14 Unusual Vegetables for Your Garden

Are you looking for exciting new vegetables to grow in your garden? Even though growing tomatoes, pumpkins, and bell peppers is always a good choice, there are so many other options that you can grow in your backyard. I'm finding diversity in global vegetables that are unique, culinary fresh, and strong in flavor. A diverse world full of unusual vegetables is waiting to be discovered.

Growing unusual vegetables allows you to explore and find new favorite varieties to grow in your garden. They not only increase your gardening experience but also level up your taste buds. This guide is all about unusual vegetables that you can plant in your garden!

What Are Unusual Vegetables?

Unusual vegetables are special vegetables that are not easily found on the market. Their uniqueness comes from exclusive colors, shapes, patterns, or specific farming conditions. These vegetables are extraordinary because of their rarity, distinctive characteristics, and exotic origins.

Can you Grow Unusual Vegetables?

It's possible to grow unusual vegetables, but it's a little bit challenging considering the special growth conditions. The light, temperature, soil, and compost requirements are necessary when planting such veggies.

Beyond their nutritional benefits, unusual common vegetables offer distinct flavors and a rich culinary experience. They also make gardening more rewarding by providing opportunities for research and learning.

Below is a list of 14 unusual vegetables you can grow in your backyard. This list will save you time by providing the information you need to choose and grow these unique plants.

14 Unusual Vegetables for Your Backyard:

Here's a list of 14 unusual vegetables to spice up your gardening and culinary adventures in your backyard.

1. Cuca melon

The first unusual vegetable for your garden is cuca melon. It is locally known as mouse melon or Mexican sour gherkin and goes by the scientific name Melothria scabra.

In autumn, they usually grow as vines, about ten feet long. These plants are the native vegetables in the Mexican and Central American regions. They look like mini watermelons, grown around the trellis, and can be consumed raw, fried, or pickled because of their citric flavor.

2. Ground Cherries

Ground cherries are an unusual addition to your garden. Despite their name, they are not typical cherries but belong to the nightshade family Solanaceae, which includes tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers. The botanical name of ground cherries is Physalis peruviana.

In South Africa and Britain's colonies, they are known as golden berries or husk tomatoes. They are intermediate growers and need a temperature of 70 °F. Once you plant them, they keep growing in garden beds repeatedly. Their ideal growth season is from spring to autumn. They are eaten as dried raisins or used in jams, pies, and many Italian dishes.

3. Litchi Tomato

The litchi tomato, known by its botanical name, Solanum sisymbriifolium, is categorized as something between a tomato and a cherry.

It is linked to South American roots. Generally known as a fruit, this unusual vegetable grows in clusters covered in quarter- to half-inch thorns. The Litchi Tomato vine usually grows 8 to 10 feet tall and produces cherry-red tomatoes with yellow-golden flesh. They are used both raw and cooked in diverse foods like pies and jams.

4. Kohlrabi

Kohlrabi, an unusual vegetable for your garden, has been part of European agricultural history since the 1500s. The name comes from two German words: kohl and rabbi, which mean cabbage and turnips. Hence, it belongs to a diverse variety of cabbage with a flavor of turnips.

Kohlrabi is cultivated in early spring and autumn. It grows perfectly healthy with an ideal irrigation system and temperature conditions. You can use it in raw, grated, or sautéed form and even eat the leaves.

5. Purple asparagus

Purple asparagus, botanically known as Asparagus officinalis, is a pigment-producing edible plant native to Italy.

It is traced back to Mesopotamia and consists of small, slender stalks, like spears. Among the green and white asparagus, purplish asparagus is the rarest. It is the richest source of vitamin C and grows in spring and early summer.

6. Giant Black Radish

Another unusual vegetable for your garden is a giant black radish. It is an heirloom of the 16th century and earlier. Known by its scientific name, Raphanus Sativus, it is round and black on the exterior and has a white, snow-like interior.

These are relatively slow growers. Their growth starts in the summer, and their harvesting season is usually around the winter.

7. Zephyr Courgette

One unusual vegetable for your garden is the Zephyr Courgette, a bottle-shaped zucchini. It belongs to the family of winter squashes, such as marrows and melons.

They are half yellow and half pale green, with a ratio of 2:1.  This warm-season vegetable thrives at temperatures of 70 °F and takes about two weeks to grow.

8. Broccoflower

Broccoflower, botanically known as Brassica oleracea, has characteristics of both broccoli and cauliflower. It has an immature head with tiny spikes and takes about 5–7 weeks for early germination at 75 °F.

This summer vegetable can be boiled, cooked, baked, and more, making it a versatile addition to your culinary repertoire.

9. Jicama

A climbing herb native to Mexico, Jicama is known by its botanical name, Pachyrhizus erosus. This vegetable, which can weigh up to nine pounds, grows in the form of tuberous roots and resembles a potato due to its starchy nature.

Jicama is renowned for its rich source of antioxidants and anti-aging properties. Its mild, nutty taste makes it a delightful addition to various dishes.

10. Purple potatoes

Locally known as purple potatoes and botanically recognized as Solanum tuberosum, these vegetables belong to the nightshade family, alongside eggplants and peppers.

The purple potato is an heirloom of wild cultivation in the Ancient Andes, making it a native of South Africa. Historically, it was a symbol of afterlife blessings and was used to worship Axomamma, the potato mother.

Purple potatoes are oblong and round tubers measuring 6–7 centimeters in size. They come in various purple shades, from royal purple to blue purple. These versatile potatoes can be boiled, mashed, roasted, and more, making them a unique and flavorful addition to your meals.

11. Horseradish

Horseradish, a root in the family of Brassicaceae. It has been cultivated since antiquity and is native to Western Asia and southeastern Europe. It has long, white roots and green leaves.

The root is typically grated and used as a condiment. It is known for its sharp, bitter taste and intense aroma, adding a spicy kick to various recipes.

12. Jerusalem artichoke

Jerusalem artichokes, also known as sunchokes, belong to the sunflower genus. This unusual vegetable for your garden was native to North America long before colonization.

Sunchokes are available in two varieties: yellow and stampede. The yellow one grows 8–9 feet tall with yellow flowers and white tubers, whereas the other grows twelve feet tall with larger tubers. Sunchokes are beneficial for diabetic patients as they control insulin levels. However, they are also rich in potassium, niacin and protein starch.

13. Rhubarb

Botanically known as Rheum rhabarbarum, Rhubarb belongs to the smartweed family Polygonaceae and is native to Asia. It is commonly grown in containers in cool temperature zones for its edible leaves.

This unusual vegetable is usually produced around spring. It produces gigantic leaves up to two feet long. Along the way, flowers and fruits appear, which die back in autumn. The purgative properties make it an essential medicinal herb in Chinese tradition.

14. Chives.

The last unusual vegetable for your garden is chives. Known by its botanical name, Allium Schoenoprasum, it belongs to the family of onions, garlic, and leeks. Chives grow about twelve inches tall as underground hollow bulbs and leaves and are best grown in mid-summer.

Regular chives, such as group chives, nelly chives, profusion chives, stars, and Chinese or garlic chives, grow in different soils. Chives are native to European, Asian, and Chinese cultures, making them an essential part of middle-aged cuisine. They are used in salads, soups, dips and cheese dishes.

Conclusion

Growing unusual fruits and vegetables can make gardening more fun and exciting. These unique plants bring new, vibrant flavors to your meals. From the tiny Cuca melon to the fiery horseradish, each vegetable has its own special qualities. There's a whole diversity of crops waiting to be grown.

These unusual vegetables allow you to explore new flavors and new gardening practices. You will experience cultural goodness and mouth-watering flavors. The culinary richness of these unusual vegetables is a great way to try new things to grow in your garden.