Vegetable gardens offer a world of possibilities, from familiar favorites to exciting new discoveries. Whether you stick to your trusted varieties or like to experiment with something different, there's always room for exploration. With new vegetable varieties constantly hitting the market, some adventurous gardeners are eager to try them out before they become mainstream. As I browse through catalogs, I've set my sights on some promising new additions for my garden this season.
Wondering where to find these new gems? Companies like Johnny's Selected Seeds often showcase the latest varieties in their catalogs, giving gardeners a chance to explore and experiment. Seed suppliers regularly introduce fresh options, whether they are entirely new to the market or just making their debut with specific vendors. One trend that catches my eye is the rise of compact versions of traditionally large vegetables, catering to smaller households. I'm also drawn to vibrant hues and seek out cultivars with unique or unconventional colors to brighten up my garden.
Different seed varieties may require different growing conditions, so it's essential to follow the instructions on the seed packets. Some new seeds for 2024 offer advantages such as shorter growing seasons for earlier harvest, increased cold-hardiness for extended planting times, or the need to start indoors. Let's explore a few of the new seed options for this year!
18. 'Purple Moon' cauliflower
'Purple Moon' cauliflower is a new variety that matures a few days earlier than others. With a beautiful medium purple color and blue-green leaves, this variety only takes 62 days to reach maturity, compared to other varieties that take longer. It's a great option for a tender and quick-cooking garden vegetable that thrives in cooler temperatures. 'Purple Moon' can be directly sown in spring or late summer for a fall harvest.
17. 'Caraflex' cabbage
The 'Caraflex' cabbage is a compact and oval variety with pointed heads, ideal for smaller gardens. These cabbages typically reach a size of 9 inches long and 4 inches wide, weighing around 1.5 to 2 pounds at maturity. Their teardrop shape adds visual appeal to the garden, while the tightly formed leaves help protect against pests like cabbage worms. This cold-hardy cabbage matures in just 75 days.
16. 'Innovator' shallots
Growing shallots from seed is so satisfying, and they take up less space in the garden than conventional onions. This new shallot variety, 'Innovator,' is resistant to a disease known as onion downy mildew. This could be killing your other onions in the garden. Shallots like full sun and grow best in sandy, loamy soil with excellent drainage. They do well in raised beds where you can control their soil conditions. 'Innovator' is a rosy-pink shallot with reddish-brown outer skin that takes 110 days to mature.
13. 'Blackberry' potatoes
These beautiful new deep purple potatoes are hard to find, and many vendors are already sold out of mini tubers or seed potatoes for growing this spring. But I will keep trying and put it at the top of my list for next year. The 'Blackberry' potato is a vivid, deep blue-violet color with skins that look nearly black, and the intense purple of the flesh stays bright even after cooking. These potatoes are great for harvesting early, mid-season, or late, depending on how large you want them to be.
12. 'Galeux d'Eysines' pumpkin
This French heirloom pumpkin is also known as a "peanut pumpkin" for the wrinkled growths on the surface that resemble peanuts in the shell. These surface-level bumps are formed when sugars crystallize under the pumpkin's skin, which is a pale pink-peach color. The 'Galeux d'Eysines' pumpkin grows to between 10 to 15 pounds, so you'll need some space to grow them. This unusual pumpkin could be one of the best pumpkin varieties to plant in your garden, highly prized in France for its sweet, velvety-textured flesh used to make soups and sauces.
11. 'Dragon' carrots
These 'Dragon' carrots are a striking deep purple color with bright orange cores. They are not only visually appealing but also pack a flavorful punch. The purple color comes from anthocyanin, a powerful antioxidant that is also found in blueberries and blackberries. These carrots are not only beautiful but also nutritious, making them a great addition to any garden or meal.
Among the unique and colorful vegetables to grow in your garden, the 'Dragon' carrots stand out for their deep reddish-purple color. While sometimes sold as 'Purple Dragon,' these carrots have a bright orange interior flesh and a sweet, slightly spicy flavor. Their vibrant appearance makes them a beautiful addition to salads, and they can even be juiced to create a bright, raspberry-colored drink. These Danvers-type carrots typically grow between 5 and 7 inches long and are easy to cultivate either in the garden or in containers. As heirloom varieties, 'Dragon' carrots are naturally resistant to most pests and diseases.
With the growing popularity of heirloom vegetables, there are some fascinating pumpkin colors making their way into the market. These miniature white pumpkins are a delightful option for decorating your home. They reach a maximum size of 4 to 4.5 inches, with vines that can grow up to 6 to 8 feet, making them ideal for sunny, vertical garden spaces. The 'Casperita' pumpkin is a newly developed variety that is resistant to common diseases like powdery mildew and watermelon mosaic virus. Compared to larger pumpkins, 'Casperita' matures quickly and is ready to harvest in just 75 to 80 days.
These diminutive butternut squashes mature to a smaller size than usual, weighing between 1 to 1.5 pounds apiece. For those who love fresh winter squash but don't need to prepare a whole one, this is a great breakthrough. These sweet miniatures are also good climbers for a fence or trellis, topping out at 12 to 16 inches tall, perfect for small or urban gardens with vertical space. Like other winter squash, the 'Butterbaby' cultivar can be planted at the same time as summer squash but takes longer (about 100 to 105 days) to mature
Okay, I admit it, I'm not super fond of beets. But I love beet greens, and beets are packed with nutrients. Beets are also the best vegetable to grow if you're a lazy gardener: they are naturally resistant to pests and diseases and need only well-drained soil, ample sunlight, and regular watering to produce an abundant harvest. These gorgeous Chioggia-style beets have beautiful concentric rings visible when you slice them. 'Moving Target' beets are deep pink with a complex, earthy flavor. This new cultivar is sturdy, productive, and very cold-hardy.
1. 'Bonarda' broccoli
Imagine growing this stunning purple broccoli in your garden! 'Bonarda' (also known as 'Purple Sprouting') is an exciting European heirloom broccoli cultivar that has recently become available again, and with good reason. It has deep purple heads and purple-tinged edges on its blue-green leaves. 'Bonarda' is an overwintering broccoli with smaller plants than spring-planted broccoli. You usually want to plant it in late summer or early fall and then harvest it in early to late spring. In colder USDA growing zones, it may need some winter protection. The slender stems and small, flowery heads are deliciously tender and sweet.
