Each year I test new vegetables to grow and taste to see if I want to add them to my recommended list for all of you to grow.
I will provide you with information on each vegetable and track it throughout the year so that you might add it to your garden in the future or not.
I will record the growth rate, production of plants, flavor, resistance to disease, and length of the production season.
Be sure to check back to see if I have added any new vegetables to this year’s list and watch for updates on the development of each plant.
Tomatoes
Gladiator
This tomato is one of the largest of the Roma variety that is indeterminate, producing a tomato that is around 1/4 to 1/2 a pound.
It has a tangy and robust flavor that is greatly used in sauces and salsa.
The Gladiator is resistant to blossom end rot and other diseases.
It produces an abundance of tomatoes throughout the season
Early July update on the growth of this new tomato variety- It is producing large tomatoes and has plenty of tomatoes on the plant.
Cherokee Purple
This is an Heirloom Indeterminate Tomato passed down from the Cherokee Indian Tribe. It has a purple color that is sweet and juicy with 3-5 inch fruit. It consistently is ranked for its great flavor and color attributes.
It is known for its high yield and production late into the summer months. It takes 80-90 days to get to maturity for this tomato and has a spreading plant so you need to provide a strong structure to support the plant.
Cucumber
Suyo
This cucumber is a Chinese Heirloom variety that is a long and slender cucumber that can grow up to 12-17 inches long, the skin is dark green and ridged.
The flavor is mild without the bitter characteristics and the entire cucumber can be eaten raw, they are not straight even though they are very long, trellising can help them to grow more straight.
They contain vitamins A, B, and C as well as calcium, magnesium, and potassium.
I will be comparing this cucumber to the Dragon cucumber that I added to my very best of cucumbers last year since it is similar and also a Chinese Heirloom Cucumber.
Cauliflower
Graffiti
This is a brilliant purple cauliflower that will be sure to catch your eye. This plant produces a large head and large plant so be sure to give it room to grow.
The cauliflower maintains its deep purple color even after cooking.
It can be eaten raw, roasted, or steamed.
They can be harvested in late spring to early summer or in the fall depending on when it was planted.
The Graffiti cauliflower is resistant to mildew and other diseases making it one of the easier cauliflower to grow.
Peppers
Tam Jalapeno Pepper
This is a milder version of Jalapeno 1000-1500 SHU’s that is 3-6 inches long when ripe.
They are easy to grow and produce a large crop.
Since they are a more mild jalapeno they are great to pickle and use in salsa.
These peppers can be harvested when green or when completely mature and red.
Zucchini
Costata Romanesco
This is hands down one of the best -asting Zucchini and wins in taste tests consistently. It is an Italian heirloom that has a nutty flavor with ribbed skin that gives it a unique appearance. Best picked when 6-7 inches long and the blossoms are great to stuff and be eaten.
The plant is very large so give plenty of room when planting in full sun.
