What Asian vegetables can I grow in Michigan?

14 years ago

We just bought a house in mid-Michigan, and it has a vegetable patch in the back. We are thinking of growing Asian vegetables, but are not sure what varieties of the following plants can be grown: bok choy, pak choy, japanese cucumbers, bitter gourd (bitter melon), winter squash, korean squash, korean radish, perilla (sesame leaves) and thai basil. We would appreciate some suggestions.

In addition, may I know which online retailer do you recommend for me to get good quality Asian Vegetable seeds? Thank you in advance for your help!

Comments (5)

kawaiineko_gardener
14 years ago
Hello I live in Michigan as well. Where in Michigan do you live? I'm trying to grow vegetables myself via container
gardening.

As far as a good retailer that offers a wide variety of Asian vegetable seeds and are reputable I don't of any stores in Michigan that really stock a decent variety of the seed varieties you're looking for.

However I do know of an online store that specializes exclusively in the sales of asian vegetable seeds.

I will give you the link. The name of the seed retailer
is Kitazawa Seed.

I know you can grow daikon radish in Michigan; it matures very quickly (about a month to 45 days depending on the variety you get). To my knowledge it's also called icicle radish and if you look hard enough you should be able to find a seed store or hardware store that carries this.

White radish likes cool weather and hates hot weather.
If it becomes too hot it will bolt which essentially means it will start to create flowers. This will make the radish pithy and very spicy.

Unfortunately regarding the other varieties of vegetables
you want to grow, I can't really help you there as I've never grown them myself.

However here is the link to the seed company I was talking about:

http://www.kitazawaseed.com/
mauirose
14 years ago
Check out Evergreen Seeds as well, link below.

Bok choy is really easy to grow and can be used in 30 days or less from my experience. Maybe you have time for a fall planting?

Here is a link that might be useful: Evergreen Seeds
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I only know what this Asian Vegetable is called in my language, what
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Go ahead and post your question. If you can, try to find out what the Latin Name is by using the Search Engine. The Latin Name is also known as the Scientific or Botanical name. Simply input what you know the vegetable as in quotations, then space then again in quotations "Latin Name" and there's a good chance something will come up. Why are Latin Names so Important? "...the plant commonly referred to as black-eyed Susan is known by the botanical name, Rudbeckia hirta. The botanical name of a particular plant is usually made up of two parts. The first is the genus, which is always capitalized. In our example, the genus is Rudbeckia. Each genus may contain many different plants. The second part of the botanical name is the species epithet. In our example, the species epithet is hirta. So, while there are many plants in the genus Rudbeckia, there is only one known as Rudbeckia hirta. Taken together, Rudbeckia hirta is referred to as a species." In the case of "kang kung" or "water spinach", "Ipomoea aquatica" is the "species and genus" which refers to both "watercress" and "water spinach". The difference comes with the several subspecies, variety, etc. which is why it is so important to try and track down the Latin/Botanical/Scientific Name because it is universal around the world. If you know this name, you can go anywhere in the world and it refers to the exact same plant. For example: Ipomoea aquatica Forsskal * Ipomoea aquatica Forssk. (Alba Group) * Ipomoea aquatica Forssk. (Lowland Group) * Ipomoea aquatica Forssk. (Rubra Group) * Ipomoea aquatica Forssk. (Upland Group) * Ipomoea reptans (L.) Poiret, nom. also known as water glorybind, water spinach, water convolvulus, Swamp morning-glory, and swamp cabbage
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namfon
14 years ago
I have had good experience with Evergreen Seeds as well.

They have many types of Asian Brassicas/ Cabbages Bok choy, Pak Choy etc .. They do best planted in August or early September, in Michigan it tends to go from April frosts to Too - Hot - for Bok Choy in relatively few weeks, so fall is genreally best for them.

Evergreen has Bitter Melon from several countries and they grow well, if you get them off to a warm start ( may need to cover til early - mid June ) These like 80+ F and lots of water. I grow them on a 7 - 8' trellis.

Perilla can become invasive if you let it go to seed. This also seems to grow better if planted in summer ( July ) and grows well in September til frost.

Japanese and Korean seeds do well for us in Michigan as well, we have similar climates ( especially August - November )

HTH Nam
justaguy2
14 years ago
Seed companies I have done business with and would recommend that carry at least some Asian veggies are:

Territorial Seed
Johnny's
Burpee
Violet_Z6
14 years ago
Just check the FAQ for this forum for Asian Vegetable Seed Sources.

Here is a link that might be useful: Asian Vegetable Forum FAQ

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What Asian vegetables can I grow in Michigan?

Comments (5)

kawaiineko_gardener

mauirose

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namfon

justaguy2

Violet_Z6

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