April 15, 1998

Now is the time to start planting certain small fruits, vegetables and annual flowers in the garden. Many plants prefer the cool moist weather of spring and do best when planted now. Here is a list of some recommended varieties that perform well in local gardens.

'Jersey King' is an excellent male hybrid asparagus. For many years Asparagus 'Mary Washington' was about the only variety available for home gardens. Recent breeding has produced several new hybrids that yield mostly male plants. Plant energy is used to produce spears rather than seed. 'Jersey King' and other male hybrids will yield two to four times more spears than the old Washington variety.

'Sugar Snap' is my favorite variety of garden pea. I don't like to shuck peas and so we eat 'Sugar Snap' peas, pod and all. They are very sweet and delicious, raw or cooked. Our kids loved to pick them from the vine and eat them like candy.

Rhubarb 'Canada Red' is the earliest rhubarb to harvest. It produces long thick stalks that cook up to a nice strawberry-red sauce. It is one of the sweetest rhubarbs and makes a great pie.

Raspberry 'Heritage' is the closest to an everbearing variety I have found. Although the main crop usually comes in the fall from early September until frost, a summer crop is produced in early July. Plants set out in the spring often produce a light crop the first fall.

Black Raspberry 'Jewel' produces the largest fruit of any black raspberry. The large glossy black fruits are firm and have a rich raspberry flavor. It is winter hardy here and resistant to most diseases.

Broccoli lovers should try the variety 'Premium Crop', which will produce very large heads with smooth , small beads and tender stems. Despite President Bush's feelings about the matter, nothing beats garden fresh broccoli served with a little melted cheese.

Cabbage 'Dynamo' is perfect for those who like the sweet flavor of cabbage fresh from the garden, but don't want large heads hoarding space in the refrigerator. Its 2 pound heads are the right size for a family meal. 'Dynamo' resists the tendency to split open, allowing you to harvest them as you need them. You can enjoy its mild flavor over several weeks.

Cauliflower heads will have a green tint in the garden unless they are "blanched" to shield them from sunlight. This is done by tying the outer leaves together over the top of the head. The color of the heads does not affect the flavor or nutrition. Blanching is done mostly for eye appeal. Cauliflower 'Snow Crown' yields solid heads weighing two pounds or more. It will be pure white when properly blanched. Another variety, 'Self Blanching' has outer leaves that grow upward over the head without your help. This variety is very popular locally.