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RE: Looking back and looking forward, Part 2b: Farming in Japan, The Good Stuff
Thank you for sharing this detailed account! I've always wanted to travel to Japan and see their farming styles. I think they have many great vegetables that I would like to adopt in my own garden. Cultivated burdock, Gobo is one. Did you come across it at all? IF you could share some ones that we don't have here that are tasty I would really appreciate that! Also, incredible about the MIso taking down BO :) COOL!
Yeah, I am hoping to do a series on all the Japanese vegetables we grew: I took plenty of photos and kept notes so I have plenty of material, just need to take the time (and learn to keep it short and to the point!). Gobo, along with nagaimo, was one of the most annoying vegetables I did, though. They use a special machine which digs deep trenches down into the soil to loosen it up for the crop, but I'm convinced it's very bad for the soil. You also have to clear the surface soil of all debris - leaves and twigs - because they say that the slightest leaf in the soil can make the gobo bend... And then, when they're ready, you have to dig them out: either dig down to about three feet by hand, or else using a machine to dig a parallel trench and then digging them out laterally by hand. And if you pull too hard, they snap and you're left with the bottom six inches stuck somewhere in the soil: now that's really infuriating!! The Japanese are famous for being meticulous and for not shying away from tedious work, but I came to suspect that they actually like it!
OMG love your comment. I actually made a typo above. We already are growing gobo and I was curious if you'd seen it. You sure have! LOL... I am not that meticulous and already had some of the experience of which you speak of not quite getting it all.
Holy cow!! Wow I love the detail... and cannot WAIT for your series on the Japanese vegetables! Are you still living in Japan? Thanks!!
Yep, still here, busy starting my own place. To be fair, you don't HAVE to grow gobo like that: it's usually just professionals who do, home gardeners have all kinds of ingenious ways of getting long, straight gobo without having to dig by hand for hours and break bits off. You can also grow them as primeurs, harvesting them whilst they are still short. Either way, gobo are expensive in Japan.
thank you :) good to know! we didn't really prep the bed much differently than we do for potatoes. we got a lot of the root. good to know they're expensive there. they're truly delicious! hope they catch on here in the US.