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)
Basil _ Italian
Pesto, Lettuce Leaf
Peppers _ Sunset
Mix, California Wonder