Nightshade Plants
Nightshade Plants are interesting plants as they can be toxic but they also include our favorite veggies. According to Wikipedia Nightshade Plants (the Solanaceae family) include: Datura (Jimson weed), mandrake, deadly nightshade (belladonna), capsicum (paprika, chili pepper), potato, tobacco, tomato, eggplant and petunia. Where the problem lies is that they are often rich in alkaloids whose toxicity to humans and animals ranges from mildly irritating to fatal in small quantities. (Wikipedia) Belladonna is classed as poisonous but can be used for medicinal purposes and by natural therapists. Don’t try to process this one yourself, leave it to the experts! If you see it in your garden, straight into the bin, not suitable for your compost heap. Potatoes should not be eaten if they have a green tinge. Also make sure the potatoes you grow don’t show above the soil – they will go green also. The green means there is high level of glycoalkaloids which can cause food poisoning. While not all will have high enough levels of glycoalkaloids, still best to discard them (no not to the chickens. Growing Potatoes is easy and you can choose your own varieties. Tomatoes My favorite! There are so many different types of tomatoes, early and late varieties. Growing Tomatoes is pretty easy as long as follow a few rules. Capsicums or Bell Peppers - Capsicums are very versatile in cooking - include in fresh salads or cooked dishes. They come in many colors: red, green, yellow, orange. They have a high level of Vitamin C and A and contain antioxidants. A great addition to your organic vegetable garden. Eggplants, also referred to as Aubergine - There are several varieties and different colors and sizes and shapes. The most common is the purple variety, there is also a white skinned variety. Bell shaped, thin, and even berry like. Both potatoes and tomatoes should not be grown in the same spot in the garden two years running in case of disease. And don't grow one where the other has been (they really don't like each other, although make great companions when cooked together!) Take me from Nightshade Plants to Organic Vegetable Gardening
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