Are there any vegetables that grow well on their own so that they might be able to be grown along a road, on a power line right-a-way, or other untended space?
...on your location. Here in the Northeast (NH), the summer is very short and there are often very cool nights even during peak summer.
Not sure what would work for you, but I'm told asparagus can become rampant once it takes root. It could take a few years to get a substantial crop, but once they take hold they would be hard to get rid of even if you wanted to. (I've heard similar thing about rhubarb, but that isn't something I eat too often.)
Maybe tomatoes, depending on the variety...String beans...Snow peas...hmmmmm....
Plantains are very prolific, and they grow well in our area.
Dandelions provide greens, you can fry the flowerheads into fritters or use them to make wine, and you can use the roots to make coffee.
A friend of the family planted turnips on an acre of our land two years ago, and we're still seeing crops from the seed plants he left in the ground. They are very good, boil the older larger ones in two changes of water, salt and butter them, and they taste a lot like potatoes.
That's a few off the top of my head, I know there's plenty more. I'll let you know if any more come to mind.
*EDIT*: By 'our area', I meant I live in Georgia too.
Last edited by Cleankill47; 03-01-2009 at 06:25 PM.
Blackberries...especially if there's reasonable moisture in the ground. Blueberries do well in the northeast too...they like slightly acidic soil. Once either are established they'll do well on their own...better if actually "farmed".
the rain, the temperature, and the quality of the soil to provide nutrients.
Many years ago when my grandparents were alive and had a farm in South Texas not far from the Brazos river they would always set aside two or three acres to plant vegetables for themselves and to give away.
It was a matter of plant and forget until time to harvest.
I know you said vegetables, but I plant sunflowers along places I dont want to mow around the property, you can roast them or just let em go and bring in the doves when they are in season.
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Several nurseries sell wild strains of many fruit trees and bushes. Blackberry, blueberry, plum, pear, apple, pawpaw, persimmon just off the top of my head all do very well untended. Some of those do have a variety that isnt suited for this, namely blueberries.
Nut trees of all kinds do very well but require years to develop.
Squash, okra, and turnips do well on their own. Some strains of tomatoes, beans and peas to ok on their own also. Asparagus would be an excellent option.
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Last edited by soonerborn; 03-01-2009 at 10:07 PM.
location matters a lot but I would like to refer you to those seed firms offering more "primitive" or perhaps "base" might be a better choice of words for the hardier varieties of vegetables that have not been so hybridized.
Search the internet and you can find seed providers. The last time I looked the price was higher but you might gain in the long run based on your idea.
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Squash, blackberries, peanuts, onions, and turnips do pretty good up here. If you plant blackberries they will take off and grow everywhere so don't do it near a path or anywhere you would like to walk through in the woods.
You might consider crops that are unfamiliar to most people; especially those that are "semi-wild and tough enough to hold their own without human help. burdock Gobo Takinogawa beans Fava Windsor Purslane Garden Garden Purslane
