Curious about trying something new in your garden this year? This week on the Good Growing Podcast, we share the unique and unusual plants we’re adding to our 2026 gardens. From teff and loofah gourds to spoon‑sized tomatoes, Armenian cucumbers, butterfly pea, and more, join us as we explore what drew us to these plants, how we plan to grow them, and the fun (and challenges!) of experimenting with unfamiliar crops.

Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_lx8Jeog-p0

Skip to what you want to know:  

  03:09 – Teff

  06:38 – Armenian cucumber/melon

  08:20 – Bottle gourd

  10:55 – Spoon tomato

  13:19 – Luffa gourd

  16:27 – Mexican sunflower

  18:24 – Butterfly pea 

  20:40 – Sunflower ‘Soluna Bronze’

  23:18 – Anchote

  25:16 – Hydrangea ‘Haas Halo’ or something similar

  29:56 – Peanuts

   31:36 – Wrap-up, what’s up next week, and goodbye!

 More information:

 Mt. Cuba Center - Wild Hydrangea for the Mid-Atlantic Region

Contact us! 

Chris Enroth: [email protected]

Ken Johnson: [email protected]

Check out the Good Growing Blog: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowing

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Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies.

Barnyard Bash: freesfx.co.uk

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