There is nothing like a big, bold, colorful salad to enhance meals. And in some cases, can be a meal in itself. Salad lovers will want to grow varieties that include not only lettuce but also some unusual greens in all color ranges and in textures from smooth to curly. There are so many different types of greens today, including mesclun mixes that are worth planting.
A salad lover’s kitchen garden should also contain different colored sweet peppers, cucumbers, celery, cauliflower, broccoli, and endive. Salads are not only for summer, but think about winter salads with cabbage, carrots and whatever else you want to show off from your garden.
Don’t be afraid to try different combinations of greens with lettuces, I’ve listed mesclun blends and microblends as well. Mix edible flowers such as bachelor’s button, calendulas, pansies, or nasturtiums in with your greens.
Even a small kitchen garden will let you grow a number of different greens, making it easy to toss together a variety of colors, textures, and flavors that will spice up any salad. Most greens grow quickly and are ready to harvest in 6 to 12 weeks.
Here are Some Green Basics
- Pick fresh crisp leaves.
- Wash them in a colander under slightly warm running water as soon as you pick them.
- Remove any wilted or bruised spots. Rinse them in cold water.
- Put the greens in a wire basket and shake them to remove all water.
- Place the greens in a plastic bag along with a paper towel to remove any remaining moisture.
For more choices see Vegetables. Each variety has seed catalog initials listed next to it, see Seed Sources for the catalog information.
LETTUCE
Lettuce is the basis for any summer salad, but it doesn’t have to be all green and bland looking. Add different colored and textured lettuce to the mix and you’re on your way to creating a pallet for the eye.
LETTUCE (crisphead/iceberg)
Hybrid
Attraction (Attrazione) 62 days. Compact head with light colored slightly curled leaves. Slow to bolt. Source: GOU
Cardinale 60 days. Wine red, almost purple crisphead. Forms open rosettes for early harvest, then forms head. Source: IRI
Heirloom
Avuenue (OP) 45-60 days. Hawaiian variety that holds up well in heat. Name means “rainbow” in Hawaii. Bright glossy green leaves. Heat tolerant and bolt resistant. Can grow in all seasons. Source: BOU NIC SOU
Red Iceberg (OP) 50 days. Red, almost chocolate-colored iceberg. Medium-sized heads are tight and hold for a long time. Source: JOHN SEED TER
Webb’s Wonderful 65-70 days. English variety. Heads are large with crumpled leaves. Slow to bolt. Recommended for Southern gardens. Source: SEED
LETTUCE (butterhead, bibb, buttercrunch, Boston)
Hybrid
Cassandra 65 days. Pale green butterhead. Ideal for growing year round. Source: THO
Rhazes 42 days. Red bibb lettuce. Dark red leaves with a bright green heart. Good bolt tolerance. Source: JOH
Skyphos 47 days. Large dark red butterhead with green centers. Widely adapted. Source: JOH STO
Heirloom
Amish Speckled Butterhead 60-70 days. Lime green leaves speckled with red on the outer leaves. Large dense pink hearts. Source: BOU
Carmona (OP) 55-60 days. Tender red butterhead. 10-12″ mature heads. Source: NIC
Grandpa Admire’s 60 days. Bronze-tinged leaves from large loose heads. Slow to bolt even in extreme heat. Source: SEED
LETTUCE (French crisp, Batavia, loose heads)
Hybrid
Magenta 48 days. Crisp head. Shiny, slightly puckered, red tinged leaves form a whorled, conical head with a crispy, green heart. Source: JOH
Tropicana (PVP) 52 days. Full-size loose heads. Heavy dark green leaves. tolerant to tipburn. Source: JOH
Heirloom
Clucca 51 days. Gently ruffled leaves are red tinged at the edges. Batavian lettuce. Source: GOU
Merlot Batavian (OP) 50-65 days. Open-headed with upright, waxy, savoyed leaves with wavy edges. Heat tolerant. Slow to bolt. Good baby leaf lettuce or let grow to a crisp, full-size burgundy heads.
LETTUCE (Romaine/cos)
Hybrid
Annapolis (PVP) 28 days. Dark red baby leaf romaine. Scalloped leaf margins. Source: JOH
Green Forest (PVP) 56 days. Tall, dark green romaine. Smooth ribs. Source: JOH
Larissa Heat tolerant German variety. Medium green romaine. Doesn’t go to seed during long hot days. Source: COO
Heirloom
Blushed Butter Cos (OP) 50 days. 10″ heads of ruffled savoyed leaves in red and greens. Source: IRI JOHN TER
Jericho (OP) (Super Jericho) 55-60 days. Tall plants with heavy, dense heads of thick, brilliant apple-green leaves. Source: BOU JOHN NIC PAR SOU TER
Red Leprechaun 60 days. Shiny dark purple savoyed leaves with pink center rib. Can weigh up to a pound. Source: SEED
LETTUCE (loose leaf)
Hybrid
Blackjack 55 days. Dark burgundy color. slightly ruffled leaves. Will bolt to seed. Source: STO
Multiblond 30-60 days. Harris’ seed Multileaf series. Very compact heads of light green colored leaves with heavily serrated leaf edges. Source: HAR
Panisse 48 days. Compact full-size heads with large, lime-green, lobed oak leaves. Source: JOH
Heirloom
Asian Red Bright red leaves with frilled edges. Source: BAK
Black Seeded Simpson (OP) 45 days. Fast growing pale green leaves. Sources: ANN BAK BOT BURP COM COO GUR HAR IRI JOH NIC PLA SHU SOU TERR
Green Ice (OP) 45 days. Ruffled green leaves with delicate flavor. Source: BURP GUR PAR SHU TER TOT
LETTUCE (mesclun, lettuce blends, microgreens)
Hybrid
Alfresco Red and green leaf lettuces with endive, arugula, and radicchio. Source: STO
Bright and Spicy 30-50 days. Blend of colored salad leaves, Pak Choy, Golden Yellow, Choy Sum, Mizuna, Green Cress and mustard Red Frills. Source: THO
Crunchy Lettuce Leaves 25-50 days. Red cos, green cos, Catalonga and endive romenesco. Source: THO
Frisee and Radicchio (OP) Tangy blend of Tres Fine Maraichere, Rossa di Verona radicchio and Castlefranco radicchio. Source: JOHN
Heirloom
Garden Heirloom Lettuce Blend (OP) 50-55 days. Redder Ruffled Oaks, Devil’s tongue, and Speckles. Source: TER
Heatwave Blend 50-60 days. Heat and drought resistant varieties. Source: BURP COO
Microgreens Mix Oak leaf lettuce, rouge d’Hiver lettuce, Salad Bowl lettuce, Viroflay spinach, Rocket salat arugula, Claytonia, chives and vit corn salad (mache). Source: ANN
Misticanza Salad Mix Italian version of the French Mesclun. Includes arugula, sorrel and corn salad. Includes, Rocket salat, Italiko Roso Chicory, Catalogna a Foglia Frastagilate chicroy, Forellenschluss lettuce, Paris Island cos, Rouge d’Hiver lettuce, Lolla Rossa lettuce, Oak leaf, Salad Bowl, Tango lettuce and Endive di Ruffec. Source: ANN
Provenical Mix 32 days. French blend of Chervil, Arugula, endive, and 4 varieties of red and green lettuces. Source: COO TER
Now that you have your lettuce base, add other vegetables to complete your creation.
If you add herbs, see Herbs. Here are a few vegetables you might consider.
ASPARAGUS
Hybrid
Marte 100% male hybrid. Green spears tinged in purple. If you mound soil around the spears they will be white. Source: BURP COO PAR TER
Heirloom
Mary Washington An all-time favorite. Medium green tips. Rust resistant. Source: ANN BURP GOU IRI SEED SHU
BEANS (French filet)
Hybrid
Beananza 55 days. Dwarf French filet bean. Sweet, nutty flavor. 7″ long stringless pods. Pick regularly to keep producing. Source: BURP
Delinel 75 days. Filet type, 6″ long, mid-green, stringless pencil thin pods. Source: THO
Hildora 55 days. Yellow French filet bean. Stringless creamy yellow pods. Grows well in hot weather. Source: GOU
Heirloom
Emerite (OP) 53 days. Medium green, completely stringless filet bean. Pods are 7 1/2″ long, very straight and smooth with black seeds. Source: JOH STO
Maxibel (OP) 60 days. 11-16″ tall plant. Very straight, dark-green, 7″ long pods have mottled purple seeds. Source: GOU JOH JOHN PAR SHU TER
Trionfo Violetto 75 days. Brilliant purple-streaked green foliage and dark violet Italian heirloom. Pick pods at 6″ long when they are no wider than a drinking straw. Source: PAR
BEETS
Hybrid
Blankoma 55 days. Sweet white roots. Round to slightly conical. Strong, tall, all-green tops. Source: JOH
Detroit 6: Rubidus 75 days. No bolting. Firm, smooth skin, deep red flesh with no fiber even when 5″ in diameter. Source: THO
Touchstone Gold 60 days. Pale orange exterior and golden rings within. Much sweeter and smoother than red beets. Source: HAR JOH PAR STO TER
Heirloom
Bull’s Blood 40-52 days. Has blood-red foliage. Tender roots are sweet and dark with interior stripes. Harvest as baby beets when young. Source: ANN BAK BOT BOU BURP GUR IRI JOH NIC SEED SHU SOU STO TERR THO
Chioggia Guardsmark 60 days. Italian novelty. Light red roots, contrasting purple and white interiors. Flat globe shape. Source: JOH STO
Golden (OP) 55 days. Golden roots are tender and do not bleed. Sweet tasting. Source:
ANN BAK BOU BURP COM COO IRI NIC SEED STO TER
BROCCOLI
Hybrid
Bay Meadows 68-85 days. 6 1/2″ wide dome heads with fine beads. Holds well in summer heat. Large open plant. Source: JOH STO
Green Magic 62-75 days. Medium-size semi-dome dark green head with small beads. Use for crown cuts and side shoots. Source: GUR JOH STO
Sun King Tight blue-green 6-8″ diameter stand up against summer heat. 18″ spread. Thin to 18 inches. Source: BURP
Heirloom
Calabrese (OP) (Italian Green Sprouting) 58 days. Italian heirloom. Produces 3-6″ central head, plus many side shoots. Source: ANN BAK COM GOU IRI NIC SEED SOU STO
Spirgariello 60-70 days. Well known in Europe, this special broccoli has small, narrow and bushy leaves. Many small tops will re-sprout. Leaves are used much like spinach. Source: GOU
CABBAGE (green)
Hybrid
Charmant 66 days. Suited to close planting. Blue-green heads are 3-4 pounds and 6-8″ across. Source: STO TER
Stonehead 67 days. All American Selection. Solid, round, 3-4 pounds, 6″ diameter heads. Easy to grow in any size garden. Source: GUR NIC SHU STO
Heirloom
Copenhagen Market 63-100 days. Danish heirloom. Solid 6-8″ diameter heads weigh 3-4 pounds. Split resistant. Does well in a range of climates. Source: ANN BOT BOU COM GOU SEED SHU
Premium Late Flat Dutch (OP) (Drumhead, Surehead) 100 days. Large, broad, flat heads weighs 10-14 pounds. Measures 7 x 14″. Good keeping cabbage. Source: ANN BURG COM SEED SHU SOU
CABBAGE (red)
Hybrid
Ruby Perfection 80 days. Deep red color, heavy yields. Very solid heads resist bursting. Source: JOH NIC TOT
Salad Delight 50 days. 3 pound heads mature over a long season. Excellent flavor. Source: BURP
Heirloom
Mammoth Red Rock 90 days. Deep red hearts. Great for pickling. 8″ diameter heads weigh 6 pounds. Source: ANN BAK COM SHU TERR
Red Acre 75 days. Compact plants are good in space saving gardens. Dark red, deep globe-shaped heads average 3 pounds. Source: BOT PLA SHU SOU
CAULIFLOWER
Hybrid
Candid Charm 65 days. Medium to large heads. Sturdy jackets and inner leaves envelope the heads. Pure white curds. Source: PAR TER
Cheddar 80-100 days. Deep yellow-orange curds. 4-7″ heads. Easy to grow. Source: BURG GOU HAR JOH JOHN NIC PAR SHU STO TER TOT
Graffiti 80-90 days. Beautiful medium-sized purple heads on large plants. Use a dash of vinegar to preserve color when cooking. Source: GOU HAR JOH JOHN NIC PAR SHU STO TER TOT
Verdi 88 days. Medium size, apple green heads. Source: BURG STO
Heirloom
Broccoverde (OP) 69 days. 1 pound chartreuse green heads retain color when cooked. Upright plant. Source: NIC
Sicilian Violet 68 days. Italian purple headed cauliflower. From Sicily. Source: ANN GOU JOHN
Snowball (OP) 52-70 days. 6-7″ solid pure white heads protected by outer leaves. Source: BOU BURG
CELERY
Hybrid
Conquistador 80 days. Widely-adapted celery. Full, upright heads. Crisp stalks. Performs well under heat and moisture stress. Source: JOH
Heirloom
Giant Red (OP) 85-95 days. 10-15″ stalks with blush red interior. Will keep for 2 weeks in refrigerator. Source: ANN TER
Golden Boy (OP) 90 days. Self-blanching with nearly stringless ivory stalks. Best variety for baby leaves in salads. Source: NIC
Tall Utah 52-70R Improved (OP) 100-120 days. Dark green, 11-12″ stalks. Very compact plant. Bright green. Disease-resistant plants. Stringless. Source: BOT BURP TER
LEAF CELERY (cutting celery)
Heirloom
Leaf Celery (OP) 80 days. Snip leaves and stalks as needed for celery flavor in soups or salads. Source: BOU
CHARD (Swiss Chard)
Hybrid
Charlotte Bright scarlet chard. Use baby leaves or when mature. Source: COO
Neon Lights Mix 60 days. All American winner. Rainbow chard mix of golden yellow, intense red, pure white and rich magenta, all with tender stalks and thick leaves. Source: BURP
Heirloom
Bright Lights (OP) 60 days. All American winner. Light shades of pink, crimson, orange, yellow, gold, purple, and white 20″ stems. Light savoyed leaves are burgundy with some green. Source: BURP COO JOH JOHN NIC SHU TER TERR TOT
Fordhook Giant (OP) 60 days. Large, dark green, very savoyed leaves. 8-10″ pale green stalks. Source: ABU ANN BAK BOT BOU BURP COO JOH SEED SHU TERR
CHICORY
Heirloom
Broad-leaved Batavia 90 days. French variety. Broad, light-green nearly plain leaves. Heavy full head. Source: BOT COO
Italiko Rosso 45 days. Very fine upright Catalogna chicory with serrated medium green leaves and distinctive red ribs. Source: ANN GOU
Radicchio
Hybrid
Indigo 74 days. Dutch variety. 4″ heads mature deep red with a pure white midrib. Source: COO JOH PAR
Wild Garden Chicory (OP) 65 days. A mix of about 8 heirloom Italian chicories. Some have smooth texture, glossy leaves, red speckles, rather than red leaves. A variety of shapes. Source: GOU
Heirloom
Palla Rossa Special (OP) 85 days. Dark red leaves and uniform 5-7″ heads. Distinctive tangy taste without getting bitter. Source: BAK GOU TER
Rouge De Verone (OP) (Verona Red) 85 days. Red-green colored radicchio, if cut back in spring it will produce clusters of small apple size heads. Source: BAK BOU BURP GOU IRI NIC SOU
CHICORY (Frisee, endive curled)
Hybrid
Bianca Riccia 35 days. Light green baby leaf. Blonde leaves are extra-cut and fringed. Pink petiole. Relatively tolerant to heat and cold for growing year-round. Source: JOH
Clodia 33 days. Early endive for salad mix. Extra-cut and fringed. Green petioles grow year round. Source: JOH
Heirloom
Frisee Endive 60 days. Triple-cut curly heirloom from France. Feathery, fine-branched pale leaves. Big heads and blanched hearts. Source: BOU TERR
CHICORY (Escarole, endive not curled)
Hybrid
Bubikopf 2 Known for ease of blanching. full headed with light yellow interior, dark outer leaves have some serration. Source: GOU
Green Full Heart 65 days. Forms large green rosettes, with full leaves toothed at the edges and thick, wide, white wide ribs. Source: GOU
Heirloom
Belgian Endive (OP) (Witloof) 160 days. White to pale yellow, torpedo-shaped. Romaine-like heads. Source: BOU
Full heart Batavian 85 days. Upright, broad, smooth dark green leaves. Yellow centers. 12″ plant. Source: BAK SOU STO
CHICORY (cutting)
Heirloom
Asparagus (OP) (Puntarella, Puntarelle a Folia Stretta) 85 days. Italian heirloom variety. Resembles a dandelion on steroids. Hardy, excellent greens. Very long slender leaves. Source: BAK NIC
Catalogna a Foglia Liscia (OP) (Italian Dandelion) 52-83 days. Fast growing plant traditionally used for early greens. Deep-cut long broad leaves resembling dandelions. 16″ tall. Source: BOU GOU SOU
CORN SALAD (mache, lamb’s lettuce)
Hybrid
Bistro 47 days. Delicate, deep-green tender leaves grow fast and vigorously all spring and fall. Distinctively nutty flavor. Source: BURP COO
Heirloom
Large Seeded Dutch (OP) 50 days. Heat resistant. Large lush leaves. Source: BAK BOT NIC
Verte De Cambrai (OP) 55 days. Cold weather salad green. Mild flavor. Round leaves that should be harvested at 4-6″. Source: BAK IRI JOHN NIC
CUCUMBERS (slicing)
Hybrid
Burpless Beauty 62 days. Long, deep green with pure white flesh with small seed cavity and thick skin. Source: BURP
Diva 58 days. All American Selection winner. Harvest bright green fruits at 4-5″ long. Source: HAR JOH NIC PAR SHU TOT
Sweet Slice 62 days. 10-12″ long. Bitter-free. No need to peel skin. Burpless. Source: GUR HAR JOHN PAR SHU STO TOT
Sweet Success 58 days. All American Selection winner. Burpless. Dark green, 12″ long fruit. Thin, smooth skin. No bitterness. Source: BURP GUR HAR NIC PAR SHU TOT
Heirloom
Armenian 55 days. Eastern European heirloom. 24″ long twisting white fruits. Burpless and easily digested skin. Source: BOT BOU BURP GOU IRI JOHN KIT NIC SEED TER
Crystal Apple Small 3″ oval, bright, creamy white and about the size of an apple. Likely to have originated in China. You can eat skin and all. Source: BAK SEED
Lemon (OP) 58-70 days. Dual purpose cucumber, 3-4′ compact vines. Size and shape of a lemon. Crunchy white flesh. Easy to digest. Source: BAK BOT BOU BURP COM COO GOU IRI JOH JOHN NIC PLA SEED SHU SOU TER TERR THO
Straight Eight (OP) 52-75 days. All American Selection winner. Dark green 8 x 2″ cylinder with blunt ends. Vigorous plants. Source:
MELONS (cantaloupe)
Hybrid
Ambrosia 86 days. Salmon flesh is thick and firm. 6 1/2″ across, average 4 1/2-5 pounds. Small seed cavity. Heavy netting. Source: BURP HAR NIC PAR SHU TOT
Athena 75-85 days. 6 x 10″ fruit. 5-6 pounds. Bright orange flesh. Source: BURG GUR JOH JOHN STO TER
Tasty Bites 80 days. Personal size melon. Harvest when yellowish orange fruit slips from vine. Sweet, rich, aromatic. Source: JOH
Heirloom
Amish 80-90 days. Amish heirloom oval fruits are 9″ long and weigh 4-7 pounds. Sweet orange flesh with full muskmelon flavor. Thick rind. Produces a good crop under almost any condition. Source: SEED SHU
Ananas 100 days. Rare white muskmelon, 5 pounds with white flesh. 1880s heirloom. Source: BAK
Hale’s Best Jumbo 80 days. Deep salmon flesh, sweet and aromatic. 3-4 pound cantaloupe. 7 1/2 x 6″ with deep green skin and golden netting. Drought resistant. Source: ANN BOT BURP GOU IRI PAR SHU SOU
Ha’Ogen (Israel, Haogen) 75-80 days. Identified with Kibbutz Ha’Ogen in Israel. Name means “the anchor”. Round, 3-4 pounds. Spicy green flesh. Yellow-orange rind with shallow green sutures. Source: BOU SEED
MELONS (speciality melons)
Hybrid
Early Gala 75 days. Moderately netted, light green flesh. Small seed cavity. Harvest when rind is yellow and fruits slip from the vine. Source: JOH
Sensation 85 days. Unique variety has excellent taste, texture, and aroma. If harvested when the rind is turning from green to yellow, the sweet flesh will be green and white with a crisp texture. 5-6 pounds. Source: HAR
Heirloom
Amarillo Oro 100 days. golden-yellow, oblong fruit can grow up to 15 pounds. Creamy white flesh. Pre-1870 heirloom. Source: BAK
Collective Farm Woman 80-85 days. Heirloom from Ukraine. Melons ripen to a yellowish-gold. White flesh has high sugar content. Tolerates cool summers. Source: BAK SEED
Tigger (OP) 90 days. Vibrant yellow with brilliant fire-red stripes. Very fragrant. White flesh gets sweeter in dry climates. 1 pound melon. Grows well in dry climates. Source: BAK SEED SOU TER
MUSTARD (mixes)
Asian Greens Mix 20-40 days. Mix of Tat Soi, Toykyo Benkana, Mibuna, Red Streaked Mizuna and Red Giant Mustard. Source: BURG
Wild Garden Mustards (OP) 30 days. Fast growing mix of full spectrum of colors, shapes and flavors. Lime green, red-veined, solid purple and more. Leaves range from flat and smooth to savoyed and puckered. Flesh stems run from the most mild to fiery hot. Source: NIC TER
MUSTARD (baby leaf salad mustard)
Garnet Giant 20-45 days. Solid, rounded leaves of this baby leaf are deep purplish red. Mild but distinct flavored baby mustard. Source: JOH KIT
Golden Frills 20-45 days. Solid, rounded leaves of this baby leaf are deep purplish red. Mild but distinct flavored baby mustard. Source: KIT
Mizuna Red Streak 20-45 days. Ornately fringed purple and green leaves deliver peppery flavor. Thin green stalks grow throughout the season. Baby mustard. Source: KIT
ONIONS (slicing)
Hybrid
Red Candy Apple 95 days. Deep red, flattened globe bulbs that grow to 4″ across. Red-tinged interior. Mild interminate day type. Source: BURP COO GUR IRI JOH PAR
Red Zeppelin Large bright red globe-shaped bulbs. Crisp red and white flesh. 4″ diameter. Long day type. Source: IRI JOH PAR SHU STO TER
Texas Supersweet Jumbo yellow-skin globes have sweet white flesh. Can grow to the size of a softball. Short day type. Source: BURP PAR
Heirloom
Long Red Florence 100-120 days. Italian heirloom. Long bottle-shaped bulbs have attractive color. Mild and sweet. Best used for fresh eating. Long day type. Source: SEED
Southport White Globe (OP) 65-120 days. Medium-size globe, fine-grained flesh. Snowy white pungent flesh. Good keeper. Source: BOU COM
Walla Walla (OP) 100-125 days. Long day type. Big juicy onion that can grow up to 3 pounds. Not a storage onion. Source: ANN BOU BURG BURP GOU GUR IRI JOH NIC PAR STO TER THO TERR
ONIONS (scallions)
Hybrid
Ever Green White Bunching 120 days. Clusters of long, slender stalks with spring green ends. Source: BURP GOU GUR IRI SHU
Summer Bunching Classic white scallions. Mild onion flavor. Source: COO
Heirloom
Deep Purple (OP) Reddish-purple retains color throughout its growth period and through high and low temperatures. Source: JOH SOU
Guardsman (OP) 50 days. 22″ plants, clean white bulbs, emerald green foliage. Source: JOH TER
ONIONS (Oriental)
Gallop 60 days. Traditional Japanese non-bulbing type. Deep green, straight upright shafts are thick and very uniform, medium branching. Excellent heat tolerance. Source: STO
Tokyo Long White Bunching 65 days. An old-favorite Japanese bunching type. Looks like a long slender leek. Sweet and mild. 20-22″ long. Resistant to hot weather. Source: BAK BOT KIT STO TERR
ONIONS (shallots)
Hybrid
Camelot 120 days. The darkest red-skinned variety from seed. Small, white-fleshed bulb. Source: THO
Picador 105 days. Reddish-brown skin with white flesh. Large, French, half-long produces single bulbs. Long term storage. Source: JOH
Heirloom
Grey Griselle (OP) 180 days. French heirloom. Small teardrop-shaped, 1 x 1 1/2″ bulbs have a hard, gray skin and tender, pinkish-white flesh. Mild flavor. Source: SOU
PEAS
Hybrid
Easy Peasy 60-65 days. 11 peas per pod and 2 pea pods per node. Blue-green plants with super curly tendrils. Source: BURP
Legacy (PVP) 59 days. Double and triple podded. 3 1/2-4″ long. 24″ dark green plants. Source: STO
Mr. Big 58 days. All american Selection winner. Extra long pods, 4 1/2 x 1/2″, plump, dark green. Source: BURG COO PAR SHU STO
Heirloom
Alaska 50-60 days. 1880 heirloom. Good yields, good short season variety. Source: BAK IRI SHU TERR
Green Arrow (OP) (Green Shaft) 70 days. English heirloom, 4-5″ pods with 9-11 peas per pod. Double set pods at top of plant. 24-28″ plant. Source: ANN BOT HAR IRI NIC PAR SEED SHU SOU THO
PEAS (sugar pods, edible pods)
Hybrid
Cascadia (OP) 62-75 days. Dwarf bush snap pea. Extra plump, very crisp flavorful pods. Heat resistant. Source: BOT BOU COO IRI NIC SOU STO TER
Sugar Ann All American Selection winner. Early edible pod pea. Ideal for small gardens. Short, bushy, compact plants. Source: BAK IRI JOH SOU TERR
Heirloom
Amish Snap Pea 60 days. Heirloom. Sweet flavor with tender pods and stringless when picked young. Climbing pea vine. Source: ANN
PEAS (snow peas)
Hybrid
Oregon Giant (OP) White flowering snow pea. 30-36″ vines. 5″ long broad pod. Source: COO IRI JOH KIT NIC SOU STO TER TERR
Heirloom
Dwarf Gray Sugar 60 days. 1773 heirloom. 30″ vines have pink and purple flowers that can be used in salads with the peas. Source: ANN BOU COM JOH KIT SEED
PEAS (Oriental)
Taichung 13 70 days. Edible podded sugar pea. White flowers produce many pods that are round, plump, crispy and sweet. Source: KIT
PEPPERS (sweet, bell)
Hybrid
Bell Boy 70 days. 4 1/2″ blocky shape for stuffing. Ripens from green to red. Source: GUR STO TOT
Canary Belle 100 days. 3 1/2 x 4″ and weighs 8 ounces. Very sweet. Sturdy plant. Peppers ripen from green to yellow. Source: BOT TOT
Flavorburst 72 days. Blocky 4″ bells begin Granny apple green and finish goldenrod color. Source: BURP PAR TOT
Golden Baby Belle 75 days. Bright yellow, petite “mini-bells” are 1-2″ long peppers used as small stuffers. 24″ tall plant. Source: BURP COO
Rainbow Bell Mix Big bright glossy stuffing peppers. Merlot, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Chianti and White Zinfandel. Source: COO GUR PAR
Heirloom
California wonder (OP) 70-75 days. Green bell pepper, 4-4 1/2″, thick flesh, blocky emerald-green fruit. Good stuffer. Source: ANN BAK BOT BURG BURP COM COO NIC PAR SHU SOU STO TER THE
Cute Stuff (OP) 62 days. 3″ long by 2 1/2″ wide. Good stuffer. Green peppers turn red when mature. Source: TER
Garden Sunshine 80-100 days. Creamy yellow 8″ bell-shaped peppers. Turns from yellow to orange then red. Best used when yellow or orange. 16″ plant. Source: SEED
Purple Beauty 75 days. Very colorful. Compact 17″ bush plant. Mild sweet bell. 4 lobed, thick walls. Ripens to radiant purple-red color when mature. Source: BAK GOU JOHN SEED SOU
POTATOES (white flesh)
Hybrid
Atlantic Medium oval potatoes. White, lightly netted skin, white flesh. Deep eyes when mature. 3 pounds of potatoes per plant. Good northern choice. Source: IRI
Colorado Rose 80-100 days. Red skin, white flesh. Holds color in storage. Shallow eyes. Source: POT
Gold Rush Early mid season. Oval russet with gold skin. Smooth skin, white flesh. Source: JOH SHU
Heirloom
Dark Red Norland Extra early. Smooth skinned with shallow eyes. Red skin, white flesh. Source: BURG HAR IRI JOH SHU
Kennebec 80 days. Tan skin with white flesh. Keeps well. Large, oblong, with shallow eyes. Source: BURG HAR IRI JOH POT SHU
Red Lasoda 80-100 days. Smooth red skin, deep eyes, white flesh. tolerates high temperatures. Good storage potato. Source: IRI POT
POTATOES (yellow flesh)
Hybrid
Crackled Butterball 80-100 days. Crackled tan skin is easily washed. Yellow flesh. Source: POT
German Butterball 85-135 days. Small to medium oblong potatoes. Golden netted skin, yellow flesh. Source: BURP IRI PAR POT SEED TER
Heirloom
Bentje (Bintje) 90-110 days. Long, oval pale yellow skin and smooth yellow flesh. 1911 Dutch heirloom. Yellow Finnish type. Source: ANN IRI JOHN POT TER THO
Rose Finn Apple 80-100 days. Medium-sized well clustered rosy-buff skin and deep yellow, blushed with red flesh. Long keep fingerlings. Vigorous vine. Source: IRI PAR POT SEED SOU
Yukon Gold (OP) 80-90 days. Yellow-fleshed and drier than most other yellow flesh potatoes. Good keeper. Source: BURG COO JOH PAR POT SEED SOU TER THO
POTATOES (blue, purple, red flesh)
Hybrid
Adirondack Blue (PVP) Deep purple skin with solid purple flesh. Blue color remains after cooking. Source: JOH
Adirondack Red (PVP) Deep red skin with pink to red flesh. Holds color when cooked. Stores well. Source: JOH
Heirloom
All Blue 90 days. Skin is rich deep blue, the flesh is blue that lightens when cooked. Medium size. Source: BURG BURP IRI JOHN POT SEED TER
Mountain Rose 70-90 days. Medium to extra-large tubers with smooth brilliant red skin and light red swirled flesh. Non-waxy flesh retains its color after cooking. Source: SEED TER
RADISHES
Hybrid
Red Satin 23 days. Red, round roots, nice white interiors. Source: STO
Reggae 1-2″ round red radish with tall tops. Crack resistant. Source: COO
Heirloom
Cherry Belle (OP) 22 days. All American Selection. Round, bright cherry roots with white flesh. Source: ANN BOT BOU BURP GOU GUR HAR NIC SHU SOU STO TER
RADISHES (long)
Hybrid
D’Avignon 21 days. French radish to nearly cylindrical 3″ roots. Bright red with white tips. Source: COO JOH
Heirloom
French Breakfast (OP) (Radis Demi-long Rose a Bout Blanc) 25 days. 1873 heirloom. Mild, spicy flavor oval roots have red top and white tip. Source: ANN BAK BOT BOU COM GOU GUR HAR IRI JOHN NIC SEED SHU TER
RADISH (Oriental)
Heirloom
China Rose (OP) (Rose Colored Chinese, Scarlet China Rose) One of the oldest types of radish. Very hardy fall/winter variety. Roots are 5″ long and a rose color. 1850s heirloom. Source: BAK COM KIT SHU SOU
Tokinashi 65 days. 18″ long, white, mildly pungent. Crunchy. Used for cooking, pickles, or raw in salads. Unfazed by heavy clay soil. Japanese heirloom daikon. Source: BOU KIT NIC STO
SPINCAH (plain leaf)
Hybrid
Double Choice Smooth dark green leaves. Perfect for baby spinach. Stays tender and mild when left to mature. Source: COO
Red Cardinal 21-32 days. Dark green oval leaves with red veins. Upright plants. Use for baby leaf or full size. Source: JOH
Heirloom
Galilee (OP) 35 days. Striking, triangular shaped leaves. Heat tolerant. Vibrant green leaves. Source: TER
Strawberry Spinach (Strawberry Blite) 90 days. Grown in Europe for centuries. Very showy compact 18″ plant. Triangular toothed leaves and tender shoots. Shiny red mulberry-like fruits are edible and added to salads. Self-seeding annual. Source: SEED
SPINACH (savoyed, semi-savoyed)
Hybrid
Harmony 42 days. Upright leaves are heavily ruffled and textured. Slow to bolt. Source: BURP
Melody 42 days. All American Selection winner. Large, upright plants with big, thick, dark green ruffled leaves. Source: BURP
Heirloom
America 50 days. Dark green heavily savoyed leaves. Extremely slow bolting. Source: ANN GOU SEED
Giant Winter (Gigante D’Inverno) 50-70 days. European heirloom produces large, broad, deep green semi-savoyed pointed leaves. From Italy. Very cold hardy. Source: ANN BAK BOU GOU JOHN
SPINACH SUBSTITUTES
New Zealand Spinach 60-70 days. This variety takes the heat of summer and keeps producing. Not frost hardy. 1700s heirloom. Source: BAK BOT BURP COM GOU JOHN SEED SHU STO
Red Malabar Spinach (OP) 70-90 days. Not a true spinach, but a heat-loving Asian vine with red stems and delicious, succulent leaves. Great in salads and stir-fries. Tropical loving spinach. Source: SEE TERR
TOMATOES (slicing)
Hybrid
Big Beef 73 days. Extra large, 10-12 ounces. All American Selection winner. Extra smooth fruit. Indeterminate. Source: BURG BURP GUR HAR JOHN PAR SHU TOT
Burpees’ Big Boy 80 days. Up to 1 1/2 pounds. 4″ across and 2 3/4″ deep. Bright red, semi-globe shape. Source: BURG BURP SHU TOT
Celebrity 70-72 days. All American Selection winner. Large, red tomato produces under a broad range of conditions. Determinate. Source: BURG BURP GUR HAR JOH PAR SHU STO THE TOT
Early Girl 45-62 days. 4-5 ounce red tomato. Large leaved plant. Indeterminate. Source: BURG BURP GOU GUR NIC PAR SHU THE TOT
Heirloom
Bloody Butcher (OP) 55 days. Medium, round, 4 ounce fruits, deep dark red inside and out. Indeterminate potato leaf plant. Source: ANN TOT
Abraham Lincoln Shumway heirloom. 1 pound. Some times plant sets as many as 9 fruits in a cluster. Indeterminate. Source: SHU SOU TOT
Brandywine Red (OP) 85 days. Large-lobed, beefsteak shaped, with thin red skin. Not acidic. Best staked or grown on trellis. 16 ounces. Indeterminate. Source: BOT COO GOU GUR IRI JOHN NIC PAR SEED SHU SOU TER TERR TOT
Costuluto Genovese (OP) 85 days. 19th century Italian heirloom. Determinate. Flattened and quite attractive with their deep ribbing. Standard for eating or preserving. Source: BAK BOU COO GOU JOHN PAR TER TERR TOT
TOMATOES (purple)
Hybrid
Black Truffle 75 days. Deep burgundy color with undertones of purplish-black. 6-8 ounces. Sweet, strong, complex flavor. Indeterminate. Source: BURP
Black Velvet 62 days. Indeterminate, rich chocolate brown streaked with deep red, 5-6 ounces. Source: GUR
Heirloom
Black Brandywine 85-100 days. 1920 Pennsylvania heirloom. Indeterminate. Large, dusky rose/purple fruit with rich sweet flavor. Source: SOU TOT
Black Krim (OP) 78 days. Russian heirloom. Very juicy with thin skin and dark green shoulders. Brown-red when ripe. Slight saltiness that enhances taste. Indeterminate. 4″ fruit. One of my favorites. Source: ANN BOT BOU BURG COO GOU GUR IRI NIC SEED SHU TERR TOT
Black Prince (OP) 70 days. An heirloom from Irkutsk, Siberia. 5 ounce tomatoes are round and uniform. Deep blackish-chocolate brown. Sweet, rich flavor. 2-3″ diameter. Indeterminate. Source: BAK GOU NIC SOU TER
TOMATOES (green)
Hybrid
Fried Green 80 days. 7-9 ounces, stays green when fully ripe. Indeterminate. Source: COO TOT
Heirloom
Aunt Ruby’s German Green 85 days. One of the largest green beefsteaks. Can grow to 1 pound. Brilliant neon-green flesh with strong, sweet, fruity flavor. German heirloom by way of Greenville, Tennessee. Source:ANN BAK BOT BOU JOHN SEED TERR TOT
TOMATOES (pink)
Hybrid
Ozark Pink 65 days. Smooth, attractive pink tomato. Medium to large size. Good in hot, humid areas. Source: BAK SOU
Pink Beauty 74 days. Pink, 6-8 ounces, flattened globes. Full rich tomato flavor. Blemish free fruit. Indeterminate. Source: JOH
Heirloom
June Pink (Pink Earliana) 68 days. Indeterminate. 1900 heirloom. Rose-pink color. Bears clusters of 4-6 tomatoes. Source: SOU
Arkansas Traveler 80 days. Medium-sized pink tomato with smooth rose skin. Arkansas heirloom. Tolerates heat and humidity. Crack resistant. Good flavor. Indeterminate. Source: ANN BAK BOU GOU SOU TOT
German Johnson 80-90 days. Heirloom. Productive plant. Very large 1-2 pounds. Flavorful and crack resistant. Indeterminate. Source: BAK COM GOU SOU TOT
TOMATOES (yellow)
Hybrid
American Original Beefsteak 76 days. 12-14 ounce beefsteak. Holds its texture and flavor after picking. Indeterminate. Source: TOT
Brandymaster Yellow 70-80 days. Yellow tomatoes weigh up to 1 pound. Firm juicy flesh. Widely adapted. Indeterminate potato leaf plant. Source: TOT
Lemon Boy 72 days. Lemon yellow, deep globe, 7 ounces. Mild flavor. 3 1/2″ across. Indeterminate. One of my favorites. Source: STO TOT
Heirloom
Golden Ponderosa 78 days. West Virginia heirloom. Indeterminate. Large core, yellow-gold fruit weigh over a pound. Mild flavored, sub-acid fruit. Source: SOU TOT
Yellow Brandywine 76 days. Indeterminate. Indiana heirloom. Same flavor as pink Brandywine. Large, slightly ribbed beefsteaks are sweet and tangy. Fruit keeps well. Large potato leaf foliage. Source: ANN SOU TOT
TOMATOES (orange)
Hybrid
Orange Blossom 60 days. Medium-firm, globe-shaped, 6-7 ounce orange tomatoes. Mild with a little acid. Source: JOH
Grandma’s Pick 75-80 days. Orange/red on the shoulders that deepens to bright red at the bottom. Large, squat, pleated fruit averages 3 1/2″ wide and 1 3/4″ tall. Indeterminate. Source: TER TOT
Heirloom
Amana Orange 75-80 days. Big, 1 pound glowing orange beefsteak. Iowa heirloom. Very attractive, full intense flavored tomato. Indeterminate. Source: ANN BAK GOU TOT
Persimmon (OP) 80-90 days. 12 ounces or more. Rose-orange hue. Smooth, sweet flavor. Ripens from the blossom end up. Indeterminate. Source: GOU JOHN SOU TER TERR TOT
TOMATOES (white)
Hybrid
Italian Ice 65 days. 8-10 ounces. Indeterminate. Medium-size, whitish yellowish color. Source: BURP
Heirloom
Great White 80-85 days. Large, 1 pound creamy white fruit. Has a tropical flavor. Smoother than most beefsteaks. Source: BAK GOU TOT
Ivory Egg 70-75 days. Swedish variety. Ivory-cream colored fruit is the shape and size of a chicken egg. Creamy flesh is sweet and rich. Source: BAK
TOMATOES (Striped)
Hybrid
Copia 80-90 days. Large, striped tomatoes. Fine stripes of glowing gold and neon red. Flesh is a mix of red and yellow that is swirled together in various combinations. Source:
BAK
Heirloom
Ananas Noir (OP) (Black Pineapple) 55 days. From Belgium. 1 1/2 pounds, multi-colored smooth fruit is green, yellow and purple mix. Flesh is bright green with deep red streaks. Superb flavor being both sweet and smoky with a hint of citrus. Source: BAK JOHN TER TOT
Big Rainbow 85 days. Hugh fruit up to 2 pounds. Sweet tasting. Very striking when sliced, the yellow fruit have neon red streaking though the flesh. Indeterminate. Source:
BAK BURP COO GUR JOHN PAR SOU
Old German (OP) 78 days. Old Mennonite heirloom that are striped and boat-shaped. Rich flavor makes for perfect slicers. Mottled/striped gold to red. Indeterminate. Source: ANN GOU SHU SOU TER TOT
TOMATOES (small fruited)
Hybrid
Cherry Roma 75-80 days. 2″ plum cherry fruits. Indeterminate. Source: BURP SEED TOT
Golden Rave 72 days. Indeterminate. 2 ounces roma-type yellow tomatoes. 2″ long. Source: GUR HAR PAR STO TOT
Sugar Cherry 76 days. Indeterminate. Large current-type 1/2″ fruit with orange red skin. Grows in clusters of 12. Intensely sweet flavor. Source: SOU
Super Sweet 100 70 days. Sweeter than Sweet 100. Multiple branches with long clusters. 1″ tomatoes. Indeterminate. Source: BOT BURP HAR JOHN KIT PAR STO
Zebra Cherry 80 days. Cherry tomatoes have zebra streaked skin with dark pinkish interior. Determinate. Source: TER
Heirloom
Black Cherry 75 days. Black cherries are dusky purple-brown and look like grapes. Large vines. Unique and delicious fruits. Source: BAK GOU TERR THE
Gold Nugget (OP) 60 days. Old time yellow cherry tomatoes. Outstanding yields. Can be grown in containers. Source: BURG IRI NIC TER TOT
Green Grape 70-80 days. Rich, sweet and zingy. Lime-green inside and chartreuse yellow skin. Size of a large grape. Strong bushy plant. Semi-determinate. Fruit borne in clusters of 4-12. Source: BAK GOU IRI SEED SOU TOT
Large Red Cherry 75 days. Very old type. 1 1/2-2″ red cherries. This variety can be used for canning too. Indeterminate. Source: BAK GOU IRI SEED SOU TOT
Red Pear 75 days. 1″ pear-shaped tomatoes bore in large clusters. Heirloom favorite. Full rich flavor. Source: GOU TOT
Yellow Pear (OP) 78 days. Very sweet, 1 1/2″ yellow pear-shaped fruit. Mild flavor. Very productive plant. Pre-1800 heirloom. Indeterminate. One of my favorites. Source: BAK BOU BURP COM GOU IRI NIC PLA SOU TER TERR THE TOT
WATERMELON (icebox, small)
Hybrid
Red Ruby 85 days. Seedless. Ruby red flesh. Oblong, striped rind. 6-8 pounds. Source:
BURP
Yellow Doll 68 days. Yellow flesh. Light and dark striped rind. Oval to round, ice-box type. 5-7 pounds. Source: BURG HAR STO
Heirloom
Blacktail Mountain 65 days. Great for short season areas. Round, dark green rind with faint stripes. 6-10 pounds. Orange red flesh. Small brown seeds. Does well in humid climates. Source: SOU
Golden Midget 70 days. Golden-yellow rind with salmon pink flesh. 3 pounds. Turns yellow when ripe. Source: ANN BAK COM IRI SEED