Jerusalem artichoke

The Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus), also called sunroot, sunchoke, earth apple or topinambour, is a species of sunflower native to eastern North America, and found from eastern Canada and Maine west to North Dakota, and south to northern Florida and Texas.^[2] It is also cultivated widely across the temperate zone for its tuber, which is used as a root vegetable.

Description[edit]

Helianthus tuberosus is a herbaceous perennial plant growing to 1.5–3 m (4 ft 11 in–9 ft 10 in) tall with opposite leaves on the upper part of the stem but alternate below.^[4] The leaves have a rough, hairy texture. Larger leaves on the lower stem are broad ovoid-acute and can be up to 30 cm (12 in) long. Leaves higher on the stem are smaller and narrower.^[5]

The flowers are yellow and produced in capitate flowerheads, which are 5–10 cm (2.0–3.9 in) in diameter, with 10–20 ray florets and 60 or more small disc florets.^[5]

The tubers are elongated and uneven, typically 7.5–10 cm (3.0–3.9 in) long and 3–5 cm (1.2–2.0 in) thick, and vaguely resembling ginger root in appearance, with a crisp texture when raw. They vary in colour from pale brown to white, red, or purple.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerusalem_artichoke

Planting Times:

Good planting time

Jan1, Jan2, Feb1, Feb2, Mar1, Mar2, Apr1

Comments:

Can be invasive.

Aquaponic Planting Guide:

Cultivar / Variety	Deep Water Culture	Media Bed Ebb/flow	Media Bed constant flow	Aquaponic Wicking bed	NFT	Tower

Notes:

 F = Failed

 G = Good

 S = Successful 

 Ex = does exceptionally well

Beans--Lentil

The lentil (Lens culinaris) is an edible pulse. It is a bushy annual plant of the legume family, known for its lens-shaped seeds. It is about 40 cm (16 in) tall, and the seeds grow in pods, usually with two seeds in each.

Background[edit]

Lentil plants in the field before flowering

Lentils have been part of the human diet since aceramic Neolithic times, being one of the first crops domesticated in the Near East. Archeological evidence shows they were eaten 9,500 to 13,000 years ago.^[1]

Lentil colors range from yellow to red-orange to green, brown and black.^[1] Lentils also vary in size, and are sold in many forms, with or without the skins, whole or split.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lentil

Planting Times:

Ideal planting times

Oct1, Oct2

Good planting time

Jan2, Feb1, Nov1, Nov2

Can be planted (with protective measures)

Jan1, Feb2, Sep2, Dec1, Dec2

Comments:

Harvest entire plant and thresh when dry.

Aquaponic Planting Guide:

Cultivar / Variety	Deep Water Culture	Media Bed Ebb/flow	Media Bed constant flow	Aquaponic Wicking bed	NFT	Tower

 

Notes:

 F = Failed

 G = Good

 S = Successful 

 Ex = does exceptionally well

 

Onion--scallion

Scallion, green onion, and spring onion are English names (with many other regional names throughout the world) for variousAllium species. All of the Allium have hollow green leaves (like the common onion), but these are used while they lack a fully developed root bulb. Used as a vegetable, they are eaten either raw or cooked. Scallions have a milder taste than most onions.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scallion

A bundle of "red scallions"

Planting Times:

Ideal planting times

Oct1, Oct2

Good planting time

Jan1, Jan2, Feb1, Feb2, Nov1, Nov2, Dec1, Dec2

Can be planted (with protective measures)

Mar1, Sep2, Dec1

Set out transplants

   See comments

Comments:

Use long-day type.

When you buy green onions at store, save and plant the bottom 3/4 inch (bulb) of the onion.  It will regrow.

 Aquaponic Planting Guide:

Cultivar / Variety	Deep Water Culture	Media Bed Ebb/flow	Media Bed constant flow	Aquaponic Wicking bed	NFT	Tower
Green Onions				S[1]

 

Notes:

 F = Failed

 G = Good

 S = Successful 

 Ex = does exceptionally well

 

[1] Bruce Babcock @ EasyAquaGarden

Parsnip

The parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) is a root vegetable closely related to the carrot and parsley. It is a biennial plant usually grown as anannual. Its long tuberous root has cream-colored skin and flesh and can be left in the ground when mature as it becomes sweeter in flavor after winter frosts. In its first growing season, the plant has a rosette of pinnate, mid-green leaves. If unharvested, it produces its flowering stem, topped by an umbel of small yellow flowers, in its second growing season. By this time the stem is woody and the tuber inedible. The seeds are pale brown, flat and winged.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parsnip

Planting Times:

Ideal planting times

Oct1, Oct2,

Good planting time

Nov1, Nov2, Dec1, Dec2

Can be planted (with protective measures)

Jan1, Sep2

Comments:

Dig root before flower stalks form.

Aquaponic Planting Guide:

Cultivar / Variety	Deep Water Culture	Media Bed Ebb/flow	Media Bed constant flow	Aquaponic Wicking bed	NFT	Tower

Notes:

Beets

The beetroot is the taproot portion of the beet plant,^[1] usually known in North America as the beet, also table beet,garden beet, or red or golden beet. It is several of the cultivated varieties of Beta vulgaris grown for their edible taproots and their greens. These varieties have been classified as B. vulgaris subsp. vulgaris Conditiva Group.^[2]

Other than as a food, beets have use as a food coloring and as a medicinal plant. Many beet products are made from other Beta vulgaris varieties, particularly sugar beet.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beetroot

Planting Times:

Ideal planting times

 Jan2, Feb1, Sep2, Oct1, Oct2

Good planting time

Jan1, Feb2, Mar1, Sep1, Nov1, Nov2, Dec1, Dec2

Can be planted (with protective measures)

Aug2

Comments:

Be sure to thin if you want big beets.

Aquaponic Planting Guide:

Cultivar / Variety	Deep Water Culture	Media Bed Ebb/flow	Media Bed constant flow	Aquaponic Wicking bed	NFT	Tower
Detroit				S[1]
Beets	S[2]

Notes:

 S = Successful 

 Ex = does exceptionally well

[1] Bruce Babcock @ EasyAquaGarden

[2] Dr George Brooks @ NxTHorizon Group