I have always been drawn to the simple beauty of eggplants from the nodding flower buds that appear at the base of the leaves to the star-shaped papery blossoms eventually followed by a peculiar shaped vegetable (technically a botanical fruit). The three images above capture these stages for Chinese Eggplant (Solanum melongena).
Personally I think the blossoms of Chinese eggplant are particularly beautiful when viewed from above.
Watching the eggplants grow in the garden this season has been a real highlight. Another very special moment for me was planting a few of the crops with some of the children that come through our educational program. These young, eager and adorable young learners never cease to remind me of the importance of hands-on learning. I feel very fortunate to be a part of the TBG team whereby the educational classes and living gardens continue to be a source of stimulation and inspiration for developing minds! See for yourself by watching this brief video, why the need for actual gardens as learning spaces is so vital.
Chinese eggplant is one of seven different crops being grown in this year’s Kitchen Garden, Demonstration Courtyard and Teaching Garden. Other crops include:
Okra (Hibiscus esculentus), widely grown although some debate exists as to its origin, possibly West Africa, Ethiopia (East Africa) or South Asia;
Chinese Chili (Capsicum chinense), harvested and grown in several regions in China and other parts of South Asia;
Yard Long Bean (Vigna unguiculata), widely grown in Southeast Asia, Thailand and China;
Thai Chili (Capsicum annuum), originated in Indonesia and South Asia;
Bottle Gourd (Lagenaria slceraria), believed to have African origins but widely grown in Europe and Asia;
Chu Chu Eggplant (Solanum melongena), a native staple in India;
Chinese Eggplant (Solanum melongena),most common form in Japan and China.
The seven crops are part of this year’s World Crops Learning Garden. This program provides an opportunity to expose our many visitors to the possibility of growing this select group of world crops in their own gardens. Just as our city is rich and diverse in people and their cultures from around the globe, so too are the edible plants we can grow in our home gardens. A series of raised beds in the Demonstration Garden serves as a reminder that one can grow fresh produce even with little or no space to plant directly into the ground. The World Crops Learning Garden is an excellent example of how through partnerships we all can grow.
An assortment of tomatoes, peppers, kale and eggplants are shown above growing in the Demonstration Courtyard. This wooden raised bed was designed and installed by the Toronto based company Bufco. (www.bufco.ca)
Chinese eggplant is one of several crops developing beautifully in the steel raised beds found in the Demonstration Courtyard. These raised beds are available through www.conqueststeel.com/products-2/garden-beds.
Produce harvested from the three gardens will be donated to the North York Harvest Food Bank. The World Food Crop Learning Gardens have been made possible through the generous support of the Greenbelt (www.greenbelt.ca) For more information about this incredible program please watch the video below.
The Toronto Botanical Garden is one of 20 plus World Crop Learning Gardens across the city. Others include:
Ecosource, Daily Bread Food Bank, Greenest City, Stonegate Community Health Centre, Montgomery’s Inn, Panorama Community Garden, 4 Villages Community Health Centre
The Stop Community Food Centre, Foodshare– Eastdale C.I., Central Neighbourhood House, South Riverdale Community Health Centre, Alexandra Park, Regent Park, Ryerson
City Central North
Thorncliffe Park Women’s’ Cmte., Overland Adult Learning Centre, Toronto Botanical Garden
Carrot Green Roof, Access Alliance Community Health Centre, Bendale
Black Creek Community Farm, York University, McVean Farm, Oasis, Albion Community Farm