Vegetable Varieties for Gardeners

Reviewed on 12/15/2010 by genuinefauxfarm - An experienced gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Bremer, Iowa, United States Frost Free Season: 123 - 143 days Soil Texture: Loam Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40') Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day
We grow Black Summer as a fall to winter crop in Iowa for our farm. We tried it once as a spring planting. A combination of early heat and some weed pressure resulted in bolting before the plants got any size. Since adopting a second half of the season planting, we've had excellent success with this variety. They can be picked small (4-6") or at full size. They will hold very well in the field during fall and can handle freezes with minimal scorch damage. Unlike many fall crops, they continue to grow deeper in the season. Other crops may go into a stasis and survive, but not get larger. We easily harvested full sized pak choi in late November that were grown in the field and not covered. We are still harvesting this variety in our unheated high tunnel. These can be quite large and heavy (over 1 lb easily), hold well in the crisper and are very impressive on the market table. We prefer to seed these into trays and transplant rather than direct seed. These don't wilt as quick as some after cutting.

Reviewed on 11/07/2005 by Garlic Lady - An experienced gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	North Carolina, United States Frost Free Season: 183 - 203 days Soil Texture: Loam Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40') Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day
Great for market gardeners pretty planyt great taste and can hold well in ground until you are ready to harvest. Slow bolting important in NC