So much to grow

I have purchased so many different kinds of seeds during my recent travels but have been too busy to grow them. It's time to organise my garden and make space for these vegetables.

Japanese pumpkin

 

My parents are big pumpkin eaters and they always have some growing in their yard. Ever since Japanese pumpkins started appearing in the stores, my parents quickly embraced this fluffier and tastier variety. Naturally, being gardeners, they sow the seeds and pollinate the flowers diligently. Now we have Japanese pumpkins growing in the backyard.

Osaka

It's the start of summer in Osaka and I happened to walk into the vegetable garden at Nagai Botanical Gardens.

The plum trees are laden with fruits.

A field of hydrangea plants.

Vegetable garden.

Edamame (soy) beans.

All kinds of gourds and squash.

Corn.

Gigantic plants

I haven't been back for 2 weeks and how the plants have flourished at my parent's house. I can't identify what kind of gourd or squash this is but it has been productive.

 I found two small gourds and according to my mother, the last one they harvested was huge.

 The Chinese mustard vegetables are humongous, they look like shrubs.

One mustard plant has already bolted and is full of pretty yellow flowers.

 The curry trees are big and lush.

My father is starting to grow culinary herbs too.

Latest obsession

Lately I have been quite obsessed with growing baby vegetables, from pea shoots to sunflower and other vegetables.

This is a plate of sunflower sprouts. I used some in my salad and the rest was stir-fried. The taste of sunflower sprouts is amazing - crunchy and succulent with a hint of sunflower seed.

The good thing about growing baby greens is the short harvest time. You also do not need a lot of space to grow them. They do well indoors and outdoors, so they're perfect for apartment dwellers.

My father's garden

My father doesn't do things by half measures. Even for a backyard gardener, his little farm is showroom perfect. Before he grows anything, he will spend days preparing the patch, from building raised beds to conditioning the soil. That is the reason why his crops are always so lush and bountiful.

Each time I visit, I find new crops growing in his garden. There are rows and rows of Thai Basil as usual. Some yam plants and sunflowers managed to sneak in there as well.

 A large vine (pumpkin or some kind of squash) is sprawling over the pond enclosure.

 He's growing lady's fingers and brinjal too.

More veggies

The mustard seeds have germinated but they're quite lanky due to the lack of sunlight. Maybe I'll just use them in my salad.

Baby cai xin vegetables growing in a pot.

I am growing Japanese pumpkin at home, not for the pumpkin but for the flowers. Apparently pumpkin flower tempura is really delicious. I can't wait!