What’s Growing, Paige?
People ask me what I’m currently growing and I can’t help but get wide-eyed. I don’t think they really want more than the general, “Oh you know, tomatoes, squash, the usual…” But in my mind, the eight tomato varieties I planted are each quite unique, and then there are the mystery ones that popped up in the compost that may be a new hybrid. So for the garden geeks like myself, here’s a rundown of what is currently growing.
Tomatoes:
Costoluto, Black Krim, Persimmon, Matt’s Wild Cherry, Red Kiss (something I saved from a mixed pack and renamed), Aunt Ruby’s German Green, Dutch Pink, Striped Roma, and a variety of mystery volunteers.
Peppers:
Big Bertha Bell, Sweet Bell, Pepperoncini, Anaheim, Jalapeno,Tapas Peppers
Greens:
Rustic Arugula, Wasabi Arugula, Romaine, Cabbages, Red Russian Kale, Baby Butterhead, Speckled Lettuce, Bright Lights Swiss Chard, Ruby Swiss Chard, French Merville Lettuce, Market Mix Lettuce, Baby Leaf Spinach
Beans/Peas:
Edamame, Burgundy Beans, Pole Beans (stringless, long and slender), Blue Lake Pole Beans, French Climbing Beans, Garden Peas, Queen Anne Peas, Purple Hyacinth Beans
Roots/Bulbs:
Russet Potatoes, Blue Adirondack Potatoes, Petite Carrots, Carrots (longer ones), Radishes (I don’t remember which type I planted), Four kinds of garlic including Spanish Red and Elephant, Red Onions, Sweet Onions, Leeks, Scallions
Squashes:
Armenian Cucumbers, Baby Persian “Green Fingers” Cucumber, Trombeta Italian Climbing Squash, Goldbar Hybrid Squash, Black Zucchini, Birdhouse Gourds, Luffa Squash, “Romanesco” Zucchini, Buttercup Squash
Herbs:
Chives, Garlic Chives, Rosemary, Sweet Mint, Chocolate Mint, Slow Bolt Cilantro, Dill, Sweet Basil, Marjoram, Borage, Greek Oregano, Variegated Thyme, English Lavender, Providence Lavender, French Lavender, Texas Tarragon, Lemon Verbena, Hibiscus, Green Tea Leaf Camellia,
Fruits/Berries:
Muscadines, Blueberries, Blackberries, Raspberries (which look ill), Peaches, Nectarines, Plums, Strawberries, Cantaloup, Strawberry Watermelon
Other:
Red Okra, Sunflowers, Marigolds, Silver Queen Corn, Tomatillos (Purple and “Toma Verde”), Artichokes (Purple and green), Purple Asparagus
Will I eat all of these things? Probably not. Some of them will likely never make it to harvest. I love trying out new varieties and seeing which grow well in my yard. This reminds me, I probably should start a spreadsheet to keep track of their success this year!
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4 Comments
Ruth
Wow, that is impressive. Mainly that there are so many kinds of tomatoes…:-)!
Do you order all your seeds each year or do you harvest from the garden and add just a few new varieties each year?
paige.puckett
I save what I can and try new things. It's fairly easy to save seeds from tomatoes, beans, okra, squash, melons, lettuces, greens, basil, and even potatoes. Only three of those tomatoes are new, and they were in a multi-pack together from Renee's Garden. I had a couple blue potatoes left from last season, so I put them in a brown paper bag in a drawer and they had grown shoots by this spring. I buy big packs of corn and beans so they usually last two seasons. My Blue Lake lasted me 3 or 4 season since I saved some too. Most of my new varieties this year are from Renee's Garden. I also picked up a couple free packs over the years through "Plant a Row for the Hungry". My brother and I sometimes do some seed swapping.
Ruth
Hi Paige, I just tried to send you an email, but got it back. Could you please contact me via my blog or email?
ruth.f (at) kikuta2008.com
The Conservationist
oh my goodness. talk about variety! you should give tours and charge admission!!