Wonder crops - extra-hardy food plant catalog

Whole Earth Review, Autumn, 1986 by Dick Fugett

Wonder Crops The Natural Food Institute is an interesting outfit that has put together a listing of extra-hardy plants, those that have more than average resistance to such adversities as insects, disease, temperature extremes, and drought. Crops as familiar as tomatoes and grapes combine with unlikely items like salal, lingonberry, and Siberian pea shrub in a catalog that's guaranteed to tweak any gardener's curiosity.

The NFI puts out the catalog but doesn't do any of the selling. Each crop is listed along with the nursery that carris it and the price, leaving you to order from the seller. NFI lists growers free of charge, in case you're marketing an unusual variety.

I haven't ordered from this catalog yet. If you have, let me know about accuracy of description and service. It's a good idea with potential.

Grain Amaranth (Amaranthus Cruentus) 85 days

Edible leaves. Purple seedheads. Seed originated in Mexican highlands. Grows at high elevation, on hillsides, and hilltops. Produces on marginal and. Suppresses weeds. Weakest point: strong smell when stored. Self-sowing if allowed. Does not "lodge" (blow over in wind). High lysine and methionine content. Harvest after frost. Plant mid-June. Soil temperature must be 55-60[deg.] to germinate. Resistant to most insects and diseases. No spraying required. Annual yield: 300-600 lbs/acre. Waste can feed cattle, hogs, chickens. High in iron.

* NEW WAVES -- $3/oz (several hundred seeds). Postpaid. Organically grown.

Cherry-Plums

The result of a cross between sand cherries and plums. Cherry-plums have a shorter lifespan than their plum-cherry parents. Drought resistant. Also resistant to late Spring frosts. For pollination, plant 2 different varienties no more than 4-8' apart.

Compass Minnesoa, 1896

Ripens in late Aug. Extremely hardy. Withstands-50[deg.] or colder.

* JUNG -- 7.95,2/7.45; ST LAWRENCE -- 8.50

Sapalta Alberta, early 1900s

Ripens about the same time as Compass. Nearly freestone. Hardy to -50[deg.] colder.

* ST LAWRENCE -- 8.50