Despite the weather and “other issues”, I think it’s turning into a pretty good garden year.
I really enjoyed getting the 2020 Burpee New Varieties in May (“Yay, My Burpee Home Garden Plants Have Arrived“), and they are looking fabulous! Definitely loving the summer heat that has finally arrived.
How are they doing?
The sweet peppers have tons of flowers and look healthy and strong. The Yellow Mardi Gras Fun Series F1 Snack Pepper already has a large pepper ready to start changing colors. I can see the first hints of yellow.
The Roulette F1 Sweet Pepper, a “sweet habanero with lots of flavor”, has 2 little peppers and lots of flowers for more to come. I don’t usually use much heat in my food so I’m excited to try these mild, but flavorful peppers. I will definitely find a tasty recipe to use them in! Any suggestions?
The Grand Slam F1 Slicer Tomato, described as a “great slicer tomato, ideal for containers; determinate variety”, is liking the grow bag I planted it in. It’s growing in a nice, tidy compact shape that I would expect from a determinate variety, and has plenty of flowers and green tomatoes. I did put a cage around it for support since it looks like it’ll be a heavy producer.
The days to harvest for this variety is 74 days, so just a little later to ripen than the Early Girl Bush (68 days) that is growing near it. She never disappoints with the first tasty tomatoes of the season. Ready to pick the first one! What should make with it? Maybe it’ll be an ALT (avocado, lettuce and tomato) sandwich so I can savor the freshness.
When I pick what varieties to grow, I do like to stagger the days to maturity a little bit so everything doesn’t arrive at once. But I also like to err on the early side to make the most off the shorter growing season here in the midwest.
I’ve been intrigued by the Redarling F1 Brussel Sprout (reddish purple, flavorful sprouts).
I’ve never grown brussel sprouts before and so far so good. There was a bit of cabbageworm damage on it and the nearby cabbages, but I think it’s ok. I’ve been searching for the little worms to pick off, but haven’t seen them yet. They are sneaky little things. I may have to resort to dusting this year with some Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki, which is one of the safest, natural ways to kill off the caterpillars. I do have this issue every year with the cabbage and kohlrabi, so next year may try some companion planting of thyme and sage to repel the damaging worms. Who doesn’t like more herbs in their garden?
The only Burpee plant not doing well was the Lemon Drop Squash that the rabbits unfortunately got to. Would love to try it again, but this time behind the safety of a rabbit fence. Who wouldn’t love to have little lemon sized yellow squashes?
Here’s some more photos of the birthday pup!
