The beginning of spring brings the hope of a new gardening season and the promise of a bountiful crop of new vegetable varieties to grow in the garden. This spring is no different, with brand new vegetable varieties, new seed collections and better availability of garden favorites.
Seed catalogs and websites strive to introduce new vegetable varieties that put a new spin on garden favorites. Sometimes these new varieties offer bigger harvests and better hardiness. Sometimes the appeal is a different color or an even larger ripe tomato.
Gardeners always love to grow the newest varieties of their favorite garden vegetables, and the ones listed below are sure to be among this year’s popular favorites. The result of years of experience from established companies, the offerings listed below can bring something special or unusual to every garden.
So, gardeners, get your garden plots ready for something new.
“World’s Largest Tomato” Introduced by Burpee
The new ‘SteakHouse’ Tomato, the largest tomato variety ever introduced, headlines the bumper crop of new Burpee varieties for 2014. A vine-ripened ‘SteakHouse’ tomato tips the scales at up to three pounds or more while brimming with heirloom tomato flavor and head-spinning fragrance. The ‘SteakHouse’ tomato is an indeterminate variety that matures about 75 to 80 days after plants are transplanted into the garden. Like all tomato varieties, “SteakHouse’ grows best in full sun. Both seeds and starter plants of the new variety are available.
According to Burpee, the popularity of tomatoes has grown steadily since just after World War II. Tomatoes are now the undisputed top-selling homegrown edible crop outselling all winter squashes, summer squashes, and sweet and hot peppers combined. The introduction of the giant ‘SteakHouse’ variety continues the tradition of giving home gardeners more and larger tomato choices. Burpee’s introduction of the ‘Big Boy’ tomato in 1948 was at the forefront of the trend that turned tomato-growing into one of America’s most popular garden activities.
“Burpee horticulturists have continuously brought innovation to the seed market since 1881,” said George Ball, Burpee’s chairman. “The ‘SteakHouse’ Tomato will delight gardeners with its gorgeous, humongous fruits and the taste is sublime! You can feed a whole family with one of these tomatoes.”
‘SteakHouse’ Tomato is available in seed packets (25 seeds for $6.95) or as pre-started plants (3 garden-ready plants for $16.95, delivered at the proper planting time for your area).
“Heirloom Green Hybrid” Tomato Offers Old-fashion Flavor and Modern Vigor
Adventurous gardeners are always looking for a new and cool tomato variety to grow in this year’s garden. A new hybrid introduction of a classic heirloom green tomato is just what the gardener ordered.
When you combine the rich flavor and strong fragrance of heirloom tomatoes with improved vigor, the unusual look of slightly flattened fruit and gold to green skins, you get the new Heirloom Green Hybrid Tomato. This distinctive beefsteak variety is heavy producer of 11- to 12-ounce fruits all season long. Heirloom Green Hybrid offers the perfect blend of sugars and acids, creating a bite that is tangy, meaty and sweet. The fruit is wide and slightly flat, which makes it easier to cut into big, luscious slices for sandwiches. The fruit color begins lime green, and then it turns deep yellow to golden at full maturity. You’ll be able to smell the ripe tomatoes before you see them, and every bite is a mouthwatering experience.
This indeterminate plant (meaning that the vines keep growing taller and bearing more fruit all season long) is very easy to grow. The seeds have an exceptionally high germination rate, so it is a good choice even for gardeners who have never tried growing tomatoes from seed before. Start seeds indoors 5 to 6 weeks before the last frost date. Transplant the seedlings into the garden in spring, spaced 2 to 2 1/2 feet apart. Ripe fruit is produced 75 days from setting out transplants.
GMO-free Bush Beans Produce A Bountiful Harvest
New for 2014 from Botanical Interests Seeds is a superior bush bean called ‘Jade.’
An absolute star performer in the garden, the bushy, dark green plants produce an abundant crop of consistently straight, tender, stringless, thin pods that are about the thickness of a French filet-type bean. They are perfect for every culinary application from casseroles and pickles to eating fresh from the garden.
The strong, upright ‘Jade’ plants hold their precious cargo well above the soil so gardeners don’t have to worry about curled pods or tips that rot from sitting in the dirt. ‘Jade’ also comes packed with impressive disease resistance that will have even the most challenged gardener growing perfect green beans time after time. With superior culinary quality, reliable production and disease resistance, Jade’s got it all.
Kaleidoscopic Swiss Chard Delivers Colorful Twist On A Garden Favorite
The new Kaleidoscopic Swiss Chard Blend includes green-stemmed Lucullus, pink-striped Peppermint, sunny-yellow Golden Sunrise, hot pink Magenta Sunset, red Classic Rhubarb and brilliant Orange Chiffon. Perfect for small space gardens, it yields six months of delicious beauty. It is but one of Kitchen Garden Seeds exclusive new varieties for 2014. Other new varieties include Iona Petit Pois Peas, Bloomsdale Long Standing Spinach, Super Hot Bhut Jolokia Peppers, Provence Lavender and Love-in-a-Puff.
Check out these and other vegetables, fruits and herbs perfect for our growing area at your local nursery. 
