Liz Worth

Liz Worth

Pumpkin, Zucchini & Squash

Botanical name : Cucurbita spp. Common name : Zucchini, Courgette, Pumpkin, Summer squash, Winter squash, Chilacayote and some ornamental Gourds Overview Pumpkins and zucchinis can cause some confusion for seed savers as the common names may refer to varieties from…

Nasturtium

Orange nasturtiums in a mixed planting with other edibles photo: Jon Kingston

Botanical name : Tropaeolum majus Common name : Nasturtium, Indian cress, monk’s cress Images Growing for seed Nasturtiums are an easy plant to grow. There are no special requirements for seed saving unless a particular variety is being grown for seed,…

Buckwheat

Buckwheat flowering photo: BVSS/LW

Botanical name : Fagopyrun esculentum Common name : Buckwheat Images Growing for seed Buckwheat is a warm season crop. It is relatively quick and can produce mature seed in less than 3 months. Each buckwheat plant produces one of two…

Okra

Okra flower photo: BVSS

Botanical name : Abelmoschus esculentus Common name : Okra, Lady’s fingers Images Growing for seed While not requiring cross pollination, okra can be cross-pollinated by insects so should be isolated by at least 250 m from other okra varieties. If the…

Quinoa

Botanical name : Chenopodium quinoa Synonyms :  Common name : Quinoa Images Growing for seed Quinoa seed is grown in exactly the same way as the crop is grown for grain. There is some potential for cross-pollination between varieties so they…

Swede and Siberian Kale

Botanical name : Brassica napus Synonyms :  Common name : Siberian kale, Russian kale, Rutabaga, Swede, canola, rapeseed Images Growing for seed Brassica napus varieties include some types of canola and rapeseed and will need to be isolated from those crops…

Mustard Greens

Botanical name : Brassica juncea Common name : Mustard, Mustard greens Images Growing for seed Brassica juncea varieties will need to be isolated from other B. juncea varieties to avoid cross-pollination. Isolation distances of at least 250 metres are required. Selection…

Asian Greens and Turnip

Flowering bok choi photo: BVSS/LW

Botanical name : Brassica rapa Synonyms : Brassica campestrus Common name : Turnip, Chinese cabbage, Komatsuna, Mizuna, Mibuna, Rapini, Box Choy, Choy sum, Bomdong, Tatsoi, Broccoli raab, canola Images Growing for seed Brassica rapa varieties are all cross compatible and need to…

Basella

Basella flowers and fruit photo: Lloyd Sharp

Botanical name : Basella alba Synonyms : Basella rubra (now considered a cultivar of B. alba) Common name : Malabar spinach, Ceylon spinach, Indian spinach Images Growing for seed Basella is frost tender and needs a warm growing season to…

Asparagus

Asparagus spears pushing they way up in spring. [photo: BVSS/LW]

Botanical name : Asparagus officinalis Common name : Asparagus Images Growing for seed As asparagus is insect pollinated different varieties need to be kept at least 250 metres apart. These perennial plants are grown in the same manner whether for eating…