10 Vegetables That Will Self-Sow
Self-sowing vegetables are some of the most convenient plants that you can grow in your garden if you want to enjoy an ongoing harvest. This article will introduce you to ten of the best vegetable plants in this category.
Corn salad (Valerianella locusta) is a small annual that grows to 6 to 12 inches in height. It grows on bare ground with rocky soils or coastal dunes, producing small clusters of white flowers that bloom from April to June. Sow in August to produce deliciously-edible salad greens throughout winter.
Radish (Raphanus sativus) is a plant species that represents a food staple in many cultures around the world. The Radish has a wide range of variations, including variants that grow in the spring, summer and winter. The root is generally eaten raw and can be used in salads or as a garnish.
Coriander is well-known in many countries and is most commonly used for cooking. The dried seeds of the Coriander plant are ground and used to season dishes, while the leaves and stems can be eaten cooked or raw. In the United States, the leaves and stems of this plant are called cilantro.
Bok choy is a type of Chinese cabbage. Chinensis varieties do not form heads and have green leaf blades with lighter bulbous bottoms instead, forming a cluster reminiscent of mustard greens. Chinensis varieties are popular in southern China and Southeast Asia. Being winter-hardy, they are increasingly grown in Northern Europe.
Field mustard (Brassica rapa) is a plant that is widely cultivated and produces oilseed. Canola oil is made from the Field mustard oilseed. Field mustard attracts white butterflies who gain nutrients from its flowers.
Sweet fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is a flowering perennial plant related to carrots. It is native to the Mediterranean region, but is used throughout the world as a flavoring herb. Sweet fennel has a sweet aromatic flavor similar to anise, and is an important ingredient in absinthe. In the wild, it often becomes a noxious weed.
Garden lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is a hardy annual plant commonly cultivated as a leafy vegetable. The earliest evidence of its cultivation goes all the way back to Ancient Egypt. Its leaves are often used for making salads and they are an excellent source of vitamins K and A.
Common borage is often used to make soup, sauces, pasta filling, and a flavoring for pickles in Germany, Spain, Greece, and Italy. It is also occasionally used as a drink garnish and is an ingredient in some gins. Common borage flowers can also be made into blue or pink dyes.
The Wild carrot is a common flowering plant with light, delicate flowers. Originally native to Europe and Asia, it has also spread to North America and Australia. Studies of historical paintings suggest that the Wild carrot was cultivated in Turkey, Spain, and North Africa for centuries.
Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is an edible plant species that is often considered a ‘superfood’ due to its high content of vitamins, folate, fiber, iron, magnesium, and other nutrients. Spinach is grown in gardens around the world and provides an important food source.