Cultivating Your Dream Garden: Exploring New and Time-Tested Vegetable Varieties for a Bountiful Harvest

As the days grow shorter and the crisp air of winter settles in, my mind invariably turns to the promise of spring and the joy of a new gardening season. Each year, it’s a cherished ritual to dedicate a weekend to sorting through the seeds I’ve saved from the previous season and meticulously planning my order for new ones. This annual deep dive into seed catalogs isn’t just a chore; it’s a delightful journey, filled with anticipation for the vibrant flavors and fresh produce that await.

For those eager to embark on their own seed-starting adventure, our comprehensive Seed Starting Guide offers a wealth of information to help you get started successfully. Growing plants from seed is not only incredibly rewarding but also offers a significant advantage in cultivating a truly unique and productive garden.

There are several compelling reasons why I advocate for ordering seeds directly, rather than relying solely on local nurseries or store-bought starts. As I’ve often shared, the benefits are numerous and greatly enhance the gardening experience:

• **Access to Unique Varieties:** Ordering seeds allows me to cultivate a diverse range of vegetables that are often unavailable in local stores and nurseries. This opens up a world of heirloom treasures, specialty hybrids, and visually stunning produce that truly makes a garden unique.
• **Ensuring Availability:** By ordering early, I secure the specific varieties I’m eager to grow, avoiding the disappointment of finding popular seeds sold out later in the season. Planning ahead guarantees my preferred selections are ready when it’s time to sow.
• **Embracing Experimentation:** Each year presents an opportunity to try new varieties – whether they are brand-new releases or simply new to my gardening repertoire. This experimentation is crucial; it’s how I discover vegetables that might be better suited to my specific microclimate, soil conditions, or simply offer superior flavor and yield, potentially outperforming my current favorites.

This year, alongside my steadfast favorites that consistently grace my garden, I’m excited to introduce eight new and new-to-me vegetable varieties. My selections come primarily from two trusted sources: Pinetree Garden Seeds, known for their wide selection and competitive prices, and Territorial Seed Company, a Pacific Northwest staple offering varieties well-suited to diverse climates.

It’s hardly a surprise that tomatoes once again captivated my attention, given that five of my eight new choices are glorious tomato varieties! The allure of a new tomato is simply irresistible for many gardeners, myself included. In the notes below, I’ve shared my experiences and observations after growing these varieties, hoping to provide valuable insights for your own gardening endeavors.

Exploring New Vegetable Varieties for the Season

Diving into the unknown is one of the most exciting aspects of gardening. Here are the varieties I experimented with, along with my honest assessment after a season of growth:

• Kentucky Wonder Wax Pole Bean

  This classic bean variety (available here) has been around for ages, but it was my first time cultivating it. My love for pole beans runs deep, and I was eager to introduce a yellow bean to complement my reliable green favorites, Emerite and Fortex. While the plant produced well, I found the Kentucky Wonder Wax beans to be a bit too tough and intensely “beany” for my preference. Compared to the tender, crisp texture and nuanced flavor of Emerite and Fortex, they didn’t quite measure up. Moving forward, I’ll be sticking to my tried-and-true green pole beans for superior enjoyment.

• Atlantic Broccoli (Now Arcadia F1 Hybrid)

  My goal with broccoli is always to find a variety that offers a continuous harvest from a single spring planting, providing abundant side shoots well into the fall. Atlantic Broccoli was a hopeful contender. It performed acceptably, yielding over an extended period, which was a plus. However, it’s increasingly difficult to find, as many seed companies no longer carry it. For reliable, long-season production with excellent side shoots, I’ve returned to Arcadia Broccoli F1 Hybrid, which consistently delivers a generous harvest and is widely available.

• Purple Sun Carrot

  I’ve experimented with purple carrots before, but the Purple Sun Carrot promised something different: an intense purple hue extending all the way to the core. Growing unusual and visually striking vegetables is one of the distinct pleasures of cultivating your own food. This variety lived up to its promise, producing beautiful, uniformly purple carrots that were a joy to harvest and eat. Their flavor was excellent, and their vibrant color made them a standout on the plate. This one is definitely a keeper, and I plan to continue growing it every year.

• Cabernet Grape Tomato (Now Juliet Tomato F1 Hybrid)

  While grape tomatoes are incredibly productive, I typically dedicate space to just one variety. I wanted to try something new, and Cabernet Grape Tomato seemed like a promising choice. It produced nicely, with a good yield of sweet, small tomatoes. However, like Atlantic Broccoli, its seeds are no longer widely available. My current go-to for grape tomatoes is the incredibly prolific and flavorful Juliet Grape Tomato, which consistently fills my harvest baskets.

• Tigerella Tomato

  The Tigerella Tomato intrigued me as an early heirloom, a combination not often found in tomatoes. Its striking striped skin promised a beautiful addition to the garden and table. While it certainly was an early producer, the fruits were quite small and, unfortunately, tended to be rather mushy in texture. The flavor, while acceptable, wasn’t memorable enough to make it a favorite. Despite its visual appeal and early harvest, it won’t be a regular in my garden.

• Blue Beauty Indigo Tomato

  I’ve been fascinated by the indigo-colored tomato varieties since I first encountered them several years ago, and the Blue Beauty Indigo Tomato was my choice for exploration this season. Marketed as a slicer, I looked forward to its unique coloration. It certainly was a novelty, and I’m glad I tried it for the experience of growing such an interesting-looking fruit. The deep indigo shoulders fading into a reddish-orange bottom were visually stunning. The flavor was decent, but I found its overall production to be somewhat lacking compared to other slicers. It’s a fun conversation starter, but perhaps not a staple for high-yield harvests.

• Cordova Paste Tomato

  After a disappointing season where blight claimed four of my paste tomato plants, I was keen to find a more resilient variety. I primarily rely on my surviving Roma and Polish Linguisa plants, but the Cordova Paste Tomato was introduced as a promising new addition. My hope was that it would prove robust enough to withstand the inevitable blight that often appears during our wet springs. I’m pleased to report that Cordova performed very well, proving to be a good, reliable paste tomato with solid production and adequate disease resistance. It has earned a spot in my paste tomato rotation.

• Sub Arctic Plenty Tomato

  My quest for an excellent ultra-early tomato continues year after year. While I’ve tried many varieties, none have truly become an absolute favorite. The Sub Arctic Plenty Tomato was my latest attempt to secure an early harvest. Unfortunately, this variety did not meet my expectations. It exhibited poor production throughout the season, and the flavor of the fruits wasn’t particularly outstanding. My search for that perfect early tomato continues!

Time-Tested Treasures: My Tried-and-True Vegetable Varieties

While the excitement of new varieties is undeniable, the backbone of a successful garden often lies in its reliable, tried-and-true staples. These are the workhorses that consistently deliver excellent flavor, bountiful harvests, and proven performance year after year. These are the favorites that I wouldn’t dream of gardening without, and I wholeheartedly recommend them to fellow gardeners. All these varieties are readily available from quality seed catalogs, including those linked above.

• Emerite Pole Beans

  These are, without a doubt, my absolute favorite green pole beans. They are incredibly prolific, producing tender, stringless pods with a fantastic flavor profile. Their climbing habit means they save valuable ground space, and the continuous harvest they offer from mid-summer until frost is simply unbeatable. You can read more about why I adore Emerite pole beans and the many benefits of growing pole beans in general here.

• Fortex Pole Beans

  A perfect complement to Emerite, Fortex pole beans are another powerhouse in my garden. They offer similarly long, slender, and incredibly tender pods, often even more so than Emerite. Growing both varieties ensures a diverse and abundant supply of green beans, with slightly different nuances in texture and flavor. They are exceptionally productive and a joy to harvest.

• Incredible Sweet Corn

  When it comes to sweet corn, ‘Incredible’ truly lives up to its name. This variety consistently produces large, incredibly sweet, and tender ears that are bursting with flavor. The stalks are robust, and the yield is always impressive. Nothing compares to a freshly picked ear of this corn, boiled or grilled, just minutes after harvest.

• Quickie Corn

  As its name suggests, ‘Quickie’ corn is an excellent choice for those who crave an earlier sweet corn harvest. While perhaps not quite as large-eared as ‘Incredible,’ its rapid maturity allows for staggered plantings and an extended corn season. It’s sweet, tender, and a perfect bridge between the first fresh vegetables of summer and the main corn crop.

• National Pickling Cucumber

  For anyone who loves making homemade pickles, the ‘National Pickling’ cucumber is a non-negotiable staple. These cucumbers produce uniformly shaped, crisp, and flavorful fruits that are absolutely perfect for brining. They are prolific growers and disease-resistant, ensuring a steady supply for your pickling jars throughout the season. They also make great snacking cucumbers!

• Tom Thumb Butter Lettuce

  This charming little butter lettuce variety is simply adorable! ‘Tom Thumb’ produces compact, buttery-soft heads of lettuce that are perfect for individual servings or small salads. It’s an excellent choice for small spaces or for continuous harvesting, as you can easily pick a few leaves at a time. Its delicate flavor and tender texture make it a gourmet treat.

• Jericho Lettuce

  Finding a romaine lettuce that can stand up to the summer heat can be a challenge, but ‘Jericho’ rises to the occasion. This variety is known for its excellent heat tolerance, allowing for a longer harvest season than many other romaines. It produces large, upright heads with crisp, flavorful leaves, making it ideal for Caesar salads and other culinary uses where a sturdy lettuce is desired.

• Oregon Giant Snow Pea

  After an experiment last year with Carouby de Maussane snow peas – which, despite their gorgeous blooms, produced rather tough pods – I quickly returned to my reliable favorite: ‘Oregon Giant’ snow peas. These peas consistently deliver large, tender, and incredibly sweet pods that are perfect for stir-fries, snacking fresh, or adding to salads. They are vigorous climbers and prolific producers, making them an essential early-season crop.

• Brandywine Tomato

  The ‘Brandywine’ tomato, particularly the pink strain, is the quintessential heirloom slicer. Its enormous, irregularly shaped fruits boast a rich, complex, and intensely sweet flavor that is truly unparalleled. It’s a late-season producer, but the wait is always worth it for the incredible taste and meaty texture that makes for the best tomato sandwiches and fresh salsas.

• Pineapple Tomato

  Another beloved heirloom, the ‘Pineapple’ tomato offers a stunning visual appeal with its marbled yellow and red flesh, alongside an equally impressive flavor profile. It’s a large, beefsteak-type tomato with a sweet, fruity, and slightly tangy taste, reminiscent of tropical fruit. It’s perfect for slicing and adding a splash of color and exquisite flavor to any dish.

• Cherokee Purple Tomato

  For those who appreciate deep, smoky, and rich tomato flavors, the ‘Cherokee Purple’ is a must-grow. This heirloom produces medium to large fruits with a distinctive dusky rose-purple hue and green shoulders. Its complex taste, often described as sweet, savory, and slightly smoky, makes it a favorite for fresh eating, gourmet salads, and sauces.

• Black Cherry Tomato

  If you’re looking for a prolific and exceptionally flavorful cherry tomato, ‘Black Cherry’ is an outstanding choice. These small, dark, mahogany-colored fruits burst with a sweet, earthy, and rich flavor that is utterly addictive. The plants produce an abundance of these delightful little tomatoes all season long, perfect for snacking, salads, or roasting.

• Seven Varieties of Cabbage

  Our household has an undeniable love affair with cabbage, which is why I dedicate significant garden space to approximately seven different varieties each year! This ensures a continuous harvest and a diverse range of textures and flavors. My rotation includes savoy (for its crinkly leaves and mild flavor), small and large varieties (for versatility in cooking), domed and pointed types (for specific culinary uses), and personal-sized heads (perfect for quick meals). Whether for slaws, ferments, stir-fries, or roasts, fresh cabbage from the garden is incomparable.

Share Your Garden Favorites!

Gardening is a journey of continuous learning and discovery. I’m always eager to hear about what other gardeners are finding success with. Please share any new varieties you’re excited to try this year, or perhaps your own tried-and-true favorites that make your garden a success. Your recommendations could inspire my next great garden adventure!