I’ve come up with a tentative list of vegetable varieties I’m planning on growing in 2012. Last month I took inventory of my seed supplies, then I started looking at the 2012 seed catalogs as they arrived to find any new (to me) varieties I might want to try. I also noted some interesting varieties that other gardeners grew in 2011.
I’ve ordered most of my seeds by now, though I’m sure I will find a few things I need when it comes time to actually begin the seed starting process. Thanks to my seed saving efforts and swapping with others, I needed to order less seed than in years past – which is a good thing.
I also took a hard look at what performed well last year, and what didn’t. And then I adjusted my list accordingly! It was a banner year for tomatoes in 2011, but some varieties did not do well at all. So they are outta here! I will be planting more of the outstanding performers like Jetsetter, Eva Purple Ball and Cherokee Purple. And I will try a couple of new ones, like Black Krim and Lynn’s BFF tomato Vinson Watts.
I will also be growing a nice assortment of sweet and hot peppers this year. I still have a few of the Happy Yummy seeds if anyone is interested. You can read about this new open pollinated ‘rogue’ pepper I discovered in this post.
Asian Greens: Gai Lan Green Lance, Komatsuna Summerfest, Maruba Santoh, Mizuna Kyoto, Mizuna Ruby Streaks, Pak Choi Black Summer,Pak Choi Ching Chiang, Pak Choi Fun Jen, Pak Choi Mei Qing, Pak Choi Red Choi, Senposai, Tatsoi, Tokyo Bekana, Yukina Savoy
Beans (bush): Purple Queen, Derby
Beans (pole): Emerite, Fortex, Helda, Marvel of Venice, Musica, Yardlong Bean Red Noodle, Yardlong Bean White Seeded
Broccoli: Apollo, Diplomat, Packman
Cabbage: Earliana, Farao, Parel, Stonehead, Super Red
Carrots: Mokum, Nelson, Yaya
Cauliflower: Snow Crown
Chard: Lucullus, Ruby Red, Verde Da Taglio
Cucumber: Dasher 2, Green Fingers, Manny’s, Summer Dance, Summer Top, Tasty Green, Tasty Jade
Eggplant: Beatrice, Dancer, Dusky, Fairy Tale, Galine, Hansel, Little Prince, Pingtung Long, Rosa Bianca, Raveena, Rosita, Thai Long Green
Endive: Bianca Riccia, Red Belgian, Tres Fine
Greens: Arugula, Arugula Even’ Star, Arugula Ice-Bred, Mache Large Dutch, Mustard Purple Rapa Pop Mix, Purslane Golden, Saisai Leaf Radish
Kale: Beedy’s Camden, Lacinato, Rainbow Lacinato, Winterbor
Kohlrabi: Kolibri, Kossak, Winner
Lettuce: Anuenue, Australian Yellow Leaf, Deer Tongue, Des Morges Braun, Devil’s Ear, Double Density, Flashy Trout Back, Gentilina, Hyper Red Rumple, Lingua di Canarino, Loma, Merlot, Oak Leaf, Radichetta, Red Sails, Rouge d’Hiver, Ruby, Sierra, Simpson Elite, Spotted Trout(aka Forellenschluss), Winter Density
Okra: Burmese, Louisiana Green Velvet, Perkins Long Pod
Onion: Candy, Guardsman, Walla Walla, White Spear
Pepper(hot): Aji Dulce, Anaheim, Ancho 211, Biggie Chili, Fushimi, Golden Greek, Happy Yummy, Holy Mole, Jalapeno El Jefe, Pasila Bajio, Serrano Del Sol
Pepper (sweet): Bell Boy, Big Bertha, Carmen, Giant Marconi, Golden Calwonder, Gypsy, Gourmet, Happy Yummy, Jimmy Nardello’s, Jupiter, Orange Blaze, Pimento di Padron, Snapper, Yummy
Potato: Kennebec, Red Norland, Yukon Gold
Radicchio: Castelfranco, Indigo, Variegata di Lusia
Radish: China Rose, Green Meat, Minowase Summer Cross, Shinden Risoh
Spinach: Gigante Inverno, Merlo Nero, Space, Viroflay
Squash(summer): Cavili, Enterprise, Gentry, Partenon, Striato d’Italia, Superpik, Surething, Tondo Nizza
Squash(winter): Boston Marrow, Bush Delicata, Early Butternut, Gold Nugget, Kumi Kumi, Pennsylvania Dutch Crookneck(pumpkin), Small Wonder(spaghetti), Table Ace
Sweet Potatoes: Beauregard, Hernandez
Tomatillo: Purple, Verde
Tomatoes: Amish Paste, Better Boy, Big Mama, Black Cherry, Black Krim, Champion II, Cherokee Purple, Early Girl, Eva Purple Ball, Golden Rave, Golden Sweet, Green Zebra, Health Kick, Jetsetter, Juliet, Mountain Fresh Plus, Mountain Magic, Rio Grande, Sun Gold, Super Sweet 100, Vinson Watts, Viva Italia
Turnips: Hakurei, Oasis, Purple Top White Globe, Tokyo Cross
Your Burpees Seed box is just wonderful! What a great list and it just goes to show what a big world of veg it is as aside from a couple of the tomato varieties and the potatoes I hadn’t heard of a single one.
Yes – agreed – that seed box is fantastic! Your list of things to grow is even more fantastic and inspiring. I am determined to start plants from seed this year – aiming for 75% of what I grow to be grown from seed. I believe I’ll be adding the Cherokee Purple Tomatoes to my list based on your awesome reviews of them this last year.
I’m just getting around this week to looking at seed catalogs, and I’ve been lucky to have traded with other local gardeners and to have been given a lot of seeds from friends, so I’m off to a decent start!
That’s a very long list, how big is your garden? If I remember correctly you grew luffa, I do not see it on your list.
Good catch Norma – I forgot to put it on my list!
Ive planted about 5 things on your list! This list is a great resource though for when I need ideas
Wow 7 cucumber varieties. And look at all that lettuce. You way outdo me on the varieties list of everything I think.
Daphne, moderation has never been one of my strengths!
That is one heck of a list! Lots of good stuff in there. I am trying Musica beans and Green Fingers cukes for the first time this year. I need to go back and catch up on your blog, I took a bit of a blog-cation over the past few months.
You grow so many varieties of each item – particularly amazed at how many eggplant varieties you grow! I quit growing it years ago because I am the only one that will eat it and even though I like it, a little goes a long ways for me.
Wow, Great list. You grow so many different varieties of veggies. Your inspiring me to branch out as well. I’m hoping to add at least 3 new tomatoes this year and a couple of new lettuces.
Great list! I love the Burpee box. I am still trying to make my list out. It’s a bit overwhelming right now.
Lynn
Liz/Aimee/Lynn – that Burpee box is definitely an antique. I believe I got it back in the 80’s. I store my seeds in airtight plastic containers now, but the Burpee box makes a great home for my seed catalogs!
Are you really going to plant that many varieties in one season? I’m astounded! How do save seeds? Don’t you have cross-pollination issues? You must cover your seed plants.
Thanks for sharing this post. I think I’ll post a list of our variety choices for the year when we have it too. I really enjoyed this, and I bet you’ll refer back to it.
Jody, I will surely plant all those varieties this year! Though some will be only for the Impact Community Garden, most will show up at HA.
I am just now really getting into seed saving. Timing, and covering the seed plants both work to help ease cross pollination. Mr H at Subsistance Pattern recommended a great book, “Seed To Seed” by Suzanne Ashworth, that covers all aspects of seed saving and production.
Love the Candy onions. We grew them last year, and honestly, it’s the first time we’ve managed to grow yellow onions that were uniform and large! I see you’re giving Boston Marrow a whirl. Give it lots of room to roam. I was amazed how far those vines traveled, but also impressed with production. Not as intensely flavored as some, like Greek Sweet Red, or Musquee de Provence, but we got a lot of very large fruits, and they’re storing tremendously well too! I love the Burpee box, is it very old?
Oh, what a wonderful list!!!
I have no idea how I missed this post! That’s one great big list!
This is Sue from Cincinnati, Ohio. I have been following your post for a year now. I enjoy your post a lot. I have one question though. Do you think it is possible for you to post a list of time line for your starting seed dates for your vegies, cause I am new to gardening and want following you to grow my own vegies. Thanks a lot
Sue, that sounds like a great idea for a post – especially since it is almost time for seed starting to kick into high gear here!
thanks, looking forward for the post!