This past weekend I went seed shopping for broccoli. Broccoli is a cool season crop, meaning that it can take some frost without dying off and that it likes to mature in colder temperatures. The cool thing about cool season crops is that if you plan right you can get two plantings in, in one season. There are a couple things I was looking for and picking my seed varieties for this year: heat resistance and side shoots. I choose two varieties to plant this year. Both packets were produced by the Ferry-Morse Seed Company.

Barbados Hybrid
The problem with trying to grow broccoli in the spring is that if it gets too hot early, the broccoli will bolt or go to seed and your hard work won’t pay off. Barbados Hybrid is said to produce well even in warmer areas. So I thought it would be a good choice for the spring planting. I plant to start them indoors and transplant them out when the ground is ready. The problem with just planting them out in the spring time is the ground is still cold so the seeds won’t germinate quickly. Plus by starting them indoors I can get a harvest quickier before the warm temperatures hit.

De Cicco
For my second variety, I was only really concenred by choosing a variety that produces side shoots once the main head is harvested and that is what I will get with De Cicco. I will plant these in the summer time for a fall harvest. Since the soil is nice and warm in the summer, I can directly sow the seeds and they will germinate fast. When it’s time to harvest them, the weather will be cooler, so the broccoli won’t bolt.

In preparation of the upcoming gardening season, I have researching seeds as well as searching through the displays at local stores. One of my favorite vegetables is green beans, so naturally they are one of my favorite things to grow. I plan to grow both pole beans and bush beans this year as well as grow beans of different colors: green, yellow, and purple. Here are the seed packets I have chosen so far and the reason why I chose them.

Royal Burgundy
I wanted some purple beans this year, because I thought they would be fun to grow and make for great pictures here on the website. I picked a packet from Ferry Morse, that promises high productivity. These beans are stringless and since they are purple it will be easier to find them amongst the green leaves. They should be ready to harvest in 53 days. Sorry to disappoint you if you don’t know already, these purple beans will turn green when cooked.

French Gold Pole Filet Beans
Last year I grew Cherokee Wax beans, because I love the contrast of green and yellow beans on my dinner plate. What I did not like about the Cherokee Wax was that they got really meaty with large black seeds inside, rather quickly. My wife does not like really meaty beans, so the search was on for a thin variety. I believe I found that with the French Gold (packet from Renee’s Garden seeds). These are slim beans and like the purple are easy to find. It should take about 60 days to harvest.

Blue Lake 274 Bush
These are a classic green bean, they can be found at any store that sells seeds. I grew them last year with great results. They provide heavy yields and are ready to harvest in 55 days.

Triomphe De Fracy Green Bush
I don’t know how to pronounce them but I chose this heirloom variety from Burpee for their slenderness and that fact that in only 48 days I should have my first harvest. These beans are considered a french filt bean or a haricot vert.

Beurrre De Roquencourt Wax Bush Bean
Another one I can’t pronounce and another heirloom. These seeeds from Seeds of Change promise to be tender, elegant, stringless, and most importantly delicious. I was looking for a yellow bush bean and thought I would give this one a try. Harvest is expected within 55-60 days.

I am excited to see how all these beans do and how good they taste. Keep checking back on the website for pictures and updates on my progress. I live in zone 5, so my frost free date for 2010 is May 25, so that is around when I plan to plant my beans.

Now that it is January, it’s time to start thinking about seeds. Yes I live in a northern state where snow is currently on the ground. But now is the time to do your research so that when it’s time to plant your vegetables you are all ready to do so.

When it comes to buying vegetable seeds, Burpee is my favorite company. They have a wide selection and there seed packs give you all the information you need. I received an e-mail from them last week advertising their new varieties they have for 2010. In this post I am going to mention some that sound interesting.

Bush Bean Beananza

These french green beans are suppose to be twice as prolific as most other green beans. They are also slender and stringless.

Pea RSVPea

These peas were made in mind of those that live in cooler climates of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states. They purpose about 7-8 peas per pod.

Tomato Orange Wellington

These tomatoes can weight up to 12 oz. They are orange in color and have a nearly seedless flesh.

Tomato Cherries Jubilee

In one season this plants can produce hundreds of small sweet cherry tomatoes.

Tomato Big Pink

Looks like Burpee has a tomato in every color this year. This pink tomato is said to be ideal for sandwiches, burgers, and salads.

Garlic Silver Rose

This garlic is said to be a fast grower with a mild flavor. If handed properly, it can be braided, and keep for 6 months!

Soybean Be Sweet 292

The claim on this one is that it is one of the highest yielding edible soybeans for home gardens. Each pod contains 2-3 beans.

Carrot Super Root

If your looking for larger carrots, this one can grow to 8 inches. It’s a good choice for those that want to make some carrot juice.

Cauliflower Colored Mix

For all the cauliflower fans, this is a mix of seeds that will give white, purple, green, and yellow colored cauliflower. These will look beautiful on in your bowl.

Potato Rose Finn Apple

This is a fingerling potato with a yellow flesh and rose color skin. At first glance I thought these were sweet potatoes.

Potato Russian Banana

I picked up an organic version of these potatoes at a grocery store recently and they had a great buttery taste to them. There are a fingerling variety.

Zucchini Green Tiger

These zucchini look really nice with striples, that remind me of a watermelon. They also are said to be the best tasting.