Plant Varieties 2009

by Ether

Every year the Ether Garden starts off with all sorts of beautiful ideas and a pile of seed packets and plant starts. Then we remember that despite our deepest dreams, the Ether Garden is after-all a terrestrial thing made of soil and loam. Not everything intended is planted, and not all plants go as intended. Despite all of this, we still push on and dream our dreams each spring.

This years varieties, at least as planned, include a vast array of heirloom veggies as usual, some are stand-by old friends, and some are new and exciting. The list so far includes (most seed is heirloom, all seed is organic):

  • Bean, bush: Bountiful (1897) [47-50 days]
  • Bean, bush: Empress (re-named 1979) [55 days]
  • Bean, bush: Pencil Pod Golden Wax (1900) [50-65 days]
  • Beet: Carillion [58 days]
  • Beet: Chioggia aka Candy Stripe (1840) [50 days]
  • Beet: Detroit Dark Red (1892) [60-65 days]
  • Broccoli: Romanesco [75-100 days from transplant]
  • Broccoli: De Cicco (1890) [48-85 days from transplant]
  • Cabbage, red: Mammoth Red Rock (1889) [98 days from transplant]
  • Carrot: Danvers Half-Long (1871) [65-87 days]
  • Carrot: Minicor
  • Cucumber, pickling: Double Yield (1924) [50-60 days]
  • Endive: Galia
  • Fennel: Florence
  • Leek: Blue Solaize [100-120 days]
  • Lettuce, romaine: Forellenschuss [55 days]
  • Lettuce, looseleaf: Lollo Rossa [55 days]
  • Lettuce, butterhead: Tennis Ball (1850) [50 days]
  • Melon: Sakata’s Sweet [85-95 days]
  • Onion, sweet-storing: Walla Walla (day neutral)
  • Onion, scallion: Summer Bunching
  • Pea, snap: Amish Snap [60 days]
  • Pea, shelling: Sutton’s Harbinger (1898) [52-60 days]
  • Potato, yellow storing: Yukon Gold [100-120 days]
  • Pepper, sweet bell: Orange Bell (1989) [90 days from transplant]
  • Pepper, sweet bell: Sweet Chocolate (1965) [58-86 days from transplant]
  • Raddicio: Indigo
  • Rhubarb: MacDonald
  • Shallot: French Demi-Long
  • Spinach: Monnopa [45-60 days]
  • Squash, winter: Waltham Butternut Cucurbita moschata [83-100 days]
  • Tomato, paste: Amish Paste [85 days from transplant] indeterminate
  • Tomato, slicing: Cherokee Purple [80 days from transplant] indeterminate
  • Tomato, beefsteak: German Pink [85 days from transplant] indeterminate
  • Tomato, paste: Opalka (1900) [85 days from transplant] indeterminate
  • Flower, Sweet Pea: Cupanis
  • Flower, Nasturtim: Black Velvet
  • Flower, Hollyhock: Nigra
  • Herb: Provincal Lavender
  • Herb: Dill
  • Herb: Winter Savory
  • Herb: Rosemary
  • Herb: Marjoram
  • Herb: Thyme
  • Herb: Oregano
  • Herb: Hot and Spicy Oregano
  • Herb: Peppermint
  • Herb: Lemon Balm
  • Herb: Basil
  • Fruit, Fig: Hardy Chicago
  • Fruit, Strawberry: unknown variety

Remember how we mentioned that those local to the Ether Garden can benefit? Your first opportunity is right now! If any of the veggies or flowers above interest you, drop us a line! The Ether Garden is offering packets of seed in small numbers to local reader-gardeners. We will also be offering seedlings in May, and you can place dibs on seedlings at this time as well! Unfortunately we cannot offer herbs or fruit seed/starts at this time, but this may change later in the season. This is a great opportunity for those of you who simply don’t need a full packet of seed, but want to start your own. This is also a great way to get heirloom seedlings raised organically and locally.

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