Susan's Vegetable Picks for 2015



I'm frequently asked what my favorite vegetable varieties are. That can be tough to answer, though, because it's often difficult to choose from so many wonderful offerings.

As you've probably noticed, I love trying new varieties because I'm always in search of the perfect tomato, the most tender bean and so on.

However, I've put together the following list of some of the best veggies I've grown, just to give you ideas for next year's garden. Most varieties should be easy to locate at a large, well-stocked garden center. If you aren't able to locate some of them, try searching for the variety name on the web. And if you're still stumped, drop me a note! My email address is inthegarden@live.com.

Artichokes _ Green Globe, Imperial Star
Arugula _ Sylvetta
Basil _ Italian Pesto, Lettuce Leaf
Beans, Bush _ French Filet
Beans, Pole _ Italian Snap
Beets _ Cylindra, German Lutz, Chioggia
Cabbage _ Caraflex, Early Jersey Wakefield, Kalibos
Carrots _ Red Core Chantenay, King Midas, Starica, Tendersweet, Purple Haze
Celery _ Tango
Cilantro _ Slow Bolt, Sabor
Corn _ Luscious, Peaches & Cream, Silver Queen
Cucumber _ Straight Eight, Lemon
Eggplant _ Rosa Bianca (Italian), Ichiban (Japanese)
Kale _ Dwarf Siberian, Vates, Redbor
Leeks _ King Richard
Lettuce _ Red Sails, Vulcan, Outredgeous, Ruby Glow, Romaine, Buttercrunch
Melons _ Arava (honeydew-type), Napoli (Tuscan type), Alaska hybrid
Onions _ Copra, Yellow Sweet Spanish, Walla Walla Sweet, Highlander
Parsnips _ Andover, Cobham Improved, Hollow Core
Peas _ Green Arrow, Golden Sweet, Laxton’s Progress
Peppers _ Sunset Mix, California Wonder
Pumpkins _ Spookie Deep Sugar, New England Pie, Casper (white)
Spinach _ Bordeaux
Squash, Summer _ Romanesco, Sunburst pattypan
Squash, Winter _ Sweet Meat, Sweet Dumpling, Delicata, Lakota, Blue Ballet or Baby Blue Hubbard
Swiss Chard _ Bright Lights, Peppermint Stick, Pot of Gold
Tomato _ Jet Star and Chef’s Choice Orange (slicing); Sungold (cherry); Fantastico (grape); Amish Paste - Kapuler and Italian Pompeii (paste)