Are you as excited as I am that the growing season is just around the corner? Today on the blog, I’m sharing several new vegetable varieties and herbs I’m growing this year!
We had a few warm days here in the northeast and it has me itching to get working in my garden! Of course, it is way too wet to even attempt setting foot inside but I can still do some planning and count down the days until spring!
Each year, I grow my tried and true favorites but I also love trying new varieties of fruits and vegetables. One of my favorite seed companies offered a bigger variety of organic seed this year so I’m trying even more new varieties than usual. It should be a fun growing season! Here are a few new things I’m looking forward to growing this year!
New Vegetable Varieties
Orangeglo Watermelon
New Orchid (another orange watermelon) has been a favorite of mine for several years but the Orangeglo caught my eye. Bright orange flesh, tropical flavor, 10-15 lb fruits and adapted for the northeast. Some claim this is the best orange watermelon they’ve ever tasted. I need to try it –even though I’m growing two other varieties! One can never have too many watermelons, especially with three fruit-lovin’ kids at home!
Sliver Slicer Cucumber
There is nothing like fresh cucumber picked right off the vine! It’s the moment I wait all winter for! This year, I want to do a better job succession-planting our cucumbers. What this means is I’ll plant a few different varieties and space out my planting so we have more cucumbers over a longer period of time. The Silver Slicer should fit in very nicely.
It is long and lean with creamy white skin tender skin (I’m hoping this means I don’t need to peel!) The kids should find the color interesting and maybe even eat more than usual! But, the thing that really sold me was that this variety keeps going until September! Yeah, pretty cool!
Rainbow Lacinato Kale
I’m a big fan of Lacinato kale (also known as dinosaur kale.) Instead of tough, frilly leaves (which are great for making Kale Chips and adding to smoothies and soups,) Lacinato kale is flat and more tender. It is my favorite kale variety for adding fresh to salads (Russian kale also works well.)
This Rainbow Lacinato kale caught my eye because it’s actually a cross between Lacinato kale and Redbor kale ( a beautiful, purple “frilly” kale.) This variety is supposed to combine the best of both types of kale (vigorous and cold hardy) and should be absolutely gorgeous in my garden. Of course, I need this!
Aurora Orach Mix
If you’ve ever tried growing spinach at home, you know that it’s bit finicky. While we eat spinach year round, I can only get it to grow in my garden in the early spring. Once it warms up a bit, it’s done! Aurora Orach (also known as mountain spinach) caught my eye because first off, it looks gorgeous ( I do love my beautiful plants!) It has such beautiful, vibrant colors! But, more importantly, this will be my spinach replacement for a least part of the growing season.
Chocolate Sweet Pepper
I have to say, I’m pretty curious about this pepper! What DOES it taste like? This is supposed to be a good producer too, averaging 12 peppers but it can produce up to 20-30 peppers per plant!
New Herbs I’m Growing
Sacred Basil (also known as Holy Basil or Tulsi)
Not your standard sweet basil, this basil is much more! Holy Basil, a member of the mint family, is considered a tonic—an invigorating herb that improves vitality. I purchased some dried Holy Basil and I’ve been enjoying it in tea over the winter. It has quickly become one of my favorites! While you might never consider pulling out the sweet basil in your pantry to make tea, this Holy Basil is absolutely delicious! It tastes nothing like the sweet basil you toss in your soups and spaghetti sauce.
Holy Basil is thought to have an affinity for the heart, protecting it from stress and lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. It is also considered an adaptogenic herb, which helps the body adapt to stress.
I’m really looking forward to experimenting with the fresh Holy Basil!
Motherwort
I’ve spent the last three months getting to know Motherwort and I need to share my experience with you soon ! Motherwort has long been considered a remedy for both the physical and the emotional heart. The herbalist, Nicholas Culpeper, stated that “there is no better herb to drive away melancholy vapours from the heart, to strengthen it and make the mind cheerful.”
What I found particularly interesting as I read about Motherwort is that many herbalists claim that just being near a growing Motherwort plant has a grounding and calming effect.
Motherwort is said to bring strength during emotional times and to calm anxiety . It is also a wonderful herb for the female reproductive system and during all stages of a woman’s life. I’ve been using dried Motherwort in teas (it’s bitter so I mix it with other herbs,) in a tincture and in a salve for easing menstrual cramps.
Resina Calendula
As you know, I’m very fond of calendula in my homemade skin care products. Last year, I grew calendula for the first time and was amazed at how my tiny little patch continued to produce dozens and dozens of flowers that I harvested up until the first hard frost.
This variety of calendula is new to me. It has a high resin content and therefore should make better medicine and skin care products! I can’t wait to try this variety out!
What are you growing this year? Are you exciting about some new varieties? I’d love to hear! Leave your comments below.
You might also be interested in the following posts!
My Top 10 “Must Grow” Vegetables
5 Tips to Transition Your Family Into Eating Healthier
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