Plants that grow well in our area.

SQFTBIX 1/12/2011, 8:47 pm

I know, I know, another question from me! LOL! I was just wondering whether anyone has a source that would tell you which types of the various veggies do well in our region. In all my readings, there is a theme that you should research which types do well in your area. I mean, do I really know for sure that Better Boy tomatoes do well in 7a? I have tried Brandywines and they seem to do ok but they aren't as prolific as I imagined. I had abject failure with cabbage the last two years and that got me to thinking - which is a dangerous proposition sometimes. Anyone have any ideas or thoughts? Thanks in advance!

**sfg4uKim** 1/13/2011, 9:26 am

I would start with MD's Cooperative Extension.

http://extension.umd.edu/gardening/index.cfm

They have a section called "Grow It, Eat It!" On the left-hand column of that page, there's a section called "Get Answers" and a place to "Ask the Experts".

Mikesgardn 1/13/2011, 10:26 am

The University of Maryland Extension has a publication called "HG 70 Recommended Vegetable Cultivars for Maryland Home Gardens". You can get it at
http://www.hgic.umd.edu/content/onlinepublications.cfm

Megan 1/13/2011, 6:43 pm

Thanks guys, for such great information! I find it hard to know whether a variety isn't good for the area, or whether I just didn't do a good job of growing it (or it was a bad year, or whatever other reason.)

SQFTBIX 1/17/2011, 12:35 pm

Thanks for the help guys. I thought I had been trying to grow the wrong cabbage and I was correct. Going to go down to Meyers seed in Baltimore to get seeds in the cultivars that work. Maybe now I can get some home grown cabbage. Very Happy

Megan 1/17/2011, 5:16 pm

Keep me posted on the cabbage! I planted some "late flat Dutch" cabbage this spring (it was a freebie from Baker Creek!) and it sat there all summer and finally got to maybe 8" tall and never any bigger by Christmas, which is when I gave up on it. (I kept on thinking "late, well, give it more time.... " but if you don't have a harvest by Christmas, you're beyond late in my book! Rolling Eyes

kiev123 1/24/2011, 12:21 am

What varieties do your local farmers sell? Hit up a farmers market and talk to a farmer about spring planting.

kiwirose 1/24/2011, 10:19 am

I love the county extension offices information and use them frequently, but sometimes, if you have a hankering to try something I have been known to just give it a go even if it isn't traditionally grown in your area. When I was first trying to figure it out, the farmers markets were a great resource too - althought that will give you information only once it it ready, it might help you next year too? We started our great adventure with a CSA share that got us eating things we hadn't even heard of - and they were all grown just down the road, so my theory was if it worked for them, it will work for me too. This year I won't be doing the CSA as I have expanded my beds enough that I think I will be able to produce most of our vege requirements, but will suppliment from the FM as required.

SQFTBIX 1/25/2011, 9:52 am

Great ideas all. The extension service was a great help. Now I just need to find the cultivars I need. Went to Home Depot and they had very few. Sad

LaFee 1/25/2011, 10:48 am

The big boxes are pretty likely to NOT have local cultivars, as their entire business model is geared toward the "one-size-fits-all" frame of mind.

Look for a locally owned garden center - sometimes Ace and Tru Value have excellent garden centers, because they're locally owned and operated, and therefore more in tune with the local climate and requirements.

kiwirose 1/25/2011, 5:57 pm

ohhh great suggetion for Ace - I didn't even think of them!

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