Edible Plants for the New Year

New Fruit and Vegetable Plant Varieties for 2008 Gardens

Jan 13, 2008

See the best of the new vegetable and edible plants available to home gardeners in 2008. Tasty heirloom varieties, and disease resistant strains available this year.

Sharpblue Early Season Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum 'Sharpblue') – Zones 7-10. This Monrovia Southern Highbush blueberry plant introduction provides gardeners with an easy-to-grow fruiting shrub that produces sweet, blue colored berries throughout the growing season. A suitable blueberry for warmer climates, 'Sharpblue' blueberry only needs around 200 hours of chilling time and has even remained an evergreen shrub in the southern zones. Gardeners should expect 'Sharpblue' to grow about 6' tall and wide. Grow this blueberry in full sun and evenly moist, slightly acidic soil.

Eggplant F1 'Hansel' (Solanum melongena) – The 2008 AAS Vegetable Award Winner, the miniature eggplant 'Hansel' is a heavy-bearing eggplant. Small, purple fruits mature quicker than many eggplants and are usually ready for the table after only 55 days. Try growing the 'Hansel' eggplant in a container, or small garden area as its compact size makes it easy to grow anywhere it can get good, loamy soil and full sun.

Wyatt's Wonder Pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima 'Wyatt's Wonder') – 110 days to maturity. This new pumpkin variety has large, orange fruit that will mature between 70 and 150 pounds. 'Wyatt's Wonder' is a beautifully rounded, orange pumpkin that will be sure to catch attention (and maybe the blue ribbon) of gardeners everywhere.

Solid Gold Tomato (Lycopersicon lycopersicum 'Solid Gold') – 90 days to maturity. The 'Solid Gold' tomato is just what you would expect, a lovely yellow tomato variety that is extremely heavy producing. This tomato plant is an indeterminate tomato and will continue producing new, grape sized tomatoes until frost. The unique color, and sweet flavor of 'Solid Gold' makes this the perfect cherry tomato to add to a gourmet salad or salsa.

Blue Magic and Orange Magic Winter Squash (Curcurbita maxima) – 85-100 days. The Magic series of winter squash are available in two different colors this year; 'Blue Magic' and 'Orange Magic'. 'Blue Magic' winter squash is only 4-6 pounds, making it smaller than some other winter squash and it has a tender flavor that is delicious. 'Orange Magic' is a bit smaller and also matures more quickly. Instead of a dusky blue color, the 'Orange Magic winter squash has a dark orange color and a sweet, nutty flavor.

The copyright of the article Edible Plants for the New Year in Vegetable Gardens is owned by Angela England. Permission to republish Edible Plants for the New Year in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.