Last week, we covered the old, this week it is the new.
Each season, the All-America Selections tests numerous vegetable and flower cultivars in a series of trial gardens and displays them in a network of nearly 200 gardens across the U.S. and Canada.
Every year since 1932, judges select the best of the best to introduce to the public. Seed companies submit their best new seeds to the competition. Judges do not need to select a specific number but make the selections based on the merits of a new or unique cultivar. Their mission statement is short. It is "To promote new garden seed varieties with superior garden performance judged in impartial trials in North America." It supports their threefold purpose to test new, unsold cultivars, to inform gardeners about the AAS Winners and earn gardeners' trust in the AAS Winners.
Pepper Orange Blaze F1 is an interesting sweet orange bell pepper. It takes some of the difficulty out of growing colored peppers. Growing in nationwide gardens, this pepper showed its superiority with a very sweet flavor and excellent disease resistance. The fruit matures to a beautiful orange color earlier than similar orange peppers on the market. Expect quality peppers some 65-70 days after transplanting them into the garden. The fruits are 3- to 4-inch long and about 1.5 inches wide with two to three lobes.
The plants need good soil and full sunlight. They grow about 24 inches high with a similar spread. It was bred by Seminis, and the comparisons are Gourmet, Gypsy and Lipstick.
Pumpkin Hijinks F1 is also a winner. The definition of hijinks is "a lively enjoyment and unrestrained fun." That makes the pumpkin's name very appropriate as it provides loads of seasonal fun for kids of all ages.
This is not going to win the giant pumpkin weigh-off but is much more manageable in size. The pumpkins are smaller 6- to 7-pound fruits that grow to a very uniform size and shape.
Like any good jack-o'-lantern pumpkin, this has smooth, deep orange skin with well-defined grooves. This classic pumpkin is just right for decorating for Halloween or Thanksgiving.
The skin is excellent for painting, and the pumpkin has a thin flesh to make it easy to carve. It has an important improvement that both parents who try to console a child with a broken-stem pumpkin and commercial growers will appreciate, as these stems are strong and durable.
Give the plant plenty of room for the vines to grow 15 feet long. The plant will produce numerous fruits with another advantage of showing excellent resistance to powdery mildew.
Plan on picking pumpkins about 100 days from sowing seeds or 85 days from transplanting. This plant was bred by Sakata Seed America Inc., and the closest comparisons on market are Orange Smoothie and Hybrid Pam
As growing conditions change, vegetables also change. Your grandparents would have scoffed at the idea of growing tomatoes in a flower pot or in a hanging basket on the patio, but for many gardeners, this is one of the best growing areas
Two tomatoes bred by Pro-Veg Seeds Ltd. made this year's cut. The closest comparisons to these on the market are Tumbler and Tumbling Tom Red.
Tomato Terenzo F1 hybrid is a high-yielding, red cherry-fruited tomato. It is described as a Tumbler type, so it is excellent for pot culture. The spreading, low-growing plants produce a round fruit with an approximate diameter of 1¼ inches.
The fruits average 0.7 of an ounce, so they are just right for popping in your mouth or spreading on your salad. They are resistant to cracking and produce well, even in the summer heat.
The tomato has a high 6 percent sugar content, so you will enjoy eating them.
The determinate plants are going to grow 16 to 20 inches high and will stay compact and easy to manage.
Plan on picking fruits about 56 days from transplanting so they are going to add to your summer picnics. Plants need full sun whether they are planted in soil or in containers.
Tomato F1 Lizzano is also excellent for containers or hanging baskets. It is heralded as a vigorous semi-determinate tomato that has a flat, trailing habit, growing 16 to 20 inches tall with a 20-inch spread.
The tasty, bright red, baby cherry-size fruits are only 1 inch in diameter and weigh about a quarter of an ounce and are produced throughout the season. Plan on harvesting tomatoes 105 days from sowing seed or 63 days from transplanting.
For more information on AAS winners, go to all-americaselections.org.
Larry A. Sagers is a horticulture specialist for the Utah State University Extension Service at Thanksgiving Point.