Vegetable Varieties to Consider Growing in Minnesota

Are you thinking about what vegetable seeds and plants to
grow this year? Now is the time to do that. The seed catalogs have already
arrived. The local garden centers will start bringing in their seeds, with
plants arriving on or about the first of April, depending on the weather. 

Here is a list of vegetables and the varieties that have been proven to grow in Minnesota. There are dozens, even thousands, of varieties to choose from. Here are a few proven winners. Use this list as your starting point. 

• Beans, Bush (Italian-flat podded). Magnum, Roma II
• Beans, Lima. Burpee Improved, Eastland Bush
• Beans, Pole. Gold Marie, Helda, Smeraldo, Super Marconi
• Beets. Merlin, Red Ace
• Broccoli. Packman Hybrid, Superdome Hybrid
• Carrots. Purple Haze, Supersnax, Sweetness II
• Cauliflower. Accent, Stardust
• Chinese Cabbage. Blues, Kasumi
• Corn (popcorn). Japanese Hulless
• Corn (sweet). Bodacious, Early and Often, Kandy Korn, Precocious
• Cucumbers (pickling). Alibi Hybrid, Chicago Pickling
• Cucumbers. Diva, Iznik, Marketmore
• Kale. Lacinato, Redbor, Winterbor
• Kohlrabi. Kolibri, Kossak, Winner
• Lettuce (butterhead-bibb). Burpee Bibb, Buttercrunch, Continuity
• Lettuce (leaf). Black Seeded Simpson, Red Sails
• Lettuce (Romaine-Cos). Flashy Trout’s Back, Outredgeous, Super Jericho
• Melon (cantaloupe). Minnesota Midget, Sarah’s Choice, Tasty Bites
• Peas (snap). Sugar Heart, Sugar Snap, Peas-in-a-Pot
• Peppers (sweet). Giant Marconi, Summer Sweet, Sweet Chocolate
• Radicchio. Indigo, Palla Rossa
• Radish. Crunchy Royale, Red King
• Spinach. Matador, Space
• Squash (winter). Bonbon, Delicata, Sweet Mama, Sunshine (Kabocha)
• Squash, Zucchini. Ambassador, Spineless
• Tomatoes (heirloom). Amish Paste, Brandywine, Green Zebra, Rose   

Check any seed packets you purchase. Some do not have an expiration date, but all should have something that says “packed for 2013.” Older seeds can still be viable, however the germination rate may be reduced by 50%. 

Doubtless, if you have had success with your own favorite varieties keep growing them. Not so sure your success has been that successful? Then consider these varieties as an alternative. You say that you haven’t tried Kale, Radicchio, or some of these other veggies yet? Then consider giving them a place in your 2013 garden. 

Questions? Comments? Please contact me at this blog or at larryc@cci4360.com.