Arracacha: A New Beginning

Arracacha (Arracacia xanthorrhiza) variety comparison

Arracacha (Arracacia xanthorrhiza) is just the sort of plant that I normally try to talk myself out of growing.  It is delicious, but a real challenge to grow in most climates.  It originated in the middle elevations of the Andes, a Goldilocks climate where temperatures are neither too hot nor too cold, but just right.  […]

Podcast #2: Curzio Caravati and the Kenosha Potato Project

In this episode of the Cultivariable podcast, I talk with Curzio Caravati of the Kenosha Potato Project and Kenosha Urban Farm Institute about collecting potatoes, growing potatoes in an urban farm environment, and growing potatoes from true potato seeds (TPS).  Along the way, we discuss farmers markets, how potatoes can be classified by their agronomic […]

Podcast #1: Nathan Kleinman and the Experimental Farm Network

In this first episode of the Cultivariable podcast, I talk with Nathan Kleinman of the Experimental Farm Network about participatory plant breeding, sustainable agriculture, and some favorite plants like sorghum, chinquapin chestnuts, and perennial kales.  The Experimental Farm Network connects breeders with trial growers all over the country, making it possible to speed up variety […]