Q: I’m an alcoholic using kudzu powder to help prevent cravings. How hard would it be to grow kudzu myself in a vacant field?

A: Kudzu isn’t particularly hard to transplant and cultivate but first be positive you have a plan to control its spread. Kudzu powder is made from the vine’s roots but it will take several years to grow roots large enough to harvest. I think you’d be better off buying the powder, not making it. Even if you collect roots from an existing kudzu patch, the process of extracting the starch is daunting. As you probably know, kudzu is in the bean family. There are various online recipes for cooking kudzu flowers, beans and leaves. Try these unique dishes at bit.ly/kudzurecipes.