Garden Picks & Pans
March

Whether raving or raging, gardeners are seldom shy about saying what works and what doesn't.  In the sustainable garden, tools should be reliable and useful and plants must perform well with little or no intervention.

PICKS

New Seed Introductions

From Renee's Garden:

Lettuce 'Sea of Red.'  Large, deep red leaves that won't fade in the sun.  Would also make a nice ornamental.

Beet 'Golden.'  Golden-orange color, sweet, mild taste.

Pole Filet Bean 'French Gold.'  The true, slim haricot vert, but in yellow.  Vigorous and heavy-bearing.

Cosmos 'Rose Bon Bon.'  French double cosmos, very frilly, in a shade of light lilac pink.  Ooh la la.

Pom Pom Hollyhock 'Apricot-Peach Parfait.'  Heavily double blossoms on strong 5 to 7 foot stalks.  A confection of color.


From Burpee:

Tomato 'Tye-Dye.'  Bicolor gold and red hybrid that is a combination of the heirloom flavors of Big Rainbow, Pineapple and Georgia Streak.  Sweet, mild and non-acidic.

Zinnia 'Jazzy Mix.'  Hot colors in semi-double blossoms.  Reminiscent of the Mexican varieties.

Cosmos 'Double Take.'  Bi-color pink semi-double blossoms.  Like all cosmos, great for attracting butterflies or for cutting.

Pea 'RSVPea.'  Sweet, sturdy and bred for the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.  If you've never enjoyed them fresh off the vine, give peas a chance.


From Park Seed:

Rudbeckia 'Cherry Brandy.'  Now available from seed with a color as luscious as its name.  Self-sows.

Oryza sativa 'Black Madras.'  Ornamental rice with dark purple foliage.  Needs constant moisture and full sun.

Snapdragon 'Twinny.'  Double-flowered dwarf snap in separate shades of peach, white, bronze, yellow and violet.  Can also be purchased as a mixed selection. 

 
PANS

So many mistakes and disappointments, so much money spent.  The list could go on and on and on. .