Top 'Trial Seeds of 2024' for Minnesota Gardens This Year

Planting season in central Minnesota has arrived. I get so excited thinking about what I should try and plant each year, but one of the most frustrating things I have to decide is not what I want to plant, it's what variety SHOULD I plant for them to thrive in my backyard?

This morning, I had the pleasure of speaking wtih Master Gardener Joseph Storlien, and he shared with me that the University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program has created thier list of recommended plant varieties!

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Each year, new varieties are added to the list, which contains over 40 years of data from seed trials throughout the years. The 2024 winner list is now available and here are a few of the winners you might want to try this year. These seeds have a lot to offer; so lets get to the 2024 favs.

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CILANTRO - CALYPSO

People either love it or hate it. Cilantro has a strong scent as well as flavor, which will either make your dish pop or be overcome with only a Cilantro flavor. This year's Cilantro winner was called 'Calypso.'

Calypso seems to be a hardy variety of Cilantro, and should be planted in late May. They say it continued to harvest through October, so if you want Cilantro for a long while, this might be the variety for you.

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BROCCOLI - HAPPY RICH

Do you love the flavor of Broccoli? Then this might be the best choice for you to plant this year. The variety called "Happy Rich' won this year because of it's excellen cooked flavor. Other things that were found favorable included the fact that it had a small stem diameter and produced a lot of broccoli.

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GREEN BEANS ANYONE? YU LONG NOODLE KIN

I love, love, LOVE green beans. A bean called 'Yu Long Noodle Kin' was the winner this year. It was recommended by all of the testers to soak the seeds overnight before planting them outside in mid-May. These beans are said to be easy to grow, and grow long, skinny green pods that can reach 12 to 18 inches long. That would make a lot of beans just with one being cut up into delicious bite-sized pieces. They are said to be tasty right out of the garden, or in a stir-fry or deep-fried.

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SHALLOT - DAVIDOR

The Davidor Shallot is said to have a nice color pattern, and is easy to peel. It is said to be a great variety to make a zesty vinaigreet, or to sautee, for delcious sweetness.

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PEPPER - CUPID

Also known as 'snacking peppers, Cupid peppers are small, petite peppers that ripen early, and have a sweet flavor. They are also loaded with vitamins C, A, E and B6. They are good eaten raw, or on the grill, in baking or used in stuffing.

Is your mouth watering yet? This list should surely help you choose the right variety for your garden.

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