Tubers for Tomorrow: Perennial Staples for the Garden

Welcome to 'Tubers for Tomorrow: Perennial Staples for the Garden,' where I explore the diverse and rich world of tubers. In this episode, I focus on the resilience and flavours of sunchokes, oca, crosnes, praire turnip and the often-overlooked hog peanut. From the creamy and high-yielding 'Stampede' Jerusalem Artichoke to the tangy zest of Oca, and the crunchy delight of crosnes, each tuber offers unique benefits for your garden and kitchen. Discover how these perennial staples can transform your gardening practices into food security and elevate your culinary adventures.

Featured Tubers and Varieties:
Jerusalem Artichoke (Sunchokes) Varieties:
Stampede: High-yielding, thick, round, knobby, cream-colored tubers; matures in about 90 days; excellent for cooking and raw consumption.
Red Fuseau: Long, thin, reddish-purple tubers, smoother and less knobby; known for a crunchy, sweet flavour.
White Fuseau: Tall, white tubers, easy to peel; appreciated for superior flavour and smooth texture.
Waldspinel: Long, red tubers, often referred to as the "fingerling" of sunchokes; great for roasting.
Beaver Valley Purple: Features purple and rose tubers, adding color and flavour to dishes.
Clearwater: Produces potato-like tubers without runners; easy harvesting.
Skorospelka Purple: Smooth red-purple skinned tubers with tan flesh; suitable for various culinary applications.
Jack's Copperclad: Long, pointed tubers that are copper-purple and rose; ideal for decorative and culinary uses.
Mulles Rose: Unique rose-colored tubers.
Waldoboro Gold: Unusual yellow-rooted variety from the Maine coast.
Dwarf Sunray: Shorter stems, produces round tubers; ideal for smaller garden spaces.
Nahodka: A Russian variety with elongated tubers; suitable for diverse culinary uses.
Red Rover: Features vivid red tubers; adds vibrant color and a sweet flavour to dishes.
Flowering Helianthus Tuberosus: Notable for its ornamental qualities; tubers are also edible.
Corlis Bolton Haynes: Details not specified; similar in usage and growth to other varieties.
Chinese Artichoke (Stachys affinis):
No specific varieties listed due to genetic similarity among most cultivated tubers.
Prairie Turnip:
No specific varieties listed; known for its large, starchy tuberous roots with a sweet, nutty flavour when cooked.
Hog Peanuts (Amphicarpaea bracteata):
No specific varieties listed; notable for producing edible beans above and below ground.
Oca (Oxalis tuberosa):
No specific varieties listed; characterized by colorful tubers and adaptability to various climates.
This episode provides insights into each variety's growing conditions, maturity periods, and culinary uses, highlighting their food secure elements and versatility in our gardens and kitchens.
If anyone knows where to find the Sunchoke varieties:
Waldspinel, Jack's Copperclad, Mulles Rose, Waldoboro Gold, Dwarf Sunray or Red Rover- let me know! I am looking for them.

Many varieties talked about in this episode are available in the Fall at https://gardenfaeriebotanicals.ca/product-category/perennial-vegetables/

See you in the Garden!