But I was very pleased with the quality of the roots.  They were very sweet, juicy, and mild and had great color.  I say had because I only have five left!

Peas:  Oregon Trail--sweet and excellent cooked.  No problem with pea enation virus.  I can't comment on how well they freeze because we ate them all after each picking.  Prolific producer, having two pods together for easy picking. 

Green beans:  Kentucky Wonder--Another very prolific producer.  Next year I'll plant half the vines.  Great flavor and not stringy until quite large.  Long, uniform beans that again grow two per node, making them easy to pick.

Broccoli:  Territorial Seed Co.'s Hybrid blend--I actually direct-seeded my broccoli in early May--yes, May.  I wasn't too lazy to start them early, umm, I was experimenting--and was pleasantly surprised by heads of broccoli to harvest, despite the heat.  They didn't bolt overly fast, and gave lots of smaller side shoots after the heads were cut.  I may try a side-by-side trial of direct-seeded and transplanted broccoli next year, to see the differences.

Pumpkin:  Howden--This one took up a huge amount of space, but produced several enormous, dark orange, lightly ribbed pumpkins for Jack-o-lanterns.  I couldn't bear to cut them, so we used markers to decorate them instead. 


Gardening is a lot of trial and error.  We are each scientists of a sort, testing, adjusting, tinkering, until we get the formula right.  Each gardener's formula is unique to his garden.  Each garden had its individual soil decomposing and predatory populations that work together to improve the soil. 

When we plant those little seeds, a lot of gathered knowledge, a lot of research, goes into every sprinkle of soil.  And a lot of heart.  Our hopes lies within those shallow trenches we scratch into the soil, then backfill and lovingly pat.
Pick your seeds with care.  Happy researching!

Territorial Seed Co.   (541)942-9547
Park Seed Co.  (800)213-0076
Irish Eyes (509)964-7000
        (formerly Ronniger's Seed Potatoes) 
Vermont Bean Seed Co.  (803)663-0217
        (more than just beans)

--©2001 Lisa Marie Long
Oregon State University  Master Gardener™