Can you suggest seeds for starting broccoli, beets and carrots? I have already placed order with Park seeds for tomatoes and magda squash.

Also, can anyone suggest the best tomatoes for canning?

Where do I find ACE sweet pepper seeds?

thanks!!

Debra Lenzen

I have had great success with Packman broccoli. The first heads aren't super huge but I have never had such large florets the rest of the season as I pick the side shoots. I have also heard (but not grown) from a market gardener that he likes GreenKing. I don't know where to get those seeds but Packman comes from Johnnys also.

I really like Federal tomatoes for canning. They are a torpedo shape, heavy and not extra juicy. I tried a new method last year and will repeat it from now on. Wash the tomatoes, leave whole and freeze as is in large zip-lock bags. Pull out what you need and thaw. They even make good salsa this way. I never liked my salsa either canned or frozen but using the toms like this makes a salsa that is almost as good as fresh. Federal's are an heirloom and not easy to find. You can get them at www.seedsavers.org. I have an extra catalog if you want to come by and pick it up. I could give you some awesome okra seeds if you do. They are heirlooms from Tennesesee. I might also have some Federle seeds, can't look now because I had foot surgery and getting around is a little hard but you can still come over.

Detroit Red Beets are often recommended but Eliot Coleman prefers Red Ace as one of the more common. He also recommended Vermillion. Don't know where to get that but Red Ace is common. I haven't figured out my favorite beet or carrots yet.

Have you thought of trying turnips? I never did until last year becasue of the CSA (okra also) and we were totally surprised how good they are fresh. Sweet and make a great vegetable dish. Even cut up fresh in a salad is good. They grow easy and fast so you can get things early from your garden. And you MUST grow kohlrabi! This was the surprise hit of the CSA. They are wonderful just cut up for fresh eating or cooked or stir-fries. We had some for dinner tonight from the greenhouse. They have to be one of the best fresh eating vegetables around.

If you come out I should have some fresh premium salad greens for sale from our greenhouse, if you want a wonderful nutritous fresh salad. The price will be comperable to organic store bought premium greens but they will be fresh picked so better.

Happy Gardening,
Diane