Asian Greens - Chijimisai

I know, weird food is, well, weird. But as we move along the path from novice to expert gardeners, there is a point where we go from buying plants to starting our own seed. And a whole new world suddenly opens. Tomatoes don’t have to be red. Peppers can be as long as your arm or as tiny as your fingernail. Beans come in purple, red, pink, and yellow. Your salad can have dark red lettuce and fully ripe green tomatoes. Carrots come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. The options are endless.

Aside from the fun of trying new varieties, there is the reality that not everything grows well in every climate. Here in the Wilmington, NC area during the summer months our weather is hot, humid, and rainy. It’s technically a humid sub-tropical climate, and we can easily grow plants that thrive in other humid sub-tropical areas of the world. I have found many seeds that originated in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world, East Asia in particular, that have grown beautifully for me here.

One of my absolute favorites is the Asian green known as Chijimisai. It’s technically a kind of Tatsoi, and since that’s easier to spell that’s what I call it. It’s easy to grow, tolerant of heat, very similar in taste and texture to spinach, and doesn’t seem to mind the humidity at all.

Easy to start from seed, after about two weeks, they already are growing tall.

It is packed with vitamins and delicious, what’s not to love? I bought my seed from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, and the link to get your own is here. (I am not affiliated with Baker Creek in any way, just a fan.)

If you’re ready to start exploring the world of seed-starting and need a little help, we offer coaching sessions and workshops, as well as a 6-week gardening bootcamp where you can learn the basics of gardening in a fun group class. To learn more about what Blue Basil Garden Coaching offers, click below or send us a message. Happy Gardening!