New veggie and flower varieties for 2003
By By Steve Strong / guest columnist
Jan. 15, 2003
Seed companies have released their new vegetable and flower varieties for the coming garden season, and it looks like some new twists on old themes.
Whether the color and flavor live up to the fancy new names is usually in the hands of the grower, and here are a few suggestions for the ambitious gardener to try.
Salad mixes of different types of lettuces combined with other leafy veggies are being packaged as "Signature Salads," "Mesculun," and "Spring Mix," while a new line of high germination herbs is being marketed this year as "Supherb."
Leafy greens can be started from seed anytime during the winter months, but it's important to get them going by March in order to benefit from the cool growing season.
A few oddball veggies for the summer season include a new lavender-shaded cauliflower called "Graffiti," a yellow grape tomato named "Morning Light," and a green-and-white striped eggplant called "Kermit." Keep in mind that these "designer veggies" are often more difficult to grow than the standard varieties, although they do make great conservation topics for the dinner table.
Annual flower growers trying to get a head start on spring should begin now, planning those color schemes and contacting local suppliers to make sure their selections are available when they order.
New varieties for 2003 include an annual bright red phlox called "Scarlet," an ornamental pepper mix called "NuMex Twilight" and a (2002) pink-blooming geranium with contrasting dark leaves called "Black Velvet Rose."
The All-America Selection rudbeckia daisy "Prairie Sun" tops the list of new perennial flower choices and is a bicolor blackeyed-susan with golden petals and primrose tips. A new variety of Lisianthus or Prairie Gentian called "Forever White" is another AAS winner, and like the rudbeckia is also suited for hot dry summers.
Seeds need to be sown about six to eight weeks before the recommended planting dates, especially if gardeners plan to transplant from flats into larger pots prior to bed planting.
Many plants started from seed generally do better when they are grown in containers first, rather seeded directly into garden soil.
Outdoor soil temperatures may remain too low to stimulate good seed germination, and fungus diseases often attack young seedlings when the soil stays cool and wet. Be aware that several kinds of critters may also feed upon the seed before they get sprouted, and that it is much easier to estimate the amount of seed being sown in flats versus garden beds.
Starting seed in flats first (using good quality store-bought growing mix), and then transplanting to individual containers gives the gardener greater control over the growing environment.
New root systems get a chance to get bigger faster with less competition, and it is much easier to move and protect young plants from freezing weather while they are still in pots.
Applying bottom heat underneath flats of seeds is another grower's trick to improve the germination rate, and gardeners may find heated "grow mats" in local garden centers or mail order catalogs. Remember that it takes only a few seeds to produce a lot of baby plants, so be sure to sow seeds sparsely at first until you figure out how many transplants it will take to fill up your containers or planting beds.
Take special care when pulling apart sprouted seedlings for transplant, making sure that the seedlings have grown at least two sets of "true leaves" before separating into new pots.
Gently tug the seedlings apart using the leaves rather than the stems, and avoid overwatering new transplants as they establish their root systems the cycle should be deep, thorough watering followed by nearly complete drying of the soil before the next irrigation.
Give young seedlings plenty of light to prevent stretched, leggy transplants, and even consider light pinching of new growth on extra vigorous plants to promote a more bushy plant.
For more garden info, contact the county Extension Service at 482-9764, or visit the Mississippi State University Web site at www.msucares.com.
