Skip to Content

4 Big Winning Plant Varieties From Our Garden Trials

One of our favorite things to do every year is try out a few new plants in the garden. Whether it’s a new variety of an heirloom tomato or a fiery hot pepper, it’s always fun to see what new taste will grow from the soil.

garden trials
The Dakota and Strawberry Popcorn growing in the garden

This was definitely the year of the tomato trial in our garden – in addition to planting our normal canning supply of Roma, Amish Paste and San Marzano tomatoes – we trialed 10 new heirloom varieties to see what new flavors we might come up with.

Of all the new plants we tried out, there are definitely 4 that have become instant “hits” in the garden – and we thought we would share them with you for today’s Sunday Farm Update.

Winners From The Garden Trials 

garden trials
The Black Seaman tomato is full of flavor!

Black Seaman Tomato –  This heirloom tomato has been a huge hit with both of us – and will definitely find its way back into our garden plan next year! The fruits ripen to a dark reddish / black color, taking on a crimson

The taste is simply divine! It is easy to see why this tomato wins a lot of blue ribbons at county fairs for taste.

They are prefect for slicing,  They are also the perfect tomato of choice for a little olive oil and mozzarella cheese appetizer.

Dakota Black Popcorn – This is a new variety of popcorn we grew this year, and we cannot wait until it is time to pick and harvest! The stalks have grown well in our raised rows, shooting up to nearly 8′ high – with each stalk having 2 to 4 full ears of reddish / black popcorn beginning to ripen.

Dakota Black Popcorn - We cannot wait to harvest ours! Photo from Baker Creek Seeds
Dakota Black Popcorn – We cannot wait to harvest ours! Photo from Baker Creek Seeds

Not only is it supposed to be an excellent popcorn, but the ears will be perfect to use for all kinds of fall decorations!

Tiger Blush Tomato – This is one incredible tomato!  The Tiger Blush is an oblong style cherry tomato that ripens to a beautiful orange with hints of pink stripes down the sides.

The flavor is a pure sweetness, with a hint of an almost peach-like taste. The plant is a heavy producer of fruit, and is perfect for putting in salads and fresh eating if they can simply make it out of the garden before being consumed straight from the vine!

garden trials
The tiger blush tomatoes ripening on the vine.

Green Gage Yellow Tomato – This heirloom yellow tomato variety has roots that go all the way back to England in the 1870’s, and was considered to be a “cottage garden” tomato. The plant was one of our first tomatoes to ripen in the garden, and has been producing heavy ever since.

The Green Gage fruit  is a bit larger than a traditional cherry tomato, measuring about 1 1/2″ in diameter when ripe. They are perfect for salads, sandwiches – or simply eating straight from the vine! 

Happy Gardening! – Jim and Mary

To receive our Recipes, DIY and Gardening articles each week, sign up to follow the blog via email in the right hand column above, “Like” us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter. You can also find our new book, Growing Simple, available in paperback or e-book here at Amazon.com