2021 Vegetable Varieties Trial Garden Design

Numbers in front of each variety correspond to the design layout for each bed. Beds should be planted to replicate this design and the bed signage.

9 Bed Design:

Nutrient Boosters Bed

1. Onion ‘Red Baron’ (Organic): Matures to bunching onion 65 days from transplant. Direct Sow: ¼ to ½ inch deep, 2 inches apart as soon as soils can be worked. When plants are 5 inches tall, thin to ½ -1 inches apart for bunching. Thin to 4 inches apart for bulbing.

From Transplants (Recommended): Sow seeds thickly in container (best soil temperature for germination is 65- 75 degrees). Keep tops trimmed to 3 inches until ready to transplant. Transplant into rows at bunching or bulbing spacing (above). For fresh eating, harvest whenever they reach desired size. Bulbs will be mature when tops become yellow and fall over.

2. Tomato ‘Sparky’XLS : Indeterminate plant type – trellis, tall stake, or large cage is recommended. Sparky XSL hybrid has exceptional flavor and sweetness, beautiful gold striping, on its 1.5 inch fruits, and high yields per plant. Also extended shelf life (XSL).

Transplant only: Sow seeds ¼ inch deep 5–6 weeks before transplanting outside. Cover lightly and keep seeding mix at 75–85 degrees. Don not allow seeding mix to dry out. Transplant into larger container as needed after first true leaf. Grow at 60–70 degrees and use complete fertilizer until plants are hardened-off for transplanting into the garden. Plant one plant.

Demonstrate disease management practices: Get the plants off the ground using a trellis, tall stake, or large cage for support. Prune plant to two stems. Prune throughout the growing season to control size and to increase airflow through the plant. Wet leaves lead to disease. Mulch – plastic, fabric, or straw to reduce potential infection from splash up and remove bottom foot of leaves as plant grows. Remove any diseased, damaged or yellowing leaves throughout the season.

2021 Vegetable Varieties Trial Garden Design

Carb Fighter Bed

1. Spaghetti Squash ‘Tivoli’ F1: The first national All- America Selections bush-plant spaghetti squash winner. With a small bush habit, plants offer a high yield potential and are space-saving. Fruits are large and oval, weigh 4-5 lbs., and have creamy flesh that is very easy to shred with a fork after roasting. Matures in 98 days.

Direct sow after soils have warmed, ½ to 1 inch deep.

Plant 3 seeds in center of bed, thin to strongest plant.

Demonstrate Cultural control for squash vine borers: Lightweight row covers can be used to protect plants until the vines come into flower. Remove covers at bloom time to allow for pollination.

2021 Vegetable Varieties Trial Garden Design

Nutritional Power Players Bed

1. Cauliflower ‘Veronica’ (Organic): This Romanesco cauliflower, also known as broccoflower, has peculiar aesthetics and earthy flavors when eaten fresh. After cooking, it becomes sweeter and holds its color and structure. High resistance to Fusarium Yellows.

Transplant: Sow ½ inch deep and keep soil at least 70 degrees until germination, 60°degrees thereafter. Harden off and transplant outdoors when seedlings are no older than 4–5 weeks old. Plant 1 plant in each of the 4 areas.

2. Kale ‘Lacinato’ (Organic): 60 days to full leaf. Lacinato translated literally means black cabbage. Also known as Dinosaur, Italian or Tuscan kale. 3” wide by 10” long wrinkled dark blue-green leaves can be used for salads, smoothies and soups. Extremely cold tolerant, and a fall frost will sweeten the taste. Harvest lower leaves and allow tops to continue to produce all season. Transplant for early summer crop. Direct sow when soil warms for fall crop. Direct sow: When soils have reached 70 degrees. Sow 3–4 seeds ¼ to ½ inch deep; thin to 1 plant. Transplant: Sow ½ inch deep and keep soil at least 70 degrees until germination, 60°degrees thereafter. Harden off and transplant outdoors when seedlings are no older than 4–5 weeks old. Demonstrate Cultural control for flea beetles: Cover transplants/seedlings immediately with lightweight row cover to exclude pest.

2021 Vegetable Varieties Trial Garden Design

Superfood Succession Planting Bed

1. Pea PLS 595 (Organic): A later season shelling variety. It’s compact 24 inch vines have an upright plant habit so trellis is not required. Its high setting pods make harvesting a breeze. Expect heavy yields of long pods that are filled with 11 berries on average. Matures in 65 days.

Direct sow: Plant 2 rows in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked. Sow 1-1 ½ inch apart and ½ -1 inch deep. Do not thin.

2. Tomato ‘Medusa’ (Organic): A hybrid indeterminate purple tomato with heirloom flavor and appearance. Vigorous plants with a strong disease package set large uniform fruit with reduced cracking. Performs in open filed and protected culture. Intermediate resistance to Late Blight, Verticillium Wilt, and Nematodes.

2021 Vegetable Varieties Trial Garden Design

Insectary Plants Bed:

1. NE Wildflower Mix: (Existing Perennials and self- seeds from 2020/previous trials. Seeds will be provided to counties that did not participate in 2020)

2. Existing perennials

3. Garlic Chives (Chinese leeks – Perennial): This flat- branched chive expresses strong garlic flavor. It is often used to replace garlic in sauces and salads, and the chopped leaves can be sprinkled over vegetables. Compact plants produce delicate white flowers in their 2nd year to attract pollinators and other beneficial insects.

Direct seed (recommended): In spring, sow 1/4" deep as soon as the soil warms up. Place 4-6 seeds every 6" or 1-2 seeds per inch. Thin to 2-3 plants every 2-8".

2021 Vegetable Varieties Trial Garden Design

Roots to the Rescue Bed

1. Radish ‘Amethyst’: This radish has a striking purple colored skin that contrasts beautifully with its bright white flesh. Matures in 30 days.

Direct seed in early spring ¼ to ½ inch deep. Germinates in 3-10 days. Thin to 1.5 inches apart. Harvest all plants so there is plenty of space for the carrots to grow.

2. Carrot ‘Deep Purple’: These dark purple Imperator type carrots have a tapered shape and deep color through to the core. The sweet roots reach 7- 8" in length. Matures in 73 days.

3. Carrot ‘Yellowstone’: This versatile variety can be used fresh, cooked, or stored. Averaging 9” long, the strong, 14-16” tops make it easy to harvest. Matures in 70 days.

4. Carrot ‘Fuerte’: This excellent Nantes carrot is known for its nice uniform shape with strong tops and good flavor. Fuerte offers high yields of medium-orange blunt-tipped cylindrical roots with some shoulder. Matures in 90 days.

Direct seed all carrot varieties ¼ to ½ inch deep after last frost when soil is 60 - 65 degrees. Dig soil deeply (1.5 ft) to avoid forked carrots. After carrots germinate (12 - 18 days), thin to 2 inches apart.

Planting Tip: Planting rows of radishes, which are quick to germinate, beside rows of carrots will help “mark the row”.

Demonstrate Cultural Practice for carrots: After carrot tops are up, mulch around them with straw to decrease “green shoulders”.

2021 Vegetable Varieties Trial Garden Design

Capsaicin for Life Bed

1. Pepper ‘Flavorburst’ (Organic): Medium-large 3 lobed bell peppers are slightly elongated with thick walls. Sweet and flavorful fruit mature from lime green to golden yellow on compact plants. Matures in 67 days.

2. Pepper ‘Aji Rico’ (Organic): This vigorous hybrid pepper has improved yields and earlier maturity than other hot peppers. Narrow conical fruit mature green to red and have a citrus flavor with medium heat and crispy thin walls. Perfect fresh or cooked, green or red. Large indeterminate plants – a tomato cage or stake will provide support so they don’t fall over. Matures in 55 days.

Start indoors: Sow seed indoors ¼ - ½ inch deep, 5-6 weeks before last frost date. Soil temperature for germination: 75 - 80 degrees. Germinates in 10 - 20 days. After germination, grow at 60 - 65 degrees. Harden off seedlings outdoors 1-2 weeks prior to transplanting. Plant carefully to avoid damaging the stems. Plant two plants.

Did you know… all peppers, even the “sweet” varieties, contain some capsaicin. Typically about 25% of what is contained in “hot” peppers.

Demonstrate Cultural Practice: Peppers like warm temperatures, use black plastic to speed early growth and offset cool temperatures. Growers note: Provide consistent moisture to help reduce Blossom End Rot.

2021 Vegetable Varieties Trial Garden Design

Homegrown Italian Seasoning Bed

Oregano and Thyme (perennials from 2020 trial - seeds will be provided to new participants or those counties that did not grow the Oregano and Thyme bed in the 2020 trial).

1. Oregano vulgare: Erect, bushy plant, 8 to 18" plants produce pungent flavored leaves with purple flowers that is often used in Italian and Greek cooking. Also called Wild or Pot Marjoram. Start indoors, 6 weeks before last frost. Sow 1/8th inch deep (just covering – seeds require light to germinate). Soil temperature 65-70 degrees. Germinates in 14-21 days. Harden off seedlings (reduce water & temperature 3-7 days). Transplant outside after last frost. Harvest before flowering for best flavor.

2. Winter Thyme: Small oval gray-green leaves grow on upright shrubby perennial plants. Excellent aroma and flavor, and is suitable for culinary and medicinal uses. Start indoors 6 weeks before last frost. Sow 1/8 to ¼ inch deep. Soil temperature 60 – 70 degrees. Germinates in 18 - 24 days. After germination, grow on at 55 - 60 degrees. Harden off and transplant outside after weather has warmed.

3. Basil ‘Emerald Towers’: Impressive columnar plants reach 2-3' tall and are highly branched with short internodes. Plants flower up to 12 weeks later than standard basil, yielding high harvest potential of dark glossy foliage with traditional Genovese flavor. Direct seed in late May to early June or start indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting outside. Plant 5-7 seeds per location – thin to 3-4 plants per location. Seeding depth 1/8 inch deep. Germinates in 10-14 days – Ideal soil temperature for germination is 70 degrees. Days to full maturity: 70

4. Sage ‘Fanni’ (Organic): Fanni produces large oval gray leaves with excellent yields and dependable germination. Use fresh or dried for seasoning or fragrance.

Start Indoors: seeds 6-8 weeks before the last frost. Sow 2-3 seeds 1/4" deep in individual containers, thinning to one plant per container after germination. Transplant outside after the last frost, spacing 12" apart, in rows 18" apart.

5. Parsley ‘Krausa’ (Organic): An improved moss curled type with heavily curled dark green leaves, good strong stems, dependable uniformity and regrowth for continued harvests. Good for pot production as well. Start indoors (recommended): Seeds take at least 3 weeks to germinate. Sow seeds ¼ to ½ inch deep. Seeds germinate best at 64-70 degrees.

2021 Vegetable Varieties Trial Garden Design

Low-fat and Leafy Bed

1. Spinach ‘Acadia’ (F1 Organic): a dark green semi- savoyed spinach with medium-sized oval leaves and good texture for baby leaf harvest. Slow growing, tolerant to bolting and suited for main season production. High resistance to Downy Mildew. Matures in 40 days.

Direct sow in early spring as soon as the ground can be worked as spinach germinates best in cool soil. Even soil moisture provides for the most ideal germination conditions. Growers note: Spinach grows in a wide range of soils if moist and fertile, pH should be at least 6.0, preferably 6.5-7.5.

2. Lettuce ‘Marciano’ (Organic): A compact butterhead variety with smooth leaves showcasing deep burgundy color and fresh bright green well-filled interiors. Sweet tender leaves and short cores made Marciano a trial favorite. High resistance to Downy Mildew. Matures in 60 days.

Direct sow in early spring once soils are above 40 degrees (germinates best when soil is 60-68 degrees). Sow 4–6 seeds/inch at least 2" apart. Cover lightly to 1/8" and firm gently. Plant 4 rows.

Growers note: If soil is dry, keep seeds watered to ensure uniform germination. Lettuce seed can enter thermal dormancy when exposed to high temperatures and germinates poorly in soil temperatures above 75 degrees.