7: Preserving a Season: Medlars, Quince, and the Joy of Uncommon Fruits with Maggie Rutherford

In this episode, I’m joined by horticulturist Maggie Rutherford, someone who shares my obsession with the weird, wonderful world of uncommon edible plants. We talk about blending ornamental and edible plants in the garden, the joy of preserving to capture each individual season, and how small-batch preserving can be a source of creativity and delight.

Maggie shares why she can't stop talking about her Quince tree, and we dive into the weird and wonderful world of Medlars.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How moving into a blank-slate yard sparked Maggie’s love of growing and eventually led her to return to school to study horticulture
• Our shared love of jamming weird little fruits, and preserving as a creative, artistic expression
• Why we love blending edible and ornamental plants in the garden instead of separating them.

Resources and Links

Plants Mentioned in This Episode:

• Quince (Cydonia oblonga)
• Medlar (Mespilus germanica)
• Sloes (Prunus spinosa)
• Luma (Luma apiculata)
• Szechuan Pepper (Zanthoxylum simulans)

If you are looking for unique edible plants, we highly recommend Raintree Nursery

Books Mentioned in This Episode:

• Saving the Season: A Cook’s Guide to Home Canning, Pickling, and Preserving by Kevin West Jam Bake: Inspired Recipes for Creating and Baking with Preserves by Camilla Wynne

Connect with Us

• Relish Gardens Website
• Follow us on Instagram
• Follow us on YouTube
• Follow Maggie on Instagram
• Visit Maggie's Art Website

If you enjoyed this episode, send it to a garden-loving friend who loves learning about weird edible plants in the garden.

Until next time, I hope you find something in your garden to truly relish.