Value-added specialty crops support farms and gardens in generating additional revenue. They also extend market opportunity. For example, tomatoes that are not considered ‘perfect enough’ visually are amazing in tomato sauce, paste, and salsa. Peppers that are sunburned are further roasted for hot sauce.

At Open Source Ag we experiment with and mentor others on specialty crops. This came about through our struggle with an other-worldly number of star thistle and a decorative cardoon we dug up after it reached over 7′ in diameter. Although our soil is clay/loam, we have artichokes thriving. We also grow asparagus, not typically considered a clay/loam option.

Additional experiments include jujube, heritage peppers with great flavor, and a few stone fruit not typical for our 8b zone climate.

We are keenly interested in mentoring experiments with vineyards on adding specialty crop companion planting at edges, between vines, and between rows. And with growers interested in experimenting with companion planting.