Foods

Interesting crops

Corn

I've had this. It's a good soup corn that puffs/pops in hot water like a traditional hominy. https://www.burpee.com/vegetables/corn/corn-ornamental-glass-gem-prod500606.html

This is also a Native American heritage variety. Very popular in China right now on festival days, served on a stick, steamed or roasted. Genuine corn flavor without the sweetness, rich in fiber. https://www.burpee.com/vegetables/corn/corn-full-season-suntava-purple-hybrid-prod022802.html

Never had this, but probably has a similar, rich, grassy flavor of the other heritage varieties. https://www.burpee.com/vegetables/corn/corn-ruby-queen-hybrid-prod000673.html

Asparagus

Grows well in Germany which means that it will probably do fine in Flat Rock. It's a niche vegetable that most people don't think of and can trade well.

Horseradish

Also a rare crop suitable for niche trading.

Japanese radish

Spicy as hell when raw, but amazing in soups as it cooks into a mild undertone flavor. Sliced and salted raw is a popular in hors d'vours.

Asian vegetables

Bitter melon, Bok Choi. Higher-end Chinese restaurants really can't find this stuff in the US. This is leverage to make Asian friends, hahaha.

Potatoes (Russet/Sweet/Irish)

These are most efficiently grown in "thief gardens" and I still need to daydream up a better design that's not so labor intensive. If you learn how to make an easy thief garden kit, you can monetize the hell out of it because nobody sells those right now.

Beets

Another trading vegetable. There are some spectacular pickling recipes out there.

Carrots

I know absolutely nothing about how to grow these. They friggin disappear as I plant them and gone without a trace.

Celery

Never had any luck with this in Alabama. They also produce an edible root that people in the US don't know is edible. Roots typically exported to other countries.

Lettuce

Not sure how people keep deer/rabbits out in some of the open gardens I've seen. Might be more trouble than it's worth.

Beans

I'm allergic to a lot of them, but I can touch them fortunately. Labor intensive Three Sisters approach with corn and squash is self sustaining without added fertilizers. They nitrogen-fix the soil for corn and squash.

Squash

Difficult to safely can in glass; is an astable process. Dries/dehydrates easily for shelf storage. Provides leafy shelter for corn plants.

Peppers

Easy, tolerant plants but difficult to harvest due to fruit being camouflaged by the leaves (hard to see).

Radishes

Used to encircle a garden to "protect the crops". Don't know detail. Insects?

Greens

Turnip, mustard, kale. Tasty leaves, good for stir fry, as is Bok Choi, but these are already widely planted and difficult to preserve or trade off.

Trees

Apple

I have 100+ apple seeds originating from Sand Mountain

Pear

I have 100+ pear seeds originating from Lane Drive, Leeds

Hickory

I have 100+ hickory nuts originating from Guin, AL. High pressure to crack makes these a niche nut. Popular with Cherokee soup recipes.

Black Walnut

I have 20+ originating from New Hope Cem Road. Dangerous to crack nuts that break to shards

Oak

I have access to groomable Oaks that would make suitable shelter belts. I have to pick the saplings before my father randomly decides to mow. 5-10 per year per year.

Water oak

I have no shortage of these. Jagged, fractal branches make grooming more difficult. Not as valuable for mature wood unless carefully groomed to minimize trunk knots.

Pine

You're competing with corporate property tax breaks and bulk logging. No chance to get ahead.

Cedar

Offers substantial privacy, only while young. Moderate value in adult. Oily wood that is weather durable and good for building small boats.