Mexican vegetables in a Lithuanian garden: mission possible! –

MEXICAN VEGETABLES: THE INCREDIBLE VARIETY OF CORN

It seems that Mexican vegetables like corn no longer surprise us. After all, we buy, we eat, and some of us grow our own. But did you know that corn doesn’t just have to be yellow? I was really surprised when Egle started naming the color variety of corn. It turns out that they can be:

• Balti,
• black,
• viola,
• red,
• creeping,
• with points,
• Such as glass, translucent multicolored grains, etc

Furthermore, Eglì tells us that the first corn, which began to be cultivated in Mexico thousands of years ago, was only 2.5 cm long and was certainly not yellow, but dark blue, purple or even black. It is also interesting to note that the nutritional value of dark corn is much higher than the usual yellow corn. The latter are simply the most productive: this is probably why they have spread more throughout the world.

CORN VARIETIES: HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT ONE

Egle points out that to grow delicious corn you must first choose the right varieties:

1) They must be intended for food (not feed or flour), because only sweet sweet corn ripen;

2) It is preferable to choose earlier corn varieties so that the cobs have time to ripen before the autumn frosts. The vegetation period of corn is quite long, so corn sown in May only matures in October;

3) If we like popcorn, we grow varieties specifically for this purpose, but keep in mind that simply eating it will not be tasty.

GROWING CORN: TRICKS YOU NEED TO KNOW

I myself have grown corn more than once. But I heard that not everyone succeeds. Why?

Eglė Mikolaitytė says that Mexican vegetables, such as corn, love heat very much. And in Lithuania we cannot accurately predict whether there will be enough sun and heat in summer, or whether it will be completely humid and overcast.

We will not change the weather conditions, but there are some tricks that can help corn feel good in the Lithuanian garden:

• Corn is usually sown directly into the ground. But it is possible to germinate the seeds at home on the windowsill a little earlier, and when the soil has warmed up enough, transfer the already strengthened seedlings into it. It is likely that this way the plant will grow and mature faster and it will be possible to harvest in time. But keep in mind that you need to be very careful when transplanting seedlings into the ground, because corn is quite sensitive to transplanting.
• Don’t sow or plant corn in the ground until two weeks after the last frost. The soil must be well warmed up: reach 16-17 degrees. This will greatly increase the chances of the corn germinating and growing successfully.
• Sow or plant quite thickly, close to each other, so that the plants support each other and do not break as they grow upward.
• Plant pumpkins or courgettes next to the corn: their leaves will strengthen the base of the corn and support it, advises Eglì.
• Water often and sparingly, as corn loves moist soil, especially during cob formation.

PUMPKINS: SWEET LIKE BERRIES AND BEAUTIFUL LIKE FLOWERS

Another Mexican vegetable that can be safely grown in Lithuania are peppers. Many of you have probably seen, tasted, or even grown little yellow puffballs (other growers call them Peruvian puffballs).

They are beautiful, sweet and delicious like berries, which is why they are mainly used:

• In the production of sweets,
• To decorate cakes,
• Dry as a healthy snack.

It is best to grow these balloons in a greenhouse.

THE “COUSIN” OF THE TOMATO IS THE TOMATO

And the tomatillo is much less familiar to us. It is also a pufferfish (also called Philadelphia pufferfish), only much larger than a dessert pufferfish. It can be yellow, green or purple.

A tomatillo looks very similar to a tomato. But according to Egli it is significantly different from the tomato in taste and structure: it is juicier and less sweet. Perfect for making:

• sauces,
• Sauces,
• Chutney.

TOMATOES DO NOT NEED A GREENHOUSE

These Mexican vegetables can be grown in a greenhouse, but they also grow best in open ground.

Additionally, tomatillos self-seed and can spread like a weed – you can have an entire field without much effort. Therefore, Eglė recommends carefully considering whether you will have a place to put your crop before you start growing it. Because it is really abundant: the branches even break off the fruits.

FOR LOVERS OF SPICY MEXICAN CHILI PEPPER

Mexican cuisine is simply impossible without chili pepper, the variety of which is amazing. The grower also plans to grow 20-30 varieties of hot chili peppers this year. They say they chose only the most interesting in appearance and taste. And you’re really spoiled for choice, because hot peppers can come in a wide variety of colors:

• red,
• viola,
• Balti,
• yellow,
• Regrets.

Also interesting shapes:

• regular elongated,
• spin,
• bell-shaped,
• Wrinkles etc.

What can we say about the spectrum of spiciness: from barely tickling the tongue to ridiculously burning.

CHILI PEPPERS CAN BE GROWN WITHOUT VEGETABLES

Chili pepper can be grown:

• In the greenhouse – Eglì says that when peppers are grown, good results are guaranteed;
• In the open ground – if the summer is sunny and warm, pepper grows without too many problems;
• Potted on the windowsill or terrace: Since peppers are perennials, they can also be grown in pots for several years in a row.

IT IS TRUE THAT CHILI PEPPERS SHOULD NOT BE GROWN NEAR SWEET PEPPERS

I’ve heard people say that growing hot peppers next to sweet peppers, or growing different varieties of peppers in close proximity to each other, mixes their flavors. But Eglė says he has not noticed such a phenomenon in the practice of the family farm. It has never happened that peppers grown in the first year become bitter, and hot peppers become sweet.

On the other hand, perhaps this could happen in future generations if the plants crossed and you planted the seeds of the crossed plant year after year. By doing this, you may accidentally breed a new variety of pepper.

MEXICAN VEGETABLES: VARIETIES OF BEANS

The beans are grown in Lithuania and are very popular. Only common white ones are more common in our country. Meanwhile, more red and black beans are eaten in Mexico.

How to grow them? The interviewer says she has already successfully grown beans that she simply bought at the supermarket. So you too can buy the beans you like in the store, plant them in the ground and see what comes out. After all, growing plants is always a kind of experiment with unexpected results.

WHO NEEDS MEXICAN VEGETABLES IN A LITHUAN GARDEN

Don’t think that Egle doesn’t grow traditional vegetables: obviously in his garden there are potatoes, onions and beets. However, a garden can serve a function other than growing food, it can be both beautiful and interesting. Choosing a theme is one of the ways to enjoy growth, a great opportunity to try cultivating something new. Mexican vegetables add extra flavor and make for fun stories. Or maybe you will come up with your own garden theme for this year?

I thank Egle Mikolaityte for the inspiration to grow something new and interesting in the garden. You can listen to our entire conversation on the «Knowledge Radio» show. «Plant enthusiasts».

READ ALSO:

«Sweet potatoes can also grow in Lithuania: detailed cultivation instructions»

«Most popular tomato varieties: a list for beginners»

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