thorns. The fruit is much larger (comparatively) but not as tasty as the honey jar variety. I believe the sugarcane is supposed to be similar in flavor to the honey jar but it's a little bigger (I don't know about the thorns on that one). The sucker's are seriously NOT a big deal! They're much easier to deal with than just about any other weed. I've gotten maybe 1-2 suckers a year if that. Maybe I'll get a few more when my tree is fully mature, but it not hard to just snip them off.

[@Julia-zj2ch]

Thank you and Tuck for sharing your experience and opinions. Both are very helpful. ❤❤❤❤❤

[@utopicconfections5257]

At a nearby farmers market there are 2 (40ft) hedges of aronia berries. This year the branches were hung over with the weight of the fruit. For some reason, this year the berries were sweet and astringent. Health-wise it is supposed to be healthier than even elderberry. Don't think I would ever plant it. But the berries are free for the picking at the market so I don't really need to plant them. It was weird that the berries were so sweet this year, maybe it was the massive amounts of rain we received.

[@Eva_noir.]

I planted few aronia tree in front of other fruit trees and I don't regret. They are considered aesthetically beautiful tree here in Japan. From gardener view they have Beautiful glossy foliage and how they turn red in fall is pretty amazing. They can handle partly shade so if you have space especially awkward place in orchard I highly recommend ♥️

[@archangelmichael1978]

Sending some ❤ to Tuck. Thanks for everything you teach us, James.

[@Cod3Thr33]

2:42 - Cucamelons are on my "never again" list. They taste like under ripe cucumbers; their skin is tough and bitter; they're unruly and vine everywhere; and they're difficult to get rid of once you decide they're not worth growing.

[@Fancy-p7z]

I’m sorry you didn’t like them. I grew them once and I thought the delicate vines and leaves were pretty. I also liked the fruit, but I like cucumbers. They did not self sow for me but maybe I have too harsh of conditions.

[@ArchaicAnglist]

​@@Fancy-p7z A cucamelon vine, unlike its true-cucumber relatives, grows tubers underground that can be dug up and overwintered, then planted in spring for a much more robust start. Tubers will range in size from a pointy fingerling potato to a decent-sized sweet potato. (No idea what the tuber tastes like.) I haven't managed to make this work myself - my pot of overwintering tubers was discarded, and the following year's plant gave up the ghost too early.

[@Cod3Thr33]

@@Fancy-p7z , I love cucumbers. I grew a BUNCH this year. I just don't like the taste of cucamelons. They're essentially tiny cucumbers, but there's just something about the taste I don't like. The worst part is the skin, though. It's so thick and bitter that it reminds me of a muskedine skin. If you could pop them open like muskedines and discard the skin, that would be better, but the skin doesn't let go of the fruit. Oh well. To each his own...

[@Fancy-p7z]

@@ArchaicAnglist interesting, thank you for the information.

[@yeevita]

I love them but they do not do well in my heat. They fruit in spring, then die to the heat and spider mites, resulting in a very small crop. I probably would grow again just because I do like the tiny fruits for snacking when I am in the garden.

[@rhondagillespie6031]

Thank you James, great information. I always trust you and Tuck's word.❤❤❤

[@armyrabb1]

In defense of my precious flying dragon, with proper pruning and training, it makes a VERY formidable protective hedge, a living fence. I am growing them all around my three acres to keep doggies in and cattle and coyotes out. Yes, probably not good in your situation.

[@ekelindner7991]

James we have a silverberry with red berries. Also a strong grower, but the berries are larger and I think they are VERY nice (they do need to ber very ripe!) to eat or process. Also the scent of the flowers...... oh so lovely! I keep them as large shrubs , they take the pruning really well.

[@joetran8798]

Goji berries provide many health benefits, but you need to know how to cook them. Many Asian recipes work well, but these are best in soups.

[@jamesprigioni]

They definitely have great health benefits, but I really don’t like the plants. I would eat them in dishes, but if someone has limited space I wouldn’t want them to fill it up with a goji berry if they want fresh fruits

[@YevgeniyShcherbakov]

You wanna experience fruit when eaten fresh. Goji is one of those that do not taste good when fresh

[@joetran8798]

@@jamesprigioni They actually work best as fence liners. Most people I know grow them along chain-link fences. They don't stray from there and work nicely as a privacy screen depending on variety during the summer.

[@joetran8798]

@@YevgeniyShcherbakov When fresh, it's best paired with osmanthus in a sweet jelly called "ma tai gao", although many use dried berries as well...

[@YevgeniyShcherbakov]

@@joetran8798 Nah. You want to eat it raw without pairing it with anything. This is where goji lacks.

[@janking2762]

A really thoughtful video with a lot of good advice based upon real experience. I’ve been there, done that, and I’d recommend blueberries, blackberries, figs for good production with minimal disease and Input in zone 7.

[@evec268]

Jerusalem artichoke, aka sunchoke... impossible to get rid of

[@jamesprigioni]

That’s what I hear, fortunately I never planted that one 😅

[@judyandersen3842]

I love your info. You go into depth and I always feel educated!! Thank you so much!!❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@michaelchen163]

I’d take a jujube over an apple any day. It’s such a drought tolerant plant and produces well! But to each their own I guess

[@michaelchen163]

Btw James, just to make sure you’ve had the correct texture of the dried ones, I’d visit an Asian grocery store and find a bag. They get chewy like nougat when dried, the one you showed is like mushy it seemed

[@lmullens75]

Great video, James! I hate wasting my time more than anything, ever! My goji berries are in a couple of giant pots & it has kept them in check size-wise. I'm with you on the flavor, and I also don't like the seeds (I have diverticulitis, so not supposed to have seeds). AND my mom who usually loves everything tomato-ish, said they tasted like dirt. Ha! I have heard that in Oklahoma, apples are hard to grow, so I got a couple of jujube trees from a local guy on a facebook group. Going to plant them away from other trees so that we don't have as bad of squirrel issues.

[@GreenGranny]

If you live in a hot, dry climate, then Jujube is for you. I wish I could grow apples but you need to grow what works in your climate.

[@elgranjero2284]

I have the Jujube tree. Mine is just about 8 feet tall with a thin foliage. It's now the second year that I get delicious fruits. But yes, the drawback is that it has a ton of spikes and you have to be careful around the tree. Even the deers walk wide from it. I had something that resembles the spiky orange you showed. Actually, I planted a Meyer Lemon tree about 4 years ago but it died during the winter freeze. That spiky citrus grew out of the root stock and I watched it grow vigorously into this powerful citrus plant. It gave large bitter oranges and the spikes looked like cat's claw. I duly had it cut down, the roots digger up, and everything mulched.

[@flutterby.222]

If you trim your jujube back in the winter, when it starts waking up and growing new branches, there is a short window of opportunity when the thorns are immature and easy to remove before developing into what I call "Death Spikes". Yes it's a little tedious but I get excited when my trees wake up so I don't mind visiting them and plucking off Thorns for a few minutes each day. If you can get the Thorns when they're small you don't have to worry about them getting you later! 😉

[@elgranjero2284]

@@flutterby.222 Thanks for the awesome suggestion. Bless

[@Justice-n4r]

Tuck is a lucky dog 🐕 he is so loved ❤️

[@jamesprigioni]

True! And I am a lucky guy to have such a cute and good boss!

[@cmc6295]

​@@jamesprigionibig hugs for Tuck❤❤❤❤❤

[@kkl8631]

Thanks for the info and advice. Always learn new things from you and your channel. Love you , Tuck❤❤❤

[@indiefan23]

Goji berries need to be dried out and then used in things like savory soups etc. They're wonderful but you have to use them properly. Lived in Asia for 6 years and we have a bag of goji berries in our house all the time. Also great in various salads. But they just don't work like our standards fruits.

[@bluewater4]

Goji are vines. The growth habit you described verifies that. I wanted to try those you did but nobody could tell me anything. You have. My enthusiasm for those rare but useful and desirable plants has been fulfilled. Your video is greatly appreciated. VERY useful. Thanks.

[@jo6595]

In Haitian cuisine we call it zoranj Su (orange sûre ). We use it to wash goat meat, fish and pig meat Zoranj su, or sour oranges, are essential in Haitian cuisine. Also called bitter oranges, they impart a unique tangy flavor to dishes.

[@stephenremo9200]

You should try a Thomasville citrangequat. It is hardy to 8 degrees .it is also continuous blooming

[@melissahillyard79]

❤I love my Yorkie, Angel

[@jamesprigioni]

Awe!! She sounds sweet! 🍓❤️❤️

[@JohnDeWeese-lq4pf]

I'm with you on the Goji berry. AND on most of the others. I bought a "Lime Citrus" That looks and acts exactly like the "Orange" tree you bought. Never going to have them again. They are a complete waste of time. Thanks for the videos, James. Bless you and Tuck!❤

[@chezgiardino]

I'd actually pick Aronia over Blueberry every day...just personal opinion...easier to grow, heavier cropper, then yes, have to be processed, but love the taste after processing, while blueberry win fresh, but processed meh

[@jamesprigioni]

I appreciate the opinion, maybe I need to work the aronia into a few more things!

[@TnOrchidguy]

Thank you, Mr. James, thank you - a relevant video - I also dumped the Goji berries I had here in Tn - too much work for too little reward and I wish the garden catalogues that popularized them (and others you mention) would have told us that. Live and learn.

[@TnOrchidguy]

PS - I LOVE Tuck!

[@Big_Mike_1116]

I grow jujubes and gooseberries and I can honestly say that I don't think a gooseberry is anywhere near as good as a jujube. Like I already said, I think you're growing the wrong cultivar for fresh eating. Try sugarcane or honey jar. Important to note that you began the video harping on fruit trees with thorns, but my gooseberries are way thornier than my jujubes by a long shot.