Here at the farm we grow about 50 different varieties of vegetables. It’s just so hard to resist trying the newly discovered, most improved and admittedly, the ‘coolest’ looking heirloom veggies.
Over the years, we have lucked out falling for the tempting photos of fantastically coloured varieties and descriptions that hail the best flavour EVER.
As a challenge, I decided to compile a list of my 5 favourites - ones I wouldn’t do without in my garden.
What only 5 you say!! Not an easy task but
If I HAD to pick only 5 these would be them.
Rainbow Carrots
Hands-Down, carrots are my favourite and this variety checks all the boxes. They are sweet, disease resistant, uniform in size and maturity with 4 different colours in one packet. The great thing about carrots is you can start them early, harvest them late, and store them perfectly all winter!
Find these at Vesey’s Seeds
Be a part of our farming experience and share in our garden’s bounty!
2. Tomatoberry Tomatoes
I think if we had a signature product, this would be it.
This gem of a tomato has been with us from the very beginning and will always have a place in my hoop-house! Indeterminate plants need staking and pruning otherwise becoming unruly but the extra effort is well worth it.
Try Them at Burpee Seeds
3. Jade Green Beans
There are so many kinds of green beans!! We found these by chance and have never looked back. They are beautiful, delicious no matter what the size, and produce over a long time. They do have white seeds though, so wait until the soil warms in June to plant or they wont germinate!
Jade is a popular variety. Here is but one way to get them Stokes Seeds
4. Cortland Onions
Really! Onions?! I know onions are pretty boring so how in the world do they make my top 5?
Truth is I use onions ALL THE TIME!
Virtually every meal I make starts with an onion and this is the best tasting, most versatile variety I have found. It’s firm, juicy, not too pungent and most importantly, it stores fantastically for a whole year! If you still think “an onion is an onion”, this one is one to try. It will change the way you look at them forever.
Check out Cortlands at Veseys Seeds
Touchstone Gold Beets
Source these beauties from OSC
I just had to include a beet in my top 5. They are fast, easy and so tasty fresh from the garden. You can eat the tops just as readily as the roots which can be steamed, roasted, pickled or eaten raw. Picking just one beet from the dozens of varieties was easy. Bright yellow on the inside with orange skin they are stunning on a plate! I find they have the best flavour of all and they don’t stain your hands.
Agree that these look delicious but can’t manage a garden this year?
Don’t despair! Stop by the farm this summer so you can still enjoy these amazing ingredients!
These 5 Favourites and more will always have a place in our garden and at your table!
