Award-Winning Vegetables for This Summer’s Garden
Each year the best new vegetable varieties are designated as All-America Selections. These varieties have proved superior through trials in test gardens across the United States and Canada. Here are the 2009 vegetable winners, perfect candidates for this summer’s vegetable garden. Look for seeds or transplants in nurseries and garden centers.
‘Gretel’ White Eggplant: A very early white eggplant that can produce a crop in as little as 55 days from seed. The small, glossy white fruit is produced in clusters and is sweet with tender skin, even if picked beyond the ideal size of 3 to 4 inches. ‘Gretel’ plants are relatively small, about 3 feet wide and tall, and perfect for growing in pots.
‘Lambkin’ Melon: This oval-shaped melon weighs between 2 and 4 pounds with a thin rind surrounding sweet, aromatic, white, juicy flesh. The fruit ripens early, usually within 65 to 75 days of sowing seed. ‘Lambkin’ is classified as a “Piel de Sapo” melon, aka Christmas type. The yellow skin with green mottling is unique and called Piel de Sapo. As a Christmas melon, ‘Lambkin’ can be stored in the refrigerator longer than other melons.
‘Honey Bear’ Acorn Squash: This was bred to be baked and served in the half shell. The honey in ‘Honey Bear’ refers to the sweet squash flavor when cooked. In addition to flavor, there are three outstanding qualities: the compact plant, high yield and tolerance to powdery mildew. The bushy, compact plant will reach 2 to 3 feet tall and spread 4 to 5 feet. The dark green acorn squash weighs about a pound, which is a perfect size for sharing between two people. Fruit usually begins to ripen within 100 days of sowing seed.
All these vegetables grow best in full sun, warm soil and with regular water. Protect vegetables listed on the label from insect pests with Bayer Advanced™ PowerForce® Multi-Insect Killer Concentrate or Bayer Advanced™ Complete Insect Dust For Gardens Ready-To-Use. For more tips on growing vegetables, click here.
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